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Looking for the most fun-loving Pokemon Games? If you answer yes, you are on the perfect platform.
In this article, I will tell you about the best Pokemon games, their release year, developer, publisher, platform, and more. Trust me! These Pokemon games will give you true nostalgia for your childhood.
Since its first release in 1996, Pokemon has amassed over $100 billion in revenue across various media platforms, including TV, print publications, and movies, making it the highest-grossing franchise ever.
Additionally, if you love having a collection of Action Figures but do not know where to shop, I suggest you read our article on Best Sites To Buy Action Figures In India and opt for the best for yourself.
Table of Contents
Here we have curated a list of the 23 most popular Pokemon games along their release year. Also, we have provided detailed information about each of these Pokemon games below the table. So, to know more, keep reading this article until the end.
Best Pokemon Games |
Released Year |
2009 |
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2004 |
|
2008 |
|
2022 |
|
2012 |
|
2004 |
|
2017 |
|
2005 |
|
2001 |
|
2016 |
|
2014 |
|
1998 |
|
1996 |
|
2013 |
|
2006 |
|
2016 |
|
2019 |
|
2003 |
|
2021 |
|
2018 |
|
2022 |
|
2012 |
|
2000 |
Here we have reviewed each of these best pokemon games of all time in detail. To know more regarding this topic, keep reading this article.
The 2009 role-playing video games Pokemon HeartGold Version and Pokemon SoulSilver Version are remakes of the Pokemon Gold and Silver and Pokemon Crystal released on the Game Boy Colour in 1999. These video games, a part of the fourth generation of the Pokémon video game franchise, were created by Game Freak and released on the Nintendo DS by The Pokémon Company, Nintendo, and Game Freak.
HeartGold and SoulSilver are set in the imaginary world of the franchise's Johto and Kanto regions, home to unique beings known as Pokémon. Being the top Pokémon trainer in the Johto and Kanto regions requires growing and cataloguing Pokémon and competing against other trainers. Shigeki Morimoto, the game's director, made sure that it felt fresh to people who had only recently discovered the series while respecting the sentiments of those who had already played the previous games. Critics have given the games favourable reviews.
Key Highlights
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo, The Pokémon Company
Platform: Nintendo DS
Series: Pokemon
Release Year: 2009
A role-playing video game called Pokemon Emerald Version was created by Game Freak in 2004 and released on the Game Boy Advance by The Pokemon Company and Nintendo. It was initially released in Japan in 2004 and then in other countries in 2005. The third generation of the Pokemon video game series concludes with this third instalment of Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire. Players control a Pokemon trainer from an overhead perspective. The gameplay and controls are identical to those in the series' earlier games. Emerald debuted at the top of the charts in Japan, with 791,000 copies sold in its first week and 372,000 on its first day. In Japan in 2004, it was the fourth-best-selling video game. For the year, 1.4 million were sold.
Key Highlights
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo, The Pokémon Company
Platform: Gameboy Advance
Series: Pokemon
Release Year: 2004
The role-playing video game Pokemon Platinum Version was created by Game Freak in 2008 and released by The Pokemon Company and Nintendo for the Nintendo DS portable gaming system. Following Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, it is the third iteration in the fourth generation of the Pokemon video game franchise. On September 13, 2008, it was made available in Japan. In 2009 it was also made available in North America, Australia, and Europe.
Players in Platinum can choose to control Lucas or Dawn, and they begin the game with one of three Pokemon that Professor Rowan has given them. Giratina, the game's titular Pokemon, is also its mascot and essential to the storyline. While it had just one form in Diamond and Pearl, it now has another one dubbed "Origin Forme" and a new environment called the Distortion World, which has different physics from Sinnoh, the game's setting. The gameplay adheres to the rules of the classic Pokemon games. The vast landscape that the players can explore includes mountains, water bodies, meadows, inhabited places, and icy stretches. Players use their Pokemon to engage in turn-based combat with other Pokemon, like in earlier games.
Key Highlights
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo, The Pokémon Company
Platform: Nintendo DS
Series: Pokemon
Release Year: 2008
Action role-playing game Pokemon Legends: Arceus maintains the fundamental gameplay of earlier games in the mainstream series. The game world, divided into five sizable regions with distinct biomes, allows players to move around at will. The player spawns in a camp each time they enter one of these regions, and they can quickly travel to other camps nearby. The user can unlock rideable Pokemon, which can fly, swim over water, climb cliffs, and travel more quickly than walking across the environment. Pokemon may be discovered in specific habitats across each location, and they will interact with the player and their surroundings.
