38. Pokémon Unite (Switch eShop)
Free-to-start MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) Pokémon Unite is difficult to recommend to casual 'free' players who aren't already Pokémon fans, but series stalwarts will more likely stick with it for the long haul. The gameplay is engaging, with a large roster of Pokémon that can be tried out in offline modes, but owning iconic Pokémon such as Lucario or Garchomp to play in Ranked will require an immense amount of Aeos Coins or paid-for Aeos Gems. A lot of joy is to be found in Quick Matches due to daily map rotations, but ultimately Unite is too geared toward grabbing people’s purses to win games rather than providing an even and engaging playing field. Still, if you don't mind the F2P aspects and you're into MOBAs, this one is surprisingly solid.
37. Pokémon Link: Battle! (3DS eShop)
Pokémon Link: Battle deserves to find a large audience. The Match 3 puzzle action is well done, and the emphasis on building combo attacks makes it feel significantly different from other examples of this genre. There's also the appeal of collecting all 718 Pokémon in the game, and while the lack of online multiplayer feels like a missed opportunity, local co-op matches with friends fill the void to an extent. Like so many puzzle titles, repetition does become an issue over prolonged periods, but the portable nature of the host platform makes this ideal short-burst entertainment.
36. Pokémon Rumble World (3DS eShop)
Pokémon Rumble World takes the basic beatdown gameplay the spin-off series is known for and combines it with fun connectivity features that give it a uniquely social feel. It's not a particularly deep experience, but the blend of button mashing and creature collecting makes for satisfyingly straightforward fun. The toy Pokémon are adorable, the simple combat is accessible and enjoyable, and the level progression system is perfect for playing in short bursts - add in a genuinely generous free-play model, and there's no reason not to give it a go.
35. Pokémon Battle Revolution (Wii)
Pokémon Battle Revolution feels more like a stripped-down version of Pokémon Stadium (released almost a decade ago). The gameplay feels very repetitive, and the dependence the game has upon its Nintendo DS siblings makes it unsuitable for those without those handheld games. It's at least cool to see some of those Gen IV Pokémon in full 3D, but given that the games we got years ago have more features than this, unless you just want a simple Pokémon battling game, Pokémon Battle Revolution is one game you’re probably going to want to avoid.
34. Pokémon Trozei! (DS)
Genius Sonority combines Tetris and Yoshi's Cookie with Pokémon to create the highly addictive and fun Pokémon Trozei! There are multiple different modes to play through, lots of challenging stages to beat, and an entire Pokédex to fill out. Visually fun (featuring James Turner's art) and with tons of replayability, Pokémon Trozei! is a delight.
33. Pokémon Picross (3DS eShop)
Ultimately, Pokémon Picross is a very satisfying experience, but it can come at a great cost. The introduction of missions, skills, and achievements greatly expands upon the base of number puzzles, but the stingy free-to-play aspects do hold it back from its full potential. If you're looking for a game that you can play casually without paying, look elsewhere. If you're willing to pay up, this is the best entry in the Picross e sub-series yet.
32. Pokémon Rumble (WiiWare)
Pokémon Rumble does everything quite well, and one can really only take issue with the things the game doesn't do. The gameplay might be limited, but it's a solid and fun experience, and what it lacks in depth it makes up for in accessibility, frantic action, and an excellent multiplayer mode. As one of the longer, more replayable titles on the WiiWare service, Pokémon Rumble comes recommended — it's a shame it's now been lost to time thanks to the closure of the Wii Shop Channel.
31. Pokémon Shuffle (3DS eShop)
Pokémon Shuffle is a fantastic match-three puzzle game marred by a sleazy suite of microtransactions, and your ability to enjoy the former will hinge directly on how well you can ignore the latter. As a game you can pick up and play a few times each day, Shuffle is a blast - the methodical, move-based matching action, fun implementation of Pokémon powers, and appealing presentation all make for a top-notch puzzler. If you need something you can play for hours at a time, however, your best bet is to ignore the in-game shop altogether; take the money you'd spend on an afternoon's worth of Jewels, put it towards Pokémon Battle Trozei instead, and let the endless supply of Poké-puzzles tide you over between Shuffles.
