The Pokemon franchise has launched quite a few online game titles over time, from a group of mainline adventures to extra distinctive spin-offs. Many of those video games have been launched in the course of the lifetime of the Nintendo Swap, which means there’s loads of content material for any Pokemanic to get pleasure from on the moveable hybrid console.
Nonetheless, not all of those video games stay as much as the expectations of followers, so should you’re interested in which titles you must contemplate selecting up to your change — in addition to the iffy candidates you’d be higher off feeding to Garbodor — then we’ve acquired you coated. Right here’s our rating of each Pokemon title on the Nintendo Swap.
11. Pokemon Quest
![Pokemon Quest](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/pokemon-quest.jpg?resize=640%2C347)
Whereas it’s a high quality addition to your library as a result of being free-to-play, Pokemon Quest stays lackluster so far as franchise titles on the Nintendo Swap go.
Using a blocky pixel artwork fashion that shares a similarity to Minecraft, Pokemon Quest is an action-adventure sport that options Pokemon referred to as Pokexel. You utilize them to journey, clear ranges of untamed Pokemon, recruit new members to your group, and enhance your Base Camp.
It’s an okay selection if you wish to kill a couple of minutes right here or there with reasonably simplistic, easy gameplay, however you possibly can’t anticipate an excessive amount of from this title. A scarcity of memorable moments, story, and fascinating options depart it feeling uninteresting and repetitive.
Actually, I’m an enormous Pokemon fan, and I’m normally wanting to get my arms on any new titles or spin-offs to attempt them out. I performed this sport on Swap for just a few weeks after launch — and I utterly forgot it even existed till now. Let that talk for itself.
10. Pokemon Cafe ReMix
![Pokemon Cafe Remix](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Pokemon-cafe-remix.jpg?resize=640%2C347)
Pokemon Cafe ReMix positive is cute, there’s no denying that.
Using an adorably charming artwork fashion and a few cozy animated cutscenes, this free-to-play title is a high quality selection for any Pokefan who enjoys puzzle video games. The gameplay revolves round working a restaurant and serving meals and drinks by finishing puzzles, which contain clearing Pokemon heads by linking them collectively in a string. Finishing orders will allow you to stage up your cafe and unlock extra menu objects.
Sadly, whereas Pokemon Cafe ReMix provides a cute, simplistic expertise, there are vital drawbacks that cease the sport from being solely pleasing aside from boredom from the repetitive gameplay components. Most importantly, you’ve gotten three ‘lives’ on this sport, and making an attempt a stage will eat a life — no matter should you fail or succeed. After consuming all three lives, you’ll be unable to maintain enjoying and make progress for a particular period of time.
The one strategy to get round that is by buying additional lives with Golden Acorns, which may be earned by way of play, gifted by mates, or bought as microtransactions, which is lower than excellent. Due to this, you’ll possible run out of each lives and Golden Acorns and be unable to proceed progress till the cooldown interval is over otherwise you’re prepared to fork over some actual world money.
For a sport that’s pretty easy and repetitive, that is extremely limiting, and considerably ruins the restricted moments of leisure Pokemon Cafe ReMix provides.
9. Pokemon Thriller Dungeon: Rescue Staff DX
![New Pokemon genre like Mystery Dungeon DX](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Pokemon-Mystery-Dungeon-DX.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
As somebody who was an enormous fan of the Pokemon Thriller Dungeon spin-off collection whereas rising up, I felt immense pleasure and nostalgia once I heard the Nintendo Swap was receiving a brand new Thriller Dungeon title, realizing there was an opportunity to kick issues up a notch. Introducing a brand new, nearly storybook-like artwork fashion for the sport was a singular and intriguing method, and one I embraced wholeheartedly.
Sadly, I can’t discover many positives to share past that. This modernized remake fails to uplift and enhance on the unique past the charming new graphics and endearing character roster. Dungeons really feel oddly repetitive and predictable, typically missing a problem. The story, whereas fascinating, had just a few pacing points which made it reasonably exhausting to benefit from the lovable Pokemon mates you meet alongside the way in which. In all honesty, this sport felt prefer it was a trouble to play, with little or no reward.
As somebody who as soon as sunk a ridiculous period of time into Thriller Dungeon video games, I used to be reasonably stunned that I misplaced curiosity utterly on this title inside my first few hours of enjoying and by no means picked it up once more. Rescue Staff DX simply fails to create the identical form of magic and enjoyable in exploring and fight that made elder PMD titles far more pleasing.
