Best Pokemon Game Series in 2021

If you love Pokemon and want to know more about Pokemon Games then you are in the right place. In the core series of Pokemon games, there is a total of 18 games and here is a summary of each game to their release. So, what are you waiting for! dive into the world of Pokemons and experience it like never before.

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Best Pokemon Game Series in 2021

1. Pokemon: Red and Green

Pokemon Red and Green is the first game in the core series of Pokemon games. Initially, it was released as Pocket Monster: Red and Green in Japan in 1996. The game was developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for Game Boy.

The game starts in the Kanto Region of the Pokemon world. You can choose any one of these three Pokemon Charmander, Bulbasaur and Squirtle and then you can start your journey to explore the environment and look for wild Pokemons to catch. You have to catch wild pokemon by battling with them and then register them into your Pokedex.

2. Pokemon: Red and Blue

This is the first global release for any pokemon game. Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, Pokemon: Red and Blue were released in September 1998 in North America and in October 1998 in Australia and Europe. This version was initially released in Japan as Pocket Monster: Red and Green in 1996.

The key feature of this version is the Game link Cable which can be connected between two Game Boy systems for trading and battling between Pokemons. All the other features are the same as Red and Green.

On game rankings, this game got an aggregate score of 89% and it was considered as one of the greatest game ever made.

3. Pokemon Yellow

Pokemon: Yellow version is also developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo on the Game boy. This version was released in Japan in 1998, in Australia and North America in 1999 and in 2000 in Europe.

The player had to start with Pikachu as the starting Pokemon. That’s why this version was also known as the Pikachu version. Explore different areas and battle with wild Pokemons to catch them. This version also supports the Game link cable. It also features a mini-game ” Surfing Pikachu” to play.

4. Pokemon Gold and Silver

Pokemon Gold and Silver is the first instalment in the second-generation Pokemon game series. The game was developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for Game Boy color. In 1999, it was first released in Japan, in Australia and North America in 2000 and in Europe in 2001.

In Gold and Silver, 100 new Pokemon species are introduced. Both Gold and Silver versions are completely independent of each other but the game plot is similar. But to complete the Pokedex, you have to trade Pokemons between these two versions. Everything else like battling with Pokemons is quite similar to the previous pokemon games.

5. Pokemon Crystal

Pokemon Crystal is the second instalment in the Generation II Pokemon games. Developers and publishers are the same as the previous version. In Japan, the Crystal version was released in 2000 and globally it was released in 2001.

This is the enhanced version of Gold and Silver. New colour schemes and graphics layouts are introduced in this version. Unlike previous versions, character gender can be customized here. Character and pokemon animations, Pokemon subplots and many other interesting elements are added to make the game more interesting.

Here, you can meet legendary pokemon trio Suicune, Entei and Raikou which are part of the story.

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6. Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire

Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire is the first game of Generation III and this game was published for Game Boy Advance. In Japan, it was released in 2002 and globally in 2003.

The controls and gameplay are quite similar to the previous games but some new features like a double pokemon battle, pokemon abilities and 135 new Pokemons are added. Game objectives are the same as previous but a new subplot is provided. In this version, 4 players can connect to trade instead of 2.

With a total sale of 16.22 million, Ruby and Sapphire became the best selling game for Game Boy Advance.

7. Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen

Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen is the advanced version of Pokemon Red and Green. It was released in 2004 globally.

The player has to catch and raise the Pokemons to use in battles. A new help menu has been added for the player and it also comes up with an introduction feature which is a tutorial for players. A new region is also added which can be accessed after a certain time. In this version, the graphics are more realistic than the previous ones. The overall game objectives and concepts have no changes to maintain the traditional pokemon gameplay.

8. Pokemon Emerald

Pokemon Emerald is the last addition to the Generation III Pokemon games. The game was released in 2005 Internationally for Game Boy Advance.

All the basic game features are the same but here the subplot is to defeat two criminal organizations Team Magma and Team Aqua, who are trying to capture legendary Pokemon Groudon and Kyogre. You can choose the player gender and also a new green outfit scheme is added. There is some minor change made in the graphics. Overall, there are no major changes in the gameplay.

9. Pokemon Diamond and Pearl

In the Generation IV Pokemon games, Pokemon Diamond and Pearl in the first addition. In Japan, it was released in 2006, and globally it was released in 2007.

The plot of Diamond and Pearl was set in the Sinnoh Region. The basic game mechanics are largely the same as their previous ones but the key feature of this game is that it can be played online using a Nintendo wifi connection, which completely changes the battle mechanics. Both Diamond and Pearl version can be played separately, but you have to trade between these two versions to complete the Pokedex. There is a total of 107 new pokemon species are added in the Diamond and Pearl version.

