Few franchises have dominated the gaming and pop culture landscape like Pokémon. For over two decades and eight generations, players have flocked to the series in an endless quest to “catch ’em all.” And with nearly 900 Pokémon to collect now, it’s no small feat.
However, like any long-running series, Pokémon has had its ups and downs. Some titles are timeless classics, while others may be compared to the underwhelming Magikarp. Your favorite game might be driven by nostalgia, but with time and experience, it becomes easier to see which Pokémon games truly stand out from the rest.
15.Pokémon Go Slots
“Pokémon Go Slots” is an online slot machine game inspired by the popular mobile game Pokémon Go. In this slot, players can experience the excitement of hunting virtual Pokémon while spinning the reels.
The game features symbols depicting various Pokémon creatures, Poké Balls, and other elements from the Pokémon Go universe. The background and design of the slot may resemble the augmented reality style of the original mobile game, giving players a sense of familiarity and nostalgia.
As players spin the reels, they can encounter different Pokémon characters, each offering unique rewards and bonuses. Some symbols may trigger special features, such as Free Spins or Bonus Rounds, where players can immerse themselves further in the Pokémon Go experience.
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14.Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu/Let’s Go Eevee!
The original Pokémon games probably deserved a different kind of remake (the first remake was released on the Game Boy Advance, after all), but the Let’s Go games never quite captured the spirit of the originals. Yes, they are much more visually appealing, and the addition of mega-evolutions is a nice touch. However, whether you’re using the Joy-Cons or the PokeBall Plus, the motion controls feel like mere gimmicks. Moreover, the game’s difficulty is ridiculously easy, whereas the original games presented a bit more of a challenge.
It’s not that Let’s Go Pikachu! and Let’s Go Eevee! are terrible games. They aren’t. It’s just that there are still much better ways to experience these titles.
13.Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
Diamond and Pearl are widely regarded as some of the best games in the Pokémon franchise, but the recent remakes have been divisive, to say the least. The issue is that Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are almost too faithful to the originals, and the few major changes don’t really justify a return to Sinnoh for most players.
The chibi art style is certainly more modern and works well on the aging Switch hardware, but it simply isn’t as charming as the original 2D artwork. There are a few new areas to explore, but the new EXP share mechanic, which reduces the need for grinding, also breaks the game to the point that it’s easy to breeze through the main story. For most players, the original titles remain superior if they have access to them.
12.Pokémon Sun and Moon/Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
Change is not always a good thing. For instance, Sun and Moon made significant alterations to the traditional Pokémon formula, resulting in mixed outcomes. The Alola region, heavily inspired by Hawaii, is absolutely stunning, and the trials, which involve battling powered-up Pokémon, offer a refreshing change from the usual gym battles. However, while Pokémon is not typically played for its story, the narrative of Sun and Moon tends to drag on without a clear purpose.
Even the Ultra sequels, released a year later, fail to address the issues of the original games and exacerbate one of their major problems by offering an even longer storyline. Add in some rather lackluster new Pokémon designs, and you have one of the weaker entries in the series.
11.Pokémon X and Y
Upon their release, Pokémon X and Y were well-received, but opinions have somewhat soured on them in recent years. Nonetheless, there is still much to appreciate here. The transition to full 3D graphics remains visually stunning, even if the 3DS hardware’s capabilities are most evident during battles and cutscenes. Mega Evolutions are just as impressive, and the introduction of Fairy-type Pokémon offered an interesting solution to the previously dominant Dragon-type.
However, X and Y’s most significant issue is simply the lack of content. Even by Pokémon standards, it is a notably easy entry in the series, with little substantial post-game content. While it may have been great in its time, not many trainers revisit the game nowadays.
10.Pokémon Sword and Shield
Since the inception of the series, Pokémon fans have longed for a mainline game they could play on the big screen at home. While Game Freak had resisted the idea for a while, the Nintendo Switch eventually made it happen. The end result is a solid entry in the series. Galar, a region heavily inspired by the United Kingdom, is a vibrant and cool setting, and the Wild Area is everything Poke fans have always dreamed of.
However, there is one major issue that has irked long-time fans: Sword and Shield are the first games in the franchise that do not include all the Pokémon from previous generations. Some of these missing creatures were added to the game through the expansion pass, but this fact alone detracts from an otherwise excellent version.
9.Pokémon Black and White
Black and White represent the most refined 2D versions of Pokémon before the series began making more significant leaps into the third dimension on the 3DS and Switch. Unova, a region based on New York City, was a truly unique and enjoyable world to explore. The addition of changing seasons, which made certain Pokémon available only at specific times of the year, and the introduction of triple battles added even more depth to the gameplay (without breaking the game like some later changes).
