Best Pokemon Games That Get Better As You Play

Summary

Original Pokemon games were a Trojan horse for RPGs.
Pokemon spinoffs may take time to get fully engrossed in.
Pokemon Rumble World exceeded expectations as a free-to-play game.

1998 saw many individuals, particularly children, vividly recalling the sensation of receiving either “Pokemon Red” or “Pokemon Blue,” whether they personally played it or observed others doing so. This game was arguably one of the most exhilarating experiences on the Game Boy platform, and it was undeniably a role-playing game (RPG), a genre that was relatively unknown to many young players at the time.

These Pokemon games can be quite immersive, taking a significant amount of time to fully absorb oneself in them. However, the investment is well worth it due to the rich rewards they offer. The original games, if played today, might seem slower mechanically compared to modern versions, as the series has seen numerous quality-of-life enhancements over the years. But don’t let that deter you from jumping into any mainline Pokemon game; they are generally accessible and easy to get into. However, the spinoffs may require a bit more patience to fully grasp, but the experience they offer is unique and often quite rewarding.

Pokemon Trading Card Game

Gotta Card ‘Em All

Back in the day, as a gamer, I can tell you that the initial release of the Pokemon games on the Game Boy, the anime series, and the trading cards kept fans like me hooked for years on end. It’s weird to think about it now, but the trading card craze eventually made its way onto a Game Boy Color game, aptly named Pokemon Trading Card Game.

Initially, purchasing the game might have seemed puzzling due to its lack of the same charm as exploring a vast world and catching Pokémon. However, gamers who bought it may not have been instantly drawn in for those reasons. Yet, after earning at least one badge and engaging with a few other card players, they soon realized that the game turned out to be an unexpected success.

Pokemon Ruby/Pokemon Sapphire

The Roughest Generation

Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire belong to the third generation of Pokemon video games that came out for the Game Boy Advance. In contrast to Pokemon Gold and Silver, they didn’t introduce many innovative features, the selection of new Pokemon wasn’t as captivating, and the game world was less expansive.

Moreover, these Pokemon games began at a leisurely pace compared to other entries, taking around a dozen hours before picking up speed. Nevertheless, they remain classic Pokemon games, meaning they weren’t poor quality, but they didn’t immediately grab players with their addictive qualities like earlier versions did.

Pokemon Conquest

A Brilliant One-Off

The game titled “Pokemon Conquest” is among the top spin-offs of the popular franchise, specifically designed for the DS console. However, it’s worth noting that initially, one might need some time to acclimate due to its unique blend. It merges the world of Pokemon with the strategy game series “Nobunaga’s Ambition“, which is typically enjoyed on PC systems.

As a samurai-styled Pokémon trainer in this feudal Japan setting, my aim is to gradually conquer each province. It’s all about forming a strong team of Pokémon companions, engaging them in combat, and then strategically advancing through the game. Crafting a diverse squad will require some investment of time, making the initial stages tougher, but stick with it! The thrill of progress and the bond formed with your battle-hardened partners will make it all worthwhile.

Detective Pikachu

Pikachu Loves Coffee

Detective Pikachu represents an adventure game designed for the 3DS, where the narrative unfolds as Tim revisits his father’s detective agency following his disappearance. The only lead Tim possesses is his father’s talking Pikachu companion. Joining forces, they embark on a quest to uncover clues and aid non-player characters (NPCs) and Pokemon throughout their journey.

In this narrative-driven game, you might find the pace leisurely at times due to the abundance of dialogue scenes and cinematic sequences interspersed with less frequent interactive moments. However, the delightful interactions between Tim and Pikachu make it a rewarding experience to persevere through.

Pokemon Rumble World

Toy Time

The Pokemon Rumble series could be aptly characterized as action games with a toy-like feel to them, similar to the Musou genre. These games feature straightforward dungeon designs, crowds of enemy Pokemon, and a gradual introduction of characters. One unique aspect of Pokemon Rumble World on the 3DS was that it initially offered free-to-play gaming before eventually receiving an official retail release about a year later.

In this game, you’ll find more than 700 different types of Pokemon to interact with, many of which you can capture to use in your playthrough. The gameplay revolves around a repetitive action loop that might become dull for some players. However, given it’s free, the overall quality surpasses expectations.

Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon

An Isekai Roguelike

In simpler terms, the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series plays much like other games that are simple to start playing but have depth, often categorized as roguelikes. The latest game in this series on Nintendo 3DS, called Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon, simplifies certain gameplay aspects while adding complexity to others.

Initially, it was challenging to immerse oneself due to the slow introduction of the storyline. The protagonist is a human reborn into a Pokemon’s form, which is quite unusual, to put it mildly. Navigating through dialogue-heavy scenes can be tedious at first, but as your team of Pokemons grows and you gain more control, tackling dungeons becomes enjoyable since you can approach them according to your playstyle.

Pokken Tournament

More Complicated Than Smash

For the first time, players were able to command a Pokemon in a combat-style game, such as Pikachu, during the N64’s release of Super Smash Bros. back in 1999. Fast forward through several decades, and these beloved creatures found their own dedicated fighting arena with Pokken Tournament on the Wii U. This game was later extended to the Nintendo Switch as Pokken Tournament DX.

The game wasn’t quite as straightforward to grasp as a typical “Super Smash Bros.” title, and its Pokémon moves were more intricate and challenging. At first, even seasoned fighting game veterans found it hard to wrap their minds around, but with practice, it evolved into an entertaining and intense spin-off of the fighting genre.

New Pokemon Snap

A Long-Awaited Sequel

Fans of the original Pokemon Snap game, which became very popular on the N64, had been waiting for years to see a sequel. Their wishes came true when New Pokemon Snap was released for the Nintendo Switch in 2021.

Essentially, at its heart, the gameplay was similar to capturing Pokémon using a camera, much like the original experience. Yet, it included extra elements such as tutorials, features, and narrative aspects that made the gameplay less immediate compared to the original. It might take several hours before the game feels more relaxed with fewer restrictions, at which point players will once again feel the nostalgic vibe reminiscent of the N64 era.

2025-08-26 06:06