You'll Never Believe The Best Pokemon Games Not Made By Game Freak

Summary

Game Freak relinquished Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl to ILCA after years of sole development.
Spin-off Pokemon titles by various developers have thrived, including Pokemon Go, Pokemon Snap, and Pokemon Conquest.
Genius Sonority notably crafted two incredible 3D RPGs for Nintendo GameCube, showing the franchise’s diversity and potential.

Starting from 1996, Game Freak has exclusively handled the creation of all primary Pokemon games, a series that, though occasionally facing controversies, has consistently been both critically acclaimed and commercially successful. However, this long-standing tradition was broken in 2021 when the studio named ILCA was appointed to develop Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.

The disruption in the usual development process has sparked nostalgia among fans, as they reflect on the numerous non-Game Freak developed Pokemon games. Interestingly, these spin-offs are not only well-regarded but also extremely popular within the series, reaching a level of quality that even outshines the main series games. These specific Pokemon titles serve as compelling evidence that the franchise can continue to prosper without Game Freak’s direct involvement.

8. Pokemon Go – Made By Niantic

The Mobile Game That Became A Worldwide Phenomenon

In 2016, Pokemon Go was launched, captivating people across the globe. The novelty of this augmented reality mobile game lay in its ability to let users discover and catch Pokemons in their actual surroundings based on their location. Consequently, it rapidly gained immense popularity and gave birth to a whole new category of similar AR games.

The success of this venture was made possible by Niantic, an American tech firm boasting previous expertise in augmented reality mobile gaming. Despite some valid criticisms regarding Pokemon Go’s updates, monetization strategies, and management today, it remains a robust game that demonstrated the adaptability of the Pokemon concept beyond its traditional handheld releases. What’s more, even in 2025, it continues to attract a substantial number of players, showcasing its enduring popularity.

7. Pokemon Ranger – Made By HAL Laboratory

Showing Fans Another Side Of The Pokemon World

Over the years, there have been numerous spin-offs of Pokemon, and one that stands out as a favorite among many fans is the Pokemon Ranger series. Debuting in 2006 for the Nintendo DS, the first game was an innovative role-playing game (RPG) that offered a unique experience unlike any other Pokémon game fans had encountered before.

As a dedicated fan, I’ve embarked on an exhilarating journey through the vibrant Fiore region in Pokémon Ranger. Over ten captivating missions, I’ve been temporarily bonding with diverse Pokémon, each offering unique skills to aid me on my quest. This innovative twist on the beloved monster-taming series was masterfully crafted by none other than HAL Laboratory, the talented team behind almost every game in the iconic Kirby franchise. The resounding success of Pokémon Ranger has spawned two robust sequels, but sadly, after 15 years, the series has taken a well-deserved rest.

6. Pokemon Stadium 2 – Made By Nintendo EAD

Features Thrilling 3D Battles And A Collection Of Fun Mini Games

The Pokemon series initially emerged on the original Game Boy and became a defining element of portable gaming for a long period. It was only a matter of time before Nintendo moved it onto one of their home consoles, which resulted in the development of Pokemon Stadium. Admittedly, the first game was impressive, but it’s undoubtedly Pokemon Stadium 2 that continues to evoke fond memories among fans, including those we have today.

Created by the renowned Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development, Pokemon Stadium 2 enables trainers to move their own Pokemon squads from the first and second generation games into thrilling 3D battles with impressive animations. Given that the Nintendo 64 offered superior graphics compared to the Game Boy Color, this was particularly relevant back then. However, what truly made this game a timeless classic was its assortment of engaging, imaginative, and endearing mini-games, which were similar to the Mario Party series.

5. Pokken Tournament – Made By Bandai Namco Studios

The Pokemon Fighting Game That Fans Were Asking For

The expansive Pokemon universe, boasting more than 1000 distinct characters, has long suggested itself as an ideal candidate for a distinctive fighting game reminiscent of titles like Super Smash Bros or Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi, and fans have been eagerly anticipating this concept for years. Their wishes were granted in 2015 when Bandai Namco Studios introduced Pokken Tournament into Japanese arcades; the game was later made available on consoles a year after its initial release.

It’s not surprising at all that this game was developed by Bandai Namco, given it’s a 3D arena fighter heavily modeled after the iconic Tekken series. The dynamic yet user-friendly combat system and the extensive roster featuring fan favorites like Pikachu or Charizard, along with uncommon picks such as Chandelure or Braixen, made Pokken Tournament (and its Nintendo Switch adaptation) a delightful surprise that gained popularity in various competitive fighting game tournaments.

