Pokemon is one of the biggest gaming franchises, with over 20 years of success. Even though the main games in the series might seem iterative, there is something magical about them that keeps fans coming back for more.
Game Freak has gained immense success with the mainline Pokemon games. But they’ve also tried their hand at other genres. Most of them were hit or miss, but some rough gems are out there for true Pokemon fans. Let’s look at some of the most successful Pokemon games you can try out right now on the Nintendo Switch.
Pokemon Quest
With a more simplistic approach to gameplay, Pokemon Quest is a free-to-play adventure for all ages. Your trainer will have his own base, which you can decorate whenever you return from your Pokemon expeditions. Pokemon can be upgraded and modified with the help of Power Stones, allowing you to create your ideal team. Combat is easy to understand, and the blocky graphics give everything an adorable retro look. If you have kids, this could be a perfect starting point into the Pokemon universe.
Pokemon Cafe Remix
Taking a step back from the usual formula, Pokemon Cafe Remix is a cute puzzler featuring your favorite pocket monsters. You will take over a cafe where you must participate in various mini-games. The graphics are simplistic but still extremely cute, and the overall cheerful spirit of the game will keep you coming back for more. Fans have complained about the presence of micro-transactions, but that is to be expected from a free-to-play game. A bigger downside is that you can only play it with touch controls, which is somewhat understandable since the game is also out on iOS and Android.
Pokken Tournament DX
Created by Bandai Namco for the WiiU, this is a proper fighting game for people who are sick of the usual turn-based shenanigans. The game feels like Tekken hiding underneath a Pokemon blanket. The combat is very similar, even though Tekken clearly does it better. But if you’ve ever wanted to see Pikachu kick Gengar in the teeth, Pokken Tournament DX might be worth a try.
Pokemon Unite
Even though hardcore MOBA fans were somewhat disappointed by this title, Pokemon Unite wasn’t necessarily aiming for them. Their main goal was to create a MOBA lite in the Pokemon universe, and by all means, they pulled it off successfully. Matches are fast-paced and straightforward to get into. Every match will take no more than 10 minutes, so you will never grow frustrated by a loss. The controls work surprisingly well on a gamepad, making this an ideal MOBA even for children.
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
A remake of the classic DS titles, these titles bring us back to a more simplistic time in Pokemon history. The core gameplay is exactly the same. Create your ideal team of Pokemon and take on various quests and Masters on your quest to become the best. Hardcore fans have complained that this remake doesn’t do anything new, but why fix it if it isn’t broken? The improved graphics perfectly capture the style of the older games in the series, successfully bringing them into the 3D world.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
The first games to take place in the ninth generation of Pokemon, Scarlet, and Violet caused a lot of controversy among fans. While many lauded it for the complex gameplay, the open-world mechanics were hit or miss. Your character can explore urban areas and large stretches of wilderness on his quest to catch the best Pokemon. A new mechanic called “Let’s go” allows you to send a specific Pokemon around the world, battling enemy Pokemon along the way. The graphics get the job done, but they’re still rather underwhelming when you look at other Switch titles like Breath of the Wild.
New Pokemon Snap
The first Pokemon Snap game was a weird concept that turned out great. Who knew that taking photos of your favorite Pokemon could be so relaxing? This sequel doesn’t do anything too different, with the same on-rails movement style. Set in the Lental region, New Pokemon Snap allows you to take photos of newer generations of Pokemon. Various Pokemon researchers will task you with snapping photos of Pokemon in their natural habitat. If you ever wanted a game combining Pokemon with wildlife photography, this might be an interesting title.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus
After years of rehashing the same gameplay style with a new generation of Pokemon, Game Freak finally tried something new. Set in the Hisui region, inspired by the real island of Hokkaido, Arceus tried a more classic RPG approach to the Pokemon series. Your character can freely explore the world, picking up quests and capturing Pokemon. Even though the gameplay is as good as ever, fans were rather upset with the lackluster graphics.
Pokemon Sword and Shield
Sword and Shield is considered one of the best Pokemon games out there. It’s also the first game in the main series to be released on a home console instead of a handheld. It takes place in the Galar region with a cool steampunk look. Even though all cities in the region are connected with the usual style of paths, there’s also an open Wild Area in the center of the map. Other new features include cooperative raids and the Dynamax and Gigantamax forms for your Pokemon which can completely turn a fight around.
The Pokemon franchise is massive, and sometimes figuring out which games you should try out can be a chore. There is something for everyone, even if you aren’t an enormous fan of the anime or the Pokemon TCG. And as a bonus, you can try out all of these games on the go since you can pack your console into one of the best Nintendo Switch carrying case. So what are you waiting for? Go out there and try your hardest to catch ’em all!
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