We review the best Pokémon titles captained by Game Freak, the studio in charge of giving color and shape to what we know today.
Pokémon is in a particularly special moment, a coin with two faces where, on a commercial level, things are going better than ever. However, what is already the most successful entertainment license in history continues to seek its place after the jump to three dimensions. After eight canonical generations and dozens of canonical deliveries and spin-offs, Pokémon Sword and Shield laid the foundations for what the license will be in the future with ideas that, better or worse executed, hinted at Game Freak's will to make a transition gradually to something different.
Changes in the main series in Pokémon have always been slow, but always noticeable. The Galar region did many things well, but it took more time for development. That is why they were remarkable deliveries and they could not aspire to more, because they left them wanting more in terms of route design, technically and, what most fans of the saga valued most: content.
Satoru Iwata (left) / Junichi Masuda (center) / Tsunekazu Ishihara (right)
2021 will serve as the twenty-fifth anniversary of Pokémon and, therefore, in this article we will review and argue what are in our opinion the 10 best games in the main saga, those works that contributed the most to the license and the most complete ones are felt as much at the time as now. This is also a ranking with its own name, Game Freak, which despite the criticism and the distrust it arouses in certain sectors, it is the study of Junichi Masuda, Shigeru Ohmori, Ken Sugimori and company that has led the series to which is today.
- You may also be interested: the 10 best Pokémon spin-off games
10. Pokémon X / Y (2013, 3DS)
The first three-dimensional deliveries. After having signed what are surely the most complete editions of the Nintendo DS era, the Game Freak team changed platforms and embarked on one of the most difficult stages of their career: leaving 2D aside. Junichi Masuda had to speak with everyone, department by department, to make them understand that those more than 600 species that were part of this universe were going to stop being a bunch of pixels; that it was time to adopt three-dimensionality in both creatures and settings and leave behind a style with almost twenty years behind it.
That change of mentality was translated in the Europeanized Kalos, a region based in France that well knew that it was going to arrive at a considerable amount of new players. Unlike Black and White, a generation released at the end of a console cycle and intended for a more mature and experienced user type, Pokémon X / Y opted for the opposite: focus on the neophytes. Facilities, simplicity, color, casual atmosphere … The result was, in a way, a success because of how well they worked at the sales level, the acceptance that their reduced wave of new species had – in a style similar to that of Johto and Hoenn, with more rounded lines – and a new mechanic that would win the acceptance of the entire community: Megaevolución.
Pokémon X / Y
Pokémon X / Y had winks and Kanto (Generation I) fan claims everywhere, and it was on purpose because it served as a call to gamers of yesteryear. That contrast between the new and the old made Game Freak's intentions clear, adventures in the constant search for his identity, his new identity. More hieratic faces and a less defined personality are the weak points of a region that, in HD, would have looked much better. Also, there was never a hypothetical Pokémon Z for many winks and hints throughout an adventure that, in a way, left the feeling of waiting for something else.
That "more" never existed because the Japanese study preferred to focus on Generation VII. Who knows if Kalos will ever return; But now, with seven years under their belt, they are still just as enjoyable and just as challenging. Deliveries that must be played, in any case, to understand the most drastic transition that the license has undergone in these almost twenty-five years.
9. Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (2014, 3DS)
It is impossible to count the number of times we read that from #HoennConfirmed. The remakes of the Hoenn region were, undoubtedly, one of the most popular requests since HeartGold and SoulSilver, but they were made to beg until a year 2014 in which the sixth generation had already started. The Game Freak team had two options: either do something similar to what those were about Gold and Silver, or follow in the wake of X / Y with a more reliable recreation only than this time in three dimensions.
It was a mixture of both. On the one hand, because they did not include the best that the Hoenn cycle had, such as the Battle of Esmeralda Front; on the other, because they adopted all the improvements and novelties of the three generations that existed between the originals and these remakes; including Megavolutions, a Pokédex made up of species from all regions so far or quality of life improvements that, even today, show how well designed these cartridges are and how well they took advantage of the second screen of Nintendo 3DS.
Although they are a remake, in a way they feel like sequels. Without going any further, Ciudad Malvalona is now bigger, a city evolved in the same way that other points in the region did. Likewise, the Battle Resort opened a hole with a bittersweet flavor, because even though it was a novelty it was still a substitute for the brilliant Battle Front.
Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
It is the PokéNav, this time called MultiNav, what we liked most about this remake, since functions such as the DexNav were included to keep a meticulous and detailed record of the species that we had not yet captured on each route. An interactive device that profitably and informatively took advantage of that touch screen, always secondary. We cannot forget its two dozen new Megaevolutions, species that we had not seen in X / Y, or the Ultraflight function, the closest thing to a completely manual flight that we have witnessed in the entire series. Faithful and respectful of Hoenn's legacy, these editions remained on the brink of excellence. A little thorn that, hopefully, we do not see in possible returns to this region in the future.
