Relive Your Gaming Nostalgia With the Best Pokemon Games

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Buying Guide: Finding Your Next Pokemon Game

For decades, we have been acquainted with Pokemon, whether through anime, card games, or video games. The first Pokemon games were released on the Nintendo Gameboy, but have been coming out regularly ever since. From the beginning, Pokemon has been a story-intensive gaming series. It spread like wildfire in the late nineties and has become one of the world’s most famous franchises. After two decades, there is a huge library of Pokemon video games and board games you can explore. If you are still a fan of Ash Ketchum and his loyal pal Pikachu, then you need to try out their latest games available on the market. While there are many options available, we have taken it upon ourselves to compile our favorite Pokemon games of 2023 that are worth your time.

Released in 2022, the latest and greatest addition to the franchise is the first game we are going to talk about. After years of repetition of the same game design and mechanics, this Pokemon game is a breath of fresh air — the semi-open game world is a gateway to a whole new experience. The developers have poured in their hearts and soul to redesign the old systems of Pokemon encounters and evolutions for you to enjoy.

This game gives the players the freedom to decide what outcome they want, which can be seen when you encounter a Pokemon. When that happens, you are given a plethora of options and are the one who decides how you want to approach the encounter. Furthermore, you can also be attacked by Pokemon when you are out exploring the semi-open world. The refined mechanics, storyline, and superb graphics make this game the best rated on our list.

Pros

• Added strategic encounters
• Redefined capturing options
• Semi-open world game

Cons

• Relatively easier than previous games

Moving on, the next game we have featured on our list is called “Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu”. This role-playing game was released for Nintendo Switch in late 2018. This game lets you play alongside the iconic Pikachu where you explore the world and encounter new Pokemon. This game even includes a map that directs you to all the Pokemon available near you that can be encountered.

In this game, you may find your character to be overpowered — this was done deliberately by the developers to attract new players. That said, the design and mechanics of this game are sure to appeal to both novice and veteran players. Considered to be a far more refined version of Pokemon Yellow, this game is known as one of the most beautiful Pokemon games up to date. This game also features two-player online and split-screen multiplayer in the form of the new horde mode.

Pros

• Great visuals and art style
• Multiplayer settings 
• Simple, refined gameplay

Cons

• It’s easy to feel overpowered

Inspired by its predecessor, “New Pokemon Snap” is a photography game with amazing visuals and graphics. This Pokemon game lets you explore unknown lands and photograph lively Pokemon in their natural habitats. It takes you to multiple compelling settings such as a sparkling beach, a dense jungle, a desert, and several other locations which look more vibrant than any Pokemon game before it.

The Pokemon give many unique reactions whenever you do anything in front of them, which results in a much more enjoyable photography session. This game features over 15 courses, with each course having unique Pokemon and interactions so playing doesn’t feel monotonous. All the snaps taken will fill your Photodex, through which you will progressively raise your research level, helping you solve the big mystery of the game.

Pros

• Observe new pokemon behaviors
• Inspired by a classic Pokemon game 
• Beautiful and diverse visuals

Cons

• Level design is relatively linear

Switching things up a bit, Pokemon Labyrinth by Ravenburger is a board game that you can enjoy with your family. It’s neither too difficult for children nor boring for adults, and up to four people can play this board game. Ideally, the game takes 20 to 30 minutes to play, with the board changing every turn to make the maze run more interesting and unique.

This Pokemon maze game comes with four playable Pokemon that can walk on the pathway created by the tiles to reach your goal. Once you find all the Pokemon, you need to find your way back to the start. The cards are in the shape of Pokeball, which gives them a nice, charming appeal. Despite missing some legendary Pokemon in the game, it is still a great time and a perfect family board game.

Pros

• Multiple people can play
• Unique rotating board mechanic
• The fun of Labyrinth and Pokemon combined

Cons

• Missing out on some Pokemon

The last game on our list is “Pokemon Brilliant Diamond”. A faithful remake of 2006’s “Pokemon Diamond and Pearl”, this game reinvents the classic games with some new mechanics and quality of life improvements. With almost 900 Pokemon, this open-world game features new mechanics that elevate this game over their previous version. This game also has one of the longest, most complex storylines in the Pokemon, franchise which certainly is not an easy task.

In the game you set out to become the champion of the Pokemon League and defeat Team Galactic, making this an incredibly exciting story. Brilliant Diamond has a very diversified map that provides a fresh yet nostalgic experience. As an added bonus, this Pokemon game also has a super contest show where you can show off your fashion sense and rhythm to other contestants.

Pros

• Advanced version of a classic
• More than 900 pokemon
• Exciting new Grand Underground content

Cons

• Highly resembles the original games

Are Pokemon games available on PC?

Pokemon games are released on Nintendo gaming consoles, but you can play them on PC with a separate emulator. If you choose to play with an emulator, make sure you use legally-obtained game files.

How many generations of Pokemon games are there?

There’s not a sure number of generations and their game number, but as of 2023, there are about nine generations of Pokemon games. 

Will Pokemon ever end?

Even though it looks like Ash’s journey is coming to an end, there’s a new character in Goh. It looks like he could carry on the storyline, even after an unlikely end to Ash’s journey. So, it’s obvious that the Pokemon storyline is not meant to end anytime soon.