Every Game Boy Pokemon Game, Ranked

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Originating from the small yet powerful Game Boy console, Pokémon – the global entertainment juggernaut encompassing trading cards, health applications, airplanes, among other things – was born.

Starting from that point, all the way up to the Game Boy Advance, a total of twelve games were launched. Some continued to perfect the remarkable mechanics introduced in the initial release of Red, Blue, and Blue in Japan (Green in Japan), while others ventured into different game categories.

In compiling this list, I’ll be ordering the items using factors such as influence, longevity, Metacritic rating, and my own perspective. Ready for another round of collecting them all?

12.
Pokemon Pinball

Pinball Wizard

Among numerous spin-offs that leverage the adaptable characters from a collection of over 150 creatures, Pokemon Pinball stays true to its title. Essentially, it’s a pinball game, but with Pokemon added in.

Here are two boards, labeled Red and Blue. These boards allow you to catch Pokemon by pressing their pop bumpers exactly six times within a span of two minutes. Additionally, the only method for making a Pokemon evolve is through evolution itself.

You accomplish this task by searching for items concealed in three out of six or seven various locations, which varies based on the game board. Importantly, you have two minutes to do so. Furthermore, an exciting aspect is that you can find all 151 Pokemon without needing to purchase multiple versions!

Generally speaking, the new series has been favorably reviewed, but there’s been some mild criticism regarding the accuracy of the pinball’s physics, which seems to be a significant issue.

11.
Pokemon Trading Card Game

Gotta Collect ‘Em All

Two years following the distribution of the Pokémon Trading Card Game among kids and grown-ups worldwide, they managed to transform the board game version onto the Game Boy Color.

In this game, you step into the shoes of a young lad embarking on global journeys. Along the way, you challenge trainers and club masters until you reach the Grand Masters. After overpowering them, you gain the opportunity to bring home the Legendary Card decks – but only if you can outmatch your rival, Ronald, in the process.

The game offers a fun, affordable way to play the TCG, even if it doesn’t match the excitement of physically unwrapping a pack.

Japan received another installment titled “Pokémon Card GB2: Here Comes Team Great Rocket!”, which incorporated several improvements. These enhancements included the introduction of the fourth Pokemon Card set, themed around Team Rocket, a fresh storyline, and a new feature that allowed players to evaluate their deck’s efficiency using the Deck Diagnosis tool.

10.
Pokemon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire

A Gem Amongst Spin-Offs

Can you guess what this game is about? That’s right! Pinball meets the third generation of Pokemon.

Similar to its previous version, this game features two playboards, one utilizing Ruby and the other using Sapphire as its foundation. The objective is to capture 204 distinct Pokemon, with all but Deoxys (from the Hoenn Pokedex) revealing themselves visually.

Here, you’ll find these characters, which include the three starters from Johto, along with an unexpected addition – Aerodactyl. There are four ways to capture them, two of which, Catch ‘Em Mode and Evolution Mode, have been carried over from the initial game, but with modified objectives this time around.

Additionally, there’s an Egg Mode that mirrors Evolution Mode but it’s specifically designed for young Pokémon. Plus, there’s a feature called Travel Mode where you can explore new destinations.

All in all, the physics appear more refined in this follow-up, making it an enjoyable game to play on-the-go, with its visually appealing color scheme and lively audio.

9.
Pokemon Red, Blue & Green

Give A Hand For Those That Started It All

Initially launched as Pokemon Red and Green in Japan, and later as Pokemon Red and Blue globally outside Japan, these were the titles that ignited the Pokémon craze around the world.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but rave about this irresistible blend of gathering, dueling, and swapping – a masterpiece that seemed flawless from its inception. Red and Green/Blue, you deserve all the credit for launching an entire franchise on such a phenomenal note!

Without the updated versions of these games, one might argue that they’re still enjoyable to play. However, their classic black-and-white visuals and lack of certain advanced features such as separate Physical/Special Attacks could pose challenges for players returning to them.

8.
Pokemon Gold & Silver

Double The Pokemon, Double The Fun

Pokemon Gold and Silver represent the debut of the second generation within the Pokemon series, introducing an incredible advancement and polish to the gameplay.

Although the narrative might not be particularly engaging, the games significantly enhance the gameplay experience by introducing innovative features such as Breeding, a Day/Night cycle, and baby Pokémon.

