Best Pokemon Game: The Best Pokemon Games Of All Time

For the last 20 years, Pokémon has been a staple game for millions of people. With over 120 titles released, there are many games to choose from. We try to narrow down the top seven Pokemon games of all time, finishing off with the best Pokémon game.

How We Choose Our Ratings

Coming up is our top seven favorite Pokémon games of all time. How we decided on this list has a lot to do with personal opinion. It wasn’t only our opinion taken into account, however. Pokémon fans are not shy about which games they prefer over the others, and when a new game releases, you know that the reviews will be online fast. We looked at how others reacted to the most popular games on the list.

How much gameplay is involved? Is there a challenge? How are the options? How much new content is there to explore?

We wanted to list the most entertaining games for you. We also take into account what people did not like. The point of this guide is to be as transparent as possible. There are aspects of every game that people did not like. We are not going to ignore when reviewers are unhappy. The point is to give you a solid idea of each game and to tell you where we stand as far as the ratings are concerned.

If you have not had a chance to play any of the games on the list, look at each one’s pros and cons. For the most part, much of the Pokémon franchise is entertaining, but only a few made the cut.

Top 7 Best Pokemon Games

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Pokémon Black and White follows the same formula as most Pokémon games. However, what makes this one stand out was its focus on legendary Pokémon and the lore surrounding it. It did take the series into a new direction! The hidden abilities, for instance, refreshed the series.

Like all of the games on the list, this one has a lot of features and hours of game play and entertainment.

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Pros

The core battle mechanics remain the same tested and true old formula, but the presentation has improved leaps and bounds!

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This is the most recent Pokémon game. This is also the most refreshing rehashing of the game that we’ve ever seen. The traditional badges and gyms no longer exist in this game. People had grown to love the Pokémon formula, but this was a new way to play it. While some franchises can’t make that work, Pokémon had no trouble making this one a hit. 

It focuses on character development and storytelling. This is something that most of the games lack. They focus more on training your Pokémon and collecting as many as you can, while becoming the best Pokémon trainer you can be. While this is great, this game really refreshed the franchise.

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Amazing graphics and great upgrades from previous games.

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Pokémon X and Y are for the Nintendo 3DS. This game is perfect for veteran gamers and newcomers to the franchise. With a fast-paced intro, you are into the game in no time at all. With mega-evolved variations of Pokémon and customizable avatars, it easily makes the list. 

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It’s made the transition beautifully, with some great art direction in its many characters.

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This game is one of the best ones out of the main series. It was the first with Wi-Fi play and allowed for a more global experience than ever before. You can waste hours online, and with bright colors, the imagery is pleasant to look at. In addition, the game has some of the catchiest music of the series. Also, at the time of its release, it was one of the most rounded Pokémon games to date. 

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The designers incorporated hundreds of different creatures to capture.

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If you want a modern game, this is not the one for you. This game is what started a lot of the Pokémon phenomenon, especially in the United States. Most kids of that era remember the game vividly and continue to love it to this day. This is one of those games that stay with you. If you haven’t played the game that started it all, then we strongly recommend this one. Also, it has the basic formula of all Pokémon games. 

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The quest is not extremely difficult, but even if you finish the quest, you still might not have all the Pokémon in the game.

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This is by far one of the best additions to the Pokémon franchise. If you’re looking for a more contemporary option, this is it. It fully encompasses the Pokémon experience from start to finish! Additionally, it has secret abilities, online play, mega evolutions, secret bases, and the ability to catch almost every legendary Pokémon.  

Not only is this game great for seasoned players, but beginners to the franchise as well. If you’ve never played a Pokémon game in your life, then this may be the one to start with.

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Unnecessary inclusion of too many hidden moves, commonly referred to as HMs (Hidden Machines). It’s still imbalanced type-wise, heavily favoring water.

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Of all the best Pokémon games, this is number one. It is a complete adventure while offering all of the extras. There is online play and competitive play. You can defeat two regional leagues and can even take on the Johto league and the Indigo Plateau.  

Putting hours into this game is more than worth it. Fans and newcomers alike take easily to this one. 

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There have been several new enhancements for the series, such as updated graphics and touch screen feature. However, gameplay doesn’t push any major boundaries for the Pokemon series.

The Best Pokemon Games of All Time

Pokémon is one of the most popular and celebrated games of all time. What started as a craze in the 1990s never died out completely. Not only did it remain as a token of nostalgia for 90s kids everywhere, but it also grew into a phenomenon that is spanning generations. Between the original fans and the marketing tactics of the creators, the game continues to spread between groups of people. Not only does it pick up younger fans as they discover it, but it also continues to grow among older fans. 

From games to cards to toy lines, Pokémon is everywhere! For a franchise that continues to sell in the multimillions with every single game, it is difficult to rate the best Pokémon games of all time, but we are going to try to do it in this list of seven! 

Now, of course, there are other games in the series and maybe you disagree with our approach. It’s all a matter of opinion and preference. This guide will look at the history of Pokémon and the best games to date. 

