Ranking the best Pokemon games is no simple task. As one of the most beloved series, everyone will have different entries they enjoyed the most. Whether it be because of a particular feature they include, a generation of Pokemon, or because they hold a fond nostalgia factor for you, there's a lot of passion for almost every Pokemon game out there.
While we've seen all manner of adventures since the arrival of Pokemon Red and Blue, from the likes of Pokemon Go to Pokemon Sleep, we'll be primarily focusing on the core games in the series here that helped shape each generation. Still, even with our strict rules we have the tricky task of picking between some classics that are also considered to be among the best DS games, best 3DS games, and best GBA games of all time.
Luckily, after many internal debates and battles, we've finally cracked which Nintendo titles are the true champions. Read on below to find our ranking of the best Pokemon games.
10. Pokemon Sun and Moon
Developer: Game Freak
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Pokemon Sun and Moon is like going on a tropical Pokemon-themed holiday. It’s vibrant, bright, and offers a slightly different experience than you're used to. The Alola region was a breath of fresh air for the series since it changed the setting and reflected its theme in its unique Alolan Pokemon variants. But, isn't wasn't all sunshine and sand. Some of the Alolan designs are quite unforgettable, although we’re pretty sure everyone will remember the mighty Alolan Exeggutor for the rest of their days.
The change from the typical gym battles was odd, too, and made Sun and Moon feel a lot slower than the earlier games. Plus, it's very light on the post-game content after you finish the main campaign. This doesn’t mean it's a bad entry in the Pokemon series by any means, and it’s certainly more accessible for newcomers. Pokemon Sun and Moon's lush world and interesting story are still worth working your way through, and it also has nice features that build on what was established in X and Y, including tons of character customization options and more of a social aspect.
Read our Pokemon Sun and Moon review.
9. Pokemon: Let's Go, Eevee!
Developer: Game Freak
Platform: Nintendo Switch
OK, so yes, this is perhaps one of the easiest Pokemon games, but Pokemon: Let's Go, Eevee! And Pokemon: Let's Go, Pikachu! gave us something that we've all been dying for. It let us have our Pokemon walking by our sides during our travels and we could even ride our massive friends. There's nothing like seeing your sprite on the back of an Onix or seeing your adorable Eevee scampering after you. Sure, the story isn't anything special, but this game is more about the Pokemon you catch and developing relationships.
Out of all the games, this one is a pet simulator fans' dream. It also made every Pokemon game for the Switch that came after it feels as if they were missing something since we haven't seen the type of Pokemon companion system and features return since this 2018 hit. If you want a true Pikachu and Ash relationship experience, you still won't find a better game than this one.
Read our Pokemon Let's Go review.
8. Pokemon Diamond and Pearl
Developer: Game Freak
Platform: Nintendo DS
When you compare them with the other games in the series, Pokemon Diamond and Pearl didn’t do anything too groundbreaking to really shake things up. One notable thing it did do, however, was bring Pokemon trading into the modern age. Instead of using a cable link, it made use of the Nintendo DS' WiFi connectivity to trade Pokemon with other players. While some new features did come into play too, most of them built on those that were already introduced in Ruby and Sapphire.
Before the enhanced Platinum version came along, the animations had a habit of slowing down the battle sequences, which made the pacing feel a bit off. It also deserves some credit for its story: the evil Team Galactic conducts science experiments to try and take control of the Legendaries in the Sinnoh region in some rather weird ways, but it’s not as gripping as other stories we get to experience.
Read our Pokemon Diamond/Pearl review.
7. Pokemon X and Y
Developer: Game Freak
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Pokemon X and Y took Pokemon into the world of 3D on the Nintendo 3DS and let us experience its universe like never before. It was a significant change from the other titles that came before it and felt like it truly marked the start of a new era for the long-running franchise. The charming sprites of yesteryear turned into gorgeous 3D models on the handheld, which elevated the battle sequences to new animated heights. The Pokemon-Amie system was also introduced for the first time, which lets you interact with your Pokemon companions and form bonds with them. It was a welcome touch that finally let you pet and play with your favorite battling buddies.
X and Y also brought in a lot more customization, allowing you to change the look and style of your trainer. While it is only cosmetic, it added to the role-playing element of the experience in a fun way. X and Y propelled the series forward and laid down the groundwork for what was to come in Sun and Moon. It also introduced yet more interesting Pokemon, including the addition of the fairy-type, as well as new social features. While it isn't quite as good as some of the earlier games, it’s one of the best-looking entries in the franchise so far and will always be notable for transitioning the main Pokemon series into the realm of 3D.
Read our Pokemon X and Y review.
6. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Developer: Game Freak
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
2022's Pokemon Scarlet and Violet might not have had the most bug-free Switch launch of all time, but when it comes to the more modern franchise releases, it's certainly one of the most ambitious. Raids are back, and although the graphics are often clunkier than they are fluid, it's still a good time to be had.
