Why The Nintendo DS Was Pokemon’s Golden Era

I still remember when Pokémon first came out! It all started in Japan back in 1996 with Pokémon Green and Red. When it finally came to North America in 1998, we got Pokémon Red and Blue, and honestly, it was a huge deal. It wasn’t just the games themselves, but all the awesome merchandise too! Pokémon really shook things up for RPGs, the Game Boy, Nintendo, and the creators, Game Freak – it truly changed everything about gaming.

Many fans consider the 1990s, with the original Game Boy and Game Boy Color, to be the most important time for *Pokemon*. But others believe the Nintendo DS was the peak of the series, and subsequent games have been attempts to recapture that magic. Let’s explore how the series evolved during that time, looking at changes to the games themselves, new features, and even things beyond the games.

Two Generations, One Clear Winner

From Gems To Colors

Typically, each handheld or console gets at least two new *Pokemon* games. The first games for the DS were *Pokemon Diamond* and *Pokemon Pearl*, later followed by *Pokemon Platinum*. While these games were better looking and played more smoothly than the previous generation, many players didn’t find the initial Pokemon choices – Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup – particularly exciting.

Despite everything, *Pokémon Black* and *Pokémon White* were the highlights of the *Pokémon* series on the DS. Game Freak really pushed the system’s capabilities, resulting in noticeably improved graphics. The initial Pokémon choices – Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott – were also particularly appealing. While fans still debate which version is better, both games were fantastic experiences on the DS.

Pokemon Black/White Broke Traditions

For Better Or Worse

Let’s talk more about *Pokémon Black* and *Pokémon White*. Beyond simply being strong games, they represent a period of innovation for the series on the DS. One key thing is that *Pokémon Black* and *White* were the first games to draw inspiration from a place outside of Japan. The Unova region, in particular, was heavily based on New York City, and this marked the start of *Pokémon* exploring locations beyond its home country.

Unlike previous Pokémon games which typically received sequels that were minor updates, *Pokémon Black 2* and *Pokémon White 2* were direct sequels. This approach was a significant change for the series, similar to how *Final Fantasy 10-2* impacted the *Final Fantasy* franchise. While these new games didn’t introduce a whole new generation of Pokémon, they were largely distinct experiences.

The Best Games Get A Remake

A Literal Golden (And Silver) Era

Though *Pokémon Black* and *Pokémon White* were fantastic new games for the DS, the most beloved *Pokémon* games of all time received remakes. *Pokémon HeartGold* and *Pokémon SoulSilver* were updated from the Game Boy Color versions and were just as enjoyable, offering multiple regions to explore and several modern improvements. These games also came with a unique accessory called the Pokéwalker.

Resembling a traditional Pokeball, this device allowed players to insert a Pokemon and raise its level simply by walking. The Pokemon would appear on the device’s screen, though with simple, pixelated graphics. It was essentially an early version of *Pokemon Go*, and it gained a lot of popularity with fans in the late 2000s.

The Spinoffs Got Wild

And We Were Here For It

The original Game Boy didn’t have many spin-off games, and that trend continued on consoles like the N64, GameCube, and GBA. The Nintendo DS, however, saw the *Pokémon* franchise really take off, with a huge marketing push. We also saw more *Mystery Dungeon* games released, which were a type of challenging, replayable adventure.

Several *Pokémon* games tried different approaches: the *Pokémon Ranger* games were action-based and used the touch screen, *Pokémon Dash* was a racing game, and *Learn with Pokémon: Typing Adventure* helped players practice typing. But the most notable of these was *Pokémon Conquest*, which combined the *Pokémon* world with the strategy game *Nobunaga’s Ambition*. It was a turn-based strategy RPG where players conquered feudal Japan bit by bit. While there was only one *Pokémon Conquest* game released, it left a lasting impression on many fans.

Better Connectivity

No Cables Needed

The original *Pokemon* games on Game Boy were popular because they let players connect with friends by battling and trading Pokemon. While the Game Boy and Game Boy Advance games required a link cable for trading, the Nintendo DS offered a convenient upgrade with its built-in WiFi. This made it much easier and more affordable to connect with friends in games like *Pokemon Diamond* and *Pokemon Pearl*.

While the 3DS offered improved connectivity similar to the Switch – something you’d expect from newer consoles – the DS was a major leap forward from the Game Boy Advance. The biggest improvement was getting rid of the need for a connecting cable. The DS Lite was also incredibly portable, making it easy to have a quick *Pokémon* battle with friends you met on the go.

The DS Is Backwards Compatible

Two Eras In One Console

The Nintendo DS was a fantastic system for Pokémon fans, with a great selection of main series games and spin-offs. It’s easy to forget, though, that the DS could also play older Game Boy Advance games. Simply popping in a cartridge like *Pokémon Ruby* or *Pokémon LeafGreen* let players revisit those classic adventures.

Players were able to bring Pokémon from older games, like *Pokémon Pearl*, into the new ones. This was a simple way to transfer Pokémon between generations until the Pokémon Bank became available on the 3DS. Even though the Game Boy Advance Pokémon games weren’t as exciting as those on the DS, it was still fun to have them all together on one system, including games like *Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire*.

2025-09-21 10:35