Others will respond aggressively, while some will purposefully avoid the player, and others show other distinct behaviour. By September 30, 2022, more than 13.91 million copies of Pokemon Legends: Arceus have been sold. Pokemon Legends: Arceus was well-received by critics, nominated for numerous year-end awards, including Best RPG at The Game Awards, and received generally positive reviews.
Key Highlights
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo, The Pokémon Company
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Series: Pokemon
Release Year: 2022
Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 include two main gameplay cycles, overworld exploration and fights, similar to prior games. In overworld exploration, the player character is controlled top-down while interacting with non-playable NPCs, searching for things, and catching Pokemon. The player sends out their Pokemon in a battle to bring the opponent's Pokemon down to zero health. The player does this by using the "moves" that their Pokemon may perform, such as attacking, buffing, debuffing, or causing status ailments.
The role-playing video games Pokemon Black Version 2 and Pokemon White Version 2 for the Nintendo DS were created by Game Freak in 2012 and released by The Pokemon Company and Nintendo. These video games, a part of the fifth generation of the Pokemon video game series, are direct sequels to Pokemon Black and Pokemon White, the series' first two sequels. As the final first-party games on the system, they were initially published in Japan in June 2012 and then globally in October 2012. According to Junichi Masuda, the games include the legendary Pokemon Black Kyurem and White Kyurem.
Key Highlights
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo, The Pokémon Company
Platform: Nintendo DS
Series: Pokemon
Release Year: 2012
The role-playing video games Pokemon Red and Blue for the Game Boy were remade in 2004 as Pokemon FireRed Version and Pokemon LeafGreen Version. They were created by Game Freak and released on the Game Boy Advance by The Pokemon Company, Nintendo, and Game Freak. The first releases of FireRed and LeafGreen occurred in Japan in January 2004, followed by North America and Europe in September and October of that same year. The third generation of Pokemon video games includes these titles, the first improved remakes of earlier titles in the series.
Like in previous games, the user commands the player character from an elevated perspective and engages in turn-based combat. The player raises and collects Pokémon throughout the games to employ in combat. New additions include a situational help menu and a new location that the player may access after a particular point in the story. The original Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter that came with the games is compatible with the games. The games got favourable reviews, earning an overall Metacritic score of 81 per cent.
Key Highlights
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo, The Pokémon Company
Platform: Game Boy Advance
Series: Pokemon
Release Year: 2004
Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are role-playing video games featuring adventure aspects, just like earlier entries in the series. The key changes between Pokemon Sun and Moon and this game's changed plot, including the Ultra Recon Squad, are set in an alternative version of the Alola area while maintaining many of the same gameplay mechanics and visuals. The player characters' designs have also changed but may still be customised. "Global Missions," in which gamers worldwide cooperate to achieve a common objective, are also back.
The games were generally well reviewed by reviewers, who praised the extra features added over Sun and Moon but criticised it for having a tale that was too identical for most of it. Over eight million copies of Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon had been sold globally by the end of 2018.
Key Highlights
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo, The Pokémon Company
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Series: Pokemon
Release Year: 2017
Although subsequent events and two promotional sample versions proved the game would be similar to Colosseum, Pokemon XD was initially introduced in March 2005 as a brand-new GameCube title and not a successor. A Shadow Lugia can be seen on the game's box art, and Shadow Pokemon, initially introduced in Colosseum, is a significant gameplay aspect. Pokemon XD introduces Munchlax and Bonsly, two Pokemon of the fourth generation of the classic Pokemon games.
Like its predecessor, the game's main objective is to catch Shadow Pokemon, battle with them, and record their data in the Pokedex. As in Pokemon Colosseum, Shadow Pokemon are caught using the Snag Machine. There are 83 distinct Shadow Pokémon in this game that can be gathered. Unlike Pokemon Colosseum, each Shadow Pokemon has an assortment of Shadow techniques that it is familiar with, giving it greater versatility in battle. The only move type in Generation III that could achieve this was a shadow move, which can be physical or special.
Key Highlights
Developer: Genius Sonority
Publisher: Nintendo, The Pokémon Company
Platform: GameCube
Series: Pokemon
Release Year: 2005
Pokemon Crystal Version, the final Pokemon game on the Game Boy Colour, made a stylish exit for the retro console. In that it takes place in Johto and follows a well-worn road, the Pokemon Crystal Version appears quite similar to the Pokemon Gold and Silver versions. But if you look closer, you'll see that Pokemon Crystal offers many features that have transformed Pokemon games. Pokemon Crystal is the first Pokemon game to provide a choice between playing as a boy or girl and having a Battle Tower, the gathering place for swarms of the most formidable Trainers in the nation.
