As someone who grew up with a Game Boy in one hand and a dream of becoming a Pokémon master in the other, I can confidently say that these spin-off games have been an absolute joy ride! The blend of familiar characters and fresh gameplay mechanics never fails to excite me.
There’s a strong likelihood that most people who are reading this have experienced playing at least one Pokémon game, or they’re well-acquainted with the franchise.
As a dedicated gamer, I’ve come to realize that it’s been quite some time since this game first emerged back in 1998. It’s easy to have a go-to favorite main title, but let’s not forget about the side games or spinoffs. Contrary to what many might assume, there are more than just a few of these spinoffs out there!
Here’s a more casual and straightforward rephrasing: We’ve gathered, sorted, and ranked all those numerous Pokémon side games for you, making it easier to explore!
As a gaming enthusiast, I’m here to share a diverse collection that spans from peculiar sports titles to immersive safari simulations, pulsating arcade games, and deep-dive tactical dungeon crawlers. Brace yourself for an unforgettable journey of catching it all, brought to you by TopMob!
In this compilation, we’re leaving out games that are region-specific, free-to-play, educational, or tool-based (like the Pokedex), along with apps such as Pokémon Go. For conciseness, we will group spinoff series like Mystery Dungeon under a single entry.
18. Pokémon Dash
Ready, Set, Pika Pika!
Since the debut of Pokémon, there’s been a fair amount of fascination with the electric rodent character Pikachu. It may appear unusual to create a racing game centered on him, but during the era of the Nintendo DS, some rather peculiar things took place in the world of gaming.
With your stylus, you’re able to command your Pokemon and send them dashing through various terrains. From scorching deserts, swampy marshes, and sandy beaches to soaring high above in balloons, the environments in Pokémon Dash offer an unexpected range of landscapes for your Pokemon to traverse.
In summary, the game was rather simple and didn’t require much time to complete – just a few hours at most. But for those seeking a more demanding experience, additional Challenge Modes were available to keep gameplay engaging.
To fully enjoy this game, consider connecting your Nintendo DS to five other consoles for a lively Pikachu gathering. Plus, it’s compatible with games such as Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and FireRed, enabling you to experiment with various scenarios.
17. Pokémon Rumble
Cute Little Beat ’em Up
The Pokémon Rumble series, as its name suggests, offers a beat-em-up experience centered around Pokémon, which initially sounds intriguing. However, it falls short compared to other more outstanding Pokemon spinoffs available.
Over the years, various games such as Rumble Blast, Rumble U, Rumble World, and Rumble Rush have been presented, all sharing a common theme. Essentially, these games revolved around chaotic, real-time action featuring adorable creatures.
Initially, each monster only allows for a single attack from you. However, as you progress and earn experience points (level up), or spend your accumulated coins, you’ll gain access to additional attacks or special moves.
4 players, if they wish, can participate lively and energetically, with some games allowing them to use Nunchuk and Wiimote controllers.
It appears that a free Wii Shop trial for Rumble might have positively influenced the game. However, as a whole, this series was somewhat unconventional and did not leave a significant mark.
16. Hey You, Pikachu!
Derpy Virtual Pet
| Platform | Nintendo 64 |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Genre | Simulation |
| Release Date | November 6, 2000 |
During the Nintendo 64 period, the desire to possess a genuine Pikachu made a significant leap with the introduction of Hey You, Pikachu.
With Ambrella’s creation, you can’t just play with Pikachu, but have a conversation with them! A significant part of this feature is attributable to the less commonly employed Voice Recognition Unit (VRU), which plays a crucial role in understanding your spoken words.
For approximately 365 days within the game, you’ll interact with a small, sunny-colored creature, forming friendships and participating in assorted easy-to-play activities.
These activities span from gathering food, angling, and having fun, all of which earn you Pika Points. Accumulate these points and use them at Abra’s Store to unveil fresh goods.
Consider it as if you have an advanced version of the popular digital pet, the Tamagotchi, with a bit more technical flair. It’s certainly interesting, but it doesn’t represent a significant breakthrough.
15. PokePark
Just a Walk in the Park
As a gaming enthusiast, I must say that the PokéPark series stands out from the crowd. Instead of following the usual formula, these games invite you to traverse an expansive park, forging friendships along the way, and engaging in an assortment of fun mini-games.
