The Pokemon Company / NintendoWith dozens of Pokemon games now making up the franchise, it can be tricky to know exactly where to jump in. To help players out, we have created a curated tier list breaking down the best this incredible franchise has t offer and explaining and what makes it special.
The Pokemon video game franchise, like Pidgey (and all bird Pokemon, actually), has two wings: the “Main” series made up of primary games like Red and Blue or Scarlet and Violet and the “offshoot” games like Pokemon Ranger, Pokemon Snap, and so many others.
Each of these games has special mechanics, elements, Pokemon, or storylines that delight fans, but some stand out above the rest when it comes to the overall gameplay experience. Below, we have ranked 25 games, giving a breakdown of each and why it is a favorite among our own Pokemon experts.
Best Pokemon games of all time ranked
25. Pokemon Trading Card Game (Game Boy)
Nintendo- Release date: December 18, 1998
In the late ’90s, the Pokemon Trading Card Game was a revolutionary experience, much like the mainline RPG. Unlike most spin-offs, TCG developer Hudson Soft took its assignment seriously. This wasn’t simply a rudimentary mimicking of the physical card game; it was a RPG in its own right, complete with Gym Leaders (or Club Masters) to defeat, with the ultimate aim of taking on and beating the Grand Masters (Elite Four stand-ins) to earn extremely powerful cards for your deck.
In an era where microtransactions were as foreign a concept as flying Sproinks, being able to earn and rip packs entirely through gameplay to build and battle your way to the top was (and remains) one of the best Pokemon experiences to date.
Words by Joe Pring
24. Pokemon Unite
The Pokemon Company- Release date: July 21, 2021
Pokemon Unite is a free-to-play multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game that, just like Pokemon Go, brings the franchise to a wider audience by putting it on mobile phones.
In this 5v5 game, players pick one Pokemon and enter an arena with five bases on each side. The main purpose is to eliminate enemies and complete objectives to earn points, which must be scored at enemy bases. Whoever scores the most points in the ten minutes the match lasts will win the game. It’s worth noting that each Pokemon license has a role: All-rounder, attacker, defender, supporter, and speedster, so the players must work together to develop the best strategy to dominate the opposing team.
With over 3 million players monthly, 71 Pokemon licenses – and counting – and plenty of upcoming events, Pokemon Unite is a great option for some short playtime with a ton of adrenaline, as results can change in a matter of seconds.
Words by Raissa Jerez Perazzo
22. Pokemon Ranger
- Release Date: March 23, 2006
Once in a while, Pokemon will try something unique like nothing else on the market. It’s not as common these days, but The Pokemon Company pulled out all the stops back in the 2000s, and Ranger was the most intriguing of all.
Exclusive to the Nintendo DS, this game utilizes the stylus by having players capture Pokemon by physically circling them on the lower screen over and over. As you do this, they will use attacks to try and break out, forcing you to be both timely and quick. After capturing Pokemon, you would then use their abilities to solve puzzles and make progress.
This game was a genuine attempt at innovation – an attempt done rather well at that, with it being a great example of how to do a Pokemon spin-off game properly. It’s just a shame that the very mechanic that made this so fun in the first place is also why we are unlikely to get another Ranger, as it needs a touch screen and stylus to work.
Words by Kurt Perry
21. Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness
Nintendo / The Pokemon Company / Genius Sonority- Release Date: August 4, 2005 (JP / October 3, 2005 (NA)
Pokemon Gale of Darkness, originally released for the GameCube, is the second installation of the Pokemon Colosseum franchise. It has more refined gameplay, an intense story, and is the birthplace of “Shadow” Pokemon.
The game has remained popular among Colosseum enthusiasts for its unique storyline and mature themes, as well as sometimes awkward 3D models that have been the focus of Pokemon memes across the community for years. Despite its age, it is still a delightful game to play in 2025 and one that is difficult to find due to its coveted place in hardcore collectors’ hearts.
Words by Laura Gray
20. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky
The Pokemon Company- Release Date: April 18, 2009
Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky is one of the best Pokemon spin-off games ever made. Bizarrely, critics disliked it at launch, with its 54 Metascore being a controversial topic in the community to this day, but the fan reception in recent years is clear – this is a certified classic everybody loves.
The dungeon delving and strategic aspects of Mystery Dungeon are fun, but these were already present in the original games. What makes this the series’ best iteration is its ambitious story that includes a lovable cast, impactful character development, and even a few surprising plot twists to keep things interesting.
