⚡Best Pokémon Games Ranked
Pokémon games span decades of innovation in creature collecting, storytelling, and world-building, with each entry shaping childhoods and competitive scenes. Rankings hinge on gameplay depth, region design, and lasting impact versus dated mechanics or technical issues. Vote to reorder the list based on your own criteria.
What counts: Best means strongest balance of exploration, story, battles, and innovation; figures are approximate.
Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver▲ Rising
HeartGold and SoulSilver revived the beloved Johto region with the full Kanto follow-up, letting players chase both legendary trios in one journey. The Pokéwalker accessory and improved visuals made exploration addictive. Remakes rarely feel this essential.
Release Year: 2009Generation: Gen 2Metacritic: 87/10Sales: 12 MNew Pokémon: 100
added by IJRin 2 rankingsPokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
30Pokémon Gold and Silver▲ Rising
Gold and Silver doubled the adventure by unlocking Kanto after beating the Elite Four, a twist no other pair matched. Day-night cycle and breeding added real depth to the formula. The games that proved sequels could surpass the original.
Release Year: 1999Generation: Gen 2Metacritic: 80/10Sales: 23 MNew Pokémon: 100
added by IJRPokémon Gold and Silver
29Pokémon Black and White▲ Rising
Black and White dared to start fresh with an all-new Unova dex and a story questioning the ethics of Pokémon battles. The shift from old favorites forced players to engage with new designs and a stronger narrative. Boldest mainline reinvention yet.
Release Year: 2010Generation: Gen 5Metacritic: 85/10Sales: 15 MNew Pokémon: 156
added by IJRPokémon Black and White
17Black 2 and White 2 delivered the best post-game content in any mainline title with a full sequel story and the massive Pokémon World Tournament. They refined Gen 5's systems without losing the edge. Peak Unova.
Release Year: 2012Generation: Gen 5Metacritic: 81/10Sales: 8 MNew Pokémon: 17
added by IJRPokémon Black 2 and White 2
14Pokémon Platinum▲ Rising
Platinum fixed Diamond and Pearl's issues with a richer Sinnoh story, the Distortion World, and expanded Battle Frontier. Giratina's dimension added mystery missing from the base games. The definitive Gen 4 experience.
Release Year: 2008Generation: Gen 4Metacritic: 84/10Sales: 7 MNew Pokémon: 107
added by IJRin 2 rankingsPokémon Platinum
11Pokémon Scarlet and Violet▲ Rising
Scarlet and Violet opened the world completely with three distinct story paths players could tackle in any order. The Terastal mechanic and open areas delivered freedom never seen before in the series. Rough edges aside, the ambition pays off.
Release Year: 2022Generation: Gen 9Metacritic: 72/10Sales: 25 MNew Pokémon: 103
added by IJRin 2 rankingsPokémon Scarlet and Violet
11Pokémon Sun and Moon▲ Rising
Sun and Moon traded gyms for trials and delivered the most cinematic story in the series up to that point. Alola's island vibe and new Pokémon felt fresh. A welcome shift from formula.
Release Year: 2016Generation: Gen 7Metacritic: 80/10Sales: 16 MNew Pokémon: 81
added by IJRPokémon Sun and Moon
9Pokémon Emerald▲ Rising
Emerald brought the Battle Frontier and dual-team story of Magma and Aqua, turning Hoenn into a competitive paradise. The added content made it the clear best version of the third generation. Still the gold standard for post-game.
Release Year: 2004Generation: Gen 3Metacritic: 79/10Sales: 7 MNew Pokémon: 135
added by IJRin 2 rankingsPokémon Emerald
8Legends: Arceus tore up the formula with open-zone exploration and real-time catching, previewing the series' future. The focus on research and survival made every encounter tense. A genuine reinvention that earned its praise.
Release Year: 2022Generation: Gen 8Metacritic: 83/10Sales: 18 MNew Pokémon: 24
added by IJRin 3 rankingsPokémon Legends: Arceus
7Pokémon Red and Blue▲ Rising
Red and Blue launched the worldwide phenomenon with 151 Pokémon and a simple but addictive loop that hooked millions. The sense of discovery in those early routes remains unmatched. The origin point that still defines the franchise.
Release Year: 1996Generation: Gen 1Metacritic: 75/10Sales: 31 MNew Pokémon: 151
added by IJRin 2 rankingsPokémon Red and Blue
5Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
ORAS brought soaring, the Delta Episode, and a beautiful Hoenn remake that honored the originals while adding modern conveniences. The return of the Battle Frontier in spirit felt right. Best remake execution for many fans.