Your goal is to help Mew recover the scattered pieces of the Sky Prism.
Regardless of the importance of assisting a Legendary Pokémon, both the original PokePark and PokePark 2 had a calm and soothing atmosphere.
As a gamer, I’ve found myself engaged in combat segments where my trusty companion, Pikachu, unleashes a variety of moves. These include the electrifying Thunderbolt, the swift Dash, and the powerful Iron Tail. Not only that, but he also employs enhanced versions of each move to pack a real punch!
At the very least, these games for the Wii were vibrant and captivating, making them strong candidates for appealing to a new wave of young video game enthusiasts.
14. Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness
Me and My Shadow
| Platform | GameCube |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Genre | RPG |
| Release Date | October 3, 2005 |
On the GameCube, there weren’t too many games available. Therefore, when you come across a great one, it tends to stand out in your memory.
Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness served as an outstanding representation of its console. While it was technically a sequel to Colosseum, it played more like a self-contained RPG, offering unique gameplay elements that would be delightful to see reappear in future Pokémon games.
In the game “Gale of Darkness”, a distinctive feature involved capturing Shadow Pokémon, which were extraordinarily powerful but needed to be purified first before they could be caught. These Shadow Pokémon possessed formidable new abilities and played crucial roles within the game’s narrative.
After finishing the game, there was a substantial amount of post-game content available, which many contemporary main games don’t manage to provide. The Gale of Darkness could have been a standalone adventure, but it was one that left a strong impression, suggesting either a sequel or a modern update would be well-received.
13. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Dungeon Crawling
Over the course of its development, Spike Chunsoft has created numerous intriguing video games; however, it’s arguably the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series that stands out as the most peculiar among them all.
They moved Pokémon characters from the Red and Blue Rescue Team into complex tactical dungeons like those seen in Explorers of Time and Darkness, Gates of Infinity, and other such adventures.
Although it’s generally accepted that mainstream Pokémon games are turn-based, this game, however, emphasized the importance of each move. Navigating through the dungeons required careful steps to avoid traps. The key here was to move efficiently as straying too far would result in being kicked out of the current dungeon.
One intriguing aspect of these games lies in the fact that you’re not a typical Pokémon, but rather, a person who’s been uniquely transformed into one. It may seem like an unusual twist, but it’s one that has won the affection of many dedicated fans.
12. Pokémon Ranger
Temporary Buddies
If you combined elements from Power Rangers and Pokémon, the result could resemble a game or series similar to Pokémon Ranger.
Additionally, during the DS Renaissance period, we encountered numerous unusual yet significant spin-offs from the primary series.
As a dedicated Pokémon enthusiast, I’d like to highlight an intriguing distinction between the Pokémon Ranger games (and their sequels, Shadows Over Almia and Guardian Signs) and the traditional main series: instead of using Pokeballs, you interact with Pokémon in a unique way.
Instead, you employ the DS stylus to trace circles and momentarily catch Pokémon. These caught Pokémon can later aid you in tasks, and also help solve environmental conundrums.
Though it may seem strange to traverse a Pokémon realm devoid of trainers and familiar amenities, Pokémon Ranger managed to carve out a respectable niche for itself in the series.
11. Pokémon Picross
By the Numbers
Among the various games listed, Pokémon Picross stands out as quite straightforward: it’s essentially Picross gameplay infused with Pokémon characters. The core experience doesn’t deviate significantly from traditional Picross.
It’s perfectly fine to utilize certain Pokémon for clues to fill in the grid and form an image within the game, as there’s no issue with that.
As a passionate Pokémon trainer, I can field up to five unique creatures on my team at any given time. However, there’s a cool-down system in place, meaning each Pokémon needs some rest before they can rejoin the battle. Also, I’m not allowed to have both the regular and Mega forms of the same Pokémon on my roster simultaneously.
For those who prefer quick progress, Pokémon Picross offers an option to expedite the process using Picrite coins. It’s a decent game, although it doesn’t stand out as particularly innovative among the spin-off series.
10. Detective Pikachu
Put On Your Sleuthing Hat
Prior to the movie’s rise to fame, the Detective Pikachu series centered around resolving mysteries alongside a chatty Pikachu. However, it was not this concept alone that made the game and its follow-up captivating.
