Unleashing Nostalgia: The Most Captivating Pokémon Games Throughout History

21. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (Switch)

There are still numerous aspects we’d like to see the Pokémon franchise develop, yet despite some notable technical issues, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet has us cautiously optimistic about the series’ future.

Scarlet & Violet are most enjoyable and engaging when you simply wander through the world, and while there are a number of small new features and improvements to the Pokémon formula, it still lags in some areas.

It’s a modest advancement compared to what many might have wished for, particularly considering what Pokémon Legends: Arceus achieved, yet it is certainly a step in the right direction. We genuinely hope Game Freak can resolve the ongoing performance issues in the series since they could become a significant drawback as time goes on.

20. Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (Switch)

While some of the slower elements from the original games have been addressed in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, and The Grand Underground compensates for the relatively outdated Pokédex, the new art style and a few other missteps make this pair of games a rather disappointing reenactment of Generation IV. If the aim was to stay true to the original Gen IV duo, we wish they had maintained the pixel-art aesthetic.

Sadly, these are Brilliant and Shining remakes in name only, closely adhering to the original layout — which some players will undoubtedly appreciate — but excluding The Grand Underground and the connections with current games in the series, there’s barely any reason to choose Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl over your classic DS editions.

19. Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! (Switch)

Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! represent excellent reimaginings of a classic game, updating a decades-old title in ways that make it infinitely more accessible and user-friendly for a modern audience, while preserving the magic originally discovered years ago.

On the downside, the motion control mechanic is enjoyable yet flawed, requiring you to switch between play styles to achieve the best results. Nevertheless, the game balances being an easy entry point for newcomers and providing just enough post-game challenges and competitive elements (along with nostalgia, of course) to satisfy veteran fans; thus, these newer editions genuinely offer something for everyone, which can’t always be said for the mainline Pokémon games.

They may not be complete masterpieces, yet we’d urge any Poké-fans out there to give these Kanto classics a shot.

18. Pokémon Sword and Shield (Switch)

Pokémon Sword and Shield succeeded in introducing some innovative features, although there are areas where it could have gone further.

What was done well was executed well, yet there were also elements that felt like they belonged to a decade-old playbook. There are moments inside that can be the best the franchise has ever delivered, but this joy is often overshadowed by contrasting moments that left us feeling disappointed. It’s an experience filled with highs and lows, from the pure amazement and excitement of seeing a brand-new Pokémon in a stadium packed with cheering fans to the mundane and lengthy dialogue we just wanted to skip. The thrill of exploring the Wild Area felt like the true evolution of the series, which subsequent titles have built upon.

Overall, Pokémon Sword and Shield were a remarkably solid entry into the HD era of Pokémon games, albeit with room for growth.

17. Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon (3DS)

Thanks to X/Y and Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire, there were already a few incredible 3DS Pokémon games for owners to enjoy.

That said, Pokémon Sun and Moon felt like a fresh start for gamers who may have drifted away from the Pokémon RPG collecting craze. With enhanced character models and customization, as well as the inclusion of powerful Z-moves, the return of beloved Gen I Pokémon in new Alolan forms helped excite both franchise loyalists and those who can only reliably recall the original 151. Additional forms, moves, and features in these Ultra versions present some of the most ‘complete’ iterations.

Although it’s unfortunate that we never got to experience our favorite creatures in stereoscopic 3D, this is truly the pinnacle of classic-style 3DS Pokémon games.

16. Pokémon Sun and Moon (3DS)

Pokémon Sun and Moon are among the best Pokémon games that Game Freak has ever crafted. Features like Poké Pelago, mini-quests, and the stunning aesthetics of the game, it’s an absolute delight from start to finish.

Game Freak successfully balanced the introduction of new mechanics without alienating the most dedicated fans. It offers a wealth of content, a significantly more engaging narrative than some prior installments, and it encourages exploration in a way that no other title in the series had done up to that point.

Whether you are a newcomer or a veteran Pokémon enthusiast, this title deserves a spot in your 3DS collection.

15. Pokémon Diamond & Pearl (DS)

Avoiding the temptation to quote Prince lyrics, what can we say about Pokémon Diamond & Pearl?

The core gameplay holds up as well as it ever did, and at the time, these were regarded as the best Pokémon games ever made. Like many games successful enough to ignite a seemingly endless series of sequels, every new installment tends to overshadow its predecessors, diminishing over time until they become relics — valuable to collect and reminisce about, yes, but still worth playing after numerous iterations have been released?

That’s a tough question to answer, and while we believe it’s a sign of progress and improvement, although Diamond & Pearl might not showcase the polish we’re used to today, they are still enjoyable Pokémon games that ought to be dusted off and experienced every now and then. They are sure to bring you joy.

14. Pokémon X & Y (3DS)

Game Freak once again nailed it with Pokémon X and Y. A fantastic fusion of fun and nostalgia, it enhanced the core series with impressive polygonal 3D settings and skillful camera perspectives while also introducing some technical updates along with a new Pokémon species to the formula we all know and love.

While it wasn’t necessarily a revolutionary change — and was slightly hampered by the minimal use of its host platform’s glasses-free 3D features — X and Y still stand out as an exceptionally vibrant duo.

13. Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire (GBA)

Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire kicked off the third generation of Pokémon and transitioned the series from the sturdy 8-bit Game Boy hardware to the more capable, broader platform of the Game Boy Advance.

The removal of the day-night cycle disappointed some die-hard fans, but Generation III introduced a host of new features, including double battles and the natures mechanic that provided Pokémon Trainers with a completely new stats-based realm to explore. The widescreen display of the GBA enhanced the appearance of the battle screens, and the Hoenn region appeared incredibly vibrant compared to the 8-bit Kanto and Johto.

