Mariowas, and still is, a cash cow series for Nintendo. However,Pokemonmay be a bigger franchise for the big N as it is absolutely everywhere from consoles to handhelds to phones not to mention merchandise and various anime adaptations. It’s hard to believe now but this simple turn-based RPG franchise started in black and white on the Game Boy in 1996 in Japan viaPocket Monsters Red/Green.
The West had to wait two full years to play it in 1998 via thePokemon Red/Blueversions. Since then the franchise has touched literally every console Nintendo has put out. So, let’s get to ranking which ones are the best on each console from mainline entries to spinoffs.
Pokemon Gold/Silverarenot just the best entries on the Game Boy and Game Boy Color, they are still some of the best in the series. Granted, the best way to play them is via their DS remakes but the pure content is what makes these games shine.
It added more Pokemon for players to catch along with bringing the originals back. There was a day and night cycle, breeding, a telephone system, and so much more. The coolest thing about the games though was the inclusion of the Kanto region which was a huge post-game surprise.
Pokemon Pinball: Ruby/Sapphirewas the third generation of entries for the series which were good, but the fans were mixed. Surprisingly, the best game on the Game Boy Advance was a spinoff viaPokemon Pinball: Ruby and Sapphire.
It was a better sequel toPokemon Pinballon the Game Boy Color. The catching mechanics were easier to understand, and there were multiple boards, and bonus rounds too. The only sad thing about this game is that it ended thePokemon Pinballfranchise.
The N64 gave fans their first go at seeing Pokemon in a 3D environment viaPokemon Stadium. While it was a fun turn-based RPG, it lacked the adventuring mechanics of the mainline entries. That’s why a lot of fans tend tothinkPokemon Snapwas the better 3D game.
It gave fans a respite from battling Pokemon and allowed them to observe Pokemon in the wild. It was an on-rails shooter but the typical gun mechanics were replaced by a camera and Nintendo finally revisited this concept viaNew Pokemon Snapon the Switch.
Pokemon XD: Gale of Darknesswas like a more evolved form ofPokemon Stadiumor in the GameCube’s era,Pokemon Coliseum. It had some adventure elements from the mainline games but it was still primarily a turn-based game based on battling cute critters in arenas.
The biggest significant leap was the inclusion of a story that some fans still find to be the best in the series. It’s at the top of many lists ofGameCube exclusive gamesthat fans want on the Switch, or now, perhaps the Switch’s successor.
While it may seem blasphemous to highlight another spinoff instead of a mainline entry likePokemon Black,Pokemon Conquestis no joke. It was a tactical game, the only type in this franchise, that crossed over with the Nobunaga’s Ambition strategy series.
Samurai of the feudal era, like the titular Oda Nobunaga, could command Pokemon to conquer Japan via these turn-based matches. It was a weird crossover but one that worked well. Nintendo and Game Freak need to allow Koei Tecmo to try this again with a sequel.
4Wii – PokePark Wii: Pikachu’s Adventure
Metacritic Score: 62
The Wii did not have a lot of bigPokemongames on the system despite the console’s massive popularity.PokePark Wii: Pikachu’s Adventurewas kind of likeAnimal Crossingif that series had more distractions in it.
Players could build a small life with Pokemon but mostly go on mini-game adventures with Pikachu and his friends. It received one sequel on the Wii and then this spinoff series was over. Both games were not smash hits, but they appealed to a younger, more casual audience.
Pokemon X/Ywasthe first mainline game on the 3DS. While not fully 3D, they were the closest thing to melding a game likePokemon XD: Gale of Darknessinto a mainline attraction. It was a significant leap forward graphically and the quality of life improvements to the mechanics made it easier to “catch ‘em all” than ever before.
Plus it added the Mega Evolutions to the series which were like how Digimon evolved temporarily in theDigimonseries. Another notable 3DSPokemongame wasDetective Pikachuwhich was adapted into the franchise’s first live-action movie.
Pokken Tournamentwas another collaboration with Koei Tecmo, specifically with the Tekken team. It was a 3D fighting game, the first for the franchise unless one wants to count theSuper Smash Bros.games.
That series aside, this was a more involved fighting game with a lot of technical chops behind the scenes. It could easily be described as Tekken with Pokemon and more wrestling-type moves like grapples. The game would get a better version on the Switch, but it is not the Switch’s bestPokemongame by a long shot.
Pokemon Legends: Arceusfeels like the most significant leap for the franchise sincePokemon X/Yon the 3DS. It is a spinoff, but it is better than any mainline game on the Switch. The era was a nice choice as it is vaguely in a 1900s version of Japan.
The coolest part besides the setting was the ability to catch Pokemon without battling them in a huge set of open-world environments.Pokemon Violet/Scarletcontinued the open-world idea but backpedaled on the catching mechanic, which is one reason why it is the inferior game besides all of the glitches.
