GameFreak has already announced the ninth installment of Pokémon games, Pokémon Violet and Scarlet back in February.
Two weeks ago, they released a trailer and a general overview of the games, and we just can’t wait to get into them!
As we’re coming close to a new era of Pokémon, it’s nice to take a look back and reflect how far the Pokémon world has come. If you’ve made yourself some potions ready, let’s dig in!
10. Pokémon Yellow
Now, the first generation will always have a special place in our hearts. As long-term Pokémon fans, we all remember the first time we met our little companions in Pokémon Red and Blue.
As iconic as they were, Pokémon Yellow, which was the remake of Red and Blue, was the ultimate winner for me.
First of all, you get Pikachu as your starter! What a great feat it is! And it makes you feel like our main protagonist, the never aging boy, Ash.
You can also get fan favorites Charmander, Squirtle and Bulbasaur along the way.
In one word; it’s a classic.
9. Pokémon Emerald
Frankly, I’m not a fan of the third generation. I don’t like the legendaries and the games are highly complex, which kills the excitement after a while.
However, Pokémon Emerald is the one that makes it all worth it.
To begin with, Rayquaza is an amazing Legendary Pokémon, arguably the best, and there are some side stories that make the gameplay much more enjoyable.
8. Pokémon Platinum
After the third generation, the fourth generation was a big step forward because the game platform had switched to the NDS, and the graphics have naturally evolved as well.
But what makes Pokémon Platinum is one of the top 10 Pokémon games is not its graphics only: as part of the fourth generation, Pokémon Platinum has some of the best starters of the entire franchise – fan favorite Chimchar included.
The map is very well designed, and the fourth generation Pokémon are quite likable in general.
7. Pokémon Black and White
Pokémon Black and White are the first installments of the fifth generation Pokémon games.
After the success of fourth generation (which we’ll talk about towards the end of the list) the expectations were high. And GameFreak delivered!
They introduced almost-3D quality animations, the design of the locations was stunning, and the gameplay was quite enjoyable.
The starters were kind of disappointing in the sense that they were neither designed well nor strong in particular. Still, they gained some popularity among fans.
The gym battles were quite interesting, and the map was organised meticulously. Also, fifth generation has introduced one of the best characters in the Pokémon world, N.
Pokémon Black and White were very satisfying games and a nice step forward from generation four. Unfortunately, they were heavily overshadowed by their successors, Pokémon Black and White 2.
6. Pokémon Sun and Moon
By the time the seventh generation of Pokémon games arrived, GameFreak had already moved to high quality graphics and game dynamics.
So, Sun and Moon are already successful on that part.
But what makes Sun and Moon a standout is the direction the franchise went. For the first time, a Pokémon game was not based on gym challenges!
A good bunch of new Pokémon along with very good starters, reintroduction of some Pokémon from previous generations such as Alolan forms and Z-Moves were amazing features of these games.
Also, they completely changed the HM system. With a simple device, a player could use all the HM moves without teaching them to a member of their team. So, those days of HM Gods are long gone! Bidoof, can you hear us?
5. Gold and Silver
The second generation of Pokémon games, Gold and Silver, are always remembered as one of the best games of all time and there are a handful of good reasons for that.
Considering their time, Gold and Silver were revolutionary steps in the gaming world that changed the market forever.
They have the best stories in the entire franchise and the gameplay is so fun that you never want it to end. And you get to play in not only one, but two entire regions of Johto and Kanto!
From the nightmarish Miltank of Whitney to one of the best pseudo-legendaries Tyranitar, second generation was more than everything the fans had asked for and it’s still a pleasure to play them to this day.
Gold and Silver have received remakes in the fourth generation and there’s no other passing the crown moment as iconic as this one.
4. Pokémon X & Y
Sixth generation marks a history for Pokémon because it’s the first time that the franchise had moved from pixel-based game design to an actual 3D world.
The games have introduced countless new features, such as editing your character, purchasing outfits on your journey, Pokémon-Amie, Fairy type, which was a big game changer, and some of the best designed pokemons such as Greninja and Talonflame.
But the most impressive addition of the sixth-generation games has become the Mega Evolution gimmick that has changed the Pokémon world forever.
Although the feature was not available for every pokemon, some of the fan favorites such as Charizard and Lucario have received mega evolutions.
The gameplay was relatively easy, Elite Four and the Champion Diantha were some of the weakest in the franchise.
But all in all, sixth generation has marked a milestone for the franchise, and it gave the games a new persona.
3.Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
GameFreak is known for their good job at making remakes and the top three spots on our list are proof of that. In third place, we start with Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, which are obviously remakes of Sun and Moon.
What’s good about this duo is that they completely took the games to the next level; Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are almost the Multiverse of Madness of Pokémon games.
Not only did they introduce the characters from the previous games, but they also allowed players to catch the legendaries from every region.
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon have definitely gone beyond their original counterparts and the effort was an amazing way to end the 3DS era.
2. Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
In the fifth spot, I mentioned how generation two games, Gold and Silver, were iconic games of their time. When GameFreak announced they were making a remake of them, the expectations were quite high.
But once again, GameFreak has shown that they’re not here to play and they even managed to surpass the original Gold and Silver by miles.
The graphics were amazing, even by the NDS standards, and the gameplay has improved so much that both games felt like completely new ones.
Since the remakes came in fourth generation, you were also able to evolve your Togetic into Togekiss which is one of the strongest regular pokemons.
The only reason that HeartGold and SoulSilver miss the top spot is because that the number one spot is in a league of its own.
- Pokémon Black 2 and White 2
After Pokémon Black and White, the fandom expected a single game remake game such as Emerald or Platinum.
But no, GameFreak decided to create two completely different games – which almost feels like a testament to their ultimate capability of game making.
The graphics were even better than their original versions, the story changed drastically (you even start from a different city), they introduced one of the best features in the entire franchise, Pokémon World Championship and they created Pokémon Breeders which you can battle on and on for training.
Black 2 and White 2 are so iconic that even if the later games went way over the top with their graphics and designs, you would always want to go back to them and play again.
So, these are the Top 10 Pokémon Games of all-time for me. I know that some of you have looked for Legends of Arceus or Sword and Shield, but I personally didn’t like the direction GameFreak went with those.
Let’s see how the Scarlet and Violet will turn out. Stay tuned!