10 Best Pokemon Games, Ranked

Since around 1996, Pokémon has become one of the most popular franchises. In fact, they’re still releasing new products nearly 30 years later. With so many games within the Pokémon realm, have you ever wondered which were the top 10?

Related

11 Of The Best Pokemon TCG Accessories

Every trainer needs an arsenal of tabletop gear. Here are 11 of the best Pokemon TCG accessories.

The following games were deemed the top 10 in the Pokémon franchise due to their immersive storylines and the diversity of Pokémon, while also taking into consideration any mechanical issues the game may have.

10 Pokémon Stadium 1 & 2

N64 Game To Battle Friends

• Released on the Nintendo 64
• Battling, mini-games, and more

An unconventional Pokémon game originally released for the Nintendo 64 slides in at number 10, Pokémon Stadium 1 and 2. The first was released with Gen 1 in North America in February 2000 and the second was released in North America a year later, adding Gen 2.

These games deserve to be in the top 10 list due to the various activities you can participate in. While there’s no real plot in either of these games, you are given the ability to fight gyms, battle your friends, and play mini-games, which is why they both deserve the number 10 rating.

9 Pokémon Black & White

Fifth-Gen DS Game

• Released in 2010 with 156 new Pokémon
• Pokémon Dream World
• No new story line

At number 9 comes Pokémon Black & White. While this game didn’t have much of a story line other than the typical catching Pokémon and becoming a Pokémon master storyline, it was still fairly popular. Since this is the fifth-gen, there are 156 additional species of Pokémon available to catch compared to the previous games.

This game made it to number 9 due to the popularity of it as well as the additional Pokémon available to catch. The Dream World allows you to befriend certain Pokémon not available in the base game. However, considering there isn’t much to it when it comes to an immersive storyline, it ranks towards the bottom of the list.

8 Pokémon Snap

Photography With Pokémon

• Become a Pokémon photographer
• A diverse mixture of Gen 1 through Gen 5 in the new Pokémon Snap
• Lack of Pokémon in the original

Pokémon Snap makes the list at number 8. While it came out in 1999, an updated New Pokémon Snap version was recently released in 2021 featuring a diverse set of Pokémon up to gen 5. The whole premise of the original was that you were a Pokémon photographer who is helping Professor Oak with his scientific research.

This game has become very popular among the Pokémon fan base, and it is fairly immersive with a few different regions you can travel to. The downfall, especially with the original, is that there weren’t as many Pokémon as there should have been, as they only put around 63 Pokémon out of the 151 that had been created at the time.

7 Pokémon Diamond And Pearl

Gen 4 Pokémon With Enhancements

• Introduction to new moves for some Pokémon
• Graphically, it stands out
• Slower-moving mechanics than in other games

At 7, you will find Pokémon Diamond And Pearl. This game is similar to that of others, where you must battle your way to the top. However, there are other aspects such as mining for fossils, evolutionary stones, and more in the Underground. It was mainly catered to Sinnoh fans.

Between the new moves added to Pokémon as well as the online trading, battling, and physical/special split, it was an improvement from other games. However, this pick is still a little controversial as it brought a community together, but the slow walking same basic story puts a damper on it as a whole which is why it made it to number 7.

6 Pokémon Scarlet And Violet

Gen 9 With 3 Adventures

• Introduction to “Tera-Type”
• First in the series to be open-world
• Long load times

Scarlet And Violet made it to the list at number 6. Basically, you are a transfer student and given 3 separate paths you must take to complete the yearly Treasure Hunt on top of battling your way to the top. The unique difference between the two games is simple, Scarlet is in the past while Violet is in the future. Both of these, however, introduce an open-world concept in its entirety.

Related

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet DLC: How To Get Sinnoh Starters

Hoping to get your hands on Turtwig, Chimchar, or Piplup? Here’s how to get one of their eggs in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s DLC!

Between the unique story and the introduction to Tera Pokémon with 110 additional new Pokémon added to the game, this game definitely stands out. They’ve even recently released new DLC for it. However, there are occasional performance issues when you open a menu or find a Pokémon in the wild, with unusually long load times.

