Top 10 Pokémon Games

Way before X and Y, Pokémon fans craved for a chance to go on an adventure in full 3D. We got our first taste of such an adventure with Pokemon Colosseum, However the formula was greatly refined with XD, which gave us just what we wanted, along with an interesting story involving a Shadow version of Lugia and a new spin on catching Pokémon. Stealing’s never felt so good before.

Someone, somewhere, must have questioned how Pokémon were used during times of war in feudal Japan. Then Nintendo answered - and it was awesome. Pokémon Conquest is a crossover with Pokémon and the mostly Japanese exclusive Nobunaga’s Ambition series. Pokémon Battles are reimagined as tactical turn-based role-playing bouts, and stars Japanese warlords trying to take control of different castles, but instead of sending armies, they’re throwing Pokeballs.

This innovative spin-off takes a more… peaceful approach to Pokémon catching. As Todd Snap you have to catch them all on film, and photography’s never been more exciting. The game plays like a rail-shooter as you ride through a number of Pokémon habitats, and most of the fun comes from seeing how Pokémon interact with each other when they’re, you know … not being forced into bloodthirsty duels against each other. Now all we need is Wii U or 3DS sequel – When you think about it, either of those systems are made for that game.

For the first time within the same generation, Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 offer us our first full-fledged sequels. If you couldn’t get enough of Unova in Black and White, you’re in luck. But while you were gone, much has changed in the 2 years since its prequel. New towns, characters, Gym leaders, and villains have sprung up. While they rank lower than their predecessors, Black 2 and White 2 play just as if they were part of the main series.

A recent entry in the main series, Pokémon X and Y took several huge strides – notably into 3D. The game is gorgeous, and the fully-animated Pokémon have never looked better. Even your more… unsightly ones are suddenly adorable when you’re feeding them PokePuffs in PokemonAmie. The game features a host of online features, player customization, a brand new ‘Fairy’ type, and a new way to evolve your Pokémon even further.

In the series’ first set of DS games, trainers got to travel through the land of Sinnoh, learn the secrets of time and space, and in one rare instance in Platinum, travel into a whole new dimension! Pokémon training was never so fun and easy with the all new touch features of the Nintendo DS at your disposal, and for the first time ever, trading, battling, and hanging out with other trainers across the world was possible by connecting to the Internet. Bye-Bye, Gameboy Link Cables!

Pokémon’s 5th generation took players to Unova on a new set of adventures. Black & White stands out with its deeper plot, colourful cast of characters, and villains best described as a parody of PETA … or just PETA. Gamefreak cleverly restricted all the older Pokémon to post-game content, giving the player the feeling of really embarking on a new adventure. The biggest new feature was the now-defunct Dream World, allowing trainers to transcend reality and explore the dreams of their beloved partners.

This entry in the Pokémon series has stuck around in the hearts of gamers everywhere for its bold additions to the series – double battles, Pokémon abilities, secret bases, and Pokémon contests await players in the tropical paradise that is Hoenn. The storyline ditched the idiotic-yet-lovable Team Rocket in favour of 2 villainous factions: Team Aqua and Team Magma, and suddenly, in addition to becoming a Pokémon Master, you were also tasked with saving the world. Recently receiving a remake in the form of Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, players can now visit the region in full 3D.

Yeah, we know, the one you were all waiting for. The first ever Pokémon games that set the world aflame is still talked about today. It made gaming history with the novel concept of building a team out of 151 iconic creatures and battling them. Gamers will forever remember making that one, life-changing choice in Oak’s lab: you know what we’re talking about. It was later remade into FireRed and LeafGreen for the Gameboy Advance allowing "Genwunners" to take their dream Pokemon onto the shiny new system.

Before we reveal our top pick, here are some honorable mentions:

- “Pokémon Colosseum” (2003) -
- “Pokémon Stadium” (1999) -
- “Pokémon Ranger” (2006) -

First Gen was great, but it was Gen 2 took Pokémon from a novel concept to a true gem of gaming innovation. New Pokémon to catch and train, using Ditto as a sex worker, a world that operated on real-time with weekly events, new types to play with, and with Crystal the chance to play as a female trainer. But the biggest reason it takes #1 is because its still the only games to date that includes 2 regions, and thus twice the amount of gyms compared to any other game. Later remade into HeartGold and SoulSilver which include the Pokewalker, they perfectly cemented the Johto Adventures as the pinnacle Pokemon experience.

Do you agree with our list? Did we cover all your favourite Pokémon adventures? For more terrific Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.