10. Pokemon Platinum

Pokemon Platinum is the enhanced version of Pokemon Diamond and Pearl. It is the second instalment in Generation IV Pokemon games. In Japan, it was released in 2008, and globally, it was released in 2009.

Like its previous games, it also follows the typical pokemon game mechanics. This version allows the players to trade their Pokemons with other online players using a WIFI connection. It also allows players to record their battles online. It added a feature called WIFI Plaza, where a lot of pokemon based mini-games are available. Most of the other game mechanics are similar to their previous versions.

11. Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver

Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver is the enhanced version of Pokemon Gold and Silver as well as the final addition in the Generation IV Pokemon game series. It was released internationally in 2010 for Nintendo DS.

Johto and Kanto Region is the set of these versions. In these versions, you can interact with your Pokemons about how they are feeling, etc which is the key feature here. All the other objectives are the same as the previous. It also features a minigame called Pokeathlon which can be played using the Nintendo touchscreen. The game also allows you to connect with other devices using wifi for trading.

12. Pokemon Black and White

In the Generation V Pokemon games, Pokemon Black and White is the first addition. Internationally, these versions are released in 2011 for the Nintendo DS.

The plot of the game is set in the Unova Region. These versions include fully animated pokemon sprites and triple pokemon battles. These versions also follow the traditional pokemon game mechanics and it added 156 new Pokemon species to the franchise. Both the versions are independent of each other, but to complete the Pokedex, players must have to trade between the versions. Most of the battle mechanics and objectives are the same as the previous ones. It uses IR communications for trading and battling with other trainers.

13. Pokemon Black 2 and White 2

These versions are the second addition to the Generation V Pokemon games and also the sequel of the Black and White versions. Globally Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 are released in 2012 on Nintendo DS.

The plot of the game is in the Unova region. Here the main objective of the player is to stop the criminal organization Team Plasma, who had returned as Neo Team Plasma. The game also features a legendary pokemon identified as Kyurem. In these versions, a new game mechanic was introduced as PokeStar Studios which is a side game in which the player has to participate in a filming contest along with pokemon. A new Key System is also introduced to unlock new areas and difficulties.

14. Pokemon X and Y

Pokemon X and Y is the first game of the Generation VI Pokemon Game series. It was released globally in the year of 2013.

The plot of this game is set in the Kalos region which is inspired by France. The player has to spoil the plans of the criminal group Team Flare along with his journey of Pokemon training. X and Y introduced 72 new Pokemon species and updated battle and game mechanics as well as graphics. Mega Evolutions of Pokemons are also introduced in this version in which the trainer can evolve their Pokemons further using special Stones. All the other basic objectives and game features remain similar to the previous versions.

15. Pokemon OmegaRuby and AlphaSapphire

As the name suggests, Pokemon OmegaRuby and AlphaSapphire are the modified versions of Ruby and sapphire. Globally, these versions are released in 2014.

The plot of the version is the same as the previous ones. Here, the starting Pokemons are Treecko, Torchic and Mudkip. Explore the areas of the Hoenn region and battle with wild Pokemons to catch them. You have to use these Pokemons against the eight gym leaders to collect the gym badges. Trade Pokemon with other players to complete your Pokedex. Along with all this, you have to fight with criminal groups like Team Magma and Team Aqua respective to the version.

16. Pokemon Sun and Moon

In Generation VII of the Pokemon game series, Pokemon Sun and Moon is the first instalment. It was released in 2016 globally along with Japan on Nintendo 3DS.

The plot of the game is set in the Alola Region which is inspired by Hawaii. The main objectives of the games are, to complete the island challenges to participate in Alola League and to spoil the plans of Team Skulls. The key feature is here the Z- moves, which is a special move and it can be executed using special Z crystals. There are also some alien creatures present and these are called Ultra Beasts. The game and battle mechanics are also updated in these versions.

17. Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon

This is the enhanced versions of Pokemon Sun and Moon and it was released globally in 2017 for Nintendo 3DS.

Here, the plot is the same as Sun and Moon. This version includes an alternate story with additional characters and Pokemons and the legendary Pokemon Necrozma which makes this version different from Sun and Moon. All the game mechanics and graphics are almost the same as the previous versions. Also, here are some new Ultra Beasts that are introduced like Stakataka, Poipole, Naganadel etc.

18. Pokemon Sword and Shield

Pokemon Sword and Shield belongs to the Generation VIII Pokemon game series and it was released in 2019 worldwide for Nintendo Switch.

Here, the plot is set in the Galar region which is based in the United Kingdom. You have to battle with the current champion of the region, Leon to win the championship. During this journey, you have to face various gym leaders and Team Yell, which is a criminal organization. There are two new features added in these versions and these are Dynamaxing and Gigantamaxing which helps your Pokemons to gain special abilities in certain situations. Game mechanics are quite similar to the previous ones but the graphics are updated.

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