One of the best Pokemon games for both those new to Pokemon or for long-time players is Pokemon Alpha Sapphire, released as part of a pair with Omega Ruby in 2014. Pokemon Alpha Sapphire is set in the fun and beautiful Hoenn Region like the fan-favorites Ruby and Sapphire games, but with many new mega evolutions, new characters, and new storylines to make this game a brand new experience in a familiar world that Pokemon players always enjoy revisiting.

In Pokemon Alpha Sapphire, players will launch into a fun adventure on an epic quest to become the best Pokemon trainer and ultimately win the championship. Players will enjoy incredible new Mega Evolutions as they capture, train, and battle many legendary Pokemon.

Team Aqua is also after the powers of the Pokemon legends, as well as Primal Kyogre in an attempt to cause a great flood to destroy the world, bringing back the prehistoric environment in which wild Pokemon thrive. Players must persevere to defeat Team Aqua and move on to challenge the Elite Four of the Pokemon League and battle the champion to become the League Champion of the Hoenn Region.

Pokemon Alpha Sapphire includes fun side quests in many contests in the Hoenn Region where players and their Pokemon can perform for judges and an audience, as well as an epic side quest that’s known as “The Delta Episode,” to save the region from a devastating collision with a meteor.

Pokemon Alpha Sapphire is one of the best Pokemon games of all time and is best-appreciated in partnership with Pokemon Omega Ruby.

Pokemon: “Let’s Go, Pikachu!” is the best Pokemon game for introducing children and newcomers to the fun of Pokemon. Let’s Go, Pikachu! and its companion game, Let’s Go, Eevee! revisits the beloved Kanto Region in a 3D remake of 1998’s Pokemon Yellow game. his Play this fun game for Nintendo Switch with either a Joy-Con controller or the separately-sold Poke Ball Plus accessory. Players catch wild Pokemon by using a fun and simple throwing motion. It also features optional connectivity with the Pokemon Go game to transfer caught Pokemon.

In Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! the player can first customize their player avatar and customize Pikachu before beginning a journey through the beloved, woodsy, Kanto Region, capture many wild Pokemon, and then use their captured Pokemon to battle with other trainers and eight gym leaders, as well as the villainous Team Rocket, on their way to the Pokemon League Championship.

Pokemon: Let’s Go is not only a fun revisit to the Kanto Region for older players, it’s the best Pokemon game for older players to share with their children as a child’s fun introduction to the Pokemon game. The region and gameplay are familiar, but the fresh 3D visuals and new formula twists keep the game lively and unique. Team Rocket is also fun for the newest players to engage with throughout the game. They are deliciously villainous without being overly frightening for children. Players will also enjoy spending time caring for their companion Pokemon like a pet, making this the best Pokemon game for the youngest players to form a life-long bond with Pokemon.

Pokemon Moon may be the best Pokemon game for a fun, friendly atmosphere set in an island paradise. Launched in partnership with Pokemon Sun in 2016, both games soared into instant popularity. They not only introduced the fun new world of the Alola Islands but also new Pokemon partners, the sea lion-like “Popplio,” kitten-like “Litten,” and owlish “Rowlet.”

Pokemon Moon—like Pokemon Sun—is set in the island paradise of Alola, a series of four islands, each with its own Kahuna. In Pokemon Moon, there is a 12-hour time shift. There are also several new island-variety Pokemon that can only be found in Moon or Sun rather than appearing in both games.

In Pokemon Moon, you will capture and train new Pokemon and engage in lively battles against other trainers and wild Pokemon to increase your Pokemon’s strength. Both games also feature the fun Pokemon refresh option where you can spend time caring for your Pokemon to cure status conditions.

With Pokemon Moon, you are no longer confined to dull gyms for training. Instead, you will engage in fun quests, quizzes, and scavenger hunts after encountering each trial captain on your way to meet each island’s Kahuna. Meanwhile, the gangster-like band known as Team Skull wreaks havoc in the island paradise and the Aether Foundation is there to study the elusive Ultra Beasts.

Players must work their way through intense matches to become the Pokemon League Champion and may find help along the way from the friendly island natives.

The best Pokemon game to combine past favorites with exciting new Pokemon is the sixth generation game, Pokemon X. Launched in 2013 along with Pokemon Y, this game-duo features the beautiful world of the -like Kalos Region. Players must defeat the villainous Team Flare while accepting challenges to become the Pokemon League Championship.

In Pokemon X, the player is a young Pokemon trainer newly arriving in the unique, star-shaped Kalos Region filled with wild Pokemon that are unique to the area, including the beautiful Fairy-type Pokemon Stag, Xerneas. After meeting four Pokemon trainers, the player can catch and train for battle hundreds of Pokemon and enjoy the exclusive features such as the Mega Evolution mechanic, which can further evolve even those Pokemon that are already fully evolved.