As each Pokemon is brought into the fray, animation introductions are provided for each in Pokemon Crystal. You'll also notice various visual enhancements as you explore the Johto area. Watch out for Pokemon in multiple locales and Legendary Pokemon, which can only be attracted by the most skilled Trainers as you go.
Key Highlights
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo, The Pokémon Company
Platform: Game Boy Color
Series: Pokemon
Release Year: 2001
A 2016 Augmented Reality (AR) smartphone game, Pokémon Go, was created and released by Niantic in association with Nintendo and The Pokémon Company for iOS and Android devices. This is one of the best Pokemon games for Android. It locates, catches, trains, and battles virtual monsters known as Pokémon that seem to be at the player's actual location using mobile devices with GPS. The game enables in-app purchases for extra in-game stuff and is available for free to play. It operates on a freemium business model with local advertising. Initially, about 150 Pokémon species were in the game and by 2021, there were over 700.
It generated debate since it caused public annoyance and contributed to accidents. Many governments have voiced worries about security, and some nations have laws governing its usage. The game had over 147 million active monthly users and over a billion global downloads, generating more than $6 billion in revenue.
Key Highlights
Developer: Niantic
Publisher: Niantic
Platform: iOS, Android
Series: Pokemon
Release Year: 2016
Pokemon Omega Ruby and Pokemon Alpha Sapphire, which also incorporate elements from Pokemon Emerald, are 2014 remakes of the 2002 Game Boy Advance role-playing video games Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire. The games, part of the sixth generation of the Pokemon video game series, were created by Game Freak and released on the Nintendo 3DS by The Pokemon Company, Nintendo, and Game Freak. On November 21, 2014, twelve years after Ruby and Sapphire's first release, the games were published in Japan, North America, and Australia. The European release took place the following week. Critics gave Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire largely favourable reviews. The games have generated 14.53 million copies sold globally as of September 30, 2022.
Key Highlights
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Series: Pokemon
Release Year: 2014
Pokemon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition is a reworking of the immensely popular Pokemon Red and Blue video games for the Game Boy that incorporates the plot of the TV programme. There is currently just one Pokemon left, and that Pokemon is Pikachu, as opposed to you having the option of three beginning Pokemon. The player always receives Pikachu, while the opponent always receives Eevee. Another distinction between this game and its forerunners is that the player's Pikachu accompanies them throughout the game's overworld.
During the 3rd Annual AIAS Interactive Achievement Awards (formerly known as the D.I.C.E. Awards), Pokemon Yellow won two nominations for "Game of the Year" and "Console Game of the Year." The Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards awarded it "Favourite Video Game" as well.
Key Highlights
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform: Game Boy
Series: Pokemon
Release Year: 1998
Pokemon Red & Blue are classic games with the occasional flaw, but they're still captivating and involve games to spend your leisure time with. Compared to current standards, the gameplay is more accessible, but if you want to train a squad to pixel-powered perfection, there are still a tonne of subtleties and intricacy to be discovered. You couldn't say that about many Game Boy games, but if you were to pull everything about the game and put it in a bright, glossy, new 3D engine, you'd be excused for believing these were brand-new games.
Although there are specific bugs that were worked out in later editions, discovering the initial 151 Pocket Monsters has a distinct appeal. Critics gave Red and Blue high marks for the multiplayer features, particularly the trade idea. They got an overall rating of 89% on GameRankings and are regarded as some of the best games ever created. They have consistently appeared on top game lists, including IGN's "Top 100 Games of All Time", for at least four years. The release of the games signalled the start of a multibillion-dollar franchise that sold more than 300 million copies worldwide.
Key Highlights
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform: Game Boy
Series: Pokemon
Release Year: 1996
The third-person, overhead view role-playing video games Pokemon X and Y have adventure features. These are the first Pokemon games to have 3D capabilities compatible with Nintendo 3DS systems. The player has control of a young trainer who sets out to find, capture, train, and defeat other trainers' Pokemon. The player's Pokemon acquire experience by beating other Pokemon in turn-based fights, enabling them to level up and improve their battle statistics, learn new moves and evolve into more potent Pokemon in certain circumstances.
Critics gave X and Y favourable reviews, praising the gameplay improvements and new ideas the creators introduced to the franchise. Critics praised the games' graphics and their move to 3D models, but many criticised their linearity, plot, and characters. With four million copies sold globally in the first weekend, the eagerly awaited games broke the previous record set by Pokémon Black and White and became the 3DS's fastest-selling titles.
