What are the best Pokemon games to play? Satoshi Tajiri is the creator of the Pokemon video game franchise, undoubtedly one of the most popular anime game franchises in the world. Further, the video game has an anime adaptation that began broadcasting in 1997 and continues. Even being one of the longest series, fans still love the series and keep watching the anime. The anime revolves around Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town, who is on a journey to travel around the world and win different leagues to become the “Pokemon Masters”. On this journey, he comes across many Pokemons, and he catches some and trains them to win leagues.
The anime is full of different Pokemons. Every Pokemon is unique, and seeing them throughout the series wants us to know more and sometimes catch them. Seeing Ash’s adventure, we all wanted to live his life and catch pokemons and battle with them. Therefore, the Pokemon games have such immense popularity because it lets us fulfill those dreams to become a Pokemon trainer. It’s been 35 years since Pokemon came out, but the popularity is just growing each day, and people are increasing who take an interest in these games. Thus in this article, we will look at the best Pokemon games to play.
Pokemon Stadium
Nintendo developed this game for their console, Nintendo 64, and released it in 1999. You might think Pokemon X and Y are the first games in the series that have a 3D graphic. Then let me tell you, Pokemon Stadium was the first game in the franchise which has 3D graphics. This video game has the original 151 Kanto pokemons to play with. Further, unlike other pokemon games, it doesn’t have any storyline or adventuring. In this game, you make a team of six Pokemon and take place in a tournament comprising four cups and 80 battles. It is one of the most fun games to play alone and with friends.
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Pokken Tournament DX
Tekken is one of the most popular fighting video games. Then if you add Pokemon in Tekken, you get Pokken Tournament. Bandai Namco developed this game, and Nintendo released it in March 2016 for the Wii U consoles. However, an upgraded and better version, Pokken Tournament XD, was released for the Nintendo Switch console in 2017. The Game has 23 pokemons to play with. The game was praised for its gaming mechanics. It features two modes, a “Field Phase” where the gameplay is similar to the game mechanics of 1v1 fights used in Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm. The second mode is “Duel Mode,” which is very similar to the classic Tekken’s mechanic. The game is a part of many Esports tournaments where players compete against each other.
Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu & Eevee
Game Freak developed this game for Nintendo’s latest console, Switch, in 2018. This game is a remake of a classic Game Boy game, Pokemon Yellow, which was released in 1998. This game has 3D graphics, which made it so popular. Because you can now enjoy the classic game in 3D. This game also has the buddy feature from the original game, where the first Pokemon in your party used to follow you around. However, it also had a unique feature, which was catching wild Pokemons. Instead of fighting a Pokemon and lowering its HP down to catch it with a Pokeball, it uses Pokemon GO’s catching mechanics. This game has the original 151 Kanto Pokemon, but this game included their mega evolution and Aloha alternatives.
New Pokemon Snap
This 2021 Nintendo Switch game is the remake of a 1999 game, Pokemon Snap, which was released for Nintendo 64. This game is unique to every Pokemon game. Because in this game, you don’t catch Pokemon or fight against other trainers to become the best trainer in the game. Now you might wonder if we don’t catch them or fight with them, then what do we do in this game. Then let me tell you, instead of being a trainer, you are a photographer. The game’s Professor Mirror asks you to capture images of Pokemon throughout this game’s region, the Laboratory of Ecological and Natural Sciences (L.E.N.S.). This game features 200 Pokemons, and the Professor later rates each photograph. Thus, get your lens ready to capture the best shots of all 200 Pokemons.
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Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen
These games are the remix of the original Pokémon games, Pokémon Red and Green, which were released in 1996. Game Freak developed this game, and Nintendo released them in 2004 for the Gameboy Advance consoles. Further, both the games have the same plot, but the protagonist’s gender is different in both games, male in FireRed and female in LeafGreen. The game follows the journey of a young Pokemon trainer in the Kato region, who gets their first Pokemon from Prof. Oak and is then set on a journey to defeat the eight Gyms and then the Elite Four and the Champion to with the Kanto league.
Aside from defeating the league, you will also face the Team Rocket to stop their evil schemes. Further, the players can complete the Pokedex by catching all 151 Pokemons. These remakes feature a new location, Sevii Island, which was not available in the original versions. This island is available after defeating the league, and here you catch Jhoto Pokemons. Further, a new Team Rocket mission is available after completing the main story. After completing this mission, players will trade with Hoenn games: Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald. This game is one of the best Pokemon games to play, and it also lets you enjoy the classic Red and Green with better graphics.
Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire
The generation 3 pokemon games are one of the best pokemon games to play. It has three versions: Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald. Nintendo released the Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire Versions in 2002 for GBA. Like most games, Ruby and Sapphire also revolve around a young trainer in the Hoenn region who is on a journey to become the Champion in his league. In this game also the player has to fight against an evil organization. But instead of having a single evil gang, this game has two teams, Team Magma and Team Aqua, who plan to resurrect two legendary pokemon, Groudon and Kyogre. This game introduced 135 new pokemons and also new features, Pokemon abilities, and also double battles. Further, in this game, four players can connect at the same time instead of two.
