All Mainline Pokemon Games, Ranked From Worst to Best

Having been around for almost 30 years now, Pokemon games have seen their fair share of ups and downs. It’s no secret that the series which used to consistently turn out hit after hit has had quite a few stumbles in recent years. And for that reason, we’re looking back at each mainline game to see which one is the very best of the poké-bunch. So here’s our definitive ranking of every mainline Pokemon game, from worst to best.

Every Mainline Pokemon Game Ranked Worst to Best

Before we dive into our ranking on all the mainline Pokemon games below, a few thing to be aware of. First, when we look at each Generation, we’ll be looking at the generation as a whole and not specific games. While we’ll definitely make mention of new releases for each generation, this list is mostly going to look at the impact that each generation has had on the franchise, for better or for worse, and which generations should be your go-to places to adventure in the world of Pokemon.

Then there’s the question of what constitutes a generation. Obviously, if there are two versions of a game that includes an entirely new Pokedex, they’re valid entries, but then you have remakes and a few spin-offs. For the sake of simplicity, we’re going to not discuss remakes here, and most spin-offs, like the Let’s Go! duology, will not be featured. However, due to its sizeable impact on the direction of future entries in the series, as well as the upcoming sequel, Legends: Arceus will be included in this list. It’s its own entity with specific mechanics and ideas that greatly expand on the series, so keeping it off this list would be a great disservice.

Now with that said, let’s start ranking each Pokemon generation!

10. Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet)

Many fans love the latest Gen IX games as the first truly open-world Pokemon games, and I love that people can find some new fun in a franchise that has long been criticized for doing the same boring old thing over and over. But we have to be honest here – after their release, many longtime fans, including several of us here at The Escapist, believed Gen IX to be outright bad. At least prior entries in the nearly 30-year-old franchise were (mostly) well-put together — even the ones lacking in content and design.

Putting aside the horrendous technical performances that make the pair of games nearly unplayable and hard to look at, Scarlet & Violet are plagued with a long laundry list of issues. From its lack of art direction to its nonuniform and inconsistent soundtrack, there are few redeeming qualities found here. While an open-world Pokemon game is a nice, novel idea, Paldea is a bland, empty mess offering little to do or see other than catching Pokemon that awkwardly walk around unaware of their surroundings with few meaningful NPCS, lore, or story to engage with. For a game that’s trying to do something fresh in a franchise that’s grown a bit stale, it oddly falls back on old designs that feel awfully outdated when compared to its immediate contemporary, Legends: Arceus.

There are a few bright spots, like the multiple storylines that you can take part in, and Terastalizization, where you can change the type of a specific Pokemon once per battle, is the best gimmick the series has had in a while. Ultimately, Scarlet & Violet are hollow experiences that feel like only a skeleton of an idea rather than a complete, worthwhile game.

Related: Every Pokémon Game on Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack

9. Generation VIII (Sword & Shield)

Sword & Shield were supposed to be the franchise’s showcase of what a Pokemon game broken free of its handheld constraints could look like, and it mostly missed the mark. Refusing to grow up and instead firmly stick to old designs that it knows and does well, we’ve ended up with a middling entry that’s neither bad nor good — it’s just an overall dull experience.

Sword & Shield continues the trend of 3D Pokemon games lacking in interesting content, with a shallow, forgettable story and one of the most sparse regions in the franchise. Generation VI is also extremely linear, with players confined to multiple looping paths with no opportunities for exploration. Its more “open” Wild Area at least attempts to break the mold by teasing the concept of a much more open, grander Pokemon game, but, being so empty and boring, it falls flat and is perhaps the game’s weakest feature. Finding random Pokemon there is fun, but once you’ve been there once, it never changes or grows in any meaningful way.

Still, there’s some stuff to appreciate here. Sword & Shield’s approach to Pokemon battling as a sport is sensical and engaging, even if a touch bland. Gyms, presented here as large sports stadiums, have never made more sense, and they offer a fun, unique sense of excitement and scale. The pair of games also have some incredible creature designs that are some of the most thoughtful and best-suited for its region. But for all the attempts to innovate and revitalize the series, Generation VIII feels like business as usual in all of the worst ways.

8. Generation VI (X & Y)

Many fans were excited about Generation VI solely because it was going to be the first truly 3D Pokemon generation, but the reality of the situation as pretty disappointing. Yes, Every Pokemon was rendered in 3D, but one has to wonder if so much focus was placed on modeling each creature that the actual campaign and content within the base games, X & Y, was neglected. That’s the only explanation available for why these games are so disappointing.

The games are extremely front-loaded, missing endgame content and features found in previous titles. The loose plot thread exploring the concept of Mega Evolution largely goes unresolved and is seemingly dropped partway through the games. And their primary plot point revolving around a group of fascist fashionistas is just … odd, to say the least — one of the worst stories Pokemon has attempted to tell.

However, despite their inconsistencies, X & Y are rather noteworthy for introducing some series staples, including character customization and the much-needed Fairy type, which helped balance the over-powered Dragon-type Pokemon. They also ushered in the era of gimmicks (for better or worse), featured some rather interesting war-centric lore, and have some truly wonderful creature designs (I don’t care what you say, Klefki is smartly designed and charming as heck). There’s clearly a lot of potential with Generation VI, but it just went unfulfilled upon its original release.

