Every Main Pokémon Game Ranked
Every Main Pokémon Game Ranked
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Welcome to MojoPlays and today we’ll be looking at every main Pokémon game – ranked. For this list, we’ll be ranking every main Pokemon game so far from worst to best. To be clear, none of them are bad games, but some of them are clearly better than others. If you disagree with our order, please tell us about it in the comments!
#10: “Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!” (2018)
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While these games call back to certain early games in the franchise, they’re not quite remakes. “Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!” and “Let’s Go, Eevee!” are some of the most simplistic games in the franchise. The combat is dumbed down, omitting wild battles entirely, and the motion controls can be frustrating. Sometimes it feels like “Pokémon Go” but without the whole “going outside” thing and with a steep price tag. Even so, the games have some fun features, like Pokémon following you in the overworld and co-op play. Plus, the overall aesthetic is very appealing.
#9: “Pokémon Sword and Shield” (2019)
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These may be the newest main games in the franchise, as of this writing, but newer isn’t always better. There is a lot positive here. Dynamaxing is cool, and the Wild Area is generally liked. There are also some great quality of life changes, like being able to access all your Pokémon remotely. But even with steps forward, longtime fans are frustrated by the steps taken backward. The lack of Pokémon available proved wildly unpopular. The degree of handholding is another detested “feature.” The graphics also proved of inconsistent quality. And does anyone like single-use TRs?! Ultimately, “Sword and Shield” has left gamers wondering why Game Freak seems to cut corners on one of the most profitable game franchises of all time.
#8: “Pokémon X and Y” (2013)
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The first main series “Pokémon” games to make the jump to 3D, “Pokémon X and Y” shook things up in some areas. They introduced a new type, Fairy, while also introducing Mega Evolutions, powerful temporary forms for existing Pokémon. Players can also customize their characters for the first time. Still, as fun as these additions are, “X & Y” are fairly short compared to other games in a series. They also began the trend of modern “Pokémon” games making things a little too easy for players, with features like an experience share and gifting powerful Pokémon. All in all, “X & Y” feel a bit too safe to be extraordinary.
#7: “Pokémon Black 2 and White 2” (2012)
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The first proper sequels in the main “Pokémon” series, “Pokémon Black 2 and White 2” pick up where their predecessors left off, but 2 years later. Although set in the same region, new areas are opened up and more Pokémon from previous generations are available. There’s also a world tournament, with trainers from previous games, as well as, for the first time in a “Pokémon” game, actual difficulty settings! With all that “Pokémon Black 2 & White 2” have going for them, there’s not much bad to say about them. The only reason we don’t rate them higher is that they’re built on the foundation of their predecessors, so they don’t stand out quite as much as other entries.
#6: “Pokémon Sun and Moon” (2016)
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Releasing the year of the franchise’s 20th anniversary, “Pokémon Sun and Moon” proved a marked departure in some ways. For the first time, there weren’t any gyms to battle, instead focusing on Island Challenges against tough Pokémon and Gym Leader-like Kahunas. Hated features like HMs were replaced with Ride Pokémon. “Sun and Moon” also introduced regional variant Pokémon, as well as super moves called Z-moves. The games do have their issues though, such as the slower pacing, partly due to the emphasis on story. While some of these gripes are addressed in expanded remakes “Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon,” these also felt like cash grabs to many fans. It’s always nice to see “Pokémon” try new things, but “Sun and Moon” ended up feeling middle-of-the-road.
#5: “Pokémon Black and White” (2011)
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A lot of people have strong opinions on this generation of games and for good reason. “Black and White” features a large new region to explore, with more new Pokémon than any before them. They also have a surprisingly compelling story and introduced great features like reusable TMs. Still, not everything about them was well-received, as features like triple battles proved polarizing. The region is pretty linear, and the fact that few returning Pokémon appeared proved an unpopular decision for many. To some, “Pokemon Black and White” are the peak of the franchise, and we can absolutely see why. Even so, we can understand their detractors’ position too.
#4: “Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire” (2003)
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“Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire” introduced a lot of things that became crucial to later games, including individual Pokémon abilities and natures that added more variety and depth to the battle system. Speaking of which, they also were the first games to feature double battles. There are certainly things to not like about them, like the removal of features, such as the day/night cycle and the inability to trade with previous games. Additionally, the post-game content is a little sparse. Thankfully, that was fixed in “Pokémon Emerald” with the much-loved Battle Frontier. Overall, “Ruby and Sapphire” are strong entries in the franchise, even if they, and their remakes “Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire,” have a slight…overabundance of H2O.
#3: “Pokémon Diamond and Pearl” (2007)
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The fourth generation of main “Pokémon” games are quite polarizing among fans. For everyone who loves the Sinnoh region’s sprawling map, there’s someone who hates it. Critics have rightly pointed out that “Diamond and Pearl” can move at a very slow pace, both in battle and in the overworld. There were also a lot of issues with Pokémon variety and options – Fire types anyone? But still, “Diamond and Pearl” made major strides, with features like the Physical/Special split for attacks and being the first games to offer online play. Plus, “Pokémon Platinum” fixed many of their shortcomings. “Diamond and Pearl” are well liked, and many fans are eagerly awaiting the forthcoming remakes for the Switch.
#2: “Pokémon Red and Blue” (1998)
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The games that started them all haven’t aged well in some respects. The Psychic type is incredibly overpowered and there are a host of other balance issues. The graphics aren’t that great these days either. But, many of these issues are fixed in subsequent games that have returned to the region, such as “Pokémon Yellow” and “Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen.” At their core, these games laid the foundation of the engaging battle system and other gameplay that have remained staples of the franchise for decades. Not to mention the many iconic Pokémon designs and memorable soundtrack. Yet, for all “Red and Blue” did to make the series what it is today, one set of games exceed them in our book.
#1: “Pokémon Gold and Silver” (2000)
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The second time can be the charm too. “Gold and Silver” introduced many important features to the series, from the day/night cycle, to held items, to new types Dark and Steel. Another great feature is the non-linearity of the Johto region, which allows players to tackle some gyms in any order, even if this does create some level-curve problems. Even sister game “Crystal” and remakes “HeartGold and SoulSilver” had great features, like introducing animated sprites and allowing any Pokemon to follow you, respectively. Best of all, the post-game content opened up the entire Kanto region from “Red and Blue.” Not only are “Gold and Silver” the best “Pokémon” games, but they also deliver the biggest, or the most “Pokémon” game we’ve gotten so far.
