Since Pokémon's 1996 debut in Japan, not only has the IP spawned eight mainline games and grown into the highest-grossing media franchise of all time, it's also led to a wide plethora of spin-off games with their own unique feels, playstyles, and fanbases. From straight-forward puzzlers to fighting games and photography sims, Pokémon is now about much more than catching monsters and battling gym leaders.
While not every attempt to broaden the franchise's horizon has been successful, plenty of Pokémon spin-off titles have been released across all Nintendo consoles since the Game Boy to high praise from critics and players alike.
Pokémon Picross - 75
A far cry from Pokémon's traditional turn-based combat, 2015's Pokémon Picross has players catching the series' titular monsters by solving puzzles instead of throwing Pokéballs.
The gameplay, centered on using number clues to fill in grid squares that draw an image, maybe similar to other nonogram games, but the addition of game-altering Pokémon abilities gives the experience its own distinct feel. Released as a free-to-play game, Pokémon Picross earned praise from critics for the large amount of free content, though some found the game's microtransactions and energy system to be too distracting.
Pokkén Tournament - 76
The idea of bringing fan-favorite Pokémon into a more traditional 3d fighting game turned out to be a good one as players and critics alike enjoyed the first console version of this Tekken-inspired experience. With quick, flashy, real-time combat and the most detailed Pokémon models players had seen up until that point, Pokkén Tournament (the only full-retail Pokémon game released for the Wii U) found success with both casual and competitive players.
The game did suffer a few drawbacks, though, as some players found the roster of fighters too small, the lack of post-launch support disappointing, and the inability to play multiplayer on the same screen confusingly restrictive.
Pokémon Snap - 77
Though the idea of taking a young franchise famous for its engaging battle mechanics and transforming it into a relaxing nature photography sim may have seemed strange at the time, the result was an instant classic.
The on-rails movement and relatively limited set of environments were issues too big for some critics to ignore, but, for most, seeing Pokémon in their natural habitats behaving like real animals instead of fierce combatants instilled a welcome sense of immersion and "realism" that the franchise had hitherto ignored. Pokémon Snap also garnered positivity for its interactivity, letting players use items to instigate emotion and even evolution from their favorite Pokémon.
Pokémon Stadium 2 - 78
Pokémon Stadium 2 may not have been the first time players were able to engage in 3d-rendered battles and mini-games, but this sequel improved on its predecessor in almost every way. By removing the RPG elements and story of the mainline games, players were able to fully focus on creative team building and battle strategy, all rendered with beautiful graphics the Game Boy Color could only dream of.
Not only did this 2000 sequel expanded multiplayer mini-game options, but it significantly raised the single-player difficulty, rewarding players for importing their own Pokémon from the 1st or 2nd generation mainline games.
Pokémon Trading Card Game Online - 78
While Pokémon's collectible card game had already had one attempt at partial digitization a decade earlier on the Game Boy Color, this second attempt aimed to be a more comprehensive and accurate recreation of the physical game. Boasting full-art recreations of every single card put out in print, a training mode, and tournaments in multiple gameplay formats, Pokémon Trading Card Game Online is still fully supported with each new card expansion.
While it can be difficult to acquire a full play-set of desirable cards, the game is largely supported by code cards inside of physical products that let players redeem virtual copies of what they purchase in physical form.
Pokkén Tournament DX - 79
While some players were disappointed that the original Wii U version of Pokkén Tournament failed to receive some of the updates the Japanese arcade version got, Pokkén Tournament DX brought the franchise to the Nintendo Switch with all content previously released on other platforms and some new upgrades never seen before.
While the game's look and gameplay didn't change much from its predecessor, this comprehensive version received critical praise for online ranked play, a new 3v3 mode, and improving the local multiplayer experience. Players were also treated to an all-new, exclusive fighter in Decidueye, a grass/ghost type favorite from Pokémon Sun & Moon.
New Pokémon Snap - 79
2021's New Pokémon Snap brought back the fan-favorite photography franchise with all-new locations, Pokémon, and gameplay elements that succeeded in honoring the original classic while modernizing the experience with beautiful graphics and ongoing post-launch support.
While some critics found the on-wheels locomotion and set pieces to be a bit repetitive, most found the game to be a supremely relaxing love letter to the diverse designs and personalities the franchise has fostered over the decades. With over 200 Pokémon available to photograph, shot challenges to chase, and multiple routes through the game's biomes, there's a lot in New Pokémon Snap to keep players entertained.
Pokémon Conquest - 80
One of the last "big" games released for the Nintendo DS, Pokémon Conquest found success with fans and critics by mixing some of Pokémon's most popular creatures with the historically-themed, tactical gameplay of the Nobunaga's Ambition franchise.
Critics lauded the game for not only being a thematically well-executed franchise crossover but also for its approachable deep gameplay and high replay value. Receiving an almost universally positive reception, and after almost a decade since its initial release, Pokémon Conquest is a game fans are still hoping can get a sequel.
Pokémon Puzzle League - 81
What some fans feared would be low-quality cash in on the Pokémon name ended up being one of the most well-reviewed spin-off games the franchise has released to date. This Pokémon-themed version of Tetris Attack, notable for being one of the very few games featuring trainer Ash Ketchum, challenged players with solving match-3 block puzzles competing against either the clock or other human players in multiplayer matches.
Pokémon Puzzle League's actual gameplay may not have had a ton to do with Pokémon, but, with every game mode, character, and screen themed after the popular Pokémon television show, there was a lot to love for both fans of the franchise and those simply looking for a solid puzzle experience.
Pokémon Pinball: Ruby - Sapphire - 81
The Pokémon franchise's second attempt to combine pocket monsters with pinball, Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire garnered high praise for not resting on the laurels of its Pokémon branding.
A love letter to both classic pinball and the at-the-time recently released Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire, the game features a main table themed after each game, a number of smaller objective-based tables, and the ability to complete a 200-monster Pokédex by catching and evolving monsters with the pinball. With the added bonus top-of-the-line ball physics for its time, Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire still stands as one of the best Pokémon spin-offs ever released.