Here are all Pokémon main-series RPGs ranked from worst to best, with remakes, sequels, enhanced editions, Pokémon: Let’s Go, and Pokémon Legends: Arceus included. “All Pokémon games” could also mean spin-offs such as photography, puzzle, and mobile games; those use different genres and are excluded here. This ranking focuses on the main adventure, region design, battles and team-building, quality of life, innovation, and post-game value. The order is an editorial judgment, not an objective verdict: GameSpot’s ranking and Nintendo Life’s reader-voted list use different approaches. If you’re asking “What is the best Pokémon game?” or “What is the worst Pokémon game?”, start with the list below—but check the platform and edition, since some entries are revised versions or paired releases.
How this Pokémon ranking works
Each numbered entry treats paired releases as one choice when their core adventure is substantially shared; notable differences are called out. Remakes and enhanced editions are ranked as their own releases because they can change pacing, mechanics, presentation, and available content. The comparison weighs adventure quality and region design, battle and collection depth, accessibility and quality of life, how meaningfully a game changes the formula, and what remains to do after the credits.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Pokémon Pokopia - Nintendo Switch 2 | $69.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Pokémon Legends: Arceus - US Version | $54.25 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Pokémon Violet - US Version | $51.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Pokémon Sword - Nintendo Switch | $54.98 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Pokémon™ Legends: Z-A - Nintendo Switch | Buy on Amazon |
That framework does not make games from different hardware eras technically equivalent. A limitation of a Game Boy-era release is not the same kind of shortcoming as a performance problem on modern hardware. The entries name the platform so readers can identify the release being discussed; Nintendo’s official catalogue organizes games by year and platform, though its Japanese-language listings should be checked against local product pages for localized titles and availability: official Pokémon game catalogue.
Pokémon games ranked from worst to best
1. Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl — Nintendo Switch
These Sinnoh remakes preserve the structure of the original Diamond and Pearl rather than substantially reimagining them. That makes them a straightforward way to revisit the region, but a less compelling remake choice if you want a fresh interpretation or major improvements to the original adventure. Their faithful approach leaves them at the bottom of this ranking: preservation alone does not make the strongest new version of a familiar journey.
#1 Best Overall
- Shape the world and build a cozy new life with Pokémon as a Ditto transformed to look like a human.
- Use other Pokémon’s moves, like Bulbasaur’s Leafage, to revitalize and navigate the world around you.
- Meet and befriend more Pokémon as you help nature flourish.
- Gather materials to create items and furniture, till the fields to grow delicious crops, build homes for the Pokémon you meet, and more—there’s so much to do!
- Experience a world with varied weather, real-time days and nights, and other surprises.
2. Pokémon Sword and Shield — Nintendo Switch
Galar brings a bold visual identity and a brisk route through its gym challenge. The Wild Area offers a welcome change from strictly linear exploration, and the games make the established formula approachable. But the region’s more conventional routes and limited sense of discovery keep the adventure from feeling as cohesive as the best entries. The paired versions share the same basic journey, so choose between them for version-specific Pokémon rather than expecting two different campaigns.
3. Pokémon X and Y — Nintendo 3DS
Kalos made the move to full 3D and introduced Mega Evolution, giving battles a memorable new twist. Its broad range of Pokémon and relatively accessible adventure make it an easy entry point. The trade-off is a story and post-game that do not make as strong a case for returning as the series’ most enduring games. X and Y are paired versions of the same central adventure.
4. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet — Nintendo Switch
Paldea replaces the usual tightly ordered route with an open-world structure and lets players tackle the gym challenge in a flexible order. That freedom makes exploration feel different from a standard Pokémon journey, and GameSpot’s ranking likewise highlights the open world and flexible gym order. The uneven presentation and technical performance weigh against those ambitions, however. Scarlet and Violet are the most interesting choice here for players who value roaming and self-directed progression over a polished, tightly paced adventure.
5. Pokémon Sun and Moon — Nintendo 3DS
Alola breaks with the familiar gym structure and gives its islands a stronger cultural identity than many regions. Its story has an unusually prominent role, and the trials make progression feel distinct. The frequent interruptions can slow the journey, and the games’ structure is less suited to players who mainly want a quick, traditional badge quest. Sun and Moon are paired releases; Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, ranked separately below, revise the same setting and adventure.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems6. Pokémon Red and Blue — Game Boy
The original games established the capture, collection, and battle loop that later entries refined. Their compact world and simple premise remain a major part of the series’ appeal, but the original Game Boy releases naturally lack the conveniences, battle depth, and presentation of later games. This ranking treats Red and Blue as a historical starting point rather than judging them as if they were modern RPGs. The original releases are also distinct from the later FireRed and LeafGreen remakes.