Words by Kurt Perry
19. Pokemon Black 2 & White 2
The Pokemon Company- Release date: October 7, 2012
The original Black & White games were pretty close to perfect, so the sequels had an incredibly tough legacy to live up to. While they didn’t quite manage to do that with Pokemon Black 2 & White 2, they remain very solid efforts with a foundational relationship to the series as a whole.
One of the major criticisms of Black & White 2 at the time was a lack of innovation, but in retrospect, these games were never going to go in a revolutionary direction. Drawing on the incredible legacy of the originals, they have everything you’d seen back then but with some additional bells and whistles and a shiny new look. They were not the most memorable games in the series, but they were still plenty of fun if you jumped in at the time.
Words by James Lynch
18. Pokemon Black & White
The Pokemon Company- Release Date: September 18, 2010
These days, Pokemon Black & White are beloved titles that many view as the pinnacle of 2D Pokemon. With their animated sprites that were full of life, unforgettable soundtracks, and stylish visuals, they oozed charm and were clearly made with a lot of love and passion.
However, that wasn’t always the case, with these classics originally being divisive. This is because Gamefreak decided Unova would only use new Pokemon, with the 494 released prior to Gen 5 either not appearing at all or being exclusive to the postgame.
This was a brave decision that, looking back, paid off big time. It makes these games feel completely different from other mainline entries, and the addition of new features like seasons, rotation battles, and Hidden Abilities certainly didn’t hurt either. Pokemon Black & White has aged incredibly well, and it’s still well worth playing if you never got the chance.
Words by Kurt Perry
17. Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
The Pokemon Company- Release date: November 18, 2022
Inspired by the Iberian Peninsula, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet introduces the Paldea region, which is filled with the 9th Gen of Pokémon. These new titles generated a stir among the community because they were the first mainline Pokemon games (Legends doesn’t count) that were truly open world, allowing players to explore the region at their leisure, no matter where they started.
Filled with surprises, Scarlet & Violet brought 120 new Pokémon, alternative regional forms known as the – past and future – Paradox Pokémon, the Terastal phenomenon that gives battles a twist, two Legendaries that turn into motorcycles (that can also fly, climb, and swim) and many adventures and fights for players to enjoy.
Words by Raissa Jerez Perazzo
16. Pokemon Let’s Go, Eevee! & Pikachu!
- Release date: November 16, 2018
Pokemon Let’s Go, Eevee! & Pikachu! is controversial among fans, as it was the first and only game to use Pokemon Go mechanics. Rather than catching Pokemon through battles, players needed to play the Pokeball minigame, just like in Pokemon Go. This change from the norm was frustrating to traditional players. However, it’s hard not to fall in love with Let’s Go for its fully 3D and HD portrayal of Kanto. For fans of the original Gen 1 games, this was a long time coming – and it’s still a wonder to behold.
Words by Sam Smith
15. Pokemon GO
- Release date: July 6, 2016
The most accurate way to describe Pokémon Go is as a ‘cultural phenomenon,’ and it’s because everyone remembers where they were when the game launched as hordes of people could be seen walking around chasing Pokémon in the most unexpected places.
This augmented reality game for iOS and Android created by Niantic brought the franchise to players who perhaps would never have experienced it due to lack of access to a Nintendo console and put Pokemon literally in the palm of their hands. But it’s more than just accessibility. Pokémon Go became a dream come true for long-time Pokémon players, as it finally allowed them to go into the world to capture the creatures many grew up with.
On top of that, the game encouraged players to create a community and work together in tough team battles, Legendary encounters, collective challenges in events like the Go Tour, and much more.
With an incredible amount of creatures, mechanics, and events, Pokemon Go still stands strong after over eight years of activity and is currently celebrating the Unova region and the start of a whole new season that will bring more surprises.
Words by Raissa Jerez Perazzo
14. Pokemon Sun & Moon
- Release date: November 18, 2016
Taking the Pokemon series to the Alola region for the first time, Game Freak’s take on Hawaii still serves as one of the most charming settings in any game. Though it doesn’t have the most memorable Pokemon roster in the series, its real strength was the story, which was significantly more engaging than most efforts we had seen up to that point.
The on-ramp to the game was a little ponderous and slow, but once you get into the real meat of the narrative, it quickly becomes a highly memorable experience, with nicely streamlined battle mechanics and enough under the hood to make repeat plays interesting.
Words by James Lynch
13. Pokemon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
- Release Date: November 17, 2017
The original Gen 7 games were strong entries, but they aren’t spoken about too often these days. That’s because Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, their enhanced versions, are by far the best way to experience Alola, with these two being well on their way to becoming true classics of the Pokemon franchise.