Pokemon Emerald
Fans loved Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire, but there are some pokemons and features exclusive to them. Like in Ruby, you will get Groudon and fight team Magma, whereas, in Sapphire, it’s Kyogre and Team Alpha. There are more examples like this, and thus, you might need both games to enjoy the Gen III at max. However, Game Freak also presented another solution. Nintendo released Pokemon Emerald in 2004, which took the best from both the Hoenn games and also added some new things of its own.
In emerald, the game’s legendary mascot is Rayquaza, but you can also catch both Groudon and Kyogre. In this game, you need to fight both the evil organizations, Team Magma and Team Aqua. Further, Emerald features all pokemons from Ruby and Sapphire further, you have access to previous generation Pokemon, which was not there in Ruby and Sapphire. Further, Players can re-challenge Gym leaders even after becoming the Champion. Also, it introduces the Battle Frontier after winning the league. Pokemon Emerald is the best Pokemon game to play from generation three.
Pokemon OmegaRuby & AlphaSapphire
The Generation III games, Ruby and Sapphire, were an enormous hit. Therefore, twelve years after the release of these GBA games, Game Freak released the remake of these games for Nintendo Switch in 2014. The game had most of the same story from the original Ruby and Sapphire, but these remakes brought the experience back into 3D. Further, this game has all the pokemons from the original games but also has the other pokemons from regions like Kanto, Johto, Sinnoh, Unova, and Kalos. Further, this game also introduces the Mega Evolution. Even the Legendary Pokemons, Groudon and Kyogre, have a Primal form which is equivalent to Mega Evolution. In this game, players can even get their hands on Mega Rayquaza too. No doubt this game was one of the best pokemon games as it let us enjoy the classic nostalgia with a fresh taste.
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Pokemon Diamond & Pearl
Diamond and Pearl are the fourth-gen Pokemon games developed by Game Freak. The game was released in 2006 for Nintendo DS. Like every Pokemon t title, the player chooses the character and then gets the starter Pokemon and then sets on a journey to become the best trainer in the Sinnoh region. This game added 107 new pokemons, but it also features pokemon from past regions like Hoenn, Kanto, and Johto. Further, fans loved the characters in the game and especially the evil organization, Team Galactic. The player needs to stop their schemes to rule the world. Further, players can catch a Dialga in Diamond and Palkia in Pearl. The Diamond and Pearl have a simulated smartwatch device, Poketch, which has features like a clock, calculator, map, counter, and a drawing pad. However, the game received criticism because it didn’t have many Sinnoh Pokemons.
Pokemon Platinum
Diamond and Pearl already received positive reviews from fans. Thus, there could be nothing better, but there is Pokemon Platinum. Game Freak released this third Sinnoh game in 2008 for Nintendo DS. This game is quite identical to Diamond and Pearl but still has many changes. The animation is better and smoother. The evil organization, Team Galactic, is more heinous and the came introduces a new side character, Detective Looker, who helps to investigate Team Galactic. In this game, the Gym order is different. Thus, you can’t follow the same party format as in Diamond and Pearl. This game not only features both the legendary Pokemons, Dialga, and Palkia but also features a new legendary, Giratina. You can visit a new location, Distortion World, which is not available in the past Sinnoh Games. This game also introduces a Survival Area, and their player can own a house.
Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver
HeartGold and SoulSilver are also remakes of classic Nintendo Gameboy Color games, Pokemon Gold and Silver. The game introduced new visuals and animations. Further, the Pokedex was not limited to Johto, as it also has pokemons from Sinnoh, Hoenn, and Kanto. This game also revisited the buddy system from Pokemon Yellow, where the first Pokemon in the party follows you around. There is no doubt Silver and Gold had one of the most amazing stories, and fans loved the rival, Silver, who was none other than Team Rocket’s boss, Giovanni’s son. Further, throughout the series, besides catching pokemon and training pokemon to defeat gyms and the Johto league, we also face Team Rocket and crush their evil fans. As I said, these makes are a way to enjoy a familiar food but with some new ingredients in the recipe.
Pokemon Black & White
White and Black are the fifth generation games in the Pokemon franchise. Game Freak developed them, and Nintendo released them in 2010 for their Nintendo DS consoles. This game is set in the Unova region and introduces 156 new pokemons along with those from previous gens. The game was like most Pokemon games. It also revolves around a young trainer who’s on a journey in the Unnova region to become the strongest trainer and defeat the Pokemon league there. Further, the player also has to spoil the evil organization, Team Plasma’s plans. The game introduces many new features like a season cycle, rotation battle, and triple battle. In this game, you will witness the use of both 2D and 3D animation. Both the games are similar but have different legendary Pokemons, Zekrom in Black and Reshiram in White. Also, to improve the interface, speech balloons replaced the traditional dialog boxes.