Indeed, those Detective Pikachu games were all about storytelling and problem-solving, featuring riddles to decipher and evidence to discover!
While the primary storyline might not typically support a narrative adventure style, the Mystery Dungeon series proves that it is possible to adapt such an approach.
In simple terms, the adorable series, which performed nicely on the 3DS, gained an added touch of elegance when it was released as Detective Pikachu Returns on the Nintendo Switch.
While you can argue whether the premise works better as a game or a movie, most will admit that, regardless, it’s a novel and fun idea.
9. Pokémon Pinball
Slap In Some Quarters
As a devoted enthusiast, I can’t help but reminisce about one of the timeless games that has graced the halls of arcades for years – the venerable pinball machine. It was only a matter of time before the creative minds at Pokémon decided to infuse this classic entertainment with their unique charm.
In contrast to many pinball games, this one rewards you for striking Pokémon with the ball, helping you capture them and complete your Pokedex.
In the initial version of the game, there were 150 distinct Pokémon species you could capture. Moreover, it included tough extra levels like battling spectral creatures, specifically Gastly, Haunter, and Gengar, within a graveyard setting.
Additionally, they categorized things based on the specific game being played. Originally, Pokémon Pinball featured separate red and blue playfields, while Ruby and Sapphire games were divided in a similar fashion.
Despite not revolutionizing the traditional arcade gaming experience, Pokémon Pinball still managed to introduce something fresh and engaging that kept fans hooked.
8. Pokémon Trozei
Pokémon Puzzles
In the Pokémon series, portable game consoles have long been an integral part, yet puzzles represent a completely different aspect altogether.
It’s fortunate that when Pokémon Trozei was introduced on the DS, and subsequently Battle Trozei on the 3DS, they successfully combined a captivating match-3 puzzle game with impressive graphics and an invigorating level of difficulty.
As a passionate gamer, one intriguing new element that these games have introduced is the Phobos Battalion, a sinister group known for their malicious activities involving captive Pokémon. My mission now is to strategically align at least three of them on my screen.
If you successfully create a grouping of four identical items, you’ll receive an extra opportunity known as Trozei, which lets you attempt to make additional matches for a limited time. It’s important to have Ditto on hand because this versatile creature can transform into any item, making it crucial in this system.
In Battle Trozei, you gain advantages by matching up creatures with specific vulnerabilities in combat, and it’s enjoyable to strategize as you do this. Plus, it offers an engaging puzzling adventure that becomes even more satisfying when played with a stylus.
7. Pokémon Shuffle
Mobile Madness
In essence, this list typically avoids engaging with mobile devices. However, Pokémon Shuffle is an exception for a valid cause – it was playable not only on mobile platforms but also on the Nintendo 3DS.
The particular version profited from the StreetPass feature, boasted decent audio quality, and had minimal lags for a smooth gaming experience.
In essence, Pokémon Shuffle shares a similar style with the Trozei series, but it introduces unique elements that set it apart. For instance, it follows the trend of freemium games by limiting the number of moves and restricting play sessions to certain daily intervals unless additional in-game purchases are made.
The objective in this game is to triumph over and seize Pokémon by lowering their Health Points (HP) substantially within an adequate amount of time.
As a devoted gamer, I must admit that the game wasn’t overly complex, but it certainly had an undeniable charm. Despite its simplicity, the fact that it could be played on mobile devices made it accessible to a vast array of gamers. That’s why it managed to edge out Trozei in the rankings.
6. Pokémon Unite
A Team Sport
Similar to Pokémon Shuffle, Unite earns its place on the list due to its availability not only on Nintendo Switch but also on mobile platforms. In this Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) adventure, players join forces to engage in team battles aimed at achieving a high score and emerging victorious.
Unite shares some similarities with a lively game of soccer; it’s quick, intense, and requires focus to achieve success. Just like scoring a goal depends on teamwork, timing, and strategic moves, in Unite, your progress relies on managing Aeos energy and building up powerful attacks.
This adventure offers multiple gameplay modes such as Relaxed Combat, 500-Score Battle, and Competitive Rank Mode. With its appealing graphical design, it makes a decent effort to breathe new life into the series in a multiplayer setting.