Just like the originals, these games have Trials instead of Gyms, with powered-up Totem Pokemon and veteran Kahunas standing in your way of reaching the Pokemon League. Unlike past games, Alola doesn’t have a champion yet, giving you the chance to become the first and kickstart a legacy the world will remember forever.
It’s an exciting premise that helps Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon stand out. Throw in new features like Z-Moves, Team Rainbow Rocket, and Island Scan, and it’s no surprise these games remain so popular. It’ll take some time for them to gain true cult status, but if it’s compelling gameplay you want, Pokemon games don’t get much better than USUM.
Words by Kurt Perry
12. Pokemon Sword & Shield
- Release date: November 15, 2019
Following Sun and Moon on the 3DS, Sword and Shield was the first Pokemon game to launch fully on the Nintendo Switch. Not only did this make it more technically ambitious than any previous game in the series, but it also made Sword and Shield the first mainline Pokemon entries to be home console games – rather than just released on portable systems. This makes Sword and Shield a unique entry in the franchise and a key turning point for its evolution – pun absolutely intended.
Words by Sam Smith
11. Pokemon X & Y
- Release date: October 12, 2013
Game Freak finally found its 3D legs in 2013’s Pokemon X & Y, giving fans what they’d waited oh-so-long for – fully rendered Pokemon in an (almost) open world.
The latter wouldn’t take shape properly until years later in Gens 8 and 9, but X & Y delivered something else just as special and universally adored, to boot – Mega Evolution. Sadly, every subsequent Generation, Game Freak has attempted to capture lightning in a bottle a second time with the likes of Z-Moves, Dynamax, and Terrastalization, to no avail.
Words by Joe Pring
10. Pokemon Stadium
The Pokemon Company- Release date: March 6, 2000
Over a decade before X & Y would gift Pokemon existence on a 3D plane in the core RPG series, Pokemon Stadium, backed by the power of the N64, had already achieved exactly that.
Billed as a strategy spin-off, Stadium’s core gimmick involved having players renting out teams of Pokemon and having them do battle in a titular Stadium for glory. Think of it as the Pokemon of Mario Kart, and you’re on the right track.
Due to its genre trappings, Stadium did away with capturing Pokemon – battles only, baby – although it allowed owners of the original RPG trio (Red, Blue & Yellow) to transfer over any they had caught in Kanto via a Transfer Pak peripheral. Pokemon and weird use-once-then-never-again tech. Name a more iconic duo.
Words by Joe Pring
9. Pokemon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
- Release date: November 21, 2014
While the previous two Pokemon remakes of Gen 1 and 2 had been a huge success, the idea of remaking Gen 3 in 3D on the 3DS worried some fans. Pokemon’s transition to 3D with X and Y had received a mixed reception, but luckily, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire absolutely nailed the vibe of the original adventure on the Game Boy Advance. It also added a side story for Rayquaza and Deoxys, incorporating Pokemon Emerald into the remakes, something the Gen 1 and 2 remakes failed to do with their third entries.
Words by Sam Smith
8. New Pokemon Snap
Nintendo- Release date: April 30, 2021
Although New Pokemon Snap is a direct sequel to the 1999 game released for the Nintendo 64, it is basically a sequel on steroids. The plot remains the same: you travel on a pod around different areas and must take pictures of the Pokémon in their natural habitat.
However, unlike the few areas from the original game, there are 12 new spaces that you can explore in both daytime and nighttime, giving you twice the fun since different things happen depending on the time of day. Plus, instead of a reduced Pokedex of 63, New Pokémon Snap offers 200 creatures to photograph, each with four distinct poses you must discover.
The game is visually stunning, with hundreds of Pokemon running around while you go through forests, icebergs, caves, volcanoes, and even the depths of the ocean. It is for sure one of the best Pokémon alternatives outside of the mainline games, as it allows players to relax, explore, and get lost in a very different – and immersive – world.
Words by Raissa Jerez Perazzo
7. Pokemon Legends: Arceus
The Pokemon Company- Release date: January 22, 2022
Hot on the heels of the Gen 4 remakes, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Legend: Arceus expanded on Pokemon Sword and Shield’s ambition and made the first truly open-world Pokemon game. Like Diamond and Pearl, Legends: Arceus set the action in Sinnoh – but in the distant past when humans still feared Pokemon and were yet to tame them.
However, due to some time-traveling shenanigans, the first Pokemon trainers were born, and their legacy would ripple through the ages, changing life for both species – all under the watchful eye of Arceus, the creator of Pokemon.
