When people think of the greatPokémonspin-off games, they’re likely to think ofPokémon Unite,Legends Arceus,Pokémon GO, or even the new mobile TCG. These stick in the mind not just because they’re more modern, but because they’ve garnered huge player bases, generating billions for The Pokémon Company, and are more persistently present than maybe some would like. However, while they are all definitely greatPokémonspin-off titles, there are plenty more that deserve people’s love and attention.
A lot ofPokémonspin-off games often go well under the radar or are huge successes only to be later forgotten. Nintendo may revive them through the Nintendo Switch Online service, but they’re rarely discussed, especially with newer, flashier spin-off games like thequestionablePokémon Legends Z-Acoming out. However,while not all of thesePokémonspin-off games received tremendous critical and commercial success, they nevertheless deserve far more credit than they often get.
10Pokémon Trading Card Game Used To Be The Best Digital TCG
It Has A Story & Plenty Of Trainers To Battle
When people think of a digital version of the legendaryPokémon TCG, they probably think of the new andeffortlessly engagingPokémon TCG Pocket. However, long before it was ever released on mobile devices, developers Hudson Soft and Creatures released the phenomenalPokémon Trading Card Gamefor the Game Boy Color. Featuring over 200 cards, a full-blown story, and the ability to trade with other players,this was a pretty excellent and faithful recreation of the TCG at the time.
Players could explore a world map and battle other trainers and would even have to battle eight Club Masters, each of whom had a deck representing a different elemental type. Of course, for those who’ve playedPokémonbefore, this all sounds very familiar, as too will the four Grand Masters that need to be defeated to win the whole game. It is a great structure though, and one that worked perfectly to bring the TCG to life.
9Pokémon Ranger Took Full Advantage Of The DS
It Was A True Touchscreen Adventure
The DS was an extremely experimental console for Nintendo, one that allowed it to be as creative as possible with its touchscreen functionality. It is what led to us getting incredible games likeThe World Ends With Youand the rather underratedPokémon Ranger. Utilizing the touch screen and stylus to capture Pokémon,Rangerwas a narrative-drivenPokémonexperience unlike anything that had come before it.
Remaking This Pokémon Spin-Off Would Be A Perfect Switch 2 Launch Title
If the Nintendo Switch 2 rumors are true, then this Pokémon spin-off series desperately needs a remake or a sequel to fit the hardware’s features.
Players had to draw circles around the deadly Pokémon they were battling to catch them, all while attempting to avoid their deadly abilities. There were a number of games in the series, all of which further expanded upon the core foundations laid in the original game. However,there’s a charm to the firstPokémon Rangeras it truly illustrated the unbridled creativity of the Nintendo DS era, making it well worth playing, even today.
8Pokkén Tournament Is A Hugely Underrated Fighting Game
Tekken Meets Pokémon Is A Great Combination
Pokkén Tournamentwas first released on the Wii U and later re-released on the Nintendo Switch.It is, as it sounds, a combination of the incredible fighting seriesTekkenandPokémon, taking players out of the restrictive turn-based formula of traditionalPokémongames, and allowing them to unleash their full fury on their least favorite Pokémon. Much like thebestTekkengames,Pokkén Tournamenthas a tremendous roster, with each Pokémon in it feeling varied and interesting to control.
Pokkén Tournamentdoesn’t really get much of a look-in when it comes toPokémonspin-off games, despite being a high-profile crossover and featuring the best visuals in aPokémongame. It is the best representation ofPokémon’scombat and the closest thing fans will get to recreating the fights seen in the anime. Frankly,Pokkén Tournamentabsolutely deserves more credit than it gets, especially when it comes to dynamic Pokémon battles, something Game Freak has struggled to achieve for decades.
7Detective Pikachu Gets Unfairly Criticized
The 3DS Mystery Game Is Pretty Great
Detective Pikachuis one of manygames that are unfairly hated, garnering poor review scores - especially the Nintendo Switch sequel,Detective Pikachu Returns- and rarely much attention. Of course, it got a movie adaptation, a bizarre choice considering its lack of relevance, although one that makes sense when considering thatDetective Pikachufor the 3DS offers the most human and grounded narrative in the series, giving players a meaningful insight into the world of Pokémon and the people who live within it.
“A Fine Game That Knows Its Niche”: Detective Pikachu Returns Review
Detective Pikachu Returns is a fine journey with an endearing cast of characters, even if it feels a little shallow and simple by the end.
BothDetective Pikachuand its sequel focus on the titular Pikachu solving crimes alongside its human companion, Tim. Terrible names aside, they make for a pretty compelling duo, and the puzzle-based gameplay alongside the fun town to explore, interesting characters to meet, and compelling explorations ofPokémon’srich history and lore,makeDetective Pikachua really great spin-off experience well worth trying.
6PokéPark Is An Unheard-Of Wii RPG
It Is A Mini-Game Extravaganza
PokéPark may be familiar to diehard fans, butthere’s likely a large group of people who didn’t know this RPG even existed. Aimed more at children, but nevertheless suitable for adults, this RPG sees Pikachu attempt to befriend a number of Pokémon from the fourth generation and below. Pikachu does this by competing in minigames, handing over berries, and even getting into tense battles.