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Pokemon Black 2 & White 2
In the predecessor third and fourth-gen games, you get a third game which was the improved version. The same happens here, but instead of just a third game, there are two new games. Game Freak released an improved game of the Unova region in 2012. However, unlike other improved games in the past, which had the same story but with few changes, this game has no similarity to Black and White in terms of plot, but it has the same mechanics. Instead of saying it’s a remake, it would be better to say this game is a sequel to Black and White.
The game is similar to the past one but with a new Young trainer. Further, Team Plasma features in this game too. Also, you will get Zekrom and Reshiram in Black 2 and White 2. But you will also get a third Dragon Legendary Pokemon, Kyurem, in both Black 2 and White 2. In this game, you can also fight with trainers and gym leaders from past games in a Pokemon World Tournament.
Pokemon Sun & Moon
This game is the seventh generation Pokemon game developed by Game Freak for Nintendo 3DS. Further, the game was developed in 2016. The game is entirely 3D, and even the character looks proportional and not chibi-like in the Pokemon X&Y . The game introduced many new game mechanics, like it doesn’t have gym battles, instead replaced by Island Challenges. Also, in this game, you can enjoy special Z-moves which your Pokemon can perform. Also, in this game, you do not catch the new pokemons introduced in the game but also beings from other dimensions called Ultra Beasts. This game introduces many new Pokemon, but some are old classic pokemons with different typing and looks because of the Alolan climate. This game also gets rid of the use of HM move. These games are so different from past titles, which makes them one of the best Pokemon games to play.
Pokemon UltraSun & UltraMoon
Another seventh-generation game based on the Alolan region. These upgraded versions of Sun and Moon were released on 17 November 2017. The game doesn’t have the same plot as Sun and Moon, but it has a new plot along with many new pokemons. Further, more new Ultra Beasts are introduced in this game. You can not only get Solgaleo and Lunala but also a third legendary, Necrozma. Further, the game introduces many more new locations in this game that were not present in Sun and Moon. Also, in this game, you can get your hands on legendary Pokemons from past generation games. However, it has the same visuals and graphics as Sun and Moon, and also it has the same game mechanics. No doubt if you loved Sun and Moon, then you will just like these more.
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Pokemon X & Y
X and Y are the first sixth-generation games and also the first Pokemon games for Nintendo 3DS. Undoubtedly, these 2013 games shocked us all, as they allowed us to enjoy the Pokemon game experience in an entirely new way. This game takes place in the Kalos region, where the Pokemon has to defeat the eight gyms and then the Pokemon league to become the Kalos Champion. Further, many new pokemons were introduced in this game, along with a new phenomenon called Mega Evolution. We all enjoyed seeing a new temporary evolution of some old favorite pokemons. Also, in this game, you can change the way your players look, like changing the hairstyle or clothes, which was a completely new feature in Pokemon games. Although the game offered so much, the villainous group and the story didn’t appeal that much to the audience.
Pokemon GO
We all played Pokemon in these fantasy worlds like Hoenn, Kanto, and Johto. But we all wished for if Pokemons were present in the real world. Then this game comes to make that dream real. Niantic developed this game along with Nintendo for Androids and iOS devices. This game uses AR and GPS technology to spawn Pokemons in real life around you. You can set on your own journey to catch all the pokemons and battle against other trainers in Gyms. Further, you can also participate in raid battles to get rare or legendary pokemons.
The game was an enormous hit but also faced some criticism and controversies like people entering restricted or private properties to play these games. Further, some people are so engrossed in this game that they get into accidents. However, the number of players playing this game has continued to grow since its release in 2016. Pokemon Go is one of the Best Pokemon Games to Play.
Pokemon Sword & Shield
The first two games of the eighth generation Pokemon games for Nintendo Switch. Like the past two generations, these two titles also have 3D visuals but are better. In this game, you can see wild pokemons roaming in the wilds of the Galar region. Further, these games introduce 81 new pokemons along with 13 regional forms of the older generation Pokemons. Aside from new pokemons, these game introduces a new transformation where your Pokemon will gigantically grow in size. This transformation is called Dynamax. There is also Gigantamax which is similar to Dynamax, but the Pokemon’s appearance also changes.
In this game, Gym challenges are back. You need to defeat eight Gyms prior to going to challenge the Galar champion. The elite four systems are no more in the game. Instead, you participate in the “Pokemon Cup” after defeating the gyms. In this final tournament, you face many strong trainers and Galar, gym leaders. After defeating these strong trainers in the Pokemon Cup, you face the Champion in the final round. Apart from collecting Pokemon and becoming the new champion, you also have to solve Galar’s mystery surrounding the Shield and Sword hero and also to put a full stop to the evil schemes of Chairman Rose. Later you can also enjoy two expansion packs of these games, which let you explore new areas and see new Pokemon. These two are one of the best Pokemon games to play.
