Explore the best Pokémon games as we rank them based on the user ratings from Nintendo Life. Discover the beloved titles that have captured the hearts of Pokémon trainers worldwide and embark on a nostalgic journey filled with adventure and excitement.
Pokémon has captured the hearts of trainers worldwide since its inception in the late 1990s. With its captivating creatures, exciting battles, and immersive storytelling, the franchise has become a cultural phenomenon. Over the years, numerous Pokémon games have been released, each offering a unique experience and a chance to embark on thrilling adventures in the Pokémon universe.
But with so many games to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide which ones are worth your time and effort. That's where the Nintendo Life user ratings come in. Nintendo Life is a renowned platform that provides comprehensive reviews and ratings for various Nintendo games, including the Pokémon series. Their user ratings reflect the collective opinions of passionate Pokémon players, making them a valuable resource to determine the best Pokémon games of all time.
In this blog post, we'll present you with a carefully curated list of the best Pokémon games based on the user ratings from Nintendo Life. We'll consider factors such as gameplay mechanics, storyline, graphics, and overall enjoyment to determine the rankings.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet shows us glimpses of the Pokémon franchise's future. While there are some technical issues that need to be addressed, we remain hopeful for what lies ahead. Game Freak, the developers, need to work on improving the game's performance on the Switch to avoid long-term problems.
The real joy of Scarlet & Violet comes from exploring its world. Although it introduces some small changes and enhancements to the traditional Pokémon formula, it still plays it safe in certain aspects. However, it gives us hope for what Generation 9 and future Pokémon games can offer. It may not be as big a leap as Pokémon Legends: Arceus, but it definitely shows progress in the right direction.
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl for the Nintendo Switch aim to improve upon the slower aspects of the original games. The addition of The Grand Underground compensates for the limited Pokédex. However, the new art style and a few other missteps make these games somewhat disappointing as remakes of Generation 4. We wished they had stayed true to the original pixel-art aesthetic, considering their goal was to faithfully recreate the Gen 4 experience.
These remakes closely follow the original template, which may appeal to some players. However, apart from The Grand Underground and the ability to connect with the current Pokémon games, there is little reason to choose Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl over your original DS copies.
Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! are stunning remakes of a beloved classic video game. They take a game that is 20 years old and update it in ways that make it much easier and more enjoyable for modern players, while still capturing the essence that made it special all those years ago.
However, there are some drawbacks to consider. The motion control feature, although fun, has its flaws. It requires you to switch between different play styles to get the best experience. Despite this, the game strikes a fantastic balance between being accessible to newcomers and offering enough challenge and competitive elements for experienced players. It also evokes a sense of nostalgia. These new titles truly cater to a wide audience, which is not always the case with mainline Pokémon games. While they may not be flawless masterpieces, we highly recommend any Pokémon fans out there to give these games a try.
Pokémon Sword and Shield make a commendable effort to introduce new ideas, although there are areas where they could have pushed the boundaries even further. Some aspects are executed exceptionally well, but there are also elements that feel outdated, as if they were conceived a decade ago.
While there are moments that showcase the series at its best, there are also disappointing moments that dampen the overall experience. It's a mixed bag of highs and lows, ranging from the exhilaration of encountering a brand-new Pokémon in a stadium filled with cheering fans to the tedium of lengthy and repetitive dialogues we wished we could skip. The exploration of the Wild Area stands out as a true evolution for the series.
All in all, Pokémon Sword and Shield provide a solid starting point for the HD generation of Pokémon games, though there is room for improvement.
Pokémon Sun and Moon marked a fresh beginning for players who may have lost interest in the RPG collectathon genre, despite the already impressive Pokémon games like X/Y and Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire on the 3DS. These games introduced improved character models, enhanced customization options, and the exciting addition of powerful Z-moves.
The inclusion of Alolan forms for beloved Generation I Pokémon brought a wave of enthusiasm not only among dedicated franchise fans but also among those who primarily remember the original 151 Pokémon. The Ultra editions of these games offer even more forms, moves, and activities, making them the most comprehensive versions available.
While it's regrettable that we didn't get to experience our favorite Pokémon in stereoscopic 3D, Pokémon Sun and Moon stand out as the pinnacle of traditional-style Pokémon games on the 3DS.
Pokémon Sun and Moon rank among Game Freak's finest Pokémon games. They offer delightful features like Poké Pelago, engaging side quests, and breathtaking visuals throughout the entire experience. Game Freak skillfully incorporated new mechanics without alienating the dedicated fanbase. The games are packed with abundant content, boasting a captivating story surpassing some of the previous entries. Moreover, they encourage exploration like no other game in the series before.
