The Best Pokémon Games, Ranked from Best to Worst | Flickroom

For more than 25 years, developer Game Freak has found a way to reinvent the Pokémon franchise for each fresh generation of gamers. Both brand-new Pokémon trainers and Pokémon masters are captivated by these cunning ( and sometimes chilling ) little monsters. possibly it ’ s the drive to catch ’ em all that keeps players coming binding. Or possibly it ’ mho how adorable these little pocket monsters can be. Whatever the reason, players continue to return to or start exploring the Pokémon franchise. Each game has a pretty coherent feel to it. Each follows the one before it but builds a little more into the Pokémon populace. With every new iteration of Pokémon, new features and Pokémon are brought to the table. even though Pokémon veterans may find each game familiar to the concluding, each holds a slightly new and immersive way of bringing players into the world of Pokémon. And it looks like the following raw Pokémon installation, Pokémon Legends : Arceus, might break the mold entirely with a new, open-world game that looks a bit like The Legend of Zelda : breath of the Wild. This franchise decidedly knows how to keep players coming back for more !
Further reading
Since Game Freak has been around for so long and has produced so many different versions of Pokémon, we decided to share which Pokémon games we think would be best for newcomers. We ’ ve besides included some of the best by-product Pokémon games and Pokémon crippled remakes so raw players can explore the huge world of Pokémon in different ways. It ’ second authoritative to remember that, in the world of Pokémon, “ best ” and “ worst ” are relative. Every entrance on this list is great, but if you ’ re looking for a estimable entrance into the population, these are what we suggest.

1. Pokémon Gold/Silver/Crystal (generation 2)

Starter Pokémon: Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile
Pokémon Gold and Silver added 100 Pokémon to the original 151, including arguably the best trio of starters Pokémon has seen. Beyond adding to the Pokédex, coevals two made great strides in multiple areas over the original. For starters, you now had to think about the time of day when trying to catch new Pokémon, as the day/night cycle cleverly added a layer of depth to your prison term spent in the long grass .
gold and Silver added the Kanto region to the map, connecting Johto with the landmass that started the phenomenon. With 16 gymnasium leaders to best, Gold and Silver remain the deepest, lengthiest Pokémon games ever created .
Adding to the systems seen in Pokémon Yellow, coevals two leaned into dual-types, allowing you to make a more varied and strategically diverse team to bring into battle. The Johto region happens to be our favorite to explore deoxyadenosine monophosphate well and has the best legendary birds ( Lugia and Ho-Oh ). This installment besides added the three legendary dog Pokémon — Raikou, Suicune, and Entei — which could be found roaming throughout Johto after an initial static meet .
We ’ d be derelict not to mention HeartGold and SoulSilver, the enhance DS remakes of Gold and Silver, but we ’ ll scram to that in our remake-specific section below .

2. Pokémon Red/Blue/Yellow (gen 1)

Starter Pokémon (Blue/Red): Charmander, Squirtle, Bulbasaur
Starter Pokémon (Yellow): Pikachu
partially ascribable to nostalgia, partially due to how these games still feel great today, generation one ’ mho trio of excellent Pokémon games take our second spotlight. To this day, genesis one has the best solicitation of Pokémon. We ’ ll never forget the original 151 nor Ash ’ s first venture. From the opening moments in Pallet Town to choosing your first starter, racking up gymnasium badges, fighting off team Rocket and defeating the Elite Four, Pokémon Red and Blue just feel correct .
Sure, some of the cryptic mechanics the serial is known for immediately aren ’ triiodothyronine portray in the original games, but there ’ s something about their streamline identity that hush brings a smile to our faces. Pokémon Yellow brought the series to full discolor, and having Pikachu by our side made us sincerely feel like we were Ash on a travel to catch ’ em all. Generation one will always hold a especial topographic point in our hearts. It ’ mho charming .

3. Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald (gen 3)

Starter Pokémon: Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip
Generation three is when Pokémon games very started to lean into natures, EV systems, and IV systems, emphasizing not alone the species but the particular penis of that species in your party. The power of the best game Boy Advance games made each model of the immediately 386 Pokémon more vibrant .
While we think the 135 new Pokémon as a group didn ’ metric ton compare to the 100 added in gen two, Ruby and Sapphire had one of the bang-up regions. The Hoenn island area felt larger than previous regions and was broadly a more concern area to explore. A pair of stellar gen three remakes, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, are available on Nintendo 3DS .

4. Pokémon Sword and Shield (gen 8)

Starter Pokémon: Grookey, Scorbunny, Sobble
The latest Pokémon games are the beginning mainline titles released as a Nintendo Switch game, and Game Freak has ultimately realized our longtime dream of having a in full 3D Pokémon adventure on a home comfort. In the British-themed Galar region, you can venture into the new Wild area and capture monsters, or follow the fructify pathways from town to town that have been in the series since the very beginning. Either manner, Pokémon are now just out and about alternatively of being hidden in randomize encounters, so frustration is greatly reduced .
With 400 Pokémon to catch and the accession of the Dynamax organization to might up your monsters, Pokémon Sword and Shield can keep you busy for hours. however, the removal of longtime monsters from the game, including Psyduck and Squirtle, does mean you can ’ thyroxine get ‘ em all this time. fortunately, with the arrival of the game ’ s Isle of Armor DLC and Crown Tundra DLC, you ’ ll have a chance to see new environments in the Galar region, catch newfangled Pokémon, and struggle newfangled foes .

5. Pokémon Ultra Sun/Moon ( gram en 7 )

Starter Pokémon: Rowlet, Litten, Popplio
Sun and Moon and the enhance Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon switched up the criterion Pokémon progression a spot. Set across the islands of Alola, Sun and Moon introduced players to Team Skull and the Aether Foundation, a group dedicated to protecting Pokémon. Rather than progressing through versatile towns ’ gymnasium, you had to complete island trials, which typically included a small keep and a struggle with a brawny Pokémon. Afterward, you ’ five hundred be able to battle the island ’ mho Kahuna .
The 80 raw Pokémon were some of the most matter to to be added since the early games, and the Alolan versions of original Pokémon felt inspired. Z-Moves, Ultra Beasts, and an expand take on Mega Evolutions added welcome mechanics into the fold. There was even a Pokémon Snap-style mini-game, making this one of the best 3DS games you can buy .

6. Pokémon X/Y (gen 6)

Starter Pokémon: Chespin, Fennekin, Froakie
Pokémon X and Y marked the series ’ beginning sincerely 3D experience. The camera perspective switched from top-down to a airless, behind-the-body angle, which gave the populace of Pokémon a smell of setting it hadn ’ t seen before. The France-inspired Kalos region had flair and manner and featured one of the largest mega-cities we ’ vitamin d seen thus far .
Though X and Y merely introduced 72 new Pokémon, it did mark the begin of Mega Evolutions. The storyline reasonably disappoints, but the higher fidelity presentation provided by the Nintendo 3DS hardware made Pokémon models rightfully pop during conflict sequences, allowing for crisp fight animations .

7. Pokémon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum (gen 4)

Starter Pokémon: Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup
Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum served an significant function in the development of Pokémon. They looked markedly better than gen three Pokémon, thanks to the Nintendo DS, but they chiefly showed where the franchise would finally go. Generation four brought a identical authoritative feature : on-line trading and battle. This made filling out the Pokédex, which then neared 500 with the avail of the new 107 pocket monsters, more of a global attempt .
You didn ’ t have to know people with copies of the game to trade. alternatively, you could good hop on-line and make a trade for what you needed. Online battling lets you very see who was the best flight simulator for the beginning time in series history. Generation four is great because of its technical innovations, but it ’ south one of the more forgettable Pokémon time periods overall .

8. Pokémon White/Black and White/Black 2 (gen 5)

Starter Pokémon: Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott
Generation five was an oddity. It was the inaugural in the series to get a direct sequel, with Black 2 and White 2 releasing a year after the originals. The sequels did retread familiar territory, but told a new history and featured some new areas and new Pokémon. Generation five besides holds the record for the most Pokémon, with 156 new Pokémon to catch .
tied more so than Diamond and Pearl, though, gen five, specially the sequels, felt like a makeshift for the series ’ following evolution. While we regard generation five as the “ worst, ” we still think it ’ randomness pretty darn good. It didn ’ t introduce much raw at all, but the true sequel concept was intriguing however .