The player will receive their starter Pokemon from trainer Tierno, choosing either Chespin, Fennekin, or Froakie, and then embark on an adventure to earn badges in Pokemon Gyms, while also thwarting Team Flare, who are causing power outages by stealing energy from the power plant for their own nefarious reasons. Players must also learn the mystery of Mega Evolution, meet mysterious Lysandre, and find a secret lab, before earning the eighth gym badge and facing the final challenge for the Championship of Kalos.

Pokemon X is the best Pokemon game for single or multiplayer fun and trading, including the Wonder Trade feature where players have the option to trade a Pokemon for a random Pokemon from another player in a fun gamble, and the Global Trade System where a player can seek new Pokemon they’ve yet to encounter.

The best Pokemon game with the newest region to explore and conquer is Pokemon Sword, launched in partnership with Pokemon Shield in 2019. This game and brand new region has won over a new generation of Pokemon players and eventually earned the approval of older Pokemon fans who first reacted with displeasure to learn that pre-existing Pokemon aren’t included in the play. While this discouraged some fans, the fun new Pokemon, new features, massive, stadium-style gyms, and exceptional freedom to explore with free camera movement soon won them over.

In Pokemon Sword, the player picks one of three new Pokemon, including Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble. The player then embarks on a fun and exciting adventure in the new Galar Region capturing and training more Pokemon for battling their way through eight fantastic challenges in massive, stadium-like gyms, including challenging Bea, who is a specialist in training fighting-type Pokemon, and Geordie and his rock-type Pokemon.

Besides the challenges to conquer, players will explore the Slumbering Weald forest and learn about two Pokemon legends, Zacain and Zamazenta, who once saved Galar from the Darkest Day. Players also encounter two brothers who turn Pokemon into Dynamax—gigantic and super-strong Pokemon. Some rare Pokemon can even Gigantamax! There are also Team Yell causing trouble throughout the game as the player works his way toward the championship.

Best of all, Pokemon Sword includes the vast Wild Area to freely explore at will with an open camera feature, making this the best Pokemon game for open-world exploration. Players can also team up with others online for co-op Max Raid Battles.

Pokemon Y, along with its companion game Pokemon X, maybe the best Pokemon game for collecting and trading Pokemon. With over 450 Pokemon and great social features for trading between games, a player has nearly unlimited opportunities for collecting.

Pokemon Y begins with the player’s character beginning a new life after moving to Vaniville in the beautiful, -like Kalos Region. Soon after, the player encounters four Pokemon trainers, receives a starter Pokemon, and embarks on a journey of Pokemon-capturing and training, and launching into a series of exciting Gym challenges, all while making their way to meet Professor Sycamore in Lumiose City. Once arriving in Lumiose, the plot thickens as the city is in the middle of a mysterious power outage caused by the nefarious Team Flare. Meanwhile, Professor Sycamore imparts his knowledge of the powerful Mega Evolution which can further evolve even fully evolved Pokemon.

In Pokemon Y, players will enjoy the journey between challenges as much as the challenges themselves as they discover secret labs, meet the mysterious Lysandre, the legendary Yveltal, and even a 3,000-year-old King—all before conquering the Elite Four, defeating the current champion, and ultimately becoming the new champion and saving Kalos from war and destruction.

Pokemon X and Y games launched Pokemon into the 3D generation and dramatically improved the game’s visual quality for more immersive playing. This is not only the best Pokemon game for Pokemon collecting, but it’s also a fun, frolicking adventure through beautiful, star-shaped Kalos that satisfies as only the best Pokemon game can.

Pokemon Ultra Moon is the best Pokemon game for those players who love the tropical Alola Region in the Pokemon Sun and Moon games. Pokemon Ultra Moon brings back the beloved Alola Region with many of its familiar characters and landscapes, but with many fun new features, characters, new storyline twists, and an alternative story. It also has enhanced gameplay, new Pokemon, and three new activities, including Mantine Surf, a photo club, and Ultra Warp Ride for traveling through wormholes to meet Ultra Beasts in their exciting worlds of origin.

In Pokemon Ultra Moon, players will enjoy seeing the Alola Region in a new light as they become a young Pokemon trainer who captures, trains, and battles Pokemon across the islands through island trials rather than gyms. They will meet each island’s captain on the way to the Kahuna—all while countering the nefarious actions of Team Skull.

In this enhanced Pokemon Moon Ultra game, the player will untangle the mystery of the new forms of the legendary Pokemon, Dawn Wings Necrozma, and enjoy a brand new ultimate showdown. Also awaiting discovery is the legendary Pokemon, Lunala’s, brand new Z-moves. Best of all, Ultra Wormholes allow the player to journey to the homeworlds of the Ultra Beasts.

In Pokemon Ultra Moon, the player will also encounter Team Rainbow Rocket which is made up of many of the best bosses from past games.

This is the best Pokemon game for fans of the original Sun and Moon games, with many brand new twists on an old favorite as well as over 400 classic and brand new Pokemon.

Pokemon Omega Ruby is the best Pokemon game, along with its partner, Pokemon Alpha Sapphire, for an epic adventure through the beloved Hoenn Region.