It’s nonetheless a good title to select up should you’re on the lookout for an introduction to the Thriller Dungeon collection, however you must comply with up with one of many DS’s Explorers titles if attainable for a way more well-balanced expertise by way of story, music, dungeons, and content material.
8. Pokemon UNITE
![pokemon unite main screen](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/pokemon-unite-main-screen.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
For those who’ve ever questioned what a Pokemon-themed MOBA sport would appear like, then Pokemon UNITE is the reply.
There’s nothing mistaken with downloading this free-to-play title, because it makes for fairly a good time killer and you’ll group up and play with your mates. In addition to, so far as MOBA video games go, Pokemon Unite is far more simplified and simple than different contenders, making it the right title to leap into should you’re new to the style. Matches are quick at simply 10 minutes lengthy, which is a couple of quarter of the time taken to finish a match of say League of Legends, for instance.
This lets you maintain transferring and having enjoyable, and helps the sport to be appropriate for youthful gamers too.
Sadly, whereas Pokemon UNITE does supply fairly strong gameplay and has a enjoyable roster that includes a great variety of fan-favorite creatures, the potential of the sport is considerably crushed by an arguably pay-to-win method. There’s a transparent affect of microtransactions, as gamers are tasked with discovering success with out spending hours upon hours to unlock new playable ‘Mons and get on even floor with their rivals.
7. Pokemon Good Diamond & Shining Pearl
![Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Pokemon-Brilliant-Diamond-1.jpg?resize=640%2C347)
Pokemon Diamond & Pearl have been amongst a few of the most beloved mainline titles in franchise historical past, with followers begging for remakes as soon as the Nintendo Swap was launched. Sadly, after we lastly acquired these remakes, they didn’t stay as much as the expectations of many Trainers worldwide.
Skipping over the quite a few bugs that gamers skilled on launch, probably the most notable criticism of those titles is the odd, chibi artwork fashion.
Whereas ORAS utilized a pseudo-chibi artwork fashion for the Ruby & Sapphire remakes, BDSP takes it to a brand new extent; nearly to the purpose the place these remakes look much less like part of the mainline collection and extra like a cell sport spin-off. It’s cute and all, however it appeared like a step backward for mainline Pokemon graphics on the change.
Past up to date visuals and some notable options, Pokemon Good Diamond & Shining Pearl additionally supply little or no by way of new content material or refreshing tweaks, particularly compared to different remakes.
For instance: Omega Ruby and Alpha Saphire utilized the well-adored Delta Episode for some intriguing and entertaining post-game content material that includes the mysterious Zinnia. Coronary heart Gold and Soul Silver, in the meantime, launched the primary comply with mechanic that was suitable with each Pokemon within the sport — even enhancing this function with the Pokewalker bonus accent.
Comparatively, Good Diamond and Shining Pearl solely actually supply up to date visuals. Every thing else is identical because the originals. Moreover, the Pokemon Platinum content material was utterly unnoticed of the combo, making them really feel much more missing.
Honestly, it’s exhausting to seek out quite a lot of positives about these titles when fan-made content material for a similar remake idea utterly blows them out of the water.
6. Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! & Let’s Go, Eevee!
![pokemon lets go pikachu riding arcanine](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/pokemon-lets-go-pikachu-riding-arcanine.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu & Eevee have had reasonably combined critiques due to a couple vital adjustments to the standard components.
For probably the most half, these video games are very pleasing and incorporate a number of key options that make them the right first Pokemon sport for any younger Coach seeking to take a step into the franchise. In these titles, conventional starter Pokemon and leveling mechanics are thrown out the window, with gamers being gifted a Pikachu or Eevee as their companion relying on which variant of the sport you personal.
The vast majority of group development and evolution comes from catching quite a lot of Pokemon, which might even be finished with the Pleasure-Con’s movement controls. This will allow you to really feel such as you’re bodily throwing these Pokeballs on the poor low-level Pidgey and Rattata. It’s enjoyable at first, however can admittedly develop tiresome reasonably shortly.
On the identical time although, it makes the sport extraordinarily easy and thrilling for youthful followers. Plus, you possibly can toggle movement management captures on or off, so it’s not the top of the world.
Some longtime followers have complained that the Let’s Go video games are far too straightforward, however veteran Trainers weren’t precisely the audience right here, so we would as effectively all simply get pleasure from them for what they’re.
