The 25 Best Anime of 2023 - Esquire
Pluto · Birdie Wing · Skip and Loafer · Rurouni Kenshin · Onimusha · Phoenix: Eden17 · Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury · The Fire Hunter.
Pok é
If that wasn't exciting enough? We saw a truly shocking new direction for <anchor>Pok é</anchor> mon as the series says goodbye to Ash after 25 years. Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War arrived to round out a series decades in the making, and Attack on Titan: The Final Season finally received its last batch of episodes. So, get ready to never look away from your TV, folks—because 2023 was another excellent year for anime.
10 Best Pokémon Games - Top Pokemon Main Titles and Spinoffs Ranked
10 Best Pokémon Games - Top Pokemon Main Titles and Spinoffs Ranked

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1. [Lifestyle](/lifestyle/)
2. [The Best in Video Games 2022](/video-games/)
3. [The 10 Best Pokémon Games Ever Made, Ranked](/lifestyle/g30295338/best-pokemon-games/)

# The 10 Best Pokémon Games Ever Made, Ranked

From _Sword and Shield_ to _Red and Blue,_ with some spinoffs in between.

By [Cameron Sherrill](/author/222413/cameron-sherrill/ "Cameron Sherrill")Published: Feb 26, 2021

![bookmarks](/_assets/design-tokens/fre/static/icons/saved.ad81f1a.svg?primary=%2523000000)Save Article

![best pokemon games](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/pokemon-1614295406.jpg?crop=0.502xw:1.00xh;0.202xw,0&resize=640:*)[![pinterest](/_assets/design-tokens/fre/static/icons/social/pinterest.e8cf655.svg?primary=%2523ffffff)](//pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/g30295338/best-pokemon-games/&description=&media=https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/pokemon-1614295406.jpg?resize=1600:*)

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Few games have had the same manic run of the market as Pokémon, a series that's so cute and yet so ethically wrong. (Capturing creatures and forcing them to fight? Okay.) From _Red and Blue_ to _Go,_ Pikachu and his pocket monster friends always seem to find their way into the spotlight every couple of years. So with the recent-ish release of _Sword and Shield_, [and the controversies riddling it like Dexgate](https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/a29784455/pokemon-sword-shield-review/), we thought it was about damn time we ranked the best ten Pokémon games. Now, maybe we’re being unfair, mixing spinoffs with the main series titles, but if it's got that adorable electric rat involved, we say it qualifies. If we’re lucky, with Pokémon's 25th Anniversary being celebrated in 2021, we’ll have a lot more Poké-goodness to consider for this list by the end of the year ( _Gold and Silver Let’s Go!_, maybe?).

## 10\. Pokémon Snap

![pokemon snap](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/pokemon-snap-1614292101.png?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)Courtesy

**N64, 1999**

Pokémon are cute—that's like 90 percent of the draw—so why not make a game about watching Pokémon be cute? In _Pokémon Snap_ you acted as a nature photographer but in the world of Pokémon, taking snapshots of the pocket monsters in their natural habitat. It was relaxing, as well as a collectathon, which is a must for Pokémon fans. Best part is a new [_Pokémon Snap_ is coming out in April for the Switch](https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/g35429823/best-video-games-2021/), so if you don't want to get an N64 all hooked up you can just wait for what should be a polished and equally adorable photography experience.

## 9\. Pokémon Stadium

![pokemon stadium](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/pokemon-stadium-1614292226.jpeg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)Courtesy

**N64, 2000**

Imagine taking Elite 4 battles and making _Mario Kart_-style Grand Prix’s out of them. _Pokémon Stadium_ saw players running through cycles of battles, and thus was the first non-roleplaying Pokémon battle game. But battles weren’t the only thing the stadium offered; this title had one of the best collections of minigames, along with a wonderful way to emulate the [Game Boy games](https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/g27192137/best-game-boy-video-games/) on the Nintendo 64. While we got a pseudo-sequel with _Colosseum_, we’d love to see _Pokémon Stadium_ get a [Switch revival similar to _Pokémon Snap_](https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/g35155313/upcoming-nintendo-switch-games-2021/). With this third coming of Pokémania, we don't think it's completely out of the question.

## 8\. Pokkén

![pokken](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/pokken-1614292458.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)Courtesy

**Wii U, 2016**

This took Pokémon battles to a whole new level: You were no longer the trainer, but the Pokémon. As the name suggests, this came from the same team who makes _Tekken_, and as you can imagine, put Pokémon head-to-head in a more traditional fighting game style, for battles that did those badass fights in the anime justice. It was absolute spectacle. _Pokkén_ got the “deluxe” treatment a lot of Wii U titles have received with the release of _Pokkén Tournament DX_, but we would love to have a totally new title with a bigger and deeper roster, which seems a lot more feasible since one of the game’s producers stated they'd be more than open to it.

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## 7\. Pokémon Emerald

![Adventure game, Games, Architecture, Fictional character, Pc game, Screenshot, ](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/emerald-1576852755.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)Courtesy

**Game Boy Advanced, 2004**

Generation Three was many players' favorite, featuring the likes of _Ruby and Sapphire_ and then the definitive _Emerald_. _Emerald_ brought a new technological aspect to the store, some inventive Pokémon designs, a sick-ass dragon, and goddamn outer space. Honestly, if that's not a recipe for success, I don't know what is. The first generations all really stand apart from each other, with unique personalities and constantly evolving gameplay and environments. While it acted as a sort of game-plus for _Ruby and Sapphire_, this new content and the quality of life changes made _Emerald_ much more refined. It is a title many look fondly back on, and being the definitive _Pokémon_ game on the [definitive Game Boy](https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/g29490589/best-video-game-consoles/), it acted as a lot of people's intro into the series.

