Fans of the classic Pokemon titles have been able to relive their adventures on the Nintendo Switch. With it carrying some moving updates to an old formula, now is an excellent time for longtime trainer and newer fans alike to check out these entries.
With its hybrid nature allowing trainers to embark on a journey both around the house, at friend’s places or even on vacation, touching base with old friends and battling rivals across great distances with ease.
Not that one needs an excuse to get out there and relive memories playing these games; the series remains as popular as ever due to the sheer number of Pokemon gifts available around every turn!
Now more than ever, is a superb time for players to don their caps and grab their trusty Pokeballs – it’s time to catch ‘em all!
11. Pokemon Quest (2018)
Pokemon Quest is a unique and engaging installment in the beloved Pokemon franchise.
Released in 2018 for Nintendo Switch and mobile devices, the game has players take on an adventure through Tumblecube Island, a world filled with all kinds of Pokemon.
The core gameplay consists of building a team of Pokemon and battling trainers, wild creatures, and gaining resources to attract new Pokemon to camp, while they use their team’s abilities to progress.
What makes this game stand out is its cutesy art style that looks like it’s made entirely of cubes, making the whole experience fun and inviting.
With its creative combat system, easy controls, loads of content and the signature charm of the franchise, Pokemon Quest is perfect for both newcomers and series veterans alike.
10. Pokemon Cafe ReMix (2020)
Pokemon Cafe ReMix is a delightful puzzle game that you can play for free on your mobile device. As the owner of the cafe, you’ll need to fulfill orders from your Pokemon customers by creating menu items.
The game utilizes a touchscreen interface and features charming, cartoonish graphics.
While it may not have the depth of other Pokemon games, it stands alongside titles like Pokemon Trozei and Pokemon Puzzle League as a enjoyable way to experience the beloved franchise.
9. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Rescue Team DX (2020)
The Mystery Dungeon series has a long history, starting with 1993’s Torneko’s Great Adventure: Mystery Dungeon for the SNES.
Originally a spin-off of the Dragon Quest games, Mystery Dungeon titles are roguelike adventures that require players to navigate randomly generated dungeons using turn-based combat.
The Pokemon Mystery Dungeon games, available on the Nintendo Switch, follow a similar formula and put players in the role of a human transformed into a Pokemon, tasked with completing jobs that often involve battling through randomized dungeons.
This particular entry is a remake of the first two games in the series, Blue Rescue Team and Red Rescue Team, combining elements from both of the original DS games.
8. Pokemon Unite (2021)
Pokemon Unite is a free-to-play Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) game available on the Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS devices. It has received criticism for its microtransactions, including expensive individual characters, but remains a fun and competitive game.
Players are divided into two teams of five and start with low-level Pokemon that increase in strength and abilities over the course of a ten-minute game.
Points are earned by defeating wild Pokemon and Pokemon on the opposing team.
The game launched with 45 playable Pokemon and has gained popularity, leading to the first Unite Championship Series event in London in August 2022.
7. Pokken Tournament DX (2017)
Pokken Tournament, a fighting game that combines elements of the Pokemon and Tekken franchises, made its debut in arcades in 2015.
While it received positive reviews and sold well on the Wii U, its limited audience was due to the low market penetration of the console.
The Switch version, which adds new characters, modes, and splitscreen multiplayer, has allowed Pokken Tournament to reach a wider audience and receive the recognition it deserves.
6. Pokemon Scarlet And Violet (2022)
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are the first games in the ninth generation of the Pokemon franchise and feature impressive open worlds and non-linear gameplay.
Players can tackle the stories in any order they choose, with a fourth story unlocking after the completion of the first three.
The games introduce “Terastallized” Pokemon with a crystalline appearance, a “Let’s Go” mechanic allowing trainers to send Pokemon to battle in the wild, three new starter Pokemon, two legendaries, and many more new Pokemon.
Despite some technical drawbacks, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet offer engaging gameplay and are a welcome addition to the mainline Pokemon series.
5. Pokemon Brilliant Diamond And Shining Pearl (2021)
The Pokemon Diamond and Pearl remakes are a treat for players who fondly remember the original DS games.
In addition to nostalgicically revisiting the titles, the remakes also modernize the games with updated graphics, player customization options, Poke Ball stickers, and the ability to have a Pokemon follow the trainer as they explore.
These features add new layers of depth and enjoyment to the classic games.
Pokemon Diamond and Shining Pearl, the remakes of the original games, include quality of life improvements that modernize the design.
However, the story and structure remain faithful to the original.
The updated, cute visuals received mixed reactions, but the games were successful commercially, selling close to 15 million units worldwide as of June 2022, despite being released 15 years after the original games.
4. New Pokemon Snap (2021)
New Pokemon Snap is a sequel to the beloved 1999 Nintendo 64 game Pokemon Snap, which put a twist on on-rail shooters by tasking players with taking photos of Pokemon instead of shooting them.
While the original game has been requested for a re-release for years, New Pokemon Snap brings back the on-rails gameplay and updates it for modern players.
It also includes a photo retouching mode called Re-Snap and allows players to share their photos online.
If you want to play the original game, it is available on the Switch through the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack.
3. Pokemon: Let’s Go Pikachu And Let’s Go Eevee (2018)
Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu and Let’s Go Eevee are remakes of the original Pokemon Yellow game, updated with enhanced graphics and features.
Players begin the game with either Pikachu or Eevee, depending on the version, and can use motion controls to catch Pokemon, which some players may find immersive.
The games also include co-operative, local multiplayer, and connectivity with Pokemon Go.
There is also a special controller available, the Poke Ball Plus, which allows players to control the entire game using a Poke Ball.
These features make the Let’s Go titles accessible to a wider audience, including younger players.
2. Pokemon Sword And Shield (2019)
Pokemon Sword and Shield are set in the Galar region, a fictionalized version of the UK, and are the first non-remake, mainline Pokemon games on the Nintendo Switch.
They introduced 81 new Pokemon (88 including DLC) and several new features, such as Dynamaxing, which allows Pokemon to significantly increase in size and ability, and Gigantamaxing, which further transforms certain Pokemon.
The Wild Area, a large, open world area where trainers can roam freely, was also introduced and includes the option for co-op raids against difficult Pokemon.
Pokemon Sword and Shield received high expectations from fans and met them with a successful release.
1. Pokemon Legends: Arceus (2022)
Pokemon Legends: Arceus is the first open world, 3D Pokemon game that allows players to freely roam and catch Pokemon on a large scale.
Set in the Hisui region, which resembles Japan in the 1800s, the game includes huge open world areas and non-linear quests that can be completed in any order.
In this game, Pokemon are often wild and untamed, meaning they can attack the player directly and battles and catching take place in real-time, diverging from the standard formula of the series.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus fulfills the long-held dream of many Pokemon fans for an open-world Pokemon adventure.
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A gaming lover from a very young age, Justin has always had a keen eye for building his own computers or racing sims so that he can race his identical twin (and usually lose at the actual race).
Justin in the founder of BeStreamer and sees it as a free resource to help all gamers around the world