8. Pokémon Sword and Shield (2019, NSW)
When we think of Pokemon Sword and Shield we realize that, analyzed in context, there are a few similarities to Pearl and Diamond. Both premiered generation and both premiered platform. In addition, both Sinnoh and Galar, in this case, were regions whose generation laid the foundations of what would be the deliveries that would go right after. The eighth generation is not the best, far from it, for now. And we use that adverb because the Expansion Pass can turn these adventures into an experience much closer to excellence than we would have liked initially, where as we indicated in our Reviews they were simply remarkable.
The plays, directed by Shigeru Ohmori, raised initial expectations for a proposal that included an open-world environment for the first time in the equation. On paper, the Wilderness Area remains a seductive idea, a dynamic climate environment filled with secrets, active events, and a multitude of powerful Pokemon in the wild. It fell short in interaction, but it's the way to go.
Pokemon Sword and Shield
Unfortunately, that emphasis on the Wilderness Area was weighed down by excessively linear routes, too reminiscent of Alola's, and a graphic section far from what Nintendo Switch is capable of offering. Therefore, as already happened with X / Y with respect to Sol / Luna, it is to be hoped that it will not be for a couple of years when we can truly witness deliveries that take advantage of this graphic engine and, if possible, with the long enough so they don't come out feeling like they need a little more time.
Otherwise, brilliantly artistic, with an art direction led by a specially inspired James Turner and a soundtrack equally endowed with memorable themes. Sword and Shield have not said their last word, they can redeem themselves and improve some of the points where they received more criticism; such as the presence of just 400 Pokémon in its regional Pokédex, which will be expanded with 200 more creatures when both expansion passes are published. Meanwhile, this position is the one that seems fairer to us considering what these successful deliveries are today; soon on the historical podium of the saga.
7. Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon (2017, 3DS)
They are possibly the most criticized movements to date within Pokémon, the most "lazy". Game Freak was already on other things; He was working on Nintendo Switch with what would be in 2019 the first new generation installments for said console: Pokémon Sword and Shield. After Sol y Luna in 2016, Game Freak had the main department working on the Galar editions with the new hardware, while others progressed in parallel in both Let's Go Pikachu / Eevee and Ultrasol and Ultraluna, led by a small portion of young people. that, in the future, they will be the visible faces of the company.
The task was not going to be excessively complex: take Sol y Luna and make them even more complete, endowed with more content and with little incentives to return to Alola. It is difficult to recommend Ultrasol and Ultraluna if we have already played their original episodes; however, those who have not experienced these adventures should undoubtedly purchase these cartridges. For starters, everything takes place in a parallel universe where Alola has new worlds and territories. The plot included, in fact, new characters such as the Ultra Unit, which also served as a bridge to tell the story of Necrozma.
The advent of the Ultralight Threshold and Dimensional Ultra Voyages served as the gateway to a sizable dose of post-league content, with the accent being essentially on the ability to capture many legendary Pokémon.
Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
Apart from these additions, an Alola region that breathed the same airs of freshness as Sol y Luna, the games that celebrated the twentieth anniversary of the series with great daring: an adventure without gyms, but tests; an archipelago of islands, instead of just one; a territory without great technological boasts, but more wild. Alola is different, it is very idiosyncratic and, although the adventure is excessively linear and easier than normal, these deliveries (finally) took the step in eliminating OM as essential elements to interact with the environment. The Pokémounts and the Z Movements make (and will make) that over the years the seventh generation has better consideration than they have today; as initially happened with the fifth. If it weren't for their difficulty and that straight-line course, Ultrasol and Ultraluna would be higher.
6. Fire Red and Leaf Green Pokémon (2004, GBA)
Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are truly a redefinition of the original Red, Blue, and Green installments in Game Boy. Tsunekazu Ishihara, in an interview with IGN back in 2004, made it understood that they were not really remakes, but new installments where he could capture everything that was not possible in the limited Game Boy cartridges. Junichi Masuda, now director of these installments after having grown within the company and understanding the path that the saga should follow to reach more people, wanted to focus on communication and accommodate the three generations that already existed at the time.