Rank #2
- Action meets RPG in this new take on the Pokémon series
- Study Pokémon behaviors, sneak up on them, and toss a well-aimed Poké Ball to catch them
- Unleash moves in the speedy agile style or the powerful strong style in battles
- Travel to the Hisui region—the Sinnoh of old—and build the region’s first Pokédex
- Learn about the Mythical Pokémon Arceus, the key to this mysterious tale
7. Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! — Nintendo Switch
These games revisit Kanto with a gentler, more streamlined approach to catching Pokémon. Their approachable design and Switch presentation make them useful for newcomers, while the changed capture and progression systems are a substantial departure from the usual RPG structure. That simplicity can also leave less for experienced players who want traditional wild battles and deeper team-building. They are separate paired-version choices, not replacements for the original Red and Blue or the FireRed and LeafGreen remakes.
8. Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen — Game Boy Advance; Nintendo Switch versions listed in 2026
These remakes update the original Kanto adventure with the presentation and systems of the Game Boy Advance era, making them a more comfortable way to play that story than the original Red and Blue. They remain comparatively traditional, which is a strength for players who want the classic journey and a limitation for anyone seeking a major reinvention. Nintendo’s official catalogue lists Switch versions under 2026; check your regional store listing to confirm the edition and platform details before buying.
9. Pokémon Gold and Silver — Game Boy Color
Johto’s adventure builds on the original games with a new region and a return to Kanto after the main journey, giving the games an unusually satisfying sense of continuation. The clock-based world and expanded collection help the journey feel more alive. These are landmark releases, but later editions improved the experience enough that the original versions are not the best way for most players to revisit Johto.
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10. Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire — Nintendo 3DS
These Hoenn remakes combine the original region’s exploration with the visual and battle systems of the 3DS era. Their expanded presentation and updated mechanics make the journey inviting, while the region’s water-heavy stretches can feel slow. Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire are separate paired versions of the same broad adventure; version-exclusive Pokémon are the main reason to choose one over the other.
11. Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon — Nintendo 3DS
These enhanced versions build on Sun and Moon with additional content and a more substantial challenge. They are the richer releases for players who want more to do in Alola, but their revised story means they are not simply the original games plus extras. If the original Sun and Moon’s narrative is your priority, play those first; if you want the fuller, more demanding version, choose Ultra Sun or Ultra Moon.
Rank #3
- Embark on a new Pokémon adventure
- Catch, battle, and train Pokémon in the Paldea Region, a vast land filled with lakes, towering peaks, wastelands, small towns, and sprawling cities.
- Choose either Sprigatito, Fuecoco, or Quaxly, to be your first partner Pokémon before setting off on your journey through Paldea.
- Embark on an independent study called the Treasure Hunt to gain new experiences, meet new people, and find your very own treasure.
12. Pokémon Black and White — Nintendo DS
Unova gives its story and characters more weight than many earlier entries, while initially limiting the available Pokémon to a new regional roster. That deliberate reset encourages players to build teams from unfamiliar choices instead of falling back on old favorites. It is a strong, self-contained adventure; its sequel pair, Black 2 and White 2, takes the setting further and ranks above it.
13. Pokémon Legends: Arceus — Nintendo Switch
Hisui changes the series’ central rhythm: catching Pokémon and exploring are more immediate, and traversal and battles work differently from the familiar route-and-gym structure. GameSpot points to its reworked capture, battle, and traversal systems as part of the game’s departure from the usual RPG formula. That makes it a strong pick for players who want exploration and experimentation, though its structure is less like a conventional mainline journey. Metacritic’s catalogue listed the Switch release at 83 when consulted; that score is a platform-specific critic aggregate, not a verdict on the whole franchise, and can change: Metacritic listing.
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14. Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 — Nintendo DS
Rather than simply retelling Black and White, these sequels return to Unova later and develop its world and cast. They retain the strong narrative foundation while adding a larger sense of progression and more to do. The direct continuation makes them especially rewarding after Black or White, though newcomers can still follow the adventure without having played the originals.
15. Pokémon Crystal — Game Boy Color
Crystal refines the Johto adventure of Gold and Silver, making it the strongest original Game Boy Color version of that journey. It adds polish and enhancements while retaining the era’s constraints. For players looking for a modern way to experience the story, the later HeartGold and SoulSilver remakes offer a more substantial presentation and quality-of-life update.
16. Pokémon Emerald — Game Boy Advance
Emerald is the most complete original-era take on Hoenn, combining and revising elements from Ruby and Sapphire and giving players a more substantial post-game challenge. Its additions make it a stronger single-version recommendation than either original release for many players. The Game Boy Advance-era presentation and some long stretches of travel can feel dated, but the adventure and battle content hold up well.
Rank #4
- Catch, battle, and trade Pokémon on an all-new adventure in the Galar region
- Choose from three new partner Pokémon and encounter never-before-seen Pokémon
- Unravel the mystery behind the Legendary Pokémon Zacian and Zamazenta!
- Team up with other Trainers to participate in Max Raid Battles***!
- Battle wild Dynamax Pokémon in Max Raid Battles and try catching them***
17. Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire — Game Boy Advance
Hoenn introduced a new generation of Pokémon and a region shaped by its waterways, giving exploration a distinctive feel. The games also established deeper battle features that helped team-building grow beyond the series’ earliest foundations. Ruby and Sapphire have less of the refinement and extra content found in Emerald, but they remain excellent choices for experiencing the original Hoenn adventure.
