Pokémon video games are a lot like pizza. When they’re good, they’re good, and even when they’re bad, they’re still good. Still, that doesn’t mean each game stacks up evenly against one another. In fact, some of them sit miles above the rest, while the disparity between others remains far shorter.
Between first releases, re-releases, handhelds, and consoles, there’s certainly no shortage of Pokémon games, but we’re only going to be looking at the best of the best. So, with that being said, here are the 10 Best Pokémon Video Games Of All Time:
Pokémon Black and White
In 2011, Pokémon Black and White took a “soft reboot” approach for the franchise, downplaying the original cast and bringing in an all new one. In addition, the game also brings in 156 new Pokémon, which for the first time, have their own individual animations. Finally, the game’s adversaries, Team Plasma, as well as the fun Triple/Rotation battles, round out the list of things that make Pokémon Black and White such an enjoyable game. The only major downside, in fact, is that the new Pokémon introduced in Black and White are some of the most lackluster additions in comparison to other games in the franchise.
Pokémon Colosseum
2003’s Pokémon Colosseum is a stray from the norm, in that it wasn’t designed by Game Freak, and it had a far grittier aesthetic than previous console games from the franchise. However, it isn’t just the aesthetics that are gritty. Pokémon Colosseum features a redeemed villain as the protagonist, and also introduces the concept of Shadow Pokémon - Pokémon that are being used for wrongful acts because they had the doors to their hearts shut artificially.
Pokémon Snap
Despite the amazing things Pokémon has accomplished with their handheld games, their console games are more often than not a bit underwhelming, to say the least. Pokémon Snap, on the other hand, managed to captivate gamers with its revolutionary first-person photo simulator-style gameplay, in which you play a Pokémon photographer who travels the vast terrain of Pokémon Island, snapping pictures of the elusive creatures along the way. Although the game only contains 63 of the 151 first generation Pokémon, it’s the act of searching for them and seeing them react in their natural environment that makes this game so much fun.
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl
In 2007, the first Pokémon games for the Nintendo DS, Diamond and Pearl, were released. What this meant was the introduction of semi-3D elements, courtesy of the DS’ upgraded hardware. More importantly, though, it meant the introduction of proper Internet play using a Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Sure, the game had a great story, and it introduced 107 new Pokémon, but for the first time, players could now battle/trade wirelessly, which was an absolute game changer at the time.
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire
In 2003, the third generation of Pokémon arrived in the form of PokémonRuby and Sapphire. This meant the arrival of 135 brand new Pokémon, as well as improved Game Boy Advance graphics, and Double Battles, where tag teams of Pokémon could face off against each other. Additionally, the games were also remade for the 3DS (PokémonAlpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby).
Pokémon Crystal
The way to think about Pokémon Crystal is the same way you think about Pokémon Yellow. Yellow wasn’t a sequel to Red or Blue, but rather an expanded version of it, with some improvements and tweaks, and that’s what Crystal is to Gold and Silver. One such tweak was the ability to finally pick a female character to play as, something that was sorely missing from the franchise for years.
Pokémon X and Y
Pokémon X and Y, for all intents and purposes, is something of a jumping-on point for both lapsed fans and newcomers alike. It was also the first Pokémon game to include polygonal 3D graphics, instantly updating the aesthetics. What truly made this game so immersive, though, was the ability to fully customize your avatar, rather than selecting the default player or gender. Oh yeah, and did I mention Mega Evolutions? Because that’s definitely a major selling point, too!
Pokémon Red and Blue
Pokémon Red and Blue – the ones that started it all. What’s amazing about these games is how well they still hold up. Not only that, but so much of what makes Pokémon so great today was already there from the start – something that you’ll surely realize as soon as you dust off your old Game Boy and pop in one of those cartridges.
Pokémon Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition
Pokémon Yellow is basically the ultimate version of an already superb title. It built on all the best aspects of Red and Blue, giving us the then-greatest Pokémon game of all time. The addition of Pikachu as your starter Pokémon brought the game more in line with the anime, which was at the height of its popularity at the time. Additionally, the game introduced a more complex color palette, capitalizing on the Game Boy Color’s capabilities at the time.
Pokémon Gold and Silver
In the year 2000, Pokémon was still sitting high atop its throne as one of the most dominant fandoms of all time. Naturally, then, the release of Pokémon Gold and Silver was met with millions of open arms. What made these games particularly special at the time, though, was that they were the first ones to add new Pokémon to the franchise – 100, to be specific. Gold and Silver also introduced the concept of a clock that allowed you to catch different Pokémon depending on the time of day.
What about you? What are your favorite Pokémon games? Let us know in the comments section.