A region of Kanto where we would live again the adventure of Red versus Blue in the task of being the Champion of the Indigo Plateau, only with infinitely more powerful hardware, the addition of that peripheral to exchange creatures without the need for cables or connectivity direct with the Ruby and Sapphire cartridges. Graphic mime, sound arrangements and all the changes that took place in those eight years: natures, abilities, more key objects …
Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen
They did not stop there, however. In fact, they serve as an example of what a remake must be for many people: an extension of the original works with a modernized base, which respects what was there before and who also dared to include more content and territories once we finished the game with the so-called Sete Islands. A new archipelago with which to access some creatures of Johto and Hoenn. The content available in the form of missions once we finished the League (from the Volcanic Ruby to Legendary Pokémon, the Challenge Tower or the Lorelei mission) were presented as an open book full of stories and details intended for the most studious and enthusiastic. The best representation of Kanto in the entire history of the saga.
5. Pokémon Platinum (2009, NDS)
If Esmeralda was the culmination of Hoenn, Platinum was Sinnoh's best expression. Defined by Game Freak as the “ultimate” Pokémon game concept to date, Platinum wanted to be the cartridge that all fans had wanted with Pearl and Diamond, whose task as first installments in the dual-screen era was eminently experimental.
In Japan the reception was total, and there are reasons to understand it. It was, in fact, the fastest-selling video game in Japan for the Nintendo DS. The differences with Pearl and Diamond compared to Esmeralda with Ruby and Sapphire were even broader with the incorporation, essentially, of the World Distortion, a new territory with a new plot to incorporate the figure of Giratina; characters like Handsome and Pluto; less changes in how some facts of the story were told or an expanded Pokédex that had 210 creatures as a base.
Platinum Pokémon
This Sinnoh had a colder ecosystem, hence the greater presence of snowy territories; and a special emphasis on more dedicated players by adding more moves for some Pokémon, more tutors, the Wi-Fi Plaza or the Rematch Cafe, with which we could return to challenge leaders and the rival. If we add to this that Platinum has the most difficult Pokémon League even today, Platinum became the angular cartridge of Nintendo DS, one of the most generous editions in terms of content without the need to resort to exchanges and who better understood what was important which was to provide hours of play to the adventure beyond the final credits. If we have Sinnoh's long-awaited remakes in the future, Game Freak should consider taking Platinum, not Pearl and Diamond, as a base.
4. Pokémon Emerald (2005, GBA)
There are those who believe that the Pokémon Emerald endgame has not been beaten and, in a way, there are arguments to back up that claim. If Ruby and Sapphire do not appear in this list, it is by Pokémon Emerald, whose recommendation is superimposed on these editions without any doubt. Pokémon Emerald is the ultimate Hoenn experience, even today and despite its more than notable remakes. Broadly speaking, an adventure with few additions compared to RZ, but with an incentive to the southeast of the region in a complex called the Battle Front. This location was created with the intention of finding the greatest talents in the Pokémon universe with modalities and battles capable of proving our worth. A full-blown challenge that we unlocked at the end of the league.
Emerald Pokémon
Completing the Battle Front and obtaining the seven golden symbols could take us years, especially in a year 2005 where the average public of the saga did not exceed adolescence. Thus, once we arrived in this territory we could find the Battle Tower, the Battle Factory, the Battle Palace … seven places with different rules and regulations (for example, fighting against others with equipment delivered randomly), but with a common denominator: chaining streaks of victories to eventually face the ace leader of the Front in question and get the silver symbol to later do the same with gold. A delight absent – inexplicably – in Rubí Omega and Zafiro Alfa, where they remained in the form of a model.
For the rest, Esmeralda is still more recommended than Ruby and Sapphire for the addition of animations for the Pokémon sprites, graphic improvements, Legendary and new places such as Challenge Hill, Changing Cave or Supreme Island, among others, designed to make the experience somewhat more complete and expanded.
3. Black and White Pokémon (2011, NDS)
Junichi Masuda, after having directed Rubí and Zafiro as well as Perla and Diamante as far as inaugural editions of generation are concerned, knew that the difficult was coming now. 2006 was the year of Perla y Diamante; therefore, there was a four-year difference between the launches of these deliveries in Japan and those that would start the fifth generation in those lands, 2010. A considerable period that required several years of absence on the part of the creative, as a producer as the remakes of Johto as in Platinum, which were the ones that were released in those intervening years. Masuda traveled to the United States to seek inspiration and … got it.
His doubt was clear: how to convince those players who started with Pearl and Diamond to re-trust Pokémon once again on Nintendo DS? Two generations on the same console, something we had only seen on Game Boy. There were several solutions on the table: be continuist or be disruptive. The latter was chosen. To do this, the first thing was to design a region not based on a Japanese territory; specifically, New York. In turn, a darker aesthetic, with a story told in a more adult way; with more background, moral conflicts and an antagonist who did not make it clear if he was an enemy, an ally, or neither.
