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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet are the safest next games for most Sword and Shield players. They keep the familiar mainline loop of catching, training and battling while moving the journey to Paldea and dividing progression among three story routes. Choose Pokémon Legends: Arceus instead if exploration and experimentation matter more than a conventional badge quest; choose Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl for a deliberately traditional adventure.
This guide matches each Nintendo Switch-family game to the kind of follow-up you want, including the newest action-focused release, the most accessible Kanto option and the practical limits of moving Pokémon between games.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Pokemon Shining Pearl - Nintendo Switch Shining Pearl Edition | $52.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Pokémon Violet - US Version | $51.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! - Nintendo Switch | $59.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![Pokémon FireRed Version Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/413QNFueWML._SL160_.jpg)
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Pokémon FireRed Version Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code] | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Quick answer: which Pokémon game should you play after Sword and Shield?
| Game | Best for | How it differs from Sword and Shield | Platform note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pokémon Scarlet / Pokémon Violet | The closest modern mainline follow-up | Paldea region and three intersecting story routes | Nintendo Switch family |
| Pokémon Legends: Arceus | Exploration, research and a different pace | Action-RPG structure in ancient Hisui, with Pokédex research as the central task | Nintendo Switch family |
| Pokémon Brilliant Diamond / Shining Pearl | A classic, linear badge quest | A modern Switch version of the Diamond/Pearl adventure | Nintendo Switch family |
| Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! / Let’s Go, Eevee! | Newcomers and a gentle Kanto introduction | Distinct catching controls and a focused Kanto journey | Nintendo Switch family; online features require paid Nintendo Switch Online membership |
| Pokémon Legends: Z-A | The newest action-oriented Pokémon RPG | Urban Lumiose City setting and action-RPG battles | Switch release; Switch 2 Edition also available, with a Mega Dimension bundle dated October 29, 2026 |
| Pokémon FireRed / LeafGreen | Pure Kanto nostalgia | The original Kanto journey presented as a classic adventure | Available on the Nintendo Switch family from February 27, 2026 |
If you want one recommendation without weighing these differences, start with Scarlet or Violet. The other choices are better when you can name the specific part of Sword and Shield you want to keep—or leave behind.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: the closest conventional follow-up
Scarlet and Violet preserve the expectations of a mainline Pokémon role-playing game: assemble a team, catch additional species, train them, battle opponents and progress through a new region. Nintendo’s official description places the adventure in Paldea and organizes it across three story routes rather than one strictly ordered path. That makes these games the natural next stop for someone who enjoyed Sword and Shield’s modern presentation but wants a new cast of characters and a fresh regional Pokédex.
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- Revisit the Sinnoh region from the original Pokémon Pearl Version game and set off to try and become the Champion of the Pokémon League
- The Pokémon Shining Pearl game brings new life to this remade classic with added features
- Explore the Grand Underground to dig up items and Pokémon Fossils, build a Secret Base, and more.
- Test your style and rhythm in a Super Contest Show
- A reimagined adventure, now for the Nintendo Switch system
Why they feel familiar
- The core catch, train and battle loop remains intact.
- You are still building a team for a region-spanning adventure instead of completing a research survey as your primary objective.
- The three-route structure lets you pursue different kinds of objectives while keeping the experience recognizably mainline Pokémon.
Who should choose Scarlet or Violet
Pick one of these versions when your question is, “What Pokémon game is most similar to Sword and Shield?” They are also the strongest default for players who want a current mainline game rather than a remake or a spin-off structure. Choose between the two versions based on the version-exclusive Pokémon and characters you prefer; the supplied official description establishes the shared Paldea framework, not a universal quality difference between editions.
Who may prefer another game
Players seeking a tightly ordered, old-style Gym journey should look at Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl. Players who found Sword and Shield’s conventional route structure limiting may get more from Legends: Arceus or Legends: Z-A, both of which put more emphasis on movement and action.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus: choose exploration over a badge-quest routine
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is the largest structural departure in this group. It is an action RPG set in ancient Sinnoh, known in the game as Hisui. The official material describes your role as researching Pokémon and helping build the region’s first Pokédex. That purpose changes what you do between battles: observing, finding and documenting Pokémon are not side activities but the organizing principle of the adventure.
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Instead of treating every route as a corridor between the next major battle, Legends: Arceus asks you to work through a field-research problem. You spend more time in open areas locating Pokémon, learning their behavior and completing research objectives. Battles still matter, but the motivation is discovery and documentation rather than simply collecting badges in sequence.
Choose it when you want
- The most exploration-focused game in this list.
- An action-RPG feel rather than a conventional turn-by-turn journey structure.