5. Pokémon Stadium
Into the Arena
It’s logical that the Pokémon Stadium games, which include Stadium 1, Stadium 2, Colosseum, and Battle Revolution, would have their turn in the spotlight since they revolve around battling teams of creatures, as has been a consistent theme throughout the Pokémon series.
Apart from being among the initial instances showcasing 3D models of Pokémon, the original Stadium game presented a rather tough obstacle for players, as they were progressively pitted against increasingly formidable teams of trainers. To add an enjoyable twist, these games also incorporated easy-to-grasp mini-games to maintain player engagement.
Instead of simply enjoying the thrill of battling anyone in an arena-like setting, it seems that this spinoff could have been improved by focusing more on narrative development. Fortunately, most of the arena-centric stories turned out to be quite successful.
4. Pokémon Snap
Paint Me a Picture
As a devoted Pokémon enthusiast, I can’t help but notice that sometimes, the grandeur and magnitude of these fantastic beasts can get overshadowed within the broader Pokémon universe.
Originally, the games began on Game Boy, which imposed certain constraints on their size. Fortunately, Pokémon Snap and New Pokémon Snap managed to beautifully demonstrate the grandeur of these peculiar creatures within these limitations.
In both games, you embark on a digital wildlife adventure, capturing images of wild Pokémon and striving for difficult-to-get, rare shots. As the action is predetermined, mastering timing and understanding the characteristics of these creatures becomes crucial. The New Pokémon Snap version stands out with its lush and expansive settings, featuring vibrant landscapes.
Although capturing images of digital monsters might not be your specialty, these games have managed to win over countless fans and provide an experience that allows us to come as near as possible to actually interfacing with real-world Pokémon.
3. Pokken Tournament DX
Fight It Out
It’s no surprise that a fighting game based on the Pokémon universe would be an appropriate fit, given that these games primarily revolve around battles.
It’s likely that we have both versions because there was the initial Pokken Tournament released for Wii U, then an upgraded version called Pokken Tournament DX came out for the Nintendo Switch.
The main drawback of the Pokken Tournament games was the limited number of fighters, with just around 21 characters available by the time DX came out, along with additional Support Pokémon. However, to compensate for this, each character had a unique moveset that resulted in very distinct gameplay experiences.
Regardless if you’re poking as Croagunk, burning enemies with Charizard, or darting about as Pikachu, the game maintains a sense of novelty.
The game is perfect for both experienced bridge players and casual gamers seeking an entertaining experience, offering a unique blend of strategy and whimsical Pokémon elements.
2. Pokemon Puzzle League
Attack of the Tetris
Just as Pokémon Picross, Pokémon Puzzle League, and Pokémon Puzzle Challenge adapted popular game concepts to feature Pokémon characters.
Although they may not seem particularly impressive at first glance, they turned out to be genuinely enjoyable and challenging puzzle adventures. In fact, their existence paved the way for the development of subsequent Trozei games.
As in the game Tetris Attack, my objective is all about swapping blocks strategically to create matches. The larger the match, the more junk I can pile up on my rival’s side of the playfield, a crucial aspect of the game.
When life throws lemons at me, I find it helpful to chop those lemons into smaller pieces, making them easier to handle one by one.
Although both games remain entertaining, it’s the sounds of the Pokemon and characters during gameplay that haven’t held up as well over time, becoming quite frustrating at times. However, you always have the option to play the games with the sound turned off.
1. Pokémon Conquest
Resistance is Feudal
Pokémon Conquest introduced strategic aspects into the Pokémon series in an exceptional manner, standing out as the most successful blend of these elements.
The game skillfully combined strategic elements with those found in classic RPGs and infused a substantial amount of Samurai Warriors flavor by introducing multiple Warlords for you to conquer, culminating in an epic showdown against Nobunaga himself.
Beyond its initial appeal, the game offers an abundance of long-term enjoyment through various aspects. For instance, there are sixteen distinct narratives for each of the Warlords, providing a unique experience for each one. Additionally, Conquest featured downloadable content missions that introduced fresh characters and story arcs.
One fascinating aspect of the game lies in the cooperative battling between you and your Pokemon, as well as the distinct skills that human characters possess, enabling them to lend a hand during battles.
Beyond this, you initially receive an Eevee of your own, which can transform into any of three distinct forms within the game. A truly unique and exciting detour from the usual journey.
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2024-12-13 17:10