Whether you're a newcomer or a long-time Pokémon fan, Pokémon Sun and Moon deserve a place in your 3DS library.
When it comes to Pokémon Diamond & Pearl, it's hard to avoid sounding like a Prince song. These games were the absolute best Pokémon games when they were released, and the main experience is just as enjoyable now as it was back then. However, as the series continued to evolve with numerous sequels, each new entry overshadowed its predecessors. Over time, these earlier games become like fossils—valuable to collect, cherish, and remember, but are they still worth playing when newer versions have improved upon them countless times?
Answering that question is tricky. It seems to be the price of success and progress. While Diamond & Pearl may not have the same level of polish we've grown accustomed to, they are still fantastic Pokémon games that deserve to be dusted off and played every now and then. They are sure to bring joy to both boys and girls.
Game Freak has done it again with Pokémon X and Y, creating one of the best Pokémon games to date. This game strikes a perfect balance between thrilling new experiences and nostalgic elements. With its stunning 3D environments and well-executed camera angles, it takes the series to new heights. Game Freak also introduced a new Pokémon type, adding an exciting twist to the familiar gameplay we all adore. While it may not be a complete revolution and doesn't fully utilize the glasses-free 3D feature of its platform, Pokémon X and Y still stand out as an excellent duo of games.
Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire marked the beginning of the third generation of Pokémon games, transitioning from the limited 8-bit Game Boy hardware to the more advanced and expansive Game Boy Advance.
While some dedicated Pokémon fans were disappointed by the removal of the night-day cycle, Generation III introduced numerous exciting features. This included thrilling 2 vs. 2 battles and the introduction of the natures mechanic, which added a whole new layer of stat-based strategy for Pokémon Trainers to explore. The wider screen of the Game Boy Advance enhanced the visuals during battles, and the entire Hoenn region appeared incredibly vibrant compared to the simpler graphics of Kanto and Johto in the previous games.
Pokémon Red & Blue are classic games that may have a few flaws, but they are still incredibly captivating and absorbing titles that can easily occupy your free time. The gameplay may seem simpler compared to modern standards, but there is an abundance of intricacies and complexity to discover if you aim to train a team of Pokémon to perfection. If you were to transfer everything from these games into a new, shiny 3D engine, you would genuinely believe they were brand new games. Not many Game Boy titles can boast that.
Although subsequent entries have smoothed out certain rough edges, there is a special charm in encountering the original 151 Pokémon for the first time. While Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee have updated these games for the Switch, the depth of the originals still makes them appealing to play on the original hardware. Just make sure you have a friend and a link cable because you've got to catch 'em all!
The enhanced version of the original Pokémon games, Pokémon Yellow, incorporated elements from the popular anime. In this version, Pikachu takes the spotlight as your starting Pokémon. Unlike others, Pikachu follows you outside its pokéball and cannot be traded or evolved. The game also made changes to the characters in Kanto, replacing the regular nurses and police officers with Nurse Joys and Officer Jennys. Some Pokémon locations and appearances were modified, and various sprites and world elements were updated to better fit the wider Pokémon brand that had developed since the release of Red & Blue.
In the Western version of Pokémon Yellow, there was a slight improvement to the color palette, especially noticeable when playing on a Game Boy Color, although it was not a full Game Boy Color game. These changes added an extra touch of charm, and the surfing Pikachu minigame provided enjoyable fun. Regardless of the version you choose, the original Pokémon games remain a delightful gaming experience. They may have a simple appearance and lack the fancy features of later games, but they still captivate players from start to finish.
Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire have a lot in common with Pokémon X & Y, as you would expect. However, the story and the environments you explore feel fresh and distinctive, despite being remakes. While they don't bring extensive upgrades compared to their 3DS counterparts, fans of the Pokémon series who have played previous remakes know not to anticipate drastic overhauls. These games should be seen as companions to X & Y, even though they arguably surpassed their predecessors by introducing new concepts like the Soar ability.
Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen were remakes of the original Pokémon games, Red & Blue, but this time on the Game Boy Advance. In Japan, the original games were called Red and Green, for some peculiar reasons.
Were there ever better Pokémon games than these? That's a topic of debate, but the remakes brought significant improvements such as updated visuals, the ability to connect with other Pokémon games to catch over 350 Pokémon, and a better user interface. For players who were intimately familiar with the original Kanto games, this was the first opportunity (among many to come) to relive the nostalgia and capture the original 151 Pokémon all over again. It was hard to resist the allure!
Pokémon Black and White may not bring the same nostalgic feelings as HeartGold and SoulSilver, but they are considered among the best Pokémon games. They may not have the connections to the past, but they excel at recreating the excitement of embarking on your very first Pokémon adventure.