12. Pokémon Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition (GB)

This enhanced edition of the original games incorporated elements from the classic anime, placing Pikachu front and center as your starter Pokémon – he follows you around outside of his Poké Ball and cannot be traded or evolved.

The nurses and police officers throughout Kanto were replaced by Nurse Joys and Officer Jennys, certain Pokémon locations and appearances were altered, and various sprites and world components were redesigned to better align with the broader branding established since the release of Red & Blue.

The western version of Pokémon Yellow received a slight palette enhancement that works well when played on a Game Boy Color, although it wasn’t a full GBC game. The adjustments add an extra layer of charm (and the surfing Pikachu mini-game is quite enjoyable), but regardless of which version you acquire, the original Pokémon titles continue to offer a delightful gaming experience.

Simple in design and lacking the embellishments of later games, they nonetheless captivate from beginning to end.

11. Pokémon Red and Blue (GB)

While Pokémon Red & Blue are both classic games with the occasional hiccup, they remain incredibly engaging titles in which to immerse your spare time.

Although gameplay feels quite dated by modern standards, there’s still a plethora of intricacies and depth to explore if you aspire to assemble a team to pixel-powered perfection. If you were to reimagine the whole experience in a bright, colorful, modern 3D engine, you might be forgiven for thinking these were brand new games, which isn’t something you can say about many Game Boy titles.

Clear flaws were addressed in subsequent releases, but there’s a unique charm in discovering these first 151 Pocket Monsters. Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee may have updated these games for the Switch generation, yet the depth of the originals continues to make them worthwhile on classic hardware. Just make sure you have a friend and a link cable — you’ll likely want to catch them all!

Wait, that’s not correct.

10. Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (3DS)

Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire appear quite similar to Pokémon X & Y, as one might expect, yet the narrative and environments you encounter feel — despite being remakes — very fresh and distinct. They don’t represent a significant upgrade from their different 3DS counterparts, but any Poké-fan who has played one of the series’ remakes…

Previously, there was no longer an expectation to demand drastic restructuring.

These titles should still be regarded as more than just delightful supplements to X & Y, even though they arguably outperformed these games by introducing innovative features such as the Hover ability.

9. Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen (GBA)

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are Game Boy Advance remakes of the original games that initiated it all, Pokémon Red & Blue. Indeed, the original Game Boy titles were known as Red and Green in Japan, for various reasons.

Did Pokémon ever truly exceed this? That remains debatable, yet beyond the nostalgic visuals, the ability to connect with several other Pokémon games to collect over 350 creatures, and a refined user interface were just some of the enhancements offered in this 32-bit remake. For players familiar with the Kanto games, this marked a significant change (of many to come, naturally) to enjoy some nostalgia and collect all 151 once more. Who could resist?

Watch out, Metapod. Or should we say… Metapoo? Ah, the humor! Good times.

8. Pokémon Black and White (DS)

Pokémon Black and White may not deliver the same nostalgia as HeartGold and SoulSilver, but they rank among the best in the series. What they lack in connections to the past, they compensate for by recreating the sense of adventure experienced on that first Pokémon journey.

Black and White arguably enjoy recognition for being the standout titles in the series (to date) to have direct numbered sequels set in the same universe, albeit in new locations. Despite sometimes being overlooked, these introductions to Gen V are still remarkable games and definitely worth revisiting.

7. Pokémon Legends: Arceus (Switch)

Designated as a mainline installment by Game Freak itself, Pokémon Legends: Arceus represents the culmination of the developers’ lessons over 25 years, refining the concept, and finally taking the franchise in a brand new, highly creative direction.

It may have technical hiccups, yet with strong emphasis on rewarding exploration, engaging catching mechanics, a lively roster of Pokémon, and a genuine sense of scale that’s unlike anything in the series, Pokémon Legends: Arceus is among the best Pokémon games ever created in our view.

6. Pokémon Crystal (GBC)

Pokémon Crystal is often regarded as the final swan song for what many fans consider to be the greatest generation of Pokémon games and the series’ last Game Boy Color installment.

This game introduced a multitude of refreshing features over its predecessors — including the option to play as a female character for the first time — as well as added activities, enhanced graphics and user interface, and a slight increase in difficulty.

Crystal built on what Pokémon Gold and Silver accomplished so excellently, making Johto a joy to explore once again – and Kanto for the umpteenth time, for that matter. It truly demonstrates that nostalgia isn’t the only reason this game is such a joy to experience all over again.

5. Pokémon Gold and Silver (GBC)

Pokémon Gold and Silver have consistently been highlights in the Pokémon series, and even today, years after their initial release, they remain undeniably brilliant experiences. Perhaps it speaks to the series’ steady and genuine iterative progress, but these games still feel just as good as they did all those years ago.

They’re exceptional games that evoke warm, nostalgic memories for anyone who played them back in the day. They updated the original with vibrant graphics on GBC, introduced 100 new Pocket Monsters, and even included the entire Kanto storyline for good measure (thanks, Satoru Iwata), with fans of the series often agreeing that Pokémon reached its peak at Gen II.

4. Pokémon Black and White 2 (DS)

Those who dismissed Pokémon Black and White 2 as just more of the same back in 2012 were sadly mistaken.

On a surface level, sure, the Pokémon games haven’t changed dramatically, and for good reason; the foundation laid down in Pokémon Red and Blue was incredibly solid and engaging from the start. By expanding upon it and…