- A setting with historical distance from the familiar modern regions.
- Experimentation with how you approach and study Pokémon.
Skip it when you want
If your ideal follow-up is a straightforward Gym-to-Gym campaign, Legends: Arceus may feel intentionally unfamiliar. Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl, FireRed or LeafGreen will better match that classic rhythm.
Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl: the modern classic badge quest
Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are the clearest choice for a player who wants the recognizable structure of an older Pokémon adventure on current hardware. Nintendo’s official site presents them as the Diamond and Pearl adventure reborn on Nintendo Switch. Their appeal is not reinvention; it is a familiar regional journey with a linear sense of progression.
Why they suit Sword and Shield players wanting something traditional
- The adventure is organized around the established badge-quest format.
- Progression is more linear and predictable than the route structure in Scarlet and Violet.
- The game is a remake, so its identity is rooted in an earlier generation rather than a new open-ended design.
Choose Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl when “classic Pokémon” means knowing what the next major milestone is and moving through a clearly staged adventure. They are the strongest middle ground between a modern Switch presentation and the old-school structure many players remember.
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- 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.
When to choose them over FireRed and LeafGreen
Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are the better fit if you want the Sinnoh-era adventure specifically or prefer a recent remake as your nostalgia trip. FireRed and LeafGreen are the better fit when Kanto, the original starter choice and the journey from Pallet Town are the reasons you are returning.
Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!: the most approachable Kanto trip
Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! are designed as an inviting entry point to Kanto. The official page explicitly presents them as suitable for longtime fans and newcomers. That makes them a good recommendation for a family member, a first-time player or anyone who wants a simpler route into the series after finding a full modern RPG intimidating.
The important mechanical difference
These games use a distinct catching approach rather than asking you to treat every encounter exactly like a traditional mainline capture. That difference is central to their identity, so buy them for an approachable Kanto experience—not because you want a direct mechanical copy of Sword and Shield.
Online requirement
Online features require a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership, according to the official game page. If online functionality is important to your purchase, include that recurring membership requirement in your decision; the single-player Kanto journey does not change, but access to online features does depend on the subscription.
Best reason to select Let’s Go
Choose Pikachu or Eevee when accessibility and familiarity matter more than having the newest region or the deepest structural change. It is also a gentle way to revisit Kanto with someone who has never played a Pokémon RPG.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A: the newest action-focused option
Pokémon Legends: Z-A is an action RPG set in Lumiose City. It released on October 16, 2025 for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, making it the newest action-oriented option in this comparison as of October 19, 2026.
Why it belongs on a post-Sword-and-Shield shortlist
Its action-RPG identity makes it a better match for players who want the movement, immediacy and experimentation associated with Legends: Arceus than for players seeking another conventional badge route. The urban Lumiose City setting also gives it a different sense of place from Paldea, Hisui or the more traditional remake regions.
Rank #3
- Don the role of a Pokémon Trainer as you travel through Kanto
- Discover a new species of Pokémon with the Pokémon Lets Go series
- Catch Pokémon in the wild using a gentle throwing motion with either a Joy-Con controller or a Poké Ball Plus accessory, which will light up, vibrate, and make sounds to bring your adventure to life
- See the world in style by customizing Pikachu and your Trainer with a selection of outfits
- Connect to Pokémon GO* to transfer caught Kanto-region Pokémon, including Alolan and Shiny forms, as well as the newly discovered Pokémon, Meltan, from that game to this one
Switch 2 edition and Mega Dimension bundle
An official notice dated September 30, 2026 says the Switch 2 Edition plus Mega Dimension bundle releases on October 29, 2026 and includes both the game and the DLC on one game card. On October 19, that bundle date is still in the future. If you are buying before October 29, verify which edition and package you are ordering; if you already own the game, do not assume that the bundle’s DLC entitlement is included in a separate edition unless the retailer and Nintendo listing specify it.
Who should buy Z-A
- Players who have already played a conventional mainline entry and want the newest change of pace.
- Fans of the Legends approach who want another action-oriented setting.
- Switch 2 owners who specifically want the Switch 2 Edition or the Mega Dimension bundle.
FireRed and LeafGreen: the Kanto nostalgia choice
Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen became available on the Nintendo Switch family on February 27, 2026. They preserve the Kanto journey: choose Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle, leave Pallet Town, challenge Gym Leaders and work toward the Pokémon League.
Why this is different from Let’s Go
Both options visit Kanto, but they serve different nostalgia targets. Let’s Go is explicitly framed as approachable for newcomers and uses its own catching approach. FireRed and LeafGreen preserve the classic Kanto progression and starter decision for players who want that traditional journey rather than a beginner-focused reinterpretation.