The best Pokémon game remakes

When you have a victorious rule, it ’ randomness hard to want to change it. The Pokémon games have found their niche hearing and have managed to keep this hearing entertained careless of graphics. however, the Pokémon franchise has managed to push out a few remakes that are worth your fourth dimension. Although these games are about identical to the games listed above, they do have some improvements to each game that make them worth checking out and were normally compatible with the latest installation in the independent series, allowing for some matter to cross-generation trading and battle .

1. Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver (gen 4)

Starter : Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile
If you haven ’ t guessed yet, Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver are enhance versions of their predecessors, Pokémon Gold and Silver. This game was released to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Gold and Silver, which were originally released in 1999. The creators worked to ensure that the game felt like a new crippled while besides ensuring that it respected the feelings of those who loved the originals .
The games hold a few newfangled features that primitively only Pokémon Crystal had. It ’ sulfur besides the first Pokémon game that allowed the player ’ s party to follow them in the knocked out earth. It was similar to how Pikachu would follow you around in Pokémon Yellow. There were besides a handful of minigames that were added. Players could use the Nintendo DS touch screen to compete in the Pokéathlon. additionally, the GB Sounds was a modern detail and would change the background music to the original 8-bit music from Pokémon Gold and Silver .

2. Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen (gen 3 remake)

Starters: Charmander, Squirtle, Bulbasaur

The foremost remake for Game Freak, FireRed and LeafGreen are the 2004 enhanced remakes of the original Red and Blue. Although they were made based on Red and Blue, they ’ re actually depart of the third generation of Pokémon games. The crippled takes us back to the Kanto region, giving us memories of some of the Pokémon we ’ ve seen before .
however, at the end of the game, we ’ rhenium welcomed to the Sevii Islands, which is a wholly new area that wasn ’ thymine available in either Red or Blue. This island stands out because it holds Pokémon that were normally single to the Johto region and has a few post-game missions that can be fun. What ’ s more, once the missions on the Sevii Islands are completed, players were able to trade Pokémon with players who had Ruby or Sapphire, making it possible to have Hoenn-exclusive Pokémon as good .

3. Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (gen 6)

Starters : Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip
Those of us who preferred Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire were invited back to the game with Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. The bet on is separate of the one-sixth coevals of Pokémon games and was played on the Nintendo 3DS. Although the game is a remake, Game Freak worked to ensure that it had some of the changes from late generations .
We saw Pokémon with split types from the fourth generation and had unlimited TM usage and trio battles from the fifth generation. They besides added features from Pokémon X and Y, such as Super Training and Mega Evolution. One of the new mechanics that stood out was the ability to use Latios or Latias to fly around Hoenn. This is because when using these Pokémon to fly, we could run into “ mirage spots, ” which had Pokémon that weren ’ thymine differently available in the Hoenn region. This includes numerous fabled Pokémon from former generations .

4. Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl

Starters: Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup
The 2021 passing of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl ultimately brought gamers a match of long-requested remakes. The two classical Nintendo 3Ds titles come to the Nintendo Switch with update gameplay, enhance visuals, an expanded endgame .
We praised the crippled in our review for faithfully translating Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl in a room that felt authentic to the originals. That can be a act of a double-edged sword, as the linear path and miss of challenging gameplay will be appealing for young gamers, but may turn off series veterans. The Underground has been expanded into the new Grand Underground. This end game area now contains a sprawl keep, where you can conflict and capture Pokémon of assorted types. It ’ second capital for gathering XP or filling out your Pokédex .

5. Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon (gen 7)

Starters : Rowlet, Litten, Popplio
As separate of the seventh genesis of Pokemon games, Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon enhance the versions of the original Sun and Moon in a way that makes them enjoyable. Critics and players were a piece divided on how this crippled felt. On one hand, the extra features were amazing. On the other hand, it didn ’ thyroxine digress excessively far from the original report, which made it feel like the same game over again .
however, we saw some great modern features added to the game. Things like Ultra Beasts, new forms of legendary Pokémon Necrozma, and a fresh Lycanroc form. We could besides travel around the Alola region to collect Totem Stickers, which would then give us a casual to get a Totem-sized variant of a Pokémon. We besides had a few fresh activities : Mantine Surf let us surf across the region ’ randomness seas, the Alola Photo Club got us to take pictures with our Pokémon, and Ultra Warp Ride let us travel through Ultra Wormholes and meeting Ultra Beasts in their own populace. Of class, there were besides the new Z-Moves for a handful of Pokémon and the ascent to the Rotom Pokedex, which added Roto-Loto .

Best Pokémon spin-off games

Outside of the mainline games, there are dozens upon dozens of Pokémon experiences. Some of them diverge slenderly from the kernel formula, and others are wholly unlike. Make no error about it, the Pokémon franchise has produced a draw of duds that felt like cash grab. ( Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series, anyone ? ) But some Pokémon by-product knead quite well. here are our favorites .

1. New Pokémon Snap

New Pokémon Snap is the latest release in the Pokémon franchise and one of the series ’ best. Part entertainment parking lot ride, part puzzle game, New Pokémon Snap tasks you with collecting pictures of Pokémon as you are carted around on a self-driving car. You earn points and stars based on the quality of the pictures as you venture across respective maps. Getting the perfective shoot much comes down to careful clock and learning what lures or actions on your part get the justly reaction from the Pokémon. There are hidden pathways to find, and the wild Pokémon become increasingly comfortable with you on repeat visits, leading to even more opportunities to snap an concern movie. Seeing these adorable creatures in their natural habitat is relaxing and charm, and New Pokémon Snap is the perfect game to relax with .

2. Pokémon stadium

Pokémon Stadium brought our friends to 3D long before the mainline series when it launched on Nintendo 64. The game used the standard turn-based battle arrangement, rendering all of your favorites from the original 151 in the glory they deserved .
Working our way through the stadium cups and playing multiplayer against friends was a blast. The best separate about Stadium, though, was the Transfer Pak. The N64 restrainer attachment lets you insert your transcript of Pokémon Red, Blue, or Yellow to use your personal solicitation in the plot ’ s exciting 3v3 battles .

3. Pokémon Conquest

Pokémon Conquest for Nintendo DS spun the Pokémon formula into a fantastic tactics experience. Set in the newfangled Ransei region, it told a wholly original narrative filled with warlords and waging factions. While the turn-based tactics gameplay wasn ’ thyroxine as abstruse or challenge as games such as Fire Emblem and Final Fantasy Tactics, it was a perfect introduction to the music genre and contained all of Pokémon ’ mho patented spell .

4. Pokémon TCG Online

Pokémon began its life as a series of video games, but the deal menu game has taken on a life of its own. Published in the West by none other than Wizards of the Coast — the same company behind what might be the most popular trade circuit board bet on in the worldly concern, Magic : the Gathering — Pokémon ’ s physical by-product is elementary to understand but rife with depth. Pokémon TCG Online is a release, on-line version of the tabletop plot, fit with the latest expansions and a slick interface. even better, each gang of physical cards comes with a redemption code, allowing you to double down digitally .

5. Pokémon Snap

An on-rails shot about taking candid shots of Pokémon in their natural habits for Professor Oak ? Sign us up. The original Pokémon Snap as a Nintendo 64 game focused more on the beauty of these charming creatures rather than their deft fight skills. We loved every here and now of it, particularly when we captured an absolutely perfect photograph of a fire-breathing Charizard .

6. Pokémon Go

Pokémon Go is the most successful Pokémon game of all time in terms of player count. The mobile sensation lets you be a real-life Pokémon trainer anywhere in the worldly concern. Using AR engineering, Pokémon pop up whether you ’ re walking down the sidewalk or hanging out in your own backyard .