Black and White Pokémon
Risks, courage. Black and White were different titles, which can not be blamed for their will to get closer to those who once played Pokémon and now had stopped going to high school to go to college. Game Freak was concerned that players would not finish the games, so they opted for a region, Teselia, excessively linear but with greater ability to explore, to retrace our steps. Also, they only included indigenous creatures from Teselia in the main adventure: we were not going to recognize any species from the previous four generations.
The region of the bridges – it is united by 5 great points – also had one of the most challenging leagues, with a different High Command structure and an endgame that offered the player the option of touring territories that we had not seen. That, added to the addition of Pokémon Dream World through the Pokémon Global Link website made it evident that Game Freak wanted to consolidate the competitive scene organized after the inclusion of online combats with Pearl and Diamond. A complete installments, with few fringes, surpassed by its sequels in the playable; but not in the narrative, where Black and White are still the closest thing to an old school JRPG that we can resemble. A turning point for the license.
2. Pokémon White 2 and Black 2 (2012, NDS)
Never before has Game Freak dared with numbered sequels. Junichi Masuda, in charge of directing Black and White with which he defines the most complex deliveries to conceive after the success of Pearl and Diamond, decided to entrust the responsibility of directing the following installments to a low-profile designer, Takao Unno, who had already He recorded his talent in graphic and modeling tasks. I was prepared to captain this project as the Game Freak core team continued what would be the first generation in three dimensions: Pokémon X / Y on Nintendo 3DS. The result, White 2 and Black 2, was outstanding.
And it was because instead of retelling the same as in its original editions with additions and improvements – as Cristal, Esmeralda and Platinum have already done – the Japanese developer took this license to say goodbye to what are currently the latest canonical deliveries in two dimensions. In addition, they did it on Nintendo DS when Nintendo 3DS had already been on the market for more than a year, so it was not the most desirable commercial scenario.
Pokémon White 2 and Black 2
The return to this expanded Thessaly, with an adventure that takes place two years after the events narrated in Black and White, incorporates structural changes resulting from the passage of time. Unlike in the previous works, this time the adventure incorporates a complete Pokédex from the first minute, not only with native species of Teselia. Although his story did not define shades of such epicity or darkness (the figure of N is very large), he was in charge of showing correctly what became of that Teselia after the final credits of the previous titles. White 2 and Black 2 were challenging, with a reimagined Battle Tower mode of play, the Pokémon World Tournament, which was nothing more than a tournament where trainers, gym leaders, and champions of Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, and herself Teselia met in knockout tournaments. It is, inexplicably, a way that we have only seen here and that has not returned. In any case, the expansion of the region, new content and the amount of things to do made these adventures a tribute to what had been five complete generations. These deliveries closed the circle of the two dimensions in a big way.
1. Pokémon Gold HeartGold and Silver SoulSilver (2010, NDS)
The best video games in the saga. To consider Johto as the region that ended up confirming that this phenomenon started in 1996 was not by chance, that this license had the potential to become one of the greatest phenomena in the history of entertainment, it was a status high enough to require some remakes at the height of those works of Generation II in Game Boy.
Game Freak had just started the fourth generation with Pearl and Diamond on Nintendo DS and the one they considered "definitive" delivery of Pokémon with Platinum a couple of years later. It was not an easy undertaking, but the adaptation of Gold and Silver to the fourth generation was and continues to be brilliant; as much for how well they have aged now that they are already ten years behind them and for the included implementations. Since the complete renovation of the interface, an aspect that is not at all banal in the usability of the menus, through an expanded Pokédex that contemplated, unlike the originals, the four existing generations to date.
Pokémon Gold HeartGold and Silver SoulSilver
A gift for the hobbyist, a meticulous calculation between nostalgia, innovation and respect for a couple of referring titles and that would lay many of the foundations from which the following generations would drink. Game Freak studied each part to compose arrangements of the additional themes taking advantage of the Nintendo DS sound chip; new events to better narrate encounters with legendary Pokémon; Pokémon Crystal content – expanded and improved Gold and Silver version in Game Boy Color – or an effort to tell the player more about the lore of games.
It is inevitable to highlight that touch of fanservice that we had only seen so far in Pokémon Yellow: your main Pokémon followed you. Yes, each and every one of the 493 existing species drawn and animated with their sprite behind the Trainer. The legend of the Kimono Girls, surprises in the endgame and a scene that, even today, continues to be one of the most important moments in the concept of overcoming and the natural change of new generations: the confrontation at the top of the Silver Mount . If it were necessary to choose some “definitive” deliveries, HeartGold and SoulSilver excel this list with merit and merit.