History of Pokémon

In 1996, the pocket monster phenomenon hit the world. Released for the Game Boy in Japan, the first games introduced were Pokémon Red and Green. If you lived in the United States, you only saw Pokémon Red, as the Green version stayed in Japan. In 1998, The US got its first dose of Pokémon in the versions Red and Blue. 

The surprising aspect of Pokémon was that it did not only appeal to children. It caught on to kids and adults of all ages who were trying to catch every one. For kids in the 1990s, the playgrounds were full of Pokémon! The trading card game quickly followed, as did a television series that kids adored. The Pokémon phenomenon was underway and there didn’t look like it was going to slow down.  

The truth is that it never faded out of existence. It kept on with at least 122 Pokémon releases since then. Pokémon’s success is widely known. Even those who were not as interested in the franchise knew about it. Even now, it’s deeply embedded in pop culture, and it has become a staple.  

Here is a list of some of the most notable games from 1996 to 2016:

• Pokémon Red and Green 
• Pokémon Red and Blue 
• Pokémon Stadium 
• Pokémon Pinball  
• Pokémon Snap 
• Pokémon Yellow
• Pokémon Stadium N64 
• Pokémon Trading Card Game 
• Pokémon Gold and Silver 
• Hey You, Pikachu 
• Pokémon Puzzle League 
• Pokémon Puzzle Challenge 
• Pokémon Stadium 2 
• Pokémon Crystal 
• Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire 
• Pokémon Channel 
• Pokémon Colosseum 

• Pokémon FireRed and LeafGrean 
• ​Pokémon Emerald 
• Pokémon Gale of Darkness 
• Pokémon Ranger 
• Pokémon Diamond and Pearl 
• Pokémon Battle Revolution 
• Pokémon Platinum 
• Pokémon Rumble 
• Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
• Pokémon Ranger: Guardian of Signs 
• Pokémon Black and White 
• Pokémon Black and White 2 
• Pokémon X and Y​
• Pokémon Go 
• Pokémon Sun and Moon 

Every game listed here is wildly popular, however, the list is not exclusive. There were more games released overseas and in the US for a variety of game systems, consoles and handhelds alike. 

The Pokémon Go Phenomenon

We could not make this list without mentioning Pokémon Go. It is impossible to miss the phenomenon that this mobile app created. Niantic aimed high with this release. It took all of the Pokémon games and tried to turn people into real life Pokémon trainers. It brought together an entire community of Pokémon fans together and tried to start a movement to get kids and adults active. 

One of the biggest faults of this game, however, is that there were server issues, glitches, and problems that arise (as with any multiplayer game). While it hit off strong, it did not keep its momentum. Of course, to its benefit, Pokémon Go is a free app and it continues to update with new Pokémon and options to play. 

What sets it apart from the other games on the list is that it’s not for one of the handhelds or consoles. It doesn’t fit in the series of games. However, it became such a hit, so fast, that it bears mentioning when it comes to the wide history of Pokémon and its incredible popularity. 

Best Pokemon Game Buyer’s Guide

If you like Pokémon, then you’ll no doubt enjoy any of the games on this list. When it comes to purchasing the one that you’ll enjoy the most, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, if you’re limited by which handheld device you own, then your options will probably be a little narrower. Secondly, if you’ve played a Pokémon game before, then you may already have preferences or interests that make some of these titles more appealing than others. 

If you haven’t played, however, then you might want to consider one of the games that cater more towards beginner players. You want to be able to get familiar with the game’s set up. The reviews that you read online will give you a good idea of the skill level needed for most of these games. At the end of the day, beginners can play most of them without trouble. 

If you want to play something that gives you a little more nostalgia, then the older games might suit you better. However, if you want something with a contemporary feel, better graphics, or online capabilities, then one of the more recent games would probably be a better choice. 

Pokémon Is Still Relevant

When it comes to gaming, styles and trends can change quickly. Some franchises lose momentum quickly, while others can last for years. However, Pokémon has made it past its twentieth anniversary and hasn’t lost momentum. While it has held onto old fans, it continues to draw in new generations of fans. 

One of the ways that Pokémon stays relevant is through its community. In the beginning, before the game had online capability, gamers used a cable to bring people together to play Pokémon. Now, online experiences and mobile apps keep the community strong. In this way, the creators are able to keep the gamers interested.  

In addition to its strong community, it has a large reach. It is difficult not to see Pokémon wherever you are. It is one of the most recognized games. There is a large selection of toys and merchandise, as well as movies and television content. If you’re interested in something new, the brand has it.  

Another thing that Pokémon does right is that it relies on people that want a game to meet their expectations. It remains familiar without getting boring. New twists are added while keeping the old formula. 

Finally, by no means is Pokémon on the way out. We think that you can expect there to be more games to come in the future, maybe some that will beat out the games on this list! With each game, they add more features, and in some cases, more pocket monsters to catch. For now, the games listed above remain the top Pokemon games of all time, in our opinion. 

Last update on 2024-04-19 at 10:34 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API