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18. Pokémon Platinum — Nintendo DS
Platinum is the most complete version of the Sinnoh adventure, improving on Diamond and Pearl with a stronger pace and additional content. Its combination of exploration, battles, and a substantial post-game makes it the best original-era route into Sinnoh for players with access to the Nintendo DS release. It is a distinct enhanced edition, not a remake; Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are separate later releases based on Diamond and Pearl.
19. Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver — Nintendo DS
These remakes bring Johto into the DS era and add a polished, generous adventure that makes the region especially enjoyable to explore. Their blend of two-region scope, presentation, and abundant things to do makes them among the strongest traditional Pokémon RPGs. They are paired versions of the same remake, with version-specific differences rather than separate stories.
20. Pokémon Yellow — Game Boy
Yellow revisits Kanto with a closer link to the animated series, including Pikachu as a companion, while retaining the original adventure’s basic structure. That gives it more personality than Red and Blue without losing the appeal of the first journey. It remains a historically and mechanically limited Game Boy release, but as a compact version of Kanto’s beginning it is an especially charming one.
21. Pokémon Diamond and Pearl — Nintendo DS
Sinnoh’s original games introduced a strong region and an important expansion of the battle system. Their pacing and technical performance are less polished than Platinum’s, but they laid the foundation for one of the series’ most memorable settings. Choose these if you specifically want the original DS releases; for the more complete version of the same era, Platinum is the stronger pick.
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- Live the life of a Pokémon Trainer in the streets of Lumiose City!
- For the first time in the Pokémon RPG series, command your Pokémon in real-time battles
- Use the power of Mega Evolution in battle and take on rampaging Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokémon
- Compete in the Z-A Royale each night to test your skills and try to become the strongest Pokémon Trainer
- Visit shops, restaurants, and places called wild zones—where Pokémon roam free—all centered around Prism Tower
22. Pokémon Pokopia — Nintendo Switch 2
Pokopia is a Pokémon release, but it is not a conventional main-series RPG, so comparing it directly with a badge-and-gym adventure is imperfect. It belongs here as a separate kind of Pokémon experience rather than as a substitute for the traditional entries above. Metacritic’s catalogue listed its Nintendo Switch 2 release at 89 when consulted; that score is a platform-specific critic aggregate, not proof that it is the best Pokémon game for every player, and scores can change: Metacritic listing. Nintendo’s Japanese catalogue lists Pokopia under 2026; confirm the localized title and current platform listing in your region.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which Pokémon game should you play first?
- For a traditional, polished adventure: start with HeartGold or SoulSilver if you can access the Nintendo DS releases. Their breadth and presentation make them the ranking’s strongest conventional RPG choice.
- For a newer Switch game with a fresh structure: choose Legends: Arceus for exploration and reworked catching, or Scarlet and Violet for an open world and flexible gym progression.
- For a newcomer who wants a gentler Kanto introduction: Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Let’s Go, Eevee! streamlines catching and progression compared with the traditional RPGs.
- For the classic starting point: Red and Blue are historically important, while FireRed and LeafGreen offer a revised Kanto adventure. Nintendo’s catalogue lists Switch versions of FireRed and LeafGreen under 2026; check local compatibility and edition details.
- For a story-forward DS adventure: play Black or White, then continue into Black 2 or White 2 for a direct return to Unova.
Why critic scores and reader rankings do not settle the order
There is no universally authoritative franchise ranking. Metacritic’s catalogue listed Pokémon Y at 88, Sun and Moon at 87, Legends: Arceus at 83, Scarlet at 72, and Violet at 71 when consulted. Those are listed Metascores for particular releases, not a complete or stable franchise-wide ordering; scores vary by platform and edition and can change. The consulted catalogue also listed Pokopia for Nintendo Switch 2 at 89, illustrating why a score alone cannot answer which game is the best traditional RPG: Metacritic catalogue.
Audience ratings answer a different question. Nintendo Life’s ranking reflects reader votes and may change as votes arrive; GameSpot’s is an editorial ranking with its own scope. Their disagreement is expected when one list represents reader preferences and another applies an editor’s criteria.
What “all Pokémon games” includes
This list covers the main-series RPG family and Pokopia as a clearly labeled, nontraditional exception; it does not rank every Pokémon release. The franchise also includes games in other genres, such as photography, puzzle, and mobile titles. Combining those with turn-based RPGs would require judging different things, so rankings commonly separate spin-offs from main games. Nintendo Life maintains a separate spin-off list rather than mixing them into its main-game ranking. Nintendo’s official catalogue gives a sense of the range of releases and platforms: official catalogue.
Older releases can be difficult to find, and used-market availability and condition vary. Nintendo Life attributes high prices for some older games to demand and limited supply; check current listings and cartridge or disc condition rather than assuming a standard price: Nintendo Life’s ranking and availability discussion.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
