One of the most exciting parts of playing Pokémon games is catching legendary Pokémon – it’s often the peak of the adventure before the final challenges. Sometimes, you can use these powerful Pokémon to defeat the Elite Four and become a Pokémon champion. Other times, the game continues after you become champion, sending you on a quest to stop a major disaster.
Eventually, the typical Pokémon gameplay loop can become repetitive. Thankfully, every so often, a new Pokémon game arrives and reignites the thrill of catching Legendary Pokémon. Here are 10 games that successfully do just that.
10. Pokémon Black 2 / White 2
Back in Black and White
The first Black and White Pokémon games featured the legendary Pokémon Zekrom and Reshiram. Later, Black and White 2 introduced Kyurem, the final member of their trio. While often considered enhanced versions, Black and White 2 were actually completely new games, set several years after the original stories.
This gave the events more depth and helped build Kyurem into a truly memorable legendary Pokémon. While the story followed a similar pattern to the original Black and White games, Kyurem was clearly the central focus this time around. What’s more, it had the unique ability to change its appearance, taking on traits of both Zekrom and Reshiram.
9. Pokémon Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon
Turning Up the Drama
Okay, so the original Sun and Moon games were alright, nothing special. But the Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon versions? Those were way better! They really leaned into the Ultra Beasts, which were these crazy powerful Pokémon from another dimension. They were such a big deal that people actually tried to create their own legendary Pokémon, like Arceus, just to stand a chance against them. It was wild!
Okay, so the main story in Ultra Sun and Moon was pretty similar to the original Sun and Moon, but honestly, the Ultra Beasts were what made these versions the best. They really took the whole Gen 7 experience to another level – they were the highlight for me, and what everyone should play these games for!
8. Pokémon Legends Z-A
The Pokémon Z Version We Always Wanted
Many Pokémon fans who’ve been playing for years will recall the excitement after Pokémon X and Y, when everyone expected a Pokémon Z to be released. There was even related content featuring the Pokémon Zygarde! Sadly, Generation 6 ended, and Pokémon Z never actually came out.
After a long wait, Pokémon Legends Z-A brought back the ideas fans had hoped for. As a follow-up to Pokémon X and Y, the game returns to the Kalos region and gives the Pokémon Zygarde the central role it was originally meant to have. It’s a welcome addition, even if it took a while to happen.
7. Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu / Eevee
Let’s Go Back to Where it All Began
Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee wasn’t designed for all Pokémon players. It was created to build on the popularity of Pokémon Go and appeal to both longtime fans remembering the original games and a new generation of players – their children. Despite some divisive features borrowed from Pokémon Go, Let’s Go offered a beautifully updated and enjoyable version of the Kanto region to discover.
Tracking down the Legendary Birds and battling Mewtwo in Cerulean Cave felt like experiencing the wonder of Pokémon for the very first time. While it might not be the most perfectly faithful remake compared to LeafGreen and FireRed, it definitely rekindled the excitement of catching those first legendary Pokémon.
6. Pokémon Emerald
Hoenning The Craft
Everyone loves Pokémon Emerald, and fans are eagerly hoping it will become available on the Nintendo Switch. Emerald was also the first updated version of a game to really emphasize a third legendary Pokémon, shifting attention away from the original two.
While Pokémon Crystal featured Suicune, Pokémon Emerald really made its legendary Pokémon, Rayquaza, stand out. Rayquaza wasn’t just powerful – it controlled both Groudon and Kyogre, and ultimately helped the player defeat a new enemy, Deoxys. It’s easy to see why Rayquaza is so popular with fans.
5. Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Playing God
Although Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl were decent remakes of the original Generation 4 games, it was clear that Game Freak put much more effort into Pokémon Legends: Arceus. This game served as a prequel to Diamond and Pearl, allowing players to experience Sinnoh’s history and learn about its origins, including the connection to Arceus and the Creation Trio.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus allows players to catch all the legendary Pokémon from its region and generation, and even transfer them to and from Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. It’s a fantastic tribute to Generation 4, making the hunt for these rare Pokémon a central part of the game. The final battle with Arceus itself is still incredibly intense and memorable!
4. Pokémon Platinum
Sinnoh N’uff
Following the style of previous updates, Pokémon Platinum was an improved version of Diamond and Pearl, and many fans consider it better than the newer remakes. Like Pokémon Emerald before it, Platinum introduced a standout Pokémon: Giratina, a powerful and somewhat rebellious legendary that players had to tame.
Platinum expertly establishes Giratina as a powerful enemy before the player enters the Distortion World to battle it. Even disregarding all the other enhancements Platinum offers over Diamond and Pearl, the game’s story and the fight with Giratina are compelling enough to make it a fan favorite.
3. Pokémon Omega Ruby / Alpha Sapphire
Going Primal
Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire were updated versions of the original Game Boy Advance games for the 3DS. They used the newer technology from Pokémon X and Y to create a more vibrant and detailed Hoenn region. Besides adding more Pokémon that could Mega Evolve, the remakes also introduced powerful “Primal” forms for legendary Pokémon like Groudon and Kyogre, making them even more exciting to battle and catch.
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The remakes also added a new chapter based on the story of Rayquaza and its battle with Deoxys from Pokémon Emerald, which players could experience after finishing the main game. That was a great addition by Game Freak!
2. Pokémon Leaf Green / Fire Red
A Wild Remake Appeared
Pokémon LeafGreen and FireRed are still incredibly popular, even the idea of a completely updated, high-definition version of the original Kanto region wouldn’t change that. This shows just how much people love those games, and it wasn’t simply because of the Pokémon Go-style gameplay in Let’s Go. LeafGreen and FireRed were almost flawless remakes, beautifully updating Kanto for the Game Boy Advance and adding helpful features, like the running shoes, to make the game even better.
LeafGreen and FireRed are still the best way to experience the original Pokémon games. They combine the charm of the first generation with updated gameplay features, making them superior to the original Red and Blue versions in almost every aspect – including the challenge of catching Mewtwo and the Legendary Birds. Plus, they’re now available digitally on the Nintendo Store, letting players enjoy them on Switch or Switch 2 and even transfer Pokémon to Pokémon Home for the first time.
1. Pokémon Soul Silver / Heart Gold
Two Screens of Near Perfection
Many previous lists rank Soul Silver and Heart Gold as the greatest Pokémon games of all time. Like Leaf Green and Fire Red did for the first generation, these games brilliantly update the second generation, but with an added bonus: players get to explore both the Johto and Kanto regions, which have been completely revamped. It’s an ideal game to play after experiencing Leaf Green and Fire Red, offering the chance to catch legendary Pokémon from both generations.
And there’s even more to love! Pokémon SoulSilver and HeartGold, released on the DS after Pokémon Platinum, also linked up with the fourth generation, letting players catch Pokémon from the Hoenn and Sinnoh regions. This made it a fantastic way to wrap up the first four generations of Pokémon, allowing players to create incredibly powerful teams filled with Legendary Pokémon from all four regions. Dreaming of a team with Mewtwo, Suicune, Rayquaza, Giratina, and others? Then SoulSilver and HeartGold are the games for you. They truly represent the pinnacle of Pokémon gaming.
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2026-05-10 01:40