Key Highlights
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo, The Pokemon Company
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Series: Pokemon
Release Year: 2013
The fictitious territory of Sinnoh, an island modelled on the Japanese island of Hokkaido, is the setting for the novels Diamond and Pearl. There are no direct connections between Sinnoh and any other Pokemon area. Large, snow-capped mountains make up its landscape. Mt. Coronet, a mountain range, splits Sinnoh in half.
The video games follow the exploits of a rookie Pokemon trainer who attempts to win the Pokemon League Championship by acquiring and training Pokemon. Like most of the games in the series, Diamond and Pearl have eight Pokemon Gyms run by Gym Leaders, qualified trainers who specialise in specific Pokemon types. Leaders act as bosses and provide Gym Badges to knowledgeable trainers, which is essential to the plot's development.
Reviews of the games were largely positive. Most reviewers liked the Wi-Fi functionality and visual additions and said the gameplay was still entertaining despite having yet to see much change from earlier versions. Compared to Game Boy Advance predecessors, the games had more financial success, selling about 18 million units worldwide.
Key Highlights
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo, The Pokemon Company
Platform: Nintendo DS
Series: Pokemon
Release Year: 2006
The Alola area is a collection of tropical islands where the games are set. IGN's Joe Skrebels calls it "Pokémon's interpretation of Hawaii. Role-playing video games Pokémon Sun and Moon were released in 2016 for the Nintendo 3DS by The Pokémon Company, Nintendo, and Game Freak. They represent the start of the Pokémon video game series' seventh generation.
Critics gave the games primarily positive reviews, praising the gameplay of Sun and Moon while criticising the lack of substance outside of the main narrative. They appreciated the departure from the paradigm employed in previous Pokémon games. The games were among Nintendo's fastest-selling titles at the time of their release. Sun & Moon is the third-best-selling Nintendo 3DS game, with over 16 million copies sold globally.
Key Highlights
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo, The Pokemon Company
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Series: Pokemon
Release Year: 2016
The Galar region, one of the numerous areas in the Pokemon universe, is where Sword and Shield are set. It is a sizable, slender area of land. Pokemon Sword and Shield are role-playing video games with adventure aspects often presented in a fixed camera, third-person perspective. At the same time, there are some situations when free camera movement is possible. The player assumes control of a young trainer who sets out to find, capture, train, and defeat other trainers' Pokemon. The player's Pokemon acquire experience by taking out rival Pokemon in turn-based fights. This enables them to level up and improve their combat statistics, learn new fighting methods, and evolve into more potent Pokemon in certain circumstances.
Critics gave Sword and Shield largely favourable reviews. While some criticised the game's smaller Pokedex and a perceived lack of polish or complexity, others praised the animals' designs, new features, and emphasis on simplicity, player choice, and efficient encounters. Sword and Shield, the fifth-best-selling game on the Switch and the second-best-selling game in the Pokemon franchise has sold more than 25.68 million copies globally by December 2022, making it one of the Nintendo Switch's fastest-selling games.
Key Highlights
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo, The Pokemon Company
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Series: Pokemon
Release Year: 2019
A third-person view is used in the 3D role-playing game Pokemon Colosseum. Wes, a Pokemon Trainer that the player is in charge of, travels through numerous cities and other locales while engaging in battles with other Trainers and accomplishing tasks. Colosseum does not have random encounters, in contrast to other Pokemon games. The game starts with the player having two Pokemon. Throughout the game, more are acquired by "Snagging" them from other Trainers with Poke Balls of varying potencies. Only some "Shadow Pokemon" who have had their hearts surgically shut may be Snagged.
The region of Orre is where the Pokemon Colosseum is situated. There are no wild Pokemon in the primarily arid area of Orre. When the game first came out, it was a financial and critical success, receiving accolades for its visuals and music. In the US, 1.15 million copies were sold, while 656,270 were sold in Japan.
Key Highlights
Developer: Genius Sonority
Publisher: Nintendo, The Pokémon Company
Platform: GameCube
Series: Pokemon
Release Year: 2003
The protagonist of this game is followed as he aids Professor Mirror and his colleagues in learning the mysteries of the Lental area, which is well-known for the phenomena of glowing Pokemon. They learn that five fabled animals guarding the islands are related to a local myth when they research them. Under the direction of Xerneas, who bestowed upon their abilities, they guarded the island from a meteor impact 2000 years ago.
With the reintroduction of the island location, the on-rails photography technique, unlockable stages, real-time environment interaction via unlocking goods, and the capability to store images for later viewing, the gameplay is identical to that of its Nintendo 64 predecessor. The protagonist of New Pokemon Snap is led by Professor Mirror, a Pokemon researcher who replaces Professor Oak from the original game. In addition to the entire island being available for photography exploration, Professor Mirror also provides his research lab as a course that may be unlocked. His assistants accompany him.
