Fans have been enjoying Pokémon games since the release of Red and Blue. The games have gone through many changes since their days on the original Game Boy, and each generation has implemented shifts in the narrative, game mechanics and available Pokémon players can catch. While most of the Pokémon games have been successful overall, some titles have done better than others when implementing the changes that make each generation unique.

Each Pokémon generation is an earmark for what was popular and revolutionary in gaming at the time of release. From integrating color into pixel graphics to exploring the capabilities of multiplayer functions via Game Link and wireless connection, the Pokémon series shows the progression of gaming through the past several decades.

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Each Pokémon generation has something different to offer players, whether they are looking to delve back in time and enjoy the old-school mechanics of Red and Blue or they would prefer to wander the Wild Areas of Pokémon Sword and Shield. However, some generations have done a better job at presenting the world of Pokémon than others. Whether it is a poor selection of new Pokémon designs, or features added to a new generation that players particularly enjoyed, some Pokémon games rank better than others. Below is a list of the main Pokémon games released in North America, ranked from wors to best.

Worst Pokémon Game: Black And White (Black & White 2)

Pokemon Black and White Covers

Sitting at the bottom of the pile, is Pokémon Black and White. Released in September of 2010, Black and White's Unova region is based of New York City. However, the generation includes some of the worst new Pokémon designs of any generation, including Trubbish and Vanillite. The graphics were also dated compared to other games coming out at the time, with a poorly done mix of pixel art and 3D. The game attempted to introduced seasons to gameplay, changing once a month and effecting the spawn of some Pokémon, but the addition wasn't particularly helpful.

Pokémon Games Ranked: Sun And Moon (Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon)

Pokemon Sun Moon Reason Why You Should Play

Pokémon Sun and Moon released in November of 2016 for the Nintendo 3DS and was the last main game installment before the developers moved the series to the Nintendo Switch. Sun and Moon takes place in the Alola region, based on Hawaii. While the games offer a very different kind of Pokémon adventure, removing Gym battles for Totem encounters, the changes to battle style didn't stick in future games. Sun and Moon introduced frustrating new mechanics like Z-Moves, and while the world was beautifully designed, exploration was limited due to a lack of open spaces. Sun and Moon did introduced region forms for different Pokémon however, a feature that has continued in generations since.

Pokémon Games Ranked: Gold, Silver and Crystal (Heart Gold/Soul Silver)

Side-by-side cover arts for Pokémon Gold and Silver, featuring Ho-oh and Lugia respectively.

Pokémon Silver and Gold released in November of 1999. Taking place in the Johto region, players are given a new selection of Pokémon to catch, including the legendary dogs Suicune, Entei and Raikou. The biggest feature that Pokémon Gold and Silver offers happens when the player beats the main storyline and they are able to travel back to Kanto to challenge another eight gyms. Silver and Gold doesn't offer much else to players that differs from Red and Blue however, which leaves the game feeling empty.

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The original games were ported to the 3DS in 2017, and the remakes Heart Gold and Soul Silver released in 2010 with many updated features like a National Dex and Legendary Pokémon from newer regions. However, even the remakes are now dated and are hard to come by, as they were released on the Nintendo DS, making it difficult to play them.

Pokémon Games Ranked: Diamond, Pearl and Platinum

A split image of Pokemon Diamond and Pearl.

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl were released in September of 2006 for the Nintendo DS. Set in the Sinnoh region, players get to see the return of the night and day system, as well as the Pokémon Super Contests that were adapted from Generation 3. Diamond and Pearl bring a number of new Pokémon to the Pokédex, as well as revisiting past mechanics that were popular in previous generations and polishing them up. Diamond and Pearl also integrated WiFi features which allowed for mechanics like Mystery Gifts and the Global Trade System. However, this generation struggles with the confines of following too closely to a narrative formula that by the 4th Generation of Pokémon, was feelings a bit stale.

Pokémon Games Ranked: Red, Blue and Yellow

Pokémon Red and Blue were the start of it all. Released in the US September of 1998, two years after the release in Japan, Red and Blue could be played on the original Game Boy system. Generation 1 is set in the Kanto region, and saw a remaster with FireRed and LeafGreen during 2004. However, the games are restricted by age and console availability. Players can pick up a port of Red, Blue and Yellow on the 3DS to enjoy game nostalgia, but modern players may be more likely to pick up a more recent Pokémon title on the Nintendo Switch, instead of revisiting the start of the series.

Main Pokémon Games Ranked: Sword And Shield

Pokemon Sword and Shield Isle of Armor vs Crown Tundra

Pokémon Sword and Shield released in November of 2019. The game marked a new era for the Pokémon series, and was the first new region of the main games to be on the Nintendo Switch. Sword and Shield has made leaps and bounds in game mechanics, adding open-world inspired Wild Areas for players to explore, new ways to play online with others fans, and DLC additions that expand the base game.

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While Sword and Shield did an amazing job of integrating what was always great about the Pokémon games, with ideas and mechanics that pertain to modern gamers, there are still areas that needed a little extra polish. This can be seen in the empty routes, and a lack of things to do in the towns.

Pokémon Games Ranked: X And Y

Split image showing the covers for Pokémon X & Y.

Pokémon X and Y released for the Nintendo 3DS in October of 2013, and helped breathe life back into the games after Black and WhitePokémon X and Y not only added the Fairy type to help balance other over-powered types, but it introduced Mega-Evolution, which would later lead to further exploration of battle mechanics like Z-Moves in Sun and Moon, and Dynamaxing in Sword and Shield. The Kalos region also brought in new ways for players to interact with their Pokémon, like Super Training and the Pokémon Amie. While the mechanics weren't perfect, it showed that developers were thinking about new directions for the game, and it helped lead to bigger updates in future titles.

Best Pokémon Games: Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald (ORAS)

Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire's Game Boy Advance box arts side by side.

Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire came out for the Game Boy Advance during November of 2002, and took a leap of faith in seeing what the series could do. The Hoenn region is a delight to explore, with large maps that have many hidden areas players must find using HM moves like Waterfall and Dive. Natures and Abilities were added during Ruby and Sapphire, features that are still in place in the most recent games and have had a great impact on battle mechanics. Ruby and Sapphire contains a lot for players to do, with the introduction of Contests, the ability to make Pokéblocks, build Secret Bases, and farm berries. Ruby and Sapphire also explored the Double Battle feature, which then led to more diverse battle styles in later games. The remakes of Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire also offer some of the best Shiny Hunting mechanics of any Pokémon game currently out.

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