Release Year: 2014Generation: Gen 6Metacritic: 81/10Sales: 15 MNew Pokémon: 0
added by IJRPokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
5Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire▲ Rising
Ruby and Sapphire introduced double battles, abilities, and a rich Hoenn region with weather mechanics. The shift to 32-bit graphics felt huge at the time. Foundation for modern Pokémon.
Release Year: 2002Generation: Gen 3Metacritic: 77/10Sales: 16 MNew Pokémon: 135
added by IJRPokémon Ruby and Sapphire
5Sword and Shield introduced the Wild Area and Dynamax, bringing open exploration to the mainline formula. The stadium battles and new Pokémon kept things exciting despite controversy. First step toward open worlds.
Release Year: 2019Generation: Gen 8Metacritic: 78/10Sales: 26 MNew Pokémon: 81
added by IJRPokémon Sword and Shield
3Crystal added the Battle Tower, animated sprites, and a stronger focus on Suicune, polishing Gold and Silver further. The first enhanced version that felt worth buying. Set the template for future third versions.
Release Year: 2000Generation: Gen 2Metacritic: 78/10Sales: 6 MNew Pokémon: 0
added by IJRPokémon Crystal
2Diamond and Pearl introduced the physical/special split and a vast underground system that rewarded exploration. Sinnoh's harsh routes and legendary lore gave the region weight. The base games before Platinum polished them further.
Release Year: 2006Generation: Gen 4Metacritic: 76/10Sales: 18 MNew Pokémon: 107
added by IJRPokémon Diamond and Pearl
1Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon expanded the Alola story with new areas and Ultra Beasts, fixing many complaints from the base games. The extra content made them the definitive versions. Stronger overall package.
Release Year: 2017Generation: Gen 7Metacritic: 81/10Sales: 9 MNew Pokémon: 9
added by IJRPokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
0FireRed and LeafGreen updated the Kanto classics with modern mechanics and the Sevii Islands post-game. They made Gen 1 accessible again without losing charm. Best way to experience the originals.
Release Year: 2003Generation: Gen 3Metacritic: 81/10Sales: 12 MNew Pokémon: 0
added by IJRPokémon FireRed and LeafGreen
-2LeafGreen gave Gen 1 fans an updated Kanto experience with modern mechanics and post-game islands. The best way to replay the classics at the time.
Release Year: 2003Generation: Gen 3Metacritic: 81/10Sales: 6 MNew Pokémon: 0
added by IJRPokémon LeafGreen
-3Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee
Let's Go simplified catching for newcomers while delivering beautiful visuals and the ability to ride Pokémon. A gentle reintroduction to Kanto that worked well on Switch. Great for families.
Release Year: 2018Generation: Gen 7Metacritic: 79/10Sales: 12 MNew Pokémon: 0
added by IJR
-6Pokémon X and Y▼ Falling
X and Y brought 3D models, Mega Evolutions, and a colorful Kalos region that finally let the series look modern. The introduction of Fairy type balanced the meta. A necessary visual leap.
Release Year: 2013Generation: Gen 6Metacritic: 78/10Sales: 17 MNew Pokémon: 72
added by IJRPokémon X and Y
-7Pokémon Alpha Sapphire▼ Falling
Alpha Sapphire paired with Omega Ruby to deliver soaring flight and a heartfelt Delta Episode that revisited the legendary lore. Hoenn never looked better.
Release Year: 2014Generation: Gen 6Metacritic: 81/10Sales: 7 MNew Pokémon: 0
added by IJRPokémon Alpha Sapphire
-7Shield offered the same Wild Area and Dynamax as Sword with exclusive Pokémon that rounded out the Galar dex. The stadium atmosphere and online features shone.
Release Year: 2019Generation: Gen 8Metacritic: 78/10Sales: 13 MNew Pokémon: 81
added by IJRPokémon Shield
-7Violet delivered the same open-world freedom as Scarlet with different legendaries and Paradox Pokémon. The three-path structure rewarded player choice.
Release Year: 2022Generation: Gen 9Metacritic: 72/10Sales: 12 MNew Pokémon: 103
added by IJRPokémon Violet
-8Pokémon Yellow▼ Falling
Yellow followed the anime with Pikachu as starter and all three Kanto starters available. The colorized sprites and special encounters made it the definitive Gen 1 version for many. Nostalgia bomb.
Release Year: 1998Generation: Gen 1Metacritic: 76/10Sales: 14 MNew Pokémon: 0
added by IJRPokémon Yellow
-10Pokémon White 2▼ Falling
White 2 offered the best post-game content and challenge modes in the series, expanding Unova with new areas and the Pokémon World Tournament. A sequel that improved on an already strong base.
Release Year: 2012Generation: Gen 5Metacritic: 81/10Sales: 4 MNew Pokémon: 17
added by IJRPokémon White 2
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