24 Years Later, Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire Are Getting A Direct Sequel

Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire remain two of the most beloved entries in the franchise’s history, and for good reason. Originally released for the Game Boy Advance in 2002 in Japan and 2003 in North America, the Gen 3 classics introduced players to the Hoenn region, an expansive new world filled with now-iconic Pokémon such as Rayquaza, fascinating new locations, and some of the series’ best Legendary encounters.

From choosing between Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip to battling the villainous Team Magma and Team Aqua, the games delivered unforgettable adventures that still stand out after 24 years. They also revolutionized the franchise with features like Double Battles, Pokémon Abilities, Contests, and Secret Bases, establishing mechanics that would influence nearly every subsequent generation.

Although Hoenn eventually returned in 2014’s Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire remakes, the original games never received traditional sequels. Now, more than two decades later, an ambitious new project is finally looking to change that, promising a direct continuation of these beloved Pokémon adventures (via YouTube).

Pokémon Ruby 2 is an ambitious fan-made ROM hack being developed by YouTuber King Cradi, the creator behind Pokémon Emerald Mini. Unlike traditional ROM hacks that might simply increase difficulty, introduce new Pokémon, etc., this project aims to deliver an entirely new adventure that serves as a direct narrative sequel to the original Ruby, albeit in an alternate timeline.

The premise is essentially looking at what happened if Team Magma had actually succeeded in its plans to use Groudon to expand Hoenn’s landmass, which means the terrain and map of the original have been transformed into a region where that fallout is apparent everywhere.

Iconic locations have been completely redesigned into a sort of chaotic remix, with Slateport City now covered in sand, Lilycove City’s department store abandoned, and the waterways surrounding Mossdeep City transformed into islands connected by bridges. There’s also a reimagined Route 135 connecting Mount Pyre to Sootopolis City, while Mount Chimney will serve as the location for the story’s climax.

Beyond the environmental changes, Pokémon Ruby 2 promises a substantial amount of new content, including a regional Pokédex featuring 255 Pokémon, a new Dark-type Gym, additional puzzles, and a tournament arena in Mauville City. Custom character sprites, redesigned locations, and new music inspired by other Pokémon games further expand the experience while preserving the nostalgic Gen 3 aesthetic.

Unfortunately, the project has experienced some delays, and while it was originally targeting a release before the end of 2025, King Cradi explained in a development update earlier this year that the project’s scope had expanded way beyond its initial plans. As of January, mapping was roughly 90% complete, while scripting was around 65% finished and gameplay development stood at about 60%. The remaining work included balancing trainer encounters, completing story events, polishing graphics, and potentially adding post-game Legendary encounters and a dedicated battle facility.

King Cradi has pointed out that the finished product won’t be an overly difficult challenge, instead offering something slightly more demanding than the originals while still being accessible for returning players. Further, while development updates were also provided in June, a confirmed release date is still unavailable. Given the scale of the changes and the developer’s determination to give players a polished experience, the additional development time certainly seems justified.

King Cradi has also discussed plans for Pokémon Sapphire 2, giving both original Hoenn adventures their own unofficial continuations. For longtime fans who have been waiting more than two decades for a genuine sequel, a few more months waiting for Pokémon Ruby 2 is nothing.