4. Pokemon Snap & New Pokemon Snap – Made By HAL Laboratory & Bandai Namco Studios Respectively

Innovative Photography Games That Showcase The Beauty Of The Pokemon World

First introduced for the Nintendo 64, Pokemon Snap marked an innovative step in the series as it was one of the initial games in the franchise designed exclusively for home consoles. What made it stand out was that instead of traditional battles, it was a photography/simulation game where players could explore the world in a fresh and original manner while engaging with Pokemon and capturing enjoyable snapshots of them. It came as no shock that this inventive twist on the franchise was conceived by HAL Laboratory, a studio renowned for its creative projects.

Over the years, devotees of Pokemon Snap persistently requested a sequel from Nintendo and The Pokemon Company, and their prayers were finally answered in 2021 when New Pokemon Snap was released. Developed by the same studio responsible for Pokken Tournament, Bandai Namco Studios, this long-awaited follow-up surpassed fans’ expectations, boasting stunning modern graphics, a catchy soundtrack, and an array of over 200 different Pokemon species that players can capture on camera and engage with.

3. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers Of Sky – Made By Spike Chunsoft

One Of The Best And Most Beloved Spin-Offs In The Entire Franchise

As a dedicated Pokémon gamer, I’d say that the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon subseries stands out as the crown jewel among the franchise’s spin-offs. This stellar collection of games was masterfully crafted by the revered Japanese studio, Spike Chunsoft, which means there are plenty of top-tier choices to explore. However, when it comes to picking the best, most fans would point to the 2009 release, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky, as the peak of the series so far.

Just as with previous games, delving into vast dungeons filled with unique enemies and treasures is always an enjoyable experience in the Pokemon universe. However, Explorers of Sky takes this idea to new heights by refining its mechanics and graphics, all while presenting a powerful and heartfelt story that is frequently praised as one of the best narratives within the entire Pokemon franchise. If you’re a fan considering diving into the world of Pokemon Mystery Dungeon, but are unsure where to begin, Explorers of Sky is an excellent place to start.

2. Pokemon Conquest – Made By Koei Tecmo

An Unexpected Crossover That Ended Up Working Extremely Well

The Pokemon franchise, owned by Nintendo and The Pokemon Company, is usually cautious about allowing it to collaborate with other popular gaming characters. However, there are some instances where it does happen, such as in the Super Smash Bros and Pokken Tournament games. Interestingly, Pokemon also had a collaboration with the Nobunaga’s Ambition strategy RPG series, which was evident in the 2012 release of Pokemon Conquest.

Koei Tecmo, a renowned Japanese game developer, was the creator of the strategy game “Nobunaga’s Ambition“, demonstrating their exceptional skills in its development. Similarly impressing the gaming world is “Pokemon Conquest“, one of the top turn-based strategy RPGs, boasting a unique blend of historical figures each with their distinctive Pokemon. The game is captivating, immersive, demanding, hard to put down, and overall offers a highly rewarding gaming experience within the franchise. It’s strongly suggested that Koei Tecmo consider developing a sequel for the Nintendo Switch 2 in the future.

1. Pokemon Colosseum & Pokemon XD: Gale Of Darkness – Made By Genius Sonority

A Pair Of Incredible 3D RPGs For The Nintendo GameCube

In contrast to Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, which were the initial mainline games produced outside Game Freak, this fact didn’t shock fans much due to a technicality in the franchise. Essentially, these games weren’t the first 3D Pokemon RPGs featuring traditional gameplay. That distinction belongs to Pokemon Colosseum, an outstanding title from 2004 on Nintendo GameCube. This game was developed by Genius Sonority, a studio that collaborated with Nintendo and contributed to various spin-offs within the Pokemon series.

As a passionate Pokémon enthusiast, I can’t help but reminisce about my journey with the groundbreaking game, “Pokémon Colosseum.” It was the studio’s debut venture, and it was nothing short of extraordinary. For years, longtime fans like myself had yearned for a classic RPG experience on our home consoles, and this game finally granted that wish.

However, what set “Colosseum” apart from its mainline counterparts was the inclusion of Shadow Pokémon that needed to be captured from other trainers and purified. It offered a unique twist that added depth to the gameplay experience.

But the magic didn’t stop there. A year later, Genius Sonority graced us with “Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness,” an exceptional sequel that boasted improved graphics, refined mechanics, and a more expansive narrative. Despite the fact that all mainline Pokémon games have transitioned to full 3D, fans are still deeply enamored with “Colosseum” and “XD.” Many of us harbor the hope that Genius Sonority will one day return to this captivating universe and deliver a third installment.

2025-02-15 11:52

You’ll Never Believe The Best Pokemon Games Not Made By Game Freak