Fan-made Pokémon Ruby sequel transforms Hoenn after Team Magma's victory

A direct sequel to the classic Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire is in the works, but it’s not coming from Nintendo. According to a report from ScreenRant, a dedicated fan is creating 'Pokémon Ruby 2,' a full-fledged ROM hack that continues the story of the 2003 Game Boy Advance games.

The project, led by YouTuber King Cradi, imagines an alternate timeline where the villainous Team Magma succeeded in its plan to use Groudon to expand the land. This has drastically reshaped the Hoenn region, with familiar locations altered. Slateport City is now covered in sand, Lilycove's department store sits abandoned, and the seas around Mossdeep have become islands connected by bridges.

Beyond the environmental overhaul, the hack promises new content including a regional Pokédex with 255 creatures, a new Dark-type Gym, and a tournament arena in Mauville City. It will feature custom sprites, redesigned areas, and new music while keeping the original games' visual style.

Development has taken longer than initially hoped, per the creator. As of earlier this year, mapping was nearly complete but scripting and gameplay elements were still in progress. The developer aims for a challenge slightly tougher than the original games but still accessible. A release date is not yet set.

King Cradi has also mentioned plans for a companion 'Pokémon Sapphire 2,' aiming to give both classic games their own fan-made continuations.