5. Pokken Event DX
![Pokken Tournament DX Nintendo Switch](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/8324b602b4541c74702430e1602149c2211cda006f9d381a36da93f4dfa18061.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Most individuals who’ve performed Pokemon have contemplated the thought: What if there was a sport the place we might bodily management the Pokemon in battle to assault the opponent and dodge incoming strikes? Properly, Pokken Event DX solutions that query, and whereas it’s no conventional mainline Pokemon sport, it’s a extremely pleasing fighter sport and the closest we’ve gotten to the idea of controlling Pokemon in battle.
This sport is severely enjoyable to get pleasure from in co-op mode with mates, as you possibly can battle it out for bragging rights or have interaction in completely aggressive in On-line Play do you have to be up for the problem. There’s a good roster of Pokemon that every have a singular playstyle too, and each specimen on the roster is full with distinctive finisher strikes and victory animations.
The controls are additionally surprisingly straightforward to select up, permitting even probably the most informal of gamers to leap in and have some enjoyable; typically with a fairly strong success charge too.
Sadly, it isn’t with out its flaws. Whereas it does have spectacular cinematics, the story mode stays subpar at instances as a result of a reasonably bare-bones and repetitive narrative even for a preventing sport.
All the identical, Pokemon followers might do rather a lot worse than to provide this spin-off a attempt, particularly in the event that they’d prefer to dive right into a title their mates can play alongside them.
4. New Pokemon Snap
![new pokemon snap](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/new-pokemon-snap.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
For those who’re on the lookout for one of many coziest Pokemon video games round, then New Pokemon Snap is a prime contender.
On this title, all levelling, EXP grinding, fitness center battling, and determined looking to catch em’ all is thrown out the window. As a substitute, you tackle the position of photographer, observing and capturing Pokemon of their pure environments. Pokemon you encounter can be as much as all types of lovely and mischievous actions, reminiscent of dancing collectively, feasting on a snack, or splashing round within the water.
Environments are shiny and daring, and most of the trails you discover are genuinely beautiful to take a look at. Greater than as soon as, I discovered myself admiring my environment — particularly the illuminated evening tracks — and forgetting to gather snaps of the wild species inhabiting stated areas. The controls are additionally so simple as it will get. All you could do is level and click on as your journey system routinely strikes alongside every monitor for you.
Every space has a fairly respectable stage of replayability too, as you’ll typically stumble throughout Pokemon that you just missed the primary time round or seize a shot with a significantly better score than your first try.
New Pokemon Snap has good aesthetics, enjoyable and mellow gameplay, and provides gamers a sneak peek contained in the lives of untamed Pokemon – it doesn’t get significantly better than that.
3. Pokemon Sword & Defend
![Pokemon Sword and Shield Nintendo Switch](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/pokemon-sword-and-shield.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Although it might now really feel extra like a prototype for the highest rankers on this record, Pokemon Sword & Defend are nonetheless some really nice mainline Pokemon titles.
The video games’ Galar Area gave gamers a glimpse at open-world gameplay by way of the Wild Space, and featured an assortment of endearing and intriguing new Pokemon to catch. The Wild Space additionally featured Dynamax Raids, the place gamers can group up in teams of 4 to tackle and seize Dynamax Pokemon to earn some additional rewards.
Dynamax Raids have been an pleasing and worthwhile addition for longterm gamers and Pokemon collectors particularly. That is because of the pleasure of limited-time occasion Raids, which provide the possibility to acquire uncommon ‘Mons with Hidden Skills or shiny variants.
Pokemon Sword & Defend even have a few of the greatest character customization relating to titles on the Nintendo Swap. Gamers are in a position to absolutely customise their outfit and coiffure with varied choices that they unlock as they progress by way of the story, including a private contact to their Coach.
Alongside this, the video games launched EXP Candies, which shortly turned a fan-favorite merchandise as a result of how shortly and effectively they permit you to stage and evolve Pokemon — making them good for accumulating a dwelling Dex or elevating a Aggressive group.
Nonetheless, regardless of these positives, there are a few the explanation why these mainline entries are barely outshined by Legends: Arceus and Scarlet & Violet.
Sword & Defend is extraordinarily linear in its gameplay and was closely criticized for lackluster animations and re-using belongings from the DS’s Solar & Moon video games. Most notably, they recycled Rival Hau’s animations for Rival Hop, on prime of them already sharing most of the identical character traits. This dulls down characters and makes them really feel much less like their very own distinctive particular person, which is sort of disappointing and enabled aspect Rivals Marnie and Bede to outshine Hop with ease.