Although the direct sequels to this game (the only ones in the series to date) are full-fledged new games and not mere slight enhancements like the usual third versions, they don’t do much to set themselves apart. Still, overall, playing Black and White and their sequels constitutes one of the most epic Pokémon experiences.
8.Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Arceus, the most recent addition to the renowned Pokémon franchise, is the closest thing to a complete reboot. Gyms, random battles, and the Elite Four are nowhere to be found. In their place is a lush pseudo-open world set in the distant past of Sinnoh, with a revamped combat system that incorporates real-time moves. Pokémon now resembles what you’ve always imagined for battles back in the Game Boy era.
However, that doesn’t mean Arceus is flawless. The game can sometimes feel drawn-out, and the requirement to catch all Pokémon to unlock the true ending can become tiresome. Nevertheless, Arceus once again sparks excitement among players for the future of the franchise.
7.Pokémon Red/Blue/Yellow
The original Pokémon games may not look like much these days (they’re not even in color!), and they may seem downright simplistic compared to later entries. However, these titles still hold up remarkably well.
Collecting, evolving, and training all the Pokémon, as well as preparing to battle the Elite Four, remains as thrilling today as it was in 1998. It’s easy to understand how a billion-dollar franchise was built around these ideas. Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow still serve as a masterclass in the importance of gameplay over graphics.
6.Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen
The first remakes in the Pokémon franchise addressed one of the biggest issues of the original versions: the lack of colors. Yes, here, everything is finally in glorious colors. Admittedly, the graphics may seem somewhat dated now, but this simple addition makes these games much more visually appealing, especially for those who struggle with the monochrome screen of the old Game Boy.
Aside from that, they are largely the same games as the originals, although the additions from later games (like shinies and breeding) add much-needed depth. The endgame even allows for capturing Pokémon from Gold and Silver, making it the perfect way to experience the first Pokémon games.
5.Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald
The third generation of Pokémon holds a special place in the hearts of many players. Most of the series’ tropes were well-established in the first two games, but Ruby and Sapphire (and later Emerald) felt like the first major next-gen upgrade to the series with a giant leap in graphics and clever additions like double battles. The inclusion of natures and the various ways they affect statistics also provided new strategies for the most dedicated Pokémon trainers to build their teams.
Even today, the Hoenn region remains one of the best-designed and most diverse maps in the series. Of course, there is always room for improvement…
4.Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
The era of the 3DS was a bit challenging for the Pokémon franchise, but these remakes of the third-generation titles still stand as remarkable entries in the series. The foundations of these beloved games are mostly intact, but the additions of a more streamlined story and, of course, a massive graphical improvement are highly appreciated. Similarly, the additions of Mega Evolutions and the Super Training from the then-recent 3DS games added a new layer of strategy, and once you’ve built the perfect team, the Delta Episode’s end gives long-time fans an extra reason to revisit these classics.
The only downside is the absence of the Battle Frontier from Emerald. Some fans may prefer the originals for that reason, but for the most part, it’s an easily forgiven omission.
3.Pokémon Gold/Silver/Crystal
Pokémon achieved massive success from the release of the first games, but the second generation clearly showed that this franchise was not destined to be just a passing 90s fad like Beanie Babies and JNCOs. While the basic gameplay of the original games remained largely unchanged, Gold, Silver, and Crystal altered the formula with the introduction of breeding and the revolutionary use of an internal clock, which made certain Pokémon appear only at specific times of the day.
Yet, these games are most remembered for their false ending. Once you’ve defeated all the gym leaders in Johto, it turns out the game is only half over. From there, you must journey to the Kanto region from the first game and battle all of its gym leaders. The scope of this game makes it one of the longest and most enjoyable adventures in the franchise.
2.Pokémon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum
The debut of Pokémon on the DS wasn’t as groundbreaking as some of the other games on this list, but it features an incredible addition that sets it well above its predecessors: Wi-Fi connectivity. Trainers could finally trade and battle Pokémon from all around the world from the comfort of their homes, without having to search for someone with the monsters they need or deal with cumbersome cables.
This feature alone revolutionized the “catch ’em all” experience, but when you add the refined battles in these games, an extended day-night cycle, and a story where the fate of the entire universe is at stake, you get an incredible Pokémon adventure that narrowly misses the top spot.
1.Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
The massive quest, expanded Pokédex, and everything that made the original Gold and Silver games fan favorites returned in all their glory in these remakes released 10 years after the originals. Thanks to the DS hardware, these games received a significant facelift and are more playable than ever, largely due to the addition of enhanced mechanics from the fourth generation. As with Diamond and Pearl, online support completely changed the way of collecting and battling.
As if that wasn’t enough, the optional inclusion of the Pokéwalker gave trainers an extra way to level up their Pokémon on the go. HeartGold and SoulSilver are well-crafted remakes, incorporating the best of old and new franchise mechanics to create the ultimate Pokémon experience.