30. Pokémon Rumble Blast (3DS)
Pokémon Rumble Blast is a good game, but it's also one we've all played before. The 3DS gave Nintendo a wider palette to work with, but it seems like it was content to leave well enough alone. Because of that, and the fact the Wii Shop is no longer accessible, we feel comfortable recommending it, but if you happen to have that WiiWare title, then there's no reason for you to add this one to your library.
29. Detective Pikachu (3DS)
Detective Pikachu might well be a spin-off, but the visual and narrative direction the game has taken is an incredibly welcome one. The gameplay can be a little too easy and repetitive at times, and we were surprised to see the ending appear so abruptly, but everything is presented within a very solid package that will have kids and adults alike hooked. The game’s art, storytelling, and genuinely likeable cast show the world of Pokémon in a great new light, and we’d urge anyone interested to give this one a go.
28. Pokémon GO (Mobile)
What can we say about Pokémon GO's wild success that hasn't already been said? Even back when it first launched, we had some truly amazing experiences with this app, such as the thrill of capturing a rare Pokémon in an unexpected place and meeting up at a Pokéstop with like-minded players to create new (and admittedly fleeting) friendships. And while the game has fallen foul of many fans in recent years due to changes to the Raid system, Pokémo GO is easily the most successful mobile games from a Nintendo franchise.
27. PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure (Wii)
Whatever you're expecting from PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure, we have a feeling that you'll be disappointed. It might be worth picking up if you are thinking of starting your own Pokémon museum, or if you have youngsters at home who want wholesome yet unsurprising ways to kill thirteen or so hours. Creatures Inc. has made far better spin-offs than this, and even for younger audiences, there are far better choices out there.
26. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity (3DS)
For players open to some innocent, longwinded storytelling with their dungeon crawl, however, Gates to Infinity is the complete Poké-package. This is a fun, charming roguelike with beautiful presentation, accessible mechanics, and the warm, fuzzy feeling that can only come from playing as Pokémon. And with a never-ending supply of Magnagate dungeons, there's more than enough here to tide Pokémaniacs over while we wait for a new PMD.
Comments 47
I'm honestly surprised that the new Pokemon Snap was ranked so high, maybe I'm missing something.
Just checked the top of the list to make certain that Pokémon Conquest was there. Happy and amazed that it was ranked so high.
Good to see the Mystery Dungeon games get the love they deserve, even if their descriptions from the writers aren’t the most flattering.
But, I will never understand why Colosseum and XD are so loved. I played them within the last few years and I hated them. Guess it’s just a me problem, but I will never like them.
Mystery Dungeon games in the top two shakes my faith in the readership here.
Nice to see Pokemon Trozei on there. I did enjoy playing that one on the DS.
I haven't played many of the spinoffs; kinda shocked there are over 50 😅 New Pokemon Snap is one on my wishlist I want to buy if I can ever find a decent sale; such a cute game.
Explorers of Sky at #1, as it should be
@Cleefuzz Same! I'd love to see Pokémon dip into the tactical RPG space again. A modern Fire Emblem-style Pokémon game would be incredible.
@Shepdawg1 Probably because they were the closed we ever had to an mainline Pokemon games on a home console until the Switch
But yes, I also played them for the first time like 2 years ago and they are very tedious
Pokémon Puzzle League too low, list invalid (Mystery Dungeon games being at the top is great to see though)
@iLikeUrAttitude Very likely, I found it to be by far the best Pokémon game since Black/White 2.
I need to play Conquest again, love that game so much.
In my opinion, Pokémon Dash is not just "one of the weaker Pokémon spinoffs", it's one of the worst games ever made. And I've played some stinkers.
The top 3 I very much agree with. I haven't played Sky, but Time/Darkness was absolutely fantastic, and an expanded version of it couldn't be worse I suppose. New Snap is just wonderful in pretty much every way as well, I only have minor nitpicks like the music not being as good as in the original.
By the way, I just started playing Shadows of Almia today, and oh boy... I've played the other two Ranger games before, but I don't remember them being so boring at the beginning. I hope the pace picks up from here.
Pokemon Conquest definitely deserves that spot at #4. Not only is it a great spinoff, but it's one of my top favorite Pokemon games in general. If I have to nitpick, I'd say that my only gripe is that it's pretty easy. Still, samurai and Pokemon are a great mix, and one I'd definitely want to see a sequel or remake of.