7. Generation IV (Diamond & Pearl / Platinum)

This is likely a controversial take for many, but out of all the classic 2D Pokemon games, Diamond & Pearl are by far the weakest. Of course, there’s tons to love here, like the culture and lore of the Sinnoh region, the use of mountains and caves for the region’s geography, and breaks down of physical and special moves by the move itself as opposed to the type, but the games are woefully unbalanced. The biggest example of this is the treatment of Fire-type Pokemon, where Diamond & Pearl only offer you two Fire types for the majority of the base game, one of which being a starter Pokemon. Your team composition is limited even further by the amount of HMs you need to dedicate to your Pokemon team just to progress, which is simply ridiculous and unmanageable (thank God we’ve since moved away from HMs). Then there’s just the general lack of post-game content, making Diamon & Pearl fairly uninteresting to return to.

If we were just judging Generation IV based on its base games, it arguably would be even lower on the list, but it’s only saved thanks to the existence of the definitive third edition, Platinum. Platinum included more Fire-type Pokemon, the sizeable post-game Battle Frontier, and the ever-fascinating Distortion World, but the whole experience is still a bit mired and dry in comparison to other 2D Pokemon games. Plus, Diamond & Pearl gave us many of the ugliest Pokemon in the franchise, including the horrendous Ambipom, which is unforgivable.

Related: The Rarest Pokémon Games and What They’re Worth (2024)

6. Gen I (Red & Blue / Yellow)

The original games that started it all, Pokemon Red & Blue were a rave hit that obviously had a very strong premise, core conceit, and iconic monsters. Traveling around the world and catching 151 monsters was addicting, and the need to play with others in order to catch them all encouraged cooperation. Sure the mechanics were a bit basic, but it was a winning formula that kids in the era loved wholeheartedly, even to this day.

But it’s also safe to acknowledge that Generation I was a broken mess. Psychic Pokemon were beyond overpowered, certain moves just didn’t work or were never learned, the AI was simple to a fault, critical hits were based on your speed stat for some reason, and those are just a few of the most notable issues. Calling Gen I unrefined would be putting it nicely. And yet, Generation I is still fine, simple, and well-paced.

As the first games in the franchise, Generation I isn’t bogged down by the gimmicks and unnecessary fluff plaguing some of the later titles, especially in the 3D era of games. Yellow also introduced the concept of “follow Pokemon” to mirror how Pikachu won’t stay inside its Poke Ball in the anime, and while it’s not a feature that’s been used often in the game series, it’s still a beloved one all the same. Plus, the Kanto region and all its characters and creatures are absolutely iconic at this point, which has to count for something.

5. Generation VII (Sun & Moon / Ultra Sun & Moon)

Sun & Moon are certainly the most underrated of all mainline Pokemon games. It feels as if they are often unfairly derided even though Generation VII has so much to love. Admittedly, they also have their fair share of problems: Yes, the 3D graphics are weak, and the Alola region is overly linear and sorely lacking in history and lore, much like Generation VI. But they were also the first to break away from long-standing conventions, replacing traditional Gyms with Totem Pokemon, introducing exciting regional variants of old Pokemon, which is a brilliant addition that each future entry would utilize to a certain degree, and expanding the universe with concepts of otherworldly Pokemon beyond space and time, even if those elements would never be touched again.

Sun & Moon also features the best story you’ll find in any Pokemon game (yes, better than Generation V and its commentary on morality, subjectivity vs objectivity, and the best antagonists in the series’ history). Its omnipresent themes of abuse and neglect permeate the entire game that still resonates today and have led to perhaps the most memorable villain alongside Giovanni and N, the most effectively sympathetic (and humorous) gang, and a cast of characters that actually feel like people. There’s some solid post-game content too, like defending your title and the Team Rainbow Rocket subplot in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Add in some of Pokemon’s best creature designs, with one of the best starter Pokemon trio lineups in a long while, excellent regional variants, and iconic iterations such as Mimikyu, and you have a generation that more than deserves higher praise in the fandom.

4. Legends: Arceus

Pokemon Legends: Arceus is a rather interesting entry when it comes to mainline Pokemon games, not least because it’s not really a mainline game. It didn’t start a new generation nor does it include many franchise staples like Gyms or even towns. Instead, Legends: Arceus gives us several large wildlife areas to explore as it attempts to rethink what modern Pokemon can look like as a console experience. Due to the critical and commercial success of the game, and how many of its mechanics were implemented in Generation IX (albeit not as good), it’s safe to say the ideas of Legends: Arceus are here to stay.

Legends: Arceus provides the most dynamic Pokemon battling and catching found in any game (mainline or otherwise) wherein you can battle them directly, sneak up on them in third-person, or engage in over-the-shoulder fights without the use of any Pokemon. This, as well as the emphasis on catching as many Pokemon as possible, really does make the game feel more challenging than any other contemporary Pokemon game. It also managed to make wild Pokemon actually feel imposing, terrifying, and dangerous to encounter, making wildlife encounters feel truly unique and exciting.

