Remember that first time you chose your starter? Mine was Charmander in Pokemon Red back in '98. Felt like magic holding that big gray Game Boy. Over 25 years later, here we are with more Pokemon games than you can shake a Master Ball at. Finding a complete list of Pokemon games can feel like searching for a shiny Mewtwo though. So many side games, remakes, and mobile spinoffs.
That's exactly why I put this guide together. Whether you're a veteran trainer or just starting out, you'll find every main series game, remakes, and even those weird spinoffs everyone forgets about. Grab some Poke Beans and let's dive in.
Complete Breakdown of Main Series Pokemon Games
The core RPGs are what made Pokemon a global phenomenon. Here's how they evolved through the generations:
Generation 1: Where It All Began
Red and Blue launched in Japan in 1996 (1998 internationally) and changed portable gaming forever. Remember trading with link cables? My cousin fried mine trying to connect two Game Boys during a thunderstorm. Good times.
| Game Title | Release Year | Systems | New Pokemon | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pokemon Red & Blue | 1996 (JP)/1998 (WW) | Game Boy | 151 | Original Kanto region |
| Pokemon Yellow | 1998 (JP)/1999 (WW) | Game Boy | 151 | Pikachu follows you (like the anime) |
Generation 2: Gold & Silver Era
Introduced day/night cycles and breeding. Gold was my personal favorite - that moment when you discover Kanto is still accessible? Mind blown.
| Game Title | Release Year | Systems | New Pokemon | Key Changes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pokemon Gold & Silver | 1999 (JP)/2000 (WW) | Game Boy Color | 100 | Day/night cycles, breeding mechanics |
| Pokemon Crystal | 2000 (JP)/2001 (WW) | Game Boy Color | 100 | First playable female character, animated sprites |
Funny story: I skipped school when Crystal released. Got grounded but caught a shiny Gastly that same day. Worth it? Absolutely.
Generation 3: Hoenn Adventures
Controversial take: Ruby/Sapphire had the best soundtrack. Fight me. Double battles changed competitive play forever.
| Game Title | Release Year | Systems | New Pokemon | Major Additions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire | 2002 (JP)/2003 (WW) | Game Boy Advance | 135 | Double battles, abilities introduced |
| Pokemon Emerald | 2004 (JP)/2005 (WW) | Game Boy Advance | 135 | Battle Frontier area, both villain teams |
Essential Pokemon Remakes & Updated Versions
Nostalgia sells, and these remakes prove it. Some recaptured the magic better than others.
FireRed & LeafGreen (Gen 1 Remakes)
2004 releases that brought Kanto to the GBA. The VS Seeker was genius for grinding levels.
Personal opinion: Still the best remakes they've made. The post-game islands were packed with content modern games lack.
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl (Gen 4 Remakes)
2021 Switch releases that divided fans. The underground base building? Awesome. The lack of Platinum content? Big letdown.
(Disappointing how they ignored Platinum's Battle Frontier - that area was legendary)
Major Pokemon Spin-Off Games You Should Know
Some are hidden gems. Others... well, let's just say not every Pokemon experiment worked.
Mystery Dungeon Series
Roguelike dungeon crawling where YOU become a Pokemon. Rescue Team Blue made me cry. Multiple times.
| Game | Release Year | System | Unique Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red/Blue Rescue Team | 2005 | GBA/DS | Personality quiz determines your Pokemon form |
| Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky | 2009 | DS | Expanded story from Time/Darkness versions |
Pokemon Snap Series
On-rails photography sims. New Pokemon Snap (2021) perfected the formula with 4K creature behaviors.
Is it weird that I spent hours trying to get the perfect Magikarp splash shot? Probably. Zero regrets.
Mobile Pokemon Games Worth Your Time
Some are cash grabs. These are actually good:
- Pokemon GO (2016) - Changed mobile gaming forever. Still gets major updates
- Pokemon Masters EX (2019) - Gacha game with trainer/Pokemon pairs
- Pokemon Unite (2021) - Surprisingly deep MOBA-style battles
Confession: I dropped $20 on GO during that first summer. No shame - that Dragonite was worth it.
Complete Pokemon Games List by Platform
Need to know what works on your Switch or 3DS? Bookmark this table:
| Platform | Main Series Games | Notable Spin-Offs |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch | Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee, Sword/Shield, Legends: Arceus, Scarlet/Violet | New Pokemon Snap, Mystery Dungeon DX, Unite, Cafe Remix |
| Nintendo 3DS | X/Y, Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire, Sun/Moon, Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon | Super Mystery Dungeon, Rumble World, Picross |
| Nintendo DS | Diamond/Pearl/Platinum, HeartGold/SoulSilver, Black/White, Black 2/White 2 | Explorers series, Ranger trilogy, Conquest |
Finding Older Pokemon Games in 2024
Want to play authentic Gen 3-5 games? Brace yourself:
- Authentic cartridges cost $80-$150+ now
- Watch for reproduction fakes (broken saves are common)
- eBay tip: Ask sellers for PCB board photos
(Bought what seemed like legit HeartGold last year. Save file corrupted after 20 hours. Still bitter)
Pokemon Games FAQ
What's the best Pokemon game for beginners?
FireRed/LeafGreen if you can find them. Otherwise, Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee on Switch. Simple mechanics, familiar Pokemon, and no ability management.
Which Pokemon game has the longest gameplay?
HeartGold/SoulSilver. Two full regions (16 badges), Pokewalker integration, and the Battle Frontier. My save file hit 300 hours.
Are any Pokemon games available on PC?
Officially? Just Pokemon Unite and mobile ports. But you can emulate Game Boy to 3DS titles. Not that I'd know anything about that...
What's the rarest Pokemon game?
Pokemon Box: Ruby & Sapphire (GameCube). Required the Game Boy Player and sold poorly. Sealed copies go for $2,000+. My white whale.
Regional Differences That Might Surprise You
Japanese versions often have extra content:
- Green Version (Japan's Blue equivalent) had different artwork
- Korean Crystal added a Celebi event cartridge
- International releases often remove game corner features
My buddy imported Japanese White 2. Took us weeks to navigate menus without guides.
Future Pokemon Games We Know About
2025 looks promising despite Scarlet/Violet's bugs:
- Legends Z-A (2025) - Return to Lumiose City
- Potential Gen 5 remakes (unannounced but heavily rumored)
- GO continues getting new generations through 2027
I'm cautiously optimistic about Legends Z-A. Arceus proved they can innovate when they want to.
Why This List of Pokemon Games Matters
With over 122 games released since 1996, even hardcore fans miss titles. That's why creating this complete list of Pokemon games became my obsession last winter. Found three obscure Japanese mobile games even Bulbapedia barely mentions.
Whether you're building a collection or just hunting your next adventure, bookmark this page. I'll keep updating as new games drop. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a date with a suspiciously cheap SoulSilver cartridge on eBay...
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