Is there a FireRed/Kanto Journey with a lot of new pokemon but keeps the story & gameplay of the original?

[Cleobattra]

Hi! I'm really new to ROM hacks and I am so excited to start playing all of these incredible games. I've got a couple hours in Unbound and I love it so much already. Everything is so well thought out and the QOL updates are just next level. The music, the story - EVERYTHING! This is literally everything I've always wanted from a Pokemon game. I started Saffron, Gaia & Glazed and I like them a lot so far too. I can't wait to get further in those games and experience them :)

The work that goes into these games is absolutely incredible and I want to set out on my own journey to play 'em all!

I wanted to start off a play through with each of the generations to remember the story, but be able to have newer pokemon in them & maybe even randomized encounters. I don't want any extra features other than an expanded dex. Is there a hack like that? I've been looking but from what I can tell, most of the hacks include new mechanics like dynamaxing, added features or expanded stories. I'm just trying to find something with minimal impact on the story with just a larger dex so I can play with newer pokemon.

If there's nothing like that then I guess randomizing an original game is where I'll start :)

Thank you in advance!! And I'm down to hear any recommendations for any hacks to play! I have a huge list already compiled and I'm looking to add more!!

 

[_pheebee]

While it's not a ROM Hack, and I'm not sure how many Pokémon it has but:

Pokémon Zero is a FRLG port/remake to Pokémon Essentials.
It has alot of QoL improvements, and has the Alolan forms of Kanto Pokémon as well. I highly reccomend trying it out!

 

[Ceruledge]

There's a lot. My personal favorite is Pokémon Red++ but if we're talking about GBA hacks it would be FireRed Extended . Also there is Radical Red, I haven't played it yet but I know it's good quality.

If you want more enhanced romhacks, I recommend my favorites:​

GSC: Polished Crystal.
RSE: Genesis Emerald.
DPPt: Renegade Platinum.
B2W2: Blaze Black 2 Redux.