Legends: Arceus isn’t perfect though. It’s held back by technical issues, which is a common staple for 3D Pokemon games now, a largely empty region that doesn’t have much going for it visually (aside from its lovely watercolor-inspired cel shading), and not everything it attempts to reimagine, such as Battle Styles, works. Highly experimental and wholly transformative, Legends: Arceus is by far the best and most memorable 3D Pokemon game to date, even if it doesn’t manage to get everything right.

Related: Ultimate Pig Pokemon List – Best Pig Pokemon, Ranked

3. Generation V (Black & White / Black & White 2)

As the final entry point for 2D Pokemon games, Generation V proved to be the end of an era. And what a pair of games for an era to go out on. Generation V took all that came before them and meticulously refined it, not necessarily adding much to the franchise as a whole but instead providing a quality experience to represent Pokemon in, perhaps, its purest, most complete form.

Black & White are Pokemon’s first recognizable attempt at a real, meaningful narrative, ambitiously trying to tackle what has always been an identifiable and hefty problem for the Pokemon series: animal abuse. It’s an honorable attempt at explaining away the series’ most controversial topic, even if it doesn’t fully commit to it by the end. Its other most iconic feature is actually a callback to Generation I, wherein the base games have a Pokedex filled solely with 150 new Pokemon and no repeats. While the impact of this is diminished slightly the more time passes, it helped make the region feel distinct and separate from the games that came before, even if the direct sequels, Black 2 & White 2, immediately rolled back this decision.

The pair of games are also the beginning of Pokemon‘s attempts to recognizably connect to the real world beyond Japan, creating a meaningful bridge to world culture through its themed settings. Theming the Unova region around New York City and the United States led to several locations that truly felt distinct, like Castleia City. Additionally, the region’s season mechanic is one of the most fascinating features in a Pokemon game, providing a shifting landscape that keeps the region fresh and interesting as you return to the games over time.

Not everything in Black & White quite works, like the inclusion of Triple and Roration Battles, as well as but there are so many interesting things going on, and the pair of games do so much so well that they’ve more than earned their place among the top three Pokemon games.

2. Generation III (Ruby & Sapphire / Emerald)

Coming off the heels of the much-beloved Gold & Silver, Ruby & Sapphire had some big shoes to fill as the third entry in the Pokemon series and they absolutely nailed it. While Generation II wasn’t simple, the added complexity and refinement accomplished in Generation III helped cement Pokemon as more than just a fad. Ruby & Sapphire were the ones to introduce incredibly important franchise staples such as Natures, Abilities, double battles, and weather. Without them, Pokemon’s metagame would look nothing like it does today.

But beyond all that, Ruby & Sapphire are just fantastic games that are difficult to find fault with. Sure, there can be a bit too much water towards the endgame (as IGN rightfully pointed out in its much-memed 7.8 review of the 3DS remakes), the soundtrack can be a bit grating thanks to the Game Boy Advance’s limited sound chip, and the pair really toe the line on the “too many HMs” problem plaguing the 2D games. But aside from that, Generation III is Pokemon at its most gorgeous with lush, vibrant pixel art, and they boast the best and most intricate region in any Pokemon game to date. From wading through ash-filled fields near a volcano or the blistering sand storms of the desert to diving beneath the waves to explore the ocean floor, Pokemon has never had another region quite as dynamic and exciting to explore. And once you’re done, Emerald was there to provide players with the most extensive and exciting endgame of any Pokemon game up to that point that arguably hasn’t been topped since.

1. Generation II (Gold & Silver / Crystal)

President of the Pokemon Company Tsunekazu Ishihara has spoken before about how Pokemon Gold & Silver were intended to be the last games in the series, and with that assumption, they were made to be the ultimate, definitive Pokemon games. Even now, you can still feel that mindset permeating Generation II.

The second generation of Pokemon games established and laid the foundation as the blueprint of the franchise by improving on the first game with balances and additions that are still core to the series to this day. Some of those additions include shiny Pokemon, Pokemon breeding, the time system, the friendship mechanic (in mass form), gender, the Pokerus virus, held items, the split in the “Special” stat between Special Attack and Special Defense, the Dark and Steel type, the Pokemon animation being introduced in Crystal, and so much more — all of which the franchise would be worse off without (though Scarlet & Violet have already removed Pokerus from the games, which is a darn shame).

Furthermore, Generation II had one of the coolest features that hasn’t been replicated in a game since – connecting regions. Once you complete the game, players can journey from the Johto region to the first generation’s Kanto region and give you an abbreviated tour of the last region and end with one of the best final bosses the franchise has ever seen. And many of the new locations added with Johto are rich in environmental storytelling with brief glimpses of unique and interesting lore, such as the Ruins of Alph and the Tin Tower.

Sure, the game is a bit too easy given the lower-level Pokemon most enemies have, but that just means Generation II offers more opportunities to play with your party instead of fully committing to one team solely because they’re your strongest. Anyone can start any of the Generation II games and find something to appreciate or enjoy about them. A true masterpiece of the creature