In Pokemon Omega Ruby, the player arrives in the Hoenn Region after moving from the Johto Region featured in Pokemon Gold and Silver. In the Hoenn Region, the player begins life as a Pokemon trainer after saving a scientist from attack by a wild Pokemon. Three Pokemon are available to choose from for defense, including Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip. Pokemon must be highly trained to battle eight gym leaders in a fight toward the region’s championship and to eventually win by defeating the Elite Four master trainers. Meanwhile, the player must also save the region by the capture or defeat of Pokemon to stop the wily Team Magna’s plan to advance humanity by reviving an ancient creature to dry up the oceans through a drought to increase the mainland and allow more land for human expansion.

While playing Pokemon Omega Ruby, there are many fun contest spectaculars the player can enjoy with judges and an audience to perform for. There is also an engaging side quest to save the world from impact with a meteor.

With plenty of fascinating monsters, an interesting storyline, and a fun feature to let you bond with your Pokemon through petting and playing, Pokemon Omega Ruby is one of the best Pokemon games to take players back to a beloved fan-favorite region with updated features and graphics and a rollicking new adventure.

Older Pokémon fans will a little Nintendo 64 release called Pokémon Snap. Instead of catching Pokémon and making them battle for gym badges and XP, you’d capture Pokémon with your camera for research and to get gorgeous shots. Granted, the N64 graphics weren’t anything to write home about. Now, that’s changed.

The objective is similar: Ride in your vehicle and photograph Pokémon in their natural habitat. Like the original, you ride and shoot through various landscapes, from sunny beaches to active volcanoes to crystal-studded caves and luscious jungles and canyons. Unlike the original, the graphics are updated for the 2020s. You also have more of an objective than just taking Pokémon’s pictures. Help Professor Mirror uncover the mystery of the Lental region behind the Illumina Phenomenon, a mysterious occurrence where Pokémon and plant life glow. Your photos and observations will help Professor Mirror learn more about why some Pokémon in this region glow.

Meanwhile, you can take, edit, and save your photos to share. They’re scored based on the poses you snap your wild, happy Pokémon in. Updated from the old version, you can photo edit, adjust brightness, contrast, and apply filters. You can also share your photos with friends and family.

Journey to Paldea for another adventure! Inspired by Spain, the ninth core region introduced to the Pokéverse is a sprawling, lush place full of lagoons, forests, jungles, canyons, mountains, and of course, Pokémon. The leadup to the game promised that you could “go where you want” on your adventure. Essentially, the byline told us this world would be a sandbox, a choose-your-own adventure setup like Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

You begin at Uva Academy where you choose your starter Pokémon: Sprigatito, a grass cat Pokémon, Fuecoco, a Fire croc Pokémon with an adorable front tooth, or Quaxly, a duckling Pokémon. Like in previous games, you evolve your starter Pokémon and use them to catch more, earn gym badges, and defeat legendary trainers and Pokémon. You can even your friends across devices to defeat Titan Pokémon, overcome challenges, or just have fun together.

The new battle mechanic in this game is Terastallize. Use a Tera Orb on any Pokémon found in Paldea and they will crystallize – and receive a major boost to attacks and defense and use exclusive, super-powered attacks against your rivals. You can find these orbs early in the game, but to use them over and over, you’ll have to take them to a Pokémon center and recharge them.

Overall, the sandbox format makes Paldea more exciting to explore, and the design is inviting and beautifully thought out. Sadly, in the digital age, it seems like games are often released with glitches that should have been fixed in development but are cleaned up in later patches, and Pokémon Scarlet is no exception. Glitches reported include random lags, team gameplay crashing and random crashes when switching from running to climbing, for instance. The good news is Nintendo will likely release patches over time to fix errors like bugs in group gameplay and random system crashes.

Pokemon is no stranger to remakes. So, when Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl were announced, it wasn’t entirely unprecedented. However, it was very exciting nonetheless, especially for fans of the original titles. And upon its release, it can be confirmed that the remake retains much of what made the original so great and is among the best Pokemon video games.

ittedly, Pokemon Brilliant Diamond doesn’t introduce much in the way of new features. Really, however, it excels at bringing the original into a modern format with Nintendo Switch. With serviceable presentation that preserves the intentions of the original title as well as a great transition to console format, Pokemon Brilliant Diamond proves itself a great update for Pokemon Diamond.

What it lacks in new features, however, it more than makes up for in how it perfectly reflects the original game in the modern era. The graphics and presentation aren’t mind-blowing, per se, but they serve well to provide a moderate facelift to the original game. Further, the gameplay, including battles, navigation, and trading, aren’t changed or updated much. However, that could be attributable to the old adage, “don’t fix it if ain’t broken.”

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond is both a perfect nostalgia trip for fans of the original game and a solid introduction for those who never had the chance to play it. It is both a must-have Pokemon game as well as a must-have Nintendo Switch title.