Words by Sam Smith
6. Pokemon Platinum
The Pokemon Company- Release date: March 22, 2008
Sinnoh will always be one of the best regions in Pokemon, and Platinum brings it to life in a way that truly sticks in my mind. As part of the fourth generation, Platinum was released a couple of years after Diamond and Pearl, and it has a solid argument for being better than both of them.
The third games in Pokemon generations have a bit of a spotty record, but Platinum is one of the best in that category, bringing subtle gameplay improvements and fleshed-out modes that offered a highly compelling package and one of the broadest games in the series to that point. If you’re looking to head back to Gen 4, this is the best way to do it. Plus, Origin Giratina might be the GOAT when it comes to cover art.
Words by James Lynch
5. Pokemon Crystal
- Release date: December 14, 2000
Gen 2 follows the path laid by the first games – Red, Blue, and Yellow – where a trainer explores the Johto region and goes through eight Pokémon Gyms in search of their medals. These items allow the holder to participate in the Pokémon League, where they must defeat the Elite Four to become the Champion and the ultimate Pokémon master.
While Gold & Silver added a new, very well-received Pokedex as well as mechanics that are, to this day, key to the franchise, such as the breeding system and the Shiny concept, Crystal seized the momentum and went even further. Instead of just playing it safe following Gold & Silver’s success, this reversion introduced for the very first time the possibility of playing with a female trainer, new story elements like a new Battle Tower area, and important visual improvements like animated sprites, setting Gen 2 as one of the best of all time.
Words by Raissa Jerez Perazzo
4. Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver
- Release date: March 14, 2010
Objectively, HeartGold & SoulSilver have some of the absolute worst level scaling and pacing of any mainline entry, but that’s more or less where this criticism of the DS remakes ends.
Nostalgia is one hell of a drug, and truthfully, it’s absurdly difficult, if not impossible, to separate an adult Pokemon fan from childhood memories of wide-eyed wonderment experiencing the entirety of Kanto and Johto all housed within one cartridge.
A technical achievement for the originals, but not so much for the DS games. But it matters little – a fresh coat of paint and more modern gameplay design sensibilities were all Gold & Silver needed to make them sing, and that’s exactly what fans received in 2010.
Words by Joe Pring
3. Pokemon Red, Blue, Green & Yellow
Gamefreak/The Pokemon Company- Release dates Red and Green: February 27, 1996
- Release dates Red and Blue: September 28, 1998
- Release dates Yellow: October 19, 1999
The games that started it all, Pokemon Red, Blue, Green & Yellow, have rightfully carved out their places in video game folklore. Themed around the three original starter’ mons (and Pikachu), these first efforts from developer Game Freak laid out many features that remain stalwarts of the series today.
These days, it might suffer a little from its age, but there’s a dedicated community out there that hops on to collect the original 151 over and over. These days, they’re best played on an emulator, and it’s well worth jumping back to see where it all began, even just to try and finally pry Mew out from under that truck.
Words by James Lynch
2. Pokemon Emerald
The Pokemon Company / Game Freak- Release Date: September 16, 2004
Pokemon Emerald is the enhanced version of Ruby and Sapphire, similar to Crystal and Platinum from other generations. Emerald remains a fan favorite and added a wide range of innovative features, including 2 vs 2 battles, trainer rematches, and the Battle Frontier.
It’s the latter that sets this title apart from others, with the Battle Frontier still being one of the most impressive postgames we’ve ever seen. It tasks trainers to beat seven brutal challenges that require optimized teams and a perfect game plan. There’s not been anything like it since, giving fans a reason to revisit Hoenn even now, 20 years after its debut.
If hardcore battling isn’t your thing, Emerald also has a charming atmosphere and a compelling story that’s easy to follow. From beginning to end, this offers a complete experience that even its remake couldn’t live up to, cementing its place as one of the best Pokemon games ever.
Words by Kurt Perry
1. Pokemon FireRed & LeafGreen
- Release date: September 9, 2004
Imagine you take the original, near-perfect Pokemon Red and Blue games, enhance the graphics, add some more legendaries to hunt, and re-release them on a more powerful system. That’s exactly what Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen did – and they are still absolutely stunning in 2025.
The success of these Gen 1 remakes in the style of Gen 3 encouraged GameFreak to keep remaking Pokemon games this way. However, even after another remake in the form of Let’s Go, Eevee and Pikachu – FireRed and LeafGreen are still the definitive versions of the original Pokemon adventure that started a lifelong obsession for millions of players.
Words by Sam Smith
That’s everything for our ranking of the best Pokemon games of all time. You can also check out the cutest Pokemon of all time or the best fighting type Pokemon.