Regardless of their placements in this list I'm somewhat fond of Pokemon Masters, Detective Pikachu (haven't tried the sequel yet), Pokken, and especially Pokemon Stadium as that game was one of my first N64 games, good times there.
Good to see most of the Mystery Dungeon titles as well as Conquest rank so highly.
pokemon pinball ruby & sapphire is the GOAT. I'd love to see another pokemon pinball.
Huge Pokémon fan here.
Love almost all of the spin offs.
Gen 3, 4 and 6 Mystery Dungeons are all great.
Love the 2 Poképarks.
The original Ranger was amazing.
Have so much time in Unite.
Conquest is so good, wild that there haven't been more.
The Gamecube rpgs are great.
Have gen 3 pinball but haven't played it yet though.
Still need to get New Snap sometime, liked the 64 original.
I had lots of fun with the original Rumble on Wii.
Still haven't bought the 2 Detective Pikachus, but wil someday.
Played Stadium 2 to death as a child.
Love normal Picross so having a Pokémon one on 3DS is nice.
Edit: Oh, how could I forget! And Pokkén, one of my favourite fighting games ever!
@mariomaster96 @Shepdawg1 I agree as well, XD is definitely better than colosseum but I also found them very tedious, I feel the removal of near complete choice in selecting a pokemon team is a massive let down. But I think its one of those games that felt better in its day, as I only played them for the first time around 2 years back.
Detective Pikachu Returns deserves a better ranking on what I saw , if you agree with me please comment on this post
I'm surprised Detective Pikachu Returns didn't rank higher. I realize it's a bit on the easy side from what I've read, but the impressions I get from it seemed positive. I admit I haven't played it but did play/enjoy its predecessor though.
Really wish I didn't miss the boat on Pokemon Conquest. I'd love a rerelease or new game on the Switch or its successor from that spinoff series.
Pokken Tournament DX. Pokemon Link Battle. Pokemon Puzzle League. These are the ones I most actually enjoyed. I have pnly played a couple of Mystery Dungeon games and the were okay
Definitely a lot to “lobe” in this list!
There are two kinds of people in this world: Ones who beat the Mystery Dungeon games and experienced amazing stories... and the impatient.
I love Pokemon and all, but the spin-offs are sort of a collection of average at best games. That’s not to say they aren’t fun, and I keep coming back for more for some reason, but if the games weren’t Pokemon, I’d skip them. If I had to pick my favorites, I’d pick the N64 games, but I’m aware that’s 100% nostalgia. I believe that most Pokemon spin-offs are 6/10 or 7/10s.
The mini games in Stadium 1 are probably honestly my favorite Pokemon experience outside the main games. With NSO, I’d probably guess Stadium is my most played game of the bunch because I get strangely addicted to those little games, same as I did when I was like 10-ish years old when the game came out. I’d say Snap is all-in-all the best of the bunch and Detective Pikachu has the best potential for a spin-off series. I could go for another Pokemon pinball game too. Honestly though, I sort of wish Pokemon would try a little harder with side games.
Surprised Pokemon Go isn’t higher on the list. I loved that little mobile app for a few year til having kids made it trickier to use. One kid was easy to use it, but once things got plural, man, that was over. My wife and I had a lot of fun with it though and were pretty active for what feels like a pretty long time. Objectively speaking, it’s probably truly the best spin-off game.
I don’t think cafe remix can be objectively better than masters. Having played both, at least with masters you can play more than five minutes without waiting for your pathetic energy reserves to replenish.
@iLikeUrAttitude it was good, surprised it even got made but something about the more simple first game can't be beat for me.
More ranger and pinball please!
@iLikeUrAttitude well, it is absolutely gorgeous, and if you like the gameplay, it is massively replayable. Obviously, photography may not appeal everyone, but if it grabs you, new Pokémon snap is utterly incredible.
It’s even got voice acting!
Pokémon Sleep is missing.
Zzz.
With so many titles it's hard to make this list razor sharp but it came out pretty well. Very few nitpicks, much fair
No Pokemon Box Ruby and Sapphire? 😮💨
I have a living Pokedex on it and then some! 💾
I hope that Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky deserves a remake for the Nintendo Switch soon, no matter if they keep forgetting it for so long or not.