Pokémon HOME caution
The official announcement says Pokémon HOME transfer support is planned or available according to the linked update. Because compatibility and transfer rules can change by title and service version, verify the live Pokémon HOME rules before promising that a particular Pokémon can move into or out of FireRed and LeafGreen.
How the games compare by the experience you want
| Your priority | Best first choice | Alternative | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most similar to Sword and Shield | Scarlet or Violet | Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl | Scarlet/Violet retain the modern mainline loop; the remakes retain a familiar route-and-badge format. |
| Maximum exploration and experimentation | Legends: Arceus | Legends: Z-A | Arceus centers research in ancient Hisui; Z-A is the newer action RPG in Lumiose City. |
| Traditional linear progression | Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl | FireRed or LeafGreen | Both focus on a recognizable staged adventure rather than a research-first structure. |
| Best for a newcomer | Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Let’s Go, Eevee! | Scarlet or Violet | Let’s Go is explicitly presented for newcomers; Scarlet/Violet provide the current mainline format. |
| Newest action option | Legends: Z-A | Legends: Arceus | Z-A is the latest release; Arceus established the research-focused action-RPG direction. |
| Kanto nostalgia | FireRed or LeafGreen | Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Let’s Go, Eevee! | FireRed/LeafGreen preserve the classic journey; Let’s Go offers a more approachable Kanto trip. |
Pokémon HOME: what portability does—and does not—guarantee
Pokémon HOME connects the major Nintendo Switch Pokémon games listed by Nintendo, but “connected” does not mean that every Pokémon can move freely in every direction. Transfers may be one-way, and species eligibility can vary by the receiving game.
Check these points before moving a Pokémon
- Confirm that both the source and destination games are supported by the current Pokémon HOME service.
- Check whether the transfer direction is allowed; some moves cannot be reversed.
- Verify that the species is eligible for the destination title rather than assuming the entire team is accepted.
- Review the current HOME notice for version-specific restrictions before moving a valuable or otherwise irreplaceable Pokémon.
This matters most when choosing between a new mainline game and a historical or action-focused entry. Treat HOME as a compatibility layer with rules, not as a universal shared storage box that removes every difference between games.
A practical decision path
Step 1: decide whether you want “more Sword and Shield”
If yes, buy Scarlet or Violet. They are the least disruptive transition because the central role-playing loop remains familiar while Paldea and its three routes provide new content.
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- Set off on a grand adventure to become the Pokémon League Champion—now on Nintendo Switch!
- Celebrate 30 years of Pokémon with this Nintendo Switch version* of the Pokémon FireRed Version game originally released on the Game Boy Advance system!
- Additional games and systems required for multiplayer mode. Sold separately. 2004 Pokémon. 1995-2004 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc. Pokémon and Nintendo Switch are trademarks of Nintendo.
Step 2: decide whether you want a different structure
If you want research, field exploration and an action-RPG pace, select Legends: Arceus. If you want the newest game in that broad direction, select Legends: Z-A and pay attention to the Switch versus Switch 2 edition.
Step 3: decide whether nostalgia means “classic progression”
For a Sinnoh adventure reborn on Switch, choose Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl. For the Kanto journey, choose FireRed or LeafGreen; choose Let’s Go instead if the player is new to Pokémon or wants the explicitly newcomer-friendly presentation.
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Step 4: verify service and edition requirements
Check the exact edition for your console, the October 29, 2026 Z-A bundle date if relevant, the paid Nintendo Switch Online requirement for Let’s Go online features and the current Pokémon HOME compatibility notice before transferring Pokémon.
Can you play these games in a useful order?
There is no required story order because the games use different regions and structures. A player wanting a gradual change can go from Sword and Shield to Scarlet or Violet, then try Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl for a linear remake, and finish with Legends: Arceus or Legends: Z-A for the largest mechanical shift. A nostalgia-first route can start with FireRed or LeafGreen and then move to Let’s Go to experience Kanto through a more approachable design.
If you are buying two games, pair one conventional entry with one structural experiment: Scarlet/Violet plus Legends: Arceus covers the familiar mainline loop and the research-focused action RPG. If you are buying for a newcomer, Let’s Go plus Scarlet/Violet offers an easier first step followed by the current mainline format.
Bottom line
Buy Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet when you want the most dependable follow-up to Sword and Shield. Pick Legends: Arceus for exploration, Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl for a classic badge quest, Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Let’s Go, Eevee! for an accessible Kanto introduction, Legends: Z-A for the newest action-focused release, and FireRed or LeafGreen for the most direct Kanto nostalgia.
Quick Recap
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