Unlike most Nintendo franchises,Pokemonbegan on portables. The first run of games was released on the Game Boy in 1996 in Japan viaPocket Monsters RedandPocket Monsters Green. Two years later, the franchise exploded in North America withPokemon RedandPokemon Bluenot to mention toys and anime tie-ins.
There have probably been more spinoffs than mainline entries at this point but here is something harder to think about. What system has had themostPokemongames? It took a while to figure out considering there are many still trapped in Japan. It’s time to reveal some unique trivia about the series. No apps like thePokemon Bankor Pokedex will be reviewed.
Wii
There were no mainlinePokemongames on the Wiibut there were certainly a slurry of spinoffs.Pokemon Battle Revolutionwas a battle-focused entry, continuing the tradition fromPokemon Stadiumon the N64.Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Advance! Fire Adventure Team,Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Go! Storm Adventure Team, andPokemon Mystery Dungeon: Aim! Light Adventure Teamwere three downloadable roguelikes that are still exclusive to Japan.
Pokemon Rumblewas a simplistic action RPG that made the Pokemon look like toys.PokePark Wii: Pikachu’s AdventureandPokePark 2: Wonders Beyondwere mini-game collections primarily although they did have stories and semi-large worlds to explore for Wii games and a decent cast of Pokemon to control. Finally, there was the sim game,My Pokemon Ranch.
Pokemon Puzzle Challenge
If every version of themainlinePokemongamescount as separate entries then there are 11 games on the Game Boy otherwise there are only 8. For example, shouldPokemon Red,Pokemon Green, andPokemon Blueall count as one game? Technically since they all feature separate content, from here on out all entries count as single entries as they are all important to the overall franchise.
Pokemon Yellow,Pokemon Gold,Pokemon Silver, andPokemon Crystalround out the rest of the main entries on the Game Boy and Game Boy Color which will count as one all-encompassing platform. For the spinoffs, there wasPokemon Trading Card Gamealong with the Japan-exclusive,Pokemon Card GB2: Here Comes Team Great Rocket. There was alsoPokemon Pinballwhich combined pinball games and the monster-catching concept well enough along with a simpleTetris-like puzzle game calledPokemon Puzzle Challenge.
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX
Pokemon Sword,Pokemon Shield,Pokemon Scarlet, andPokemon Violetare four main entries encompassing two generations of the series. There was alsoPokemon Legends: Arceuswhich pushed the franchise forward by allowing players the ability to catch Pokemon without battling in a big open-world area. Besides new entries, the Switch also got some good remakes includingPokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!,Pokemon: Let’s Go, Eevee!,Pokemon Brilliant Diamond,Pokemon Shining Pearl, andPokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX.
After decades of waiting from the N64 days,fans ofPokemon Snapwere finally treated to a new game viaNew Pokemon Snap.Pokken Tournament DXwas an enhanced port of the Wii U fighting game from the Tekken teamDetective Pikachu Returnscontinued the adventure game aspect of the 3DS predecessor.Pokemon Cafe MixandPokemon Questwere two puzzle-based games with sim-adjacent gameplay. Finally,Pokemon Uniteis an ongoing MOBA.
Pokemon Art Academy
Pokemon X,Pokemon Y,Pokemon Sun,Pokemon Moon,Pokemon Ultra Sun, andPokemon Ultra Moonare all mainline games based on two generations ofPokemon.Pokemon Omega RubyandPokemon Alpha Sapphirewere remakes of the two GBA mainline entries.Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to InfinityandPokemon Super Mystery Dungeonwere new entries in thePokemonroguelike series.
Pokemon Rumble BlastandPokemon Rumble Rushwere very similar to the Wii game except with more Pokemon to control.Pokemon Battle Trozei,Pokemon Shuffle, andPokemon Picrosswere good puzzle games in their respective sub-genres, andPokemon Art Academygave fans a fun way to learn how to draw. The big spinoff standout wasDetective Pikachuthough which Hollywood saw fit to make a live-action movie from.
Nintendo DS
Pokemon Diamond,Pokemon Pearl,Pokemon Platinum,Pokemon Black,Pokemon White,Pokemon Black 2, andPokemon White 2gave the DS a whopping seven mainline entries across two generations. TheDSPokemonentrieswere significant because it was the first time a generation got direct sequels instead of enhanced ports.Pokemon Black 2andPokemon White 2were more substantial games thanPokemon Platinumwas toPokemon DiamondandPokemon Pearl.
Generational importance aside there was alsoPokemon HeartGoldandPokemon SoulSilverwhich were remakes from the first round of games on the Game Boy.Pokemon Conquestwas a funky but phenomenal spinoff that combined the strategy series,Nobunaga’s Ambition, with Pokemon to create a tactical RPG.Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team,Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time,Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness, andPokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Skywere more entries in the roguelike games which were and still are great beginner entries for those new to the genre.
Pokemon Rangerwas a new series that started on the DS and focused on touch-based gameplay to wrangle Pokemon for conservation purposes. There was alsoPokemon Ranger: Shadows of AlmiaandPokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs.Pokemon Trozeiwas a puzzle game andPokemon Dashwas ultimately a racing game although there were some other mini-games involved. Learn with Pokemon: Typing Adventure was an educational game that came bundled with a keyboard and it was exclusive to Japan and Europe. Finally, there was the Japan-exclusive educational gamePokemon Card Game: How To Play DSwhich taught players how to get into the physical card game.