Absolutely, one exciting aspect of Pokemon is discovering that after defeating the Champion, the whole region of Kanto becomes available for further exploration once more.

16 gym badges in a single Pokémon game is quite a lot of value for the price! Not to mention, Togepi made its debut in this particular generation, adding another 10 cool points to the experience.

7.
Pokemon Puzzle Challenge

Otherwise Known As Panel De Pon

Intelligent Systems, the team behind Fire Emblem, Paper Mario, and other popular games, has developed Pokemon Puzzle Challenge. This game is similar to Tetris but with a twist – it’s played in a reverse manner.

In simpler terms, you need to move horizontal blocks around as new ones come in from below, removing full rows and forming combinations.

In this game, there are features reminiscent of Pokemon, including visuals inspired by Gold and Silver, and a difficulty mode where you battle against different computer-managed adversaries disguised as trainers and gym leaders.

I’m quite disappointed that there hasn’t been a new installment of this series yet. It seems tailor-made for the Nintendo Switch, perhaps even a special edition similar to Tetris 99.

6.
Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire

Fire & Water For The Game Boy Advance

In simple terms, the third-generation Pokémon characters, Ruby and Sapphire, made a big splash on the Game Boy Advance, ultimately selling the most copies among all games for that system.

The addition of elements like double-battles, natures, and abilities to the game series has made it richer, and I find it hard to envision the series without these features, particularly in the competitive gaming environment.

In this new gaming era, it’s clear that the villainous teams have leveled up their game. It’s not just about snatching Pokémon and causing chaos anymore; Team Aqua and Magma are aiming much higher now. They’re determined to manipulate and transform the very landscapes of our world. As a hero, you’ve been tasked with a mission: halt their nefarious plans before it’s too late!

5.
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team

The Slightly Worse Of Two Halves

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team marks the last title in the series that was developed for the Game Boy Advance, and it serves as the initial installment of the acclaimed Pokemon Mystery Dungeon series.

In RRT (Rogue-like Realms and Other Tales), you assume command over a character transformed into a Pokémon, embarking on quests within randomly generated labyrinths. Along the way, you become immersed in a story that’s more profound and emotionally engaging than expected.

As a dedicated Pokémon gamer, I’ve noticed that many core games come in two flavors, and this one is no exception. Yet, unlike others, it stands out as it was launched on a less powerful console compared to its counterpart, Blue Rescue Team, which graced the DS.

Consequently, it’s missing some visual and audio enhancements found in Blue Rescue Team, along with the lack of dual-screen functionality. Although this doesn’t significantly impact the gaming experience, having a built-in map like Blue offers is always advantageous.

4.
Pokemon Yellow

An Anime Special

Pokemon Yellow stands out among the core series games. Not only is it an upgraded variant of Red and Blue, but it also aligns more closely with the anime’s narrative, serving as a complementary piece to it.

This encompasses the choice to bestow upon you a Pikachu as your initial companion, much like Ash, who accompanies you and expresses their feelings through small emoticons.

In the Pokedex, some Pokemon are similar to their appearances in the anime because, just like Ash, we can’t catch them all, for instance, Meowth.

While it was exceptional among the initial games in the series, subsequent installments have surpassed its greatness.

Or, more casually:
The first games were awesome, but later ones took the cake.

In both cases, I’ve aimed to maintain a natural and easy-to-read style while conveying the original message.

3.
Pokemon Crystal

Enhanced And Refined

As a devoted admirer, I’d say that Pokémon Crystal stands out as an upgraded iteration of the classic Gold and Silver games, offering even more polish to the beloved second-generation series. For anyone yearning for the best experience when playing these games on the Game Boy system, Pokémon Crystal is the way to go!

Absolutely, HeartGold and SoulSilver are bound to surpass these games significantly when they arrive on the DS, but for now, we’re still waiting for their release.

In simpler terms, some people might argue that this game could have incorporated its innovative features back in Gold & Silver. They may think it’s more about capitalizing on the series rather than genuinely advancing it.

Yet, even with its vintage sprites, Pokemon Crystal remains captivating thanks to its elaborate tale starring the Legendary Dogs and the novel opportunity to embody a female-presenting protagonist. It’s definitely worth exploring!

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2025-06-06 16:40