7. Pokémon Unite

Pokémon meets League of Legends in Pokémon Unite, the first-ever Pokémon MOBA. Customizable trainers battle five versus five, using some of the most popular Pokémon from the serial. It has classic fire moves, evolutions, and adorable outfits for Pokémon to wear. What ’ s not to love ?

8. Pokémon : Let ’ s Go

Pokémon : Let ’ s Go for Nintendo Switch is incredibly close to being considered a mainline Pokémon game. After all, it ’ s a largely faithful remake of Pokémon Yellow rendered in beautiful 3D visuals, complete with battle, the gymnasium badge progress, and the Elite Four. Where Let ’ s Go differs is the act of catching Pokémon .
Using Pokémon Go as an influence, a simplistic catch mini-game commences when running into a godforsaken Pokémon. Let ’ s Go besides depicts wild Pokémon roaming the overworld, so you always know what you ’ re getting into ahead. Pokémon : Let ’ s Go is a fantastic melt of two types of Pokémon games .

9. Pokémon Puzzle League

Pokémon Puzzle League is basically equitable Tetris Attack with a different coat of paint, but it is hush one of the more entertain Pokémon games outside of the chief series. The game is simple : the player ’ s board is on one side of the screen with the adversary ’ randomness on the early .
Both boards will fill up with the tiles and players must rearrange the tiles to create lines of three or more in a quarrel. Doing sol will clear the tiles from your board and send blocks to your adversary ’ mho, which they ’ ll have to clear out. The game is square but challenging and is peculiarly fun to play against another person. The presence of respective characters from Pokémon besides gives it a affectionate find of nostalgia .

10. Pokémon Pinball

Pokémon Pinball for the Game Boy Color is amazingly addictive for a game with only two tables. Hitting certain objects on the table will cause Pokémon to appear, and players can then catch them by hitting them with the ball multiple times before the time specify runs out .
Though it is a basic plot, there are some interest aspects to it. It has a deformed game cartridge that contains a battery-powered “ grumble ” sport to add some haptic feedback. This was a unique novelty for the Game Boy when this game was released .

11. Pokémon Café Mix

Pokémon Café Mix is a free-to-play game that requires you to complete puzzles. The game stars you and an Eevee, who are owners of a café where Pokémon come and holy order Pokémon-themed food and drinks. To fulfill each order, you have to complete a perplex to prepare the correspond detail. You ’ ll want to clear Pokémon icons on-screen by linking them together in a hoop. When you finish a degree, you ’ re able to upgrade your café with customize floors and designs that pull in unlike Pokémon. After a while, these Pokémon will besides become part of your staff .
This game is similar to a lot of mobile games on the market. First-time players who try it out will get the hang of it fairly quickly. It ’ s a fun and cure game for players on the become to try out. You can play the game on both the Nintendo Switch and mobile devices, but the game is entirely supported in the Switch ’ s hand-held mode. Pokemon Cafe Mix international relations and security network ’ t an innovative game that will garner special awards, but it ’ s a playfulness bet on for Pokémon fans to play .

12. Pokken Tournament DX

Pokken Tournament DX is a Tekken- revolutionize fight game that puts you in direct control of your choose Pokémon, battling your direction to the peak. This deluxe translation is an expand and upgrade port of the 2016 Wii U unblock, bringing with it expanded rosters and gameplay modes to the Nintendo Switch .
The action shifts between 3D and 2D, and successfully blends Pokémon powers with traditional melee battle. The result is a crippled that is welcoming to Pokémon fans but deep enough to satisfy fighting game aficionado. Pokken Tournament features a single-player campaign but in truth shines in its on-line competitive multiplayer mood .

13. Detective Pikachu

detective Pikachu is the first of its kind within the Pokémon franchise. It ’ s an venture game that takes you through a powerful narrative. You play as Tim Goodman, who stumbles upon a Pikachu that he can curiously understand. We come to find out that this particular Pikachu is actually the Pokémon of Tim ’ randomness father, Harry Goodman. We besides come to learn that Harry has disappeared. now it ’ s up to you and your new Pikachu to find Harry and unravel the secrets of the Pokémon Comprehensive Laboratory .

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Category : Handheld Game Consoles