All of the pokemon mini games and the tcg on gameboy.
Had my eye on Conquest for a little while now, annoyed I passed it up. Trending over double the original price, but it'll be a keeper I'm sure.
I saw Pokemon Stadium 2 (loose) at a carboot yesterday! Guy wanted £40 for it, which isn't bad, but I don't go carboots to pay "not bad" prices.
As someone who played one pokemon game I'm overwhelmed with the differences between all of the spinoffs, not in a good way
I understand there are people willing to play a game because of a Pokemon label but I must be one of the few who feel the opposite, it feels too tough to properly understand where an individual game sits in the larger universe
Literally just learning that Pokemon conquest wasn't a mainline entry
I think the best spin offs are:
Pokemon Stadium
Pokemon Stadium 2
Pokemon Colosseum
Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness
Pokemon Pinball
Pokemon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire
Pokemon Dash and Pokemon Channel are highly underrated and I'm tired of the way the fanbase treats those games.
Lastly, New Pokemon Snap is easily the best looking game in the series so far, in terms of graphics.
Didn't realise there were so many... the pinball game on gbc is nice though, as is (new) pokemon snap... Pokken a nice wiiU surprise a decade ago
the other free switch ones not more than a destraction... , the stadium games i don't see the point off (I didn't really fit in the pokemon demographic during the n64 days i guess).. and grinding rpg's i sadly don't have time for... stull it looks like it is a bit like fireemblem some, which is nice
This is actually a pretty good list. I think Pokemon Unite could have been a bit higher. Although it has a lot of issues, it's one of my top 5 most played Switch games.
@iLikeUrAttitude It's because it's Pokemon but with really good graphics. If Scarlet/Violet looked anywhere close to that, it would have sold 40+ million copies.
@Cleefuzz Exactly the same here. Can't complain too much about its placement. I love that game, and seeing it get some love here is awesome.
@Tyranexx Just play it now! The 3DS had already been out for over a year when it came out, so it was born behind the times. Really unfortunate for such a great game.
Okay, can someone please explain to me how exactly Red Rescue Team is the "best version of the game"??! I would say the people writing the article are crazy, but apparently the readers also rated Red higher than DX AND Blue for some crazy reason.
As someone who has put over 400 HOURS into Red Rescue Team...this is not the gold mine you all are making it out to be. I cannot tell you how many times I looked at a mechanic or chance of something important happening and went, "Did the devs even proofread this game?!" That's the best way I can put it. Trying to 100% this game...to say it's a chore would not do it justice. There is just way too much grinding to get your levels where they need to be to evolve, and you never have enough gummies, which you need LOADS of to evolve all the "friendship" evolutions. And whichever mons are good in the Level 1 dungeons are ARBITRARY. Also, evolving your Pokemon doesn't give you higher stats. If you want higher stats, you have to recruit them as the Pokemon you want, which is usually impossible.
Rescue Team DX has none of those issues, introduces new optional features that bring newcomers in much better, and handles levels in post-game dungeons much better. It's a much better game.
I love PMD, but the original games had a lot of nonsense that made trying to master them way too tedious. I guess you could say they're a product of their time...wait. Didn't you guys say that about DX, but then acted like that wasn't the case for the originals??? Where is the logic in that?!
Always wished I could get into the PMD games, as everything from their artwork, music, and storytelling looks top-notch. And then you get to the gameplay and the 50 floors of generic step-by-step dungeon crawl. It felt like little morsels of story as a reward for slogging through the exact opposite of game design. I wish the Chunsoft Mystery Dungeon formula had been left in the dustbin of the 90s, and the charm and heart of PMD applied to literally any other genre.
Conquest, on the other hand, is #1 on my list.
@Bret I'd love to, but sadly secondhand copies are quite pricey according to online listings I've seen. There's a cheap third party listing on Walmart's website, but I highly suspect it's a bootleg. Definitely plan to keep hunting though!
Good list. However Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Blue is kinda low, that's my favorite Pokemon game of all time.
@Tyranexx Oh, I wasn't thinking playing legitimately lol
@Bret I wondered lol. Emulating is also an option, but it will be some time before I play the game regardless of the means.
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