What is the Best Pokemon Game?
The Best Pokemon games on this list may not be your favorite but playing these might change your mind. What defines the best Pokemon game is subjective but there are clear leaders in certain categories when it comes to styles and gameplay features. After playing many Pokemon games and researching fan opinions, we know which ones are worth your time. Here is a ranked tier list of the top Pokemon games you should play!
We will provide some links on this page to GameStop, which is a reliable place to buy each game. PokePatch earns a commission on qualifying purchases, so you’ll be helping our website stay up and get a good deal on games. Thank you!
5. Pokemon X and Y
Pokemon X and Y are known to be the first games that genuinely look 3D, instead of a flat 2D plane. The jump from the classic 2D look to this new style was ambitious and looks fantastic. These Gen 6 games take place in the Kalos region. With this 3D look, allows for more gameplay mechanics such as walking diagonally and more immersive Pokemon battles. These games also introduced the Mega evolution gimmick, which was an interesting change of pace to battles overall.
4. Pokemon Diamond and Pearl
Pokemon Diamond and Pearl is Gen 4 and takes place in the Hoenn region and feature the popular Legendary Pokemon, Dialga and Palkia. These games kept the classic feel and look of earlier Pokemon games while making animations and graphics sharper and easier on the eyes. It has some 3D elements to it but still looks pretty flat. This Generation is known for its strange plot and sparked exciting theories about the Pokemon universe as a whole. Overall, you’ll find that this game had the classic Pokemon gameplay feel while looking a lot better than its predecessors.
Pokemon Diamond and pearl were recently remade as Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. These were released on the Nintendo Switch so you don’t have to buy an old Nintendo DS to play it. Although, the remake does offer a different experience overall, it’s still a nice way to relive this old game.
3. Pokemon Legends Arceus
Although, Pokemon Legends Arceus isn’t your traditional Pokemon game and a lot of fans would disagree with it being ranked top 3, it deserves a spot here. The ambitious changes made to the franchise in this title took the Pokemon universe in a completely unexpected direction. But it wasn’t just new, it worked, and it was fun! The focus of this game is catching Pokemon instead of battling them by aiming and throwing the Pokeball yourself. It’s also the first game where Pokemon would directly attack the player and you need to dodge during battle. These gameplay mechanics breathed fresh air into the franchise and revived some popularity to the games.
2. Pokemon Emerald
Pokemon Emerald was the last game of Gen 3 in the Hoenn region after Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire. This is the first set of Pokemon games that had the incredibly vibrant colors and smooth animations. Personally, this is the most nostalgic for me because It’s the first Pokemon game I ever played but just because it’s my personal favorite, doesn’t mean it’s the best. Unlike its counterparts, Pokemon Emerald adds more gameplay with the Battle Frontier and the ability to catch multiple Legendary Pokemon.
1. Pokemon Crystal
Pokemon Crystal is the final version of the Gen 2 games, coming out after Pokemon Gold and Silver based in the Johto and Kanto regions. These became extremely popular at the time of release and are now very nostalgic for many fans. After Gen 1, these games added the first expansion of the Pokedex, the first new region, more balanced battles, and polish to gameplay overall. On top of all of this, the Crystal version offers polished animations, the option to play as a female trainer, and the ability to catch the Legendary Pokemon, Suicune. This generation of Pokemon games is consistently held as an example of a great Pokemon game in the community and will stay that way in our hearts forever.