5 Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen

A Classic Feel To A Classic Franchise

• Enhanced classic remake
• Addition of 3rd gen Pokémon to original
• A little bland when it comes to story

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are placed at number 5 due to their classic feel but lackluster story. These games have a nostalgic feel to them as they’re remakes of Red and Green. Many people loved the originals and therefore love the feel of these games as it brings them back with the addition of the 3rd generation Pokémon.

However, it’s only at number 5 due to the fact that, other than the additional Pokémon and nostalgia, there’s nothing too special about it. Yes, there were more details added to the graphics, but the storyline is nothing out of the ordinary and strictly traditional, with nothing much added compared to the originals. Many people still prefer the originals due to the simplicity and that nostalgic feeling.

4 Pokémon Legends: Arceus

A Unique Time Traveling Experience

• Traveling back in time
• A new open-world experience
• Can be graphically unstable

Jumping to number 4 is Pokémon Legends: Arceus. This is one of the few Pokémon games that is truly open world and one element that is refreshing is the fact that any wild Pokémon can be difficult, not just Alphas. There’s also plenty to do, including searching for wisps in various regions. Also, instead of “forgetting” moves to replace others, you simply swap the moves, and you can swap back whenever you aren’t in a battle.

Related

Pokemon GO: All Ditto Disguises (January 2024)

If you’re trying to catch a Ditto in Pokemon GO, this guide has the info you need!

While this game did bring Pokémon to the next level in terms of going back in time and being a true open world, it does have a few aspects that weren’t so great. Unfortunately, the graphics can be a little glitchy, especially when it comes to rendering some aspects such as long grass. This ultimately can prevent you from catching a sought after Pokémon, which is why it lands at number 4.

3 Pokémon XD

A Refreshing New Story

• Continuance of Pokémon Colosseum
• New storyline involving purifying Shadow Pokémon souls
• Lack of variety of available Pokémon

Inching to the top of the list, Pokémon XD comes in at number 3. This game takes place 5 years after the Colosseum events occur, leaving you to purify the shadow Pokémon. Instead of the same old story of becoming the best Pokémon trainer, the story in XD is more compelling. Not to mention, the characters have vibrant personalities, such as Jovi and Chobin.

While this game can become a bit repetitive, especially since there are only around 9 wild Pokémon you may encounter, it is overshadowed by the compelling story. The fact that you must rescue your mother from Cipher agents as well as purify the Shadow Pokémon, with a lack of variety in Pokémon, is the reason this one places it at number 3.

2 Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire

A Twist On The Original Plot

• Immersive and engaging story
• Graphically superior compared to some of the previous games
• Post-game content is minimal

At number 2 is Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire. While there isn’t much to do after you beat the Elite Four, especially compared to HeartGold/SoulsSilver, it’s at its rightful place towards the top of the list due to how engaging the story is as well as how appealing the graphics are. You must defeat Team Magma or Team Aqua to prevent them from changing the weather by using Pokémon.

Compared to some of the other games in Pokémon, this one seems to be graphically superior for its time, as it has been completely upgraded from some of the previous games. These games deserve the 2nd spot on the list due to the unique 35-hour-long storyline combined with there being over 200 different Pokémon to find.

1 Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver

An Upgraded Masterpiece

• Access to the technical machines
• New region to explore
• Lack of originality in the plot

Finally, the number 1 spot belongs to Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver. While it doesn’t gain many points for originality to the story, becoming a successful Pokémon trainer while taking down Team Rocket, you are given new regions and the ability to travel back to Kanto.

This game also introduced Steel and Dark type Pokémon, opening up a bunch of possibilities for you to build teams with. Not to mention, there is a lot more post-game content, including but not limited to searching for MewTwo in the Cerulean Cave, catching Zapdos, searching for Articuno at the Seafoam Islands, and more.

Related

Pokemon Charizard Collector’s Statue With Fiery Light-Up Action Is A Must Have For Fans

This Charizard statue comes to life with the light-up fire stream and it’s a majestic piece for Pokemon collectors.