For the most newcomer-focused start, choose Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!—especially if you like Pokémon GO’s catching style. Choose Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield for a clearer Gym-and-League route, or Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet if you want to roam an open world. These are recommendations by play style, not an objective easiest-to-hardest ranking.
What Pokémon game should I play first?
Match the game to the kind of guidance and exploration you want. Pokémon’s official descriptions support these distinctions, but do not establish a comparative difficulty ranking.
| What you want | Good starting point | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| A guided introduction and Pokémon GO-style catching | Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Let’s Go, Eevee! | Set in Kanto, the games are explicitly positioned as approachable for newcomers and use an intuitive throw-style wild-catching interaction. Trainer battles remain part of the adventure. Pokémon’s official game page describes the games as approachable for newcomers. |
| A clear Gym journey with room to explore | Sword or Shield | The Galar Gym Challenge and Pokémon League tournament give the story a defined destination; the Wild Area offers a more open stretch for exploration. The official game page outlines the journey and version differences. |
| Freedom to explore at your own pace | Scarlet or Violet | Paldea is a seamless open world with visible Pokémon and multiple goals. Pokémon calls the games approachable for newcomers, while also warning that the large world may feel overwhelming. See the official game page and Trainer’s Guide. |
| A familiar older story in a modern remake | Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl | These remake the original Sinnoh adventure with modern conveniences; choose them if Sinnoh appeals more than open-world exploration. See the official game page. |
| A research-focused adventure unlike the usual Gym journey | Legends: Arceus | Its central task is surveying and researching Pokémon to complete Sinnoh’s first Pokédex. Pick it for that premise rather than as a conventional Gym-story introduction. See the official game page. |
Why Let’s Go is the clearest newcomer welcome
Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! revisit Kanto with inspiration from Pokémon Yellow and borrow a catching mechanic from Pokémon GO. Wild Pokémon are caught with a throw-style interaction using Joy-Con motion or button controls; trainer battles use familiar Pokémon battle gameplay. That makes the pair a good fit if you want a recognizable, guided adventure and are comfortable with catching working differently from the traditional RPG pattern. Pokémon’s official description calls them approachable to newcomers; that is the publisher’s characterization, not an independent difficulty rating.
Pick one version
Pikachu and Eevee versions feature different partner Pokémon and some different encountered species. Choose the partner or exclusives you prefer; a beginner does not need to buy both.
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What you need to play
A standard Joy-Con is sufficient. The Poké Ball Plus is optional: the official page says it can be used in place of a Joy-Con. Online features require a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership according to that page, but the solo campaign does not require it.
Choose Scarlet or Violet for open-world curiosity
Scarlet and Violet let you move between towns and wilderness across Paldea, with Pokémon visible in varied environments. Pokémon’s family guide describes the games as approachable for newcomers. That does not mean every beginner will find the format comfortable: the official game page acknowledges that a large open world can feel overwhelming. If having a clear route matters more to you than freedom, consider Sword or Shield.
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Your first partner options are Sprigatito (Grass), Fuecoco (Fire), and Quaxly (Water), as listed in the official family guide. Choose the Pokémon you like; the official information does not establish a best beginner choice.
Choose Sword or Shield for a clearer Gym path
Sword and Shield organize the story around the Galar Gym Challenge and the tournament to determine the Champion. The Wild Area adds free-camera exploration, changing weather, and a broad range of Pokémon without making the whole journey an open world. This structure suits players who want some freedom but prefer a prominent League destination.
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Version differences and expansions
The games have version-exclusive species: the official page gives Sirfetch’d as a Sword-only example and Galarian Ponyta as a Shield-only example. The Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra are additional regions and activities available through the corresponding Expansion Pass. The base game is required, and the passes are sold separately or in bundles. Decide on a base version first; the expansion is extra content, not a prerequisite for a first Pokémon adventure.
What to play next
There is no official play order. These transitions are suggestions based on how each game is structured:
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- After Let’s Go: try Sword or Shield for a more conventional Gym-and-League journey, or Scarlet or Violet if you want more freedom to explore.
- After Sword or Shield: move to Scarlet or Violet for a larger open-world format.
- After a mainline Gym adventure: choose Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl for the remade Sinnoh story, or Legends: Arceus for a research-led adventure centered on completing the first Pokédex.
Is Pokémon Scarlet good for beginners?
It can be a good choice if you enjoy exploring without a tightly directed route. Pokémon describes Scarlet and Violet as approachable, but also notes that the large open world can feel overwhelming. If you would rather have a more obvious progression goal, Sword or Shield offers the clearer Gym Challenge structure.
Is Let’s Go like Pokémon GO?
It borrows Pokémon GO’s catching mechanic: wild encounters use a visible throw interaction. It is not simply the mobile game on Switch; Let’s Go also includes trainer battles with familiar Pokémon battle gameplay.
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Do I need both Pokémon versions?
No. The versions differ in partners or encountered and exclusive species, but choosing one is enough for a first playthrough. Trading may matter if completing a collection is a priority.
Which Pokémon game is easiest?
There is no official comparative statistic establishing a definitive easiest game. Let’s Go is explicitly positioned by its publisher as approachable for newcomers, and its catching mechanic is distinct from the usual wild-battle pattern. Treat that as a description of onboarding and structure, not proof that it is objectively easiest.
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