Key Highlights
Developer: Bandai Namco Studios
Publisher: Nintendo, The Pokémon Company
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Series: Pokemon
Release Year: 2021
Pokemon Let's Go, Eevee! and Pikachu! debuted in November 2018 on the Nintendo Switch, are exact remakes of Yellow on the Game Boy Colour from 1999. They utilised GO's ring system for trapping monsters, which were completely visible in the overworld for the first time, unlike any previous entry in the series. Let's Go is also one of, if not the best-looking, Pokemon game ever created because of the updated visuals. While unusual, it's evident that these games were made specifically with Pokemon GO players in mind and, as a result, alienated some of the core fans. They are overly simple, lack complexity, and make an excessive effort to appeal to Generation 1 fans.
Key Highlights
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo, The Pokémon Company
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Series: Pokemon
Release Year: 2018
The setting of Scarlet and Violet is open, in contrast to previous Pokemon games. Based on the Iberian Peninsula, the games are set in the Paldea area. The player can finish one of three different storylines. There are 110 new Pokemon introduced in Scarlet and Violet, along with two new regional variants. A Pokemon's ability to change into its unique "Tera Type" through the Terastal phenomena and the time-displaced monsters known as Paradox Pokemon are also presented. The games preserve elements from earlier contemporary Pokemon games, such as wide-open spaces and Pokemon appearing in the overworld.
Critics gave Scarlet and Violet a variety of ratings. The game's open-world design and narrative were appreciated, although its initial technical issues and aesthetics garnered criticism. Nintendo's biggest launch ever, the titles sold over 10 million copies in their first three days and 22 million by March 2023.
Key Highlights
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo, The Pokémon Company
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Series: Pokemon
Release Year: 2022
Pokemon Conquest is an exceptional and not-to-be-missed Pokemon game. Nobunaga's Ambition is one of the greatest Pokemon spin-off games available, even though the marriage of Pokemon with the strategy game was completely unexpected. In Pokemon Conquest, which takes place in a fantastical world with unique laws, players connect up with Pokemon rather than catching them, and they develop and "evolve" together.
Catching them all has a new meaning as players collect sets of colourful characters (occasionally based on historical figures) and cool Pokemon. The layout and natural barriers on the battlefield gave Pokemon's recognisable, element-focused fighting system an additional strategic dimension. Pokemon Conquest is a tactical role-playing game that draws elements from both sources, making the combination twice as tasty.
Key Highlights
Developer: Tecmo Koei
Publisher: Nintendo, The Pokémon Company
Platform: Nintendo DS
Series: Pokemon, Nobunaga's Ambition
Release Year: 2012
One of the most visually appealing games on the Nintendo 64 is undoubtedly Pokemon Puzzle League. It incorporates clips, voice acting, and other frills more frequently found on the disc-based systems of the time, mainly emulating the aesthetic of anime from the 1990s. It recreates the gym fights from the original games and includes team combat, taking an otherwise unremarkable puzzle game and thoroughly drenching it with Pokemon.
Pokemon Puzzle League is a reskin of the excellent Super NES puzzle game Panel de Pon, in which blocks are removed by aligning colours in either horizontal or vertical lines. It creates a delightful competitive puzzle game that can keep you occupied for long days when combined with the anime's recognisable aesthetic. It is well-liked by puzzle and Pokemon lovers, and it deserves to be regarded as a top Pokemon game in and of itself.
Key Highlights
Developer: Nintendo Software Technology
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform: Nintendo 64
Series: Puzzle League, Pokemon
Release Year: 2012
This was all about Best Pokemon Games. After going through this article, you must have received all the essential information regarding this topic. We have tried our best to provide you with all the minor details. However, if you still have any questions, please ask them in our comment section, and we will try to answer them as soon as possible.
1. What is the best Pokemon game?
A. We have shortlisted some of the best Pokemon above in the article. For more detailed information about these games, read the section- List Of The Best Pokemon Games.
2. Is Scarlet and Violet worth it?
A. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet have undoubtedly improved from past games in several ways, particularly in the exploration, Pokemon capture, and story sectors. However, some visual problems, Tera Raid combat issues, and a disappointing Shiny hunting experience considerably lower the game's quality.
3. What is the top 1 Pokemon?
A. Without question, Arceus is the most potent Legendary Pokémon. The closest thing the Pokémon universe has to a god is this Normal type Mythical Pokémon, the universe's creator.