## 6\. Pokémon Let’s Go!

![pokemon let's go](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/pokemon-lets-go-1614292628.jpeg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)Courtesy

**Switch, 2018**

Pokémon may have a lot of spinoffs but rarely has it rebuilt its standard formula from _Red and Blue_; save for some new features, the gameplay stays static. Then, when _Pokémon Go_ was streamlined to primarily focus on catching, the powers that be decided to release a home console game with the leftover ideas. _Pokémon Let’s Go! Pikachu and Eevee_ were remakes of _Pokémon Yellow_, taking place in the Kanto region with competitive (albeit simple) battles and the removal of battles before catching, save for legendaries. The catching system used motion controls to throw the Pokéball similarly to _Go_, and even connected with _Go_ before the release of _Pokémon Home_. While it may not have been a traditional Pokémon game, it was a blast—a welcoming title that was open to everyone and anyone. After the refined gameplay and amazing features (like partner Pokémon in the overworld and shiny chains) it’s almost tough to go back to the standard model.

## 5\. Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

![Animated cartoon, Cartoon, Pokémon, Animation, Games, Adventure game, Fish, Video game software, Illustration, Fictional character, ](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/omega-1576852003.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)Courtesy

**3DS, 2014**

Pokémon has a long history of remaking its own games with newer models and ridiculous titles. From _FireRed_ to _SoulSilver,_ the retro remakes are plentiful. But none benefited as much from a redo as _Ruby and Sapphire._ Originally hailing from the aforementioned Third Generation, they were retooled a decade later on the 3DS. _Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire_ made better on nearly everything from their past selves, adding a larger Pokédex, mega-evolution, and stunning visuals, while retaining that same charm the Hoenn region gave us the first go around.

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## 4\. Pokémon Sword and Shield

![Games, Screenshot, Pc game, Fictional character, Anime, Video game software, Massively multiplayer online role-playing game, Art, ](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/sword-1576851715.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)Courtesy

**Switch, 2019**

Oh man, your fingers must be on fire right now. _But how could this make the list, there’s no national Pokédex. The models are lazy. The starters are lame._ Listen up. Am I sad that a few crucial members from my long-time team couldn't join me in the Galar Region? Sure. Is the game good? It’s damn good. _Sword_ and _Shield_ recapture that same joy and charm that unexplored regions and games gave us back in the early generations, feeling truly new. There's a sense of adventure again, something the series had started to lose. Features like the wild zone are implemented wonderfully and add a lot of depth, as do the quality of life changes—like finally being able to access your Pokébox remotely, which may have seemed sacrilege but helps us all stop pissing our lives away jogging back to PokéCenters. The game is polished, fun, exciting, and extremely well done.

## 3\. Pokémon Go

![pokemon go](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/pokemon-go-1614292889.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)Courtesy

**Mobile, 2016**

It may not be the summer of 2016, but _Pokémon Go_ still has a massive base of loyal players, along with some truly cool features that anyone even slightly interested should try to hop back into. More Pokémon, more battles, and a lot more to collect— _Pokémon Go_ has transformed into a completely new game. _Pokémon Go_ also connects with myriad Pokémon games, like _Sword and Shield_ and _Let’s Go!_, through the groundbreaking Pokémon storing app _Pokémon Home_. To bring Pokémon into real life was nothing short of brilliant, and there are few moments the world banded together and actually went outside like it did in 2016. Getting out of the house remains fun.

## 2\. Pokémon Red and Blue

![Text, Font, Design, Pattern, Parallel, Games, ](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/red-and-blue-1576851714.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)Courtesy

**Game Boy, 1996**

Does this title get special treatment because it was the first in the series? Yep, but not without reason. _Red and Blue_ was the first Pokémon game released internationally, and it brought collect and battle gaming to a whole new scale. The game introduced nearly all of the most identifiable characters, and still holds such immense nostalgia with players now. There’s a reason _Red and Blue_ won't stop popping up in newer games. It’s amazing how much of the core gameplay this title just nailed right off the bat, and honestly how little has actually changed since its release 25 years ago. It was a huge feat to have 151 uniquely designed little monsters, and they remain some of the best designs in the series, from Pikachu to Charizard. This is where it all started, and you couldn't ask for a stronger foundation.

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## 1\. Pokémon Gold and Silver

![Purple, Pattern, Font, Design, ](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/gold-1576851714.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)Courtesy

**Game Boy Color, 1999**

While Generation One was close to taking the crown, nothing has ever felt quite as good as playing _Pokémon Gold and Silver_. The Johto region brought a plethora of new Pokémon, the game was in color, and the starters were wild (and some of the most incredibly inventive Pokémon to date). But most importantly, it proved that Game Freak wasn't a one trick pony, that it had a much larger plan for a massive Pokémon world. _Gold and Silver_ showed exactly why we all still love Pokémon today. We got a whole new region to explore and more of those adorable critters to discover. It also introduced mainstays in the series like a real world clock and everyone's favorite post-game goal, shiny Pokémon. Game Freak has always been good at keeping things under wraps, even with rampant leakers, and it's clear why. To capture the same type of magic that _Gold and Silver_ made, you have to have familiarity with the system, while entering a world that still feels fresh. _Gold and Silver_ of course did get remade into _HeartGold and SoulSilver_ a decade later in 2009, and that game is phenomenal too, with arguably better systems and gameplay, but the OG still beats it out for the way it extended the series through sheer innovation.

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