For decades now, the Pokémon series has delighted gamers of all ages with its ever-growing cast of collectible characters and diverse takes on the series' role-playing gameplay. From mainline entries like Pokémon Diamond & Pearl to spinoff titles like Pokémon Snap and Pokémon Stadium, every player probably has one or two favorites that stand out from the long-running series.
releases of the next chapters in the Pokémon universe.
Updated on August 28th, 2021 by George Chrysostomou: When ranking the best Pokémon games it's important to look throughout history at some of the titles that might not have fallen under the main series. The franchise continues to expand but some of the best Pokémon games happen to be really character-focused or perhaps use the brand as a backdrop for unique gameplay mechanics that vary from the classic turn-based combat to snapping photos of fan-favorite Pokémon.
Pokémon Snap (1999) - 77
Released on the Nintendo 64, Pokémon Snap was a fun change of pace for players who wanted to explore the world of Pokémon without having to get involved with battles. The unique gameplay system allowed audiences to study these Pokémon in their natural habitats, resulting in one of the best spin-off games.
The game was a surprise hit and even IGN noted in their review "that Nintendo was right and we were wrong" and that the concept behind the title translated well to global audiences. The simplicity of the mechanics themselves allowed for some great storytelling and inspired new photographers worldwide thanks to three key things: "clever design, intuitive control, and lots of traditional secrets".
Pokémon Stadium 2 (2000) - 78
Another Nintendo 64 hit, Pokémon Stadium 2 looked to capitalize on the success of the original title but moved the series in a slightly newer direction. The result was a fun addition to the Pokémon saga with the strategy within the battle arena becoming a core focus of the title.
While the game was less focused on the story being told, the battles that fans could wage were certainly a highlight of the game. Through Metacritic, Games Radar described it as "One of the most rounded and comprehensive packages you're ever likely to see, something that makes it worthy of recommendation to all discerning Pokefans out there."
New Pokémon Snap (2021) - 79
One of the newest video games in the world of Pokémon, the latest edition of Snap played off of what worked in the first installment of the series and upgraded it for the Nintendo Switch. Bandai NAMCO learned how to truly utilize these loveable monsters in their environments for optimum photography opportunities.
The narrative was a little more complex for this title, and as players research the Pokémon they're surrounded by, they unlock new secrets and things that they didn't know they could do which expand the lore further. GameRant heralded the title as a big success that played upon its strengths of varied environments and interactive moments saying that "it's a solid experience and highlights what has been sorely missed in the franchise."
Pokémon Conquest (2012) - 80
The Nintendo DS game was definitely a surprise hit considering it was such a different concept compared to the other titles that had been released from The Pokémon Company. Players travel across their Kingdom, forming a partnership between a warrior and a Pokémon.
When ranking the Pokémon games Conquest often rises above the rest, as evidenced by its Metacritic reviews. It has been widely praised for its originality and its departure from the familiar, allowing fans to go on a completely unique journey that played into the warlord dynamic and mystical lore. Via Metacritic, Machinima even suggested that it was "A breath of fresh air into the somewhat stale Pokemon series," considering it was "a strategy game that is both accessible for newcomers and deep for veterans."
Pokémon Black & White Version 2 (2012) - 80
It's incredibly rare for Nintendo to create a direct sequel to one of their mainline Pokémon games, yet they did just that with Black & White Version 2 which expanded upon the original series in a number of exciting ways and brought players straight back into the action.
IGN said that the Nintendo DS release was far from a traditional remake but actually repurposed and renewed content in a way that kept audiences intrigued. Not quite as well-received as the original, both graphically and narratively this is still one of the brand's top achievements with IGN saying that "The story presented in Black and White was easily the most captivating in series history, and Black 2 only deepens and expands the narrative set forth in those games."
Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen (2004) - 81
These remakes of the Gen 1 titles were the first games in the series to retool an older title for a new generation and to include new Pokémon from the generations in between. Players had the exciting opportunity to revisit the Kanto region with updated graphics and new features.
FireRed & LeafGreen's recreation of the experiences that started it all were praised for being faithful to the original game, including the high quality of gameplay. IGN, for instance, noted, "The designers definitely poured a whole lot into this Red/Blue remake," and both fans and critics took notice of those efforts.
Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire (2002) - 82
The mainline Gen 3 games, Ruby & Sapphire are now fondly ed as early entries in the series by fans, but they originally represented the future of Pokémon. As the first Game Boy Advance titles in the series, Ruby & Sapphire fully embraced the system's graphical capabilities to craft a whole new look.
At the time, Nintendo Power said, "The amount of depth involving the Pokemon contests, berries, and other new details is truly astounding", proving that these games represented a step forward for the series. Even years later, Pokémon fans love to revisit the Hoenn region and take on Teams Magma and Aqua.
Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire (2014) - 83/82
These remakes of the Gen 3 games sent players back to Hoenn on the 3DS with a whole new look and, of course, new Pokémon to collect that were introduced in the years following the initial release. Following X & Y's lead, Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire brought Mega Evolution to the classic games, while also introducing new forms for the games' central legendaries, Kyogre and Groudon.
Even players who think they know the originals may want to check these out, as Eurogamer pointed out, "these games have a strong emotive core laced with pieces of refined mechanical slices that, while often repetitive, still accomplish far more than newer series with weaker creative underpinnings." So, these games offer a pure Pokémon experience to new and seasoned trainers alike.
Pokémon Platinum (2008) - 83
In this successor to the Gen 4 games Diamond & Pearl, players returned to the Sinnoh region to once again take down Team Galactic, this time with an expanded storyline that centers on Giratina and has trainers traveling to the Distortion World and the Battle Frontier. This is one of the more fondly ed "sequels" in the Pokémon series.
As IGN noted upon Platinum's release, "The core Pokemon adventure is only a slight update to the one that already existed, but where Platinum has really improved is in its online capabilities." This game, then, offers a lot to the franchise's advancement in of multiplayer features and consistently fun gameplay.
Pokémon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon (2017) - 84
As follow-ups to Sun & Moon, these Ultra variants expanded the Alola region for a brand new take on the first games' island adventures, including all-new Ultra Beasts, the mysterious legendaries of this generation. These reimaginings of the original Gen 7 titles also allow players to go to Ultra Space, offering players tons of new Alola content.
A review in the Sydney Morning Herald said, "Returning players will definitely be left with a strong sense of deja vu, but if they finished everything last year's game had to offer and were hungry for more they could still get their money's worth here, especially if they're up for a big dose of nostalgia," emphasizing the potential of these games for players at all points in their Pokémon journey.