With two new rideable Pokemon and a unique multiplayer mechanic, our review hit the nail on the head when Joel Franey claimed it as "probably the most interesting mainline Pokemon game in a long time – for better and worse."
Read our Pokemon Scarlet and Violet review.
5. Pokemon Legends Arceus
Developer: Game Freak
Platform: Nintendo Switch
This entry in the main Pokemon series is as close as the franchise has gotten to a reboot in its storied history. (And there are even arguments as to whether it should be considered "mainline" in the first place.) It's the first game that really opens up the world, giving you a chance upon chance to run into Pokemon the wild - just like you would if we did live in a world populated by the little pocket monsters.
With an incredible story (that takes you back to a time in the world of Pokemon we've never seen before) and new gameplay elements that give the series a bit of a refresh, Pokemon Legends Arceus is a fantastic addition to the franchise that takes the tried-and-true formula and expands it outwards. If you love Pokemon, you'll love this.
Read our Pokemon Legends Arceus review.
4. Pokemon Sword and Shield
Developer: Game Freak
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Pokemon Sword and Shield were one of the most anticipated games of 2019, and with good reason. As the first entry in the core Pokemon series to land on Nintendo's hybrid console, Sword and Shield opened us up to the world of Pokemon like never before. The Galar Region made for a delightful setting based in the UK, and it's easy to spend several hours in its expansive Wild Area catching all the roaming Pokemon and uncovering everything it has to offer.
The Galarian form designs also nodded to aspects of the UK, and bonding with all the critters using the new camp feature was a welcome touch. In our review we said it's a "Pokemon game for a new generation," thanks to some of the more accessible features it introduced, allowing new players to ease into the formula we know and love. While it might be a touch easier than other entries in the series, Sword and Shield offers a fantastically memorable experience with a cast of colorful characters and Pokemon. And it's easily the best-looking Pokemon game to date.
Read our Pokemon Sword and Shield review.
3. Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire
Developer: Game Freak
Platforms: Game Boy, Nintendo DS
While a lot of formula remained unchanged, Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire took the series into a vibrant world of color on the GameBoy Advance. The Pokemon sprites popped from the screen like never before, and the magical start-up screen is hard to forget. It was also the first Pokemon game to introduce a lot of elements and features that continued throughout the series. 2v2 double battles popped up for the first time, and Pokemon were also attributed with different Natures which affected their overall stats.
An extensive list of new abilities was also first introduced in this entry, which were specific to different types - this added more depth to the battles compared to the games that came before. Contests were also brought in to add new challenges to the gameplay. The Hoenn region was a great setting, and the Legendary Pokemon Groudon and Kyogre - who could summon a specific weather element into battle - were very memorable. Since Ruby and Sapphire built upon what Silver and Gold established without veering off into any drastic new direction, it didn’t feel quite as special.
Read our Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire review.
2. Pokemon Red and Blue
Developer: Game Freak
Platforms: Game Boy, Nintendo 3DS
Going back to where it all began, Pokemon Red and Blue set us on the path to be the very best, like no one ever was, and we haven’t looked back since. The world of Kanto still feels just as magical as it ever did, and the original 151 Pokemon are the most memorable in the franchise’s history for their wonderful designs. Who can forget the classic starter Pokemon, Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander? The first games captured our imaginations and made us wish with every fiber of our being that we could really be trainers in the real world.
Thankfully, Pokemon Go helped us get closer than ever to realizing that dream, but you still can’t quite beat the classic Pokemon experience. The Gameboy graphics have a nostalgic charm you don’t quite get with the later entries, and it’s still very playable to this day, which is a testament to just how good it is. While it established the long-running series we all know and love, it doesn’t quite make the top spot.
1. Pokemon Gold and Silver
Developer: Game Freak
Platforms: Game Boy, Nintendo 3DS
After Pokemon Red and Blue put the world into a Pokemon frenzy, the sequel had some big shoes to fill. Fans everywhere for eager for more, and thankfully Silver and Gold delivered just that in the best way possible. Bigger and better than before, the second generation introduced 100 excellent and memorable additions to the Pokemon library, along with two new Pokemon types, and a whole host of new moves. It brought in some interesting new features that changed up the game in fun new ways. Introducing a day and night cycle added time-specific challenges, and brought in some Pokemon that could only be caught at certain times of day. Silver and Gold still had all the hallmarks that made the first games so enjoyable, but it expanded the experience to cement itself as the superior Pokemon game.
And better yet, when you reach the end of the game, you get to unlock the Kanto region from Red and Blue, which allows you to revisit all of the gyms and trainers. Silver and Gold was a giant leap forward for the franchise, and nothing has quite compared to it since. Pokemon Crystal then came swooping in as a shiny enhanced remake of Silver and Gold, and it's especially notable since it was the first ever Pokemon title that let you decide whether you want to play as a boy or a girl. Thankfully, this became a mainstay feature in every game that followed.
If you're looking for the best Switch multiplayer games, we have you covered. Or, for more on Nintendo, check out our list of the best Switch exclusives and the best Switch games of all time.