Regardless of providing new options, it will’ve been good to see Sword & Defend’s story taking some contemporary turns or spin on the basic construction too, which Scarlet & Violet does significantly better.
Nonetheless, these titles are undoubtedly enjoyable regardless of their flaws. They’ve sensible Pokemon designs, and have huge doggos because the Field Artwork Legendaries, so we are able to’t complain too a lot. For those who’re a Pokefan who missed enjoying by way of Sword & Defend, you must give these titles an opportunity!
2. Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
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Whereas Scarlet & Violet have had their struggles with considerably buggy gameplay and efficiency limitations because of the Swap’s restricted {hardware}, these titles are the primary huge step in a brand new route for the mainline Pokemon collection and have been an entire pleasure to play.
These titles allowed the primary really open-world method to gameplay, with three totally different Story Paths that you may full in whichever order you want as you roam the lands of the Paldea Area freely together with your trusty buddy Miraidon or Koraidon.
Additionally they outshine Sword & Defend within the story and character writing. Every Story Path has a spread of characters that you just’ll work together with reminiscent of Nemona, Arven, and the Staff Star members. As you progress by way of every Story Path, you’ll change into extra conversant in these characters and even get little snippets of their backstory, which provides perception into their character; precisely the little particulars followers stated have been lacking from SW&SH’s extra flat characters.
Scarlet & Violet additionally places a contemporary spin on its evil group with Staff Star, who’re as an alternative not that unhealthy in any respect and even arguably good at coronary heart. This was one in all my favourite parts of your entire sport and made finishing their Story Path extraordinarily worthwhile. The opposite paths are simply as rewarding, giving some touching moments with Arven’s Mabostiff and a really sturdy pleasant rivalry with Nemona.
Lastly, the multiplayer features are infinitely higher than earlier video games, permitting you and as much as three different mates to run round Paldea collectively in real-time to take in all the thrill the Area has to supply. Trainers can run, soar, swim, and fly their method throughout the lands with Koraidon or Miraidon, gather uncommon Paldean Pokemon, and even discover the infamous Space Zero when you’ve accomplished the Story Paths.
Scarlet & Violet is a superb step in the fitting route and probably the most pleasing mainline title to play alongside your mates. Even when it’s not the most effective Pokemon Swap sport, it’s darn shut and a great signal of the place the mainline collection might go subsequent.
1. Pokemon Legends: Arceus
![pokemon legends arceus key art with male and female protagonists, rowlet, staraptor, shinx, pikachu, oshawott, lucario, cyndaquil, bidoof, ryhorn, and ralts](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/pokemon-legends-arceus-key-art-with-male-and-female-protagonists-rowlet-staraptor-shinx-pikachu-oshawott-lucario-cyndaquil-bidoof-ryhorn-and-ralts.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Earlier than Scarlet & Violet, Pokemon Legends: Arceus was the primary sport to provide gamers a glimpse at a really open-world expertise, set a whole lot of years up to now in an historic model of the Sinnoh Area, labeled Hisui.
This was an entire breath of contemporary air by way of story and gameplay components, enabling followers to take part within the exploration and uncover the historical past of probably the most fashionable fan-favorite Areas within the franchise.
Legends: Arceus makes catching Pokemon far more enjoyable, with the flexibility to sneak up on wild specimens and throw you Pokeball, or have interaction in battle. For the primary time, you can too take harm and faint as a Coach, which retains you in your toes and makes exploration and battling that rather more thrilling.
Legends: Arceus’ artwork design can be one thing to behold. The characters on this title all have sensible, eye-catching designs. The Pokemon featured all through the Hisui Area embrace an abundance of fan favorites, in addition to the addition of recent historic Hisuian kinds for choose species.
After all, like many others on this record, Legends: Arceus had its flaws. The sport is marred by inconsistent body charges, restrictions on stock area, and an amazing quantity of repetitive of fetch quests. Contemplating this was the primary sport to utterly get away of the repetitive and predictable gameplay and story components although, it’s straightforward sufficient to look previous any minor annoyances.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus is an absolute blast to expertise, and till the potential of one other Legends title happens, there’s nothing else fairly prefer it. For that reason alone, it simply claims the excellence of being the most effective Pokemon Swap sport.