Black and White sometimes receive less recognition because they are the only games in the series (so far) to have direct sequels set in the same region, although with new places to explore. However, despite being overshadowed in some people's minds, these introductions to Generation V are still fantastic games and definitely worth revisiting.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus, acknowledged as a mainline installment by Game Freak, represents the culmination of 25 years of lessons, formula refinements, and a bold new direction for the franchise. While it may have some technical hiccups, its standout features include highly gratifying exploration, captivating catching mechanics, a diverse selection of Pokémon, and an unprecedented sense of scale. Considering these factors, Pokémon Legends: Arceus ranks among the greatest Pokémon games ever created in our opinion.
Pokémon Crystal serves as a fitting conclusion to what many fans consider the best generation of Pokémon games and the final entry on the Game Boy Color. It introduced numerous exciting new features, such as the option to play as a female character for the first time. Additionally, it offered expanded gameplay, improved graphics and user interface, and a slightly increased level of difficulty.
Crystal built upon the successes of Pokémon Gold and Silver, revitalizing the Johto region and even providing further exploration opportunities in Kanto. This game demonstrates that its greatness extends beyond nostalgia alone, showcasing its enduring appeal that makes it a joy to revisit.
Pokémon Gold and Silver have always stood out in the Pokémon series, and even today, after many years since their original release, they continue to provide an incredibly enjoyable experience. It's remarkable how these games, embracing a gradual and iterative approach, still hold up and feel just as captivating as they did back then.
These games are truly fantastic, evoking fond memories for those who played them in the past. With the addition of vibrant colors on the Game Boy Color, the introduction of 100 new Pokémon, and the inclusion of the entire Kanto region, courtesy of Satoru Iwata, they left a lasting impact. Even fans who admire the entire Pokémon series have been known to argue that Generation II represents the pinnacle of the franchise.
Those who dismissed Pokémon Black and White 2 as more of the same were mistaken. Superficially, the Pokémon games haven't undergone significant changes, and that's for a good reason. The foundation laid by Pokémon Red and Blue was solid and captivating right from the start. While the series has added more content and made tweaks behind the scenes, the pace of change may be slower than some would prefer, but the evolution has been steady.
The naming of these entries as direct sequels, their release on the older DS rather than the new 3DS, may have led some to underestimate their greatness. However, make no mistake, Pokémon Black and White 2 are among the finest games in the series. They have expanded upon the established formula and deserve recognition for their excellence.
Pokémon Emerald served as an upgraded version of Ruby and Sapphire, bringing more evolution than revolution. It introduced some new story elements in the Hoenn region, updated Pokémon locations, expanded the pool of catchable Pokémon compared to its predecessors, and introduced the Battle Frontier—a competitive island where players could earn badges, purchase items, and acquire new moves to teach their Pokémon after defeating the Elite Four.
While it may have lacked a significant "wow" factor for long-time Pokémon fans, who had been with the series from the beginning, Pokémon Emerald was still a solid entry in the Pokémon franchise. It built upon the established formula and added enough new features to make it an enjoyable addition to the Pokémon canon.
Pokémon Platinum, released in 2009, provided players with a substantial amount of content and value for their money. It introduced new characters, such as the Battle Frontier, and significantly enhanced the online experience. Game Freak didn't take the easy route by making only minor additions; instead, they went above and beyond to incorporate numerous worthwhile features. Even if players had already explored the Sinnoh region in Pokémon Diamond & Pearl, which were released two years earlier, Pokémon Platinum offered more than enough to justify a purchase. If you're going to choose just one game from Generation IV, this is the recommended choice.
Pokémon Gold and Silver are deeply cherished by fans worldwide, and rightfully so. These games introduced groundbreaking features that advanced the original Game Boy games, including breeding and an in-game clock. They also marked the introduction of color, which became a staple in the series. In addition to these innovations, the remakes were bound to be well-received due to the inclusion of beloved Pokémon.
While subsequent games introduced various quality-of-life improvements and innovations, some argue that the pinnacle of the Pokémon experience was achieved in the DS remakes, where players could embark on a journey across the land, searching far and wide. While the original Game Boy versions may feel dated nowadays, Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver strike a perfect balance between nostalgia and the addictive "catch-'em-all" gameplay the series is known for.
If you're looking to enhance your Pokémon gaming experience, Playswap is a reputable marketplace where you can buy accounts and other in-game related items of the best Pokémon games. Playswap offers a secure platform for players to trade, buy, and sell stuff related to the best Pokémon games, ensuring a safe and reliable transaction process.