It’s all rather relaxing, with the dialogue skewing more towards the witty and fun, and each biome feeling like a theme park ride, offering fresh and fun content scored by a suitable soundtrack. The icy caves featureLegends Arceus-esque quiet piano, while the beaches are more bouncy and lively. With a sequel adding even more Pokémon and mini-games,there’s plenty to get stuck into in this practically unheard-ofPokémonRPG.
5Pokémon Colosseum Is The Final Fantasy Of Pokémon
It Is Baffling This Didn’t Get A Switch Remaster
For those who’ve always felt thatPokémonshould be more mature and more narrative-driven,Pokémon Colosseumis the perfect experience. While many fondly remember this GameCube masterpiece,Pokémon Colosseumhas never received a remaster, remake, or modern sequel. It did get a follow-up in the form ofPokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, but it didn’t quite live up to expectations.
The FF7-Like Pokémon Colosseum Is The Series' Overlooked Gem
Pokémon Colosseum is an underrated entry to the Pokémon series despite sharing characteristics with the critically acclaimed Final Fantasy 7.
Many have comparedColosseumtoFinal Fantasy 7, and the comparisons are absolutely valid. It’s a genuinely enjoyable RPG experience unlike anythingPokémonhas had since. It seriously deserves far more credit for pushing thePokémonformula than it gets, for The Pokémon Company to recognize it more rather than forget it ever existed, and to get a long-overduesequel on the Switch 2.
4Pokémon Conquest Is A Great Pokémon Strategy Game
It Is One Of The Few Pokémon Games Set In The Past
When it comes to unexpectedPokémoncrossovers,Pokémon Conquesthas to be the best. It is a cross betweenPokémonand the niche strategy series,Nobunaga’s Ambition. Players are transported to a Pokémon-infused Feudal Japan where they help Nobunaga himself to unify the fictional Ransei Region. With 200 Pokémon to form bonds with and 200 corresponding Warlords to meet, most of whom are based on historical figures,Pokémon Conquestis a very unique DS experience.
No one ever really discussesPokémon Conquest, nor did it ever get a sequel, despite having a relatively positive critical reception at launch. It is a shame that The Pokémon Company doesn’t make more games likeConquest, especially as it helps diversify thePokémonbrand more than its current offering of mobile games and mainline titles does.
3Pokémon Snap Is Still One Of The Best Photography Games
Snap Captures Each Pokémon’s Personality Perfectly
Pokémon Snapis one of the mostpopularPokémonspin-off games, with it even getting a sequel on the Nintendo Switch calledNew Pokémon Snap. It sees players take pictures of Pokémon, using various means to elicit certain reactions from them, or attempting to catch them doing something funny or cute before taking that snap.Pokémon Snapremains one of the best photography games ever, as well as one of the most immersivePokémonexperiences.
Why Pikachu Looks So Fat In Pokémon Snap
Pikachu didn’t always have the slim design they’ve sported in recent Pokémon media, with Pokémon Snap depicting a much rounder version.
What it doesn’t really get credit for is its depiction of Pokémon in their natural habitats.Pokémongames have always treated the titular mons as just creatures to fight, butPokémon Snapgave them far more personality and showed players a different side to them. BothPokémon Snapand its sequel are well worth visiting for those who are tired of battling Pokémon and would rather spend a bit more quality time with them instead.
2Pokémon Stadium Has The Best Version Of Pokémon’s Combat
This Needs A Modern Sequel
WhilePokkén Tournamentis absolutely the bestPokémonfighting game,Pokémon Stadiumis definitely the best representation of the traditionalPokémoncombat model. It takes the turn-based strategy of the mainline games and makes it a far more cinematic experience. Each attack actually affects the Pokémon, with them reacting whenever hit. The thumping stadium atmosphere coupled with a great soundtrack helps make each battle feel equal parts exciting and tense.
It also featured co-op multiplayer on the same platform, which gave players a way of battling one another without the need for cables connecting their Game Boys. For the time,Stadiumrepresented the future ofPokémon, with its battle animations and co-op being well ahead of their time. It absolutely deserves credit for that, and for the fact that all these years later it still holds up.
1Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team Is One Of The Best Pokémon Games
It Is A Phenomenal GBA Experience
The very best spin-offPokémongame isPokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team. This is technically a spin-off of the originalDragon QuestMystery Dungeongame, which itself was asidekick spin-off gamefromDragon Quest IV. Regardless,Red Rescue Teamis a thoroughly charming adventurethat sees the player take on the role of a Pokémon as they explore the titular dungeons fighting monsters and collecting items.
There was, like with mostPokémongames, an alternative version ofRed Rescue TeamcalledBlue Rescue Team, which had different Pokémon for the player to control, including Squirtle. Both games were remade for the Nintendo Switch asPokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX.
Sporting a gorgeous art style that looks even better in the update, a great soundtrack, and colorful characters,Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Teamwas a phenomenal experience from start to finish that was later fleshed out in sequels. TheMystery Dungeonseries, while beloved by many, also seems to fall under the radar despite being such a compellingPokémonexperience.
