Summary

ThePokemonfranchise is known for its many main series games, from the originalPokemonGeneration 1 titles to the latestPokemon Scarlet and Violetgames.Pokemonis famed for its classic turn-based RPG gameplay with the core aim of becoming the very best Pokemon trainer. Amid these titles, thePokemonfranchise has seen numerousspin-off gamesintroducing new and innovative mechanics, pushing the franchise in unexplored directions.

While many of these titles lack the star quality of their main series counterparts, some stand head and shoulders above the rest, with some of the series' most innovative video game mechanics - capturing the hearts of gamers worldwide.

The first game released in thePokemon Mystery Dungeonseries,Red and Blue Rescue Team,introduced players to dungeon crawling.Released on the Gameboy Advanceand Nintendo DS in November 2005, the game had players explore numerous dungeons, uncover lost treasure, and save the world from a giant Meteorite crashing into the Pokemon world.

Turned into a Pokemon to stop the calamity, the player’s character must uncover the secrets to their transformation, defeating legendary Pokemon and befriending various Pocket Monsters on their quest. The games were later rereleased on the Nintendo Switch asPokemon Mystery Dungeon DX.

5Pokemon Ranger

Setting the Standard For Pokemon Spin-Off Games

Pokemon Rangerintroduced players to the idea of capturing Pokemon using the stylus of the Nintendo DS. In 2006, when the game was released,Pokemon Rangerhad players draw circles around Pokemonto capture them to protect the Pokemon environment.

Challenging captures such as the legendary Pokemon Entei and enemies such as the infamous Go Rock Squad were highlights of the game. Much likePokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red and Blue Rescue Team,Pokemon Rangerset a precedent for future games in its spin-off series, making it one ofPokemon’sbest.

The Best Pokemon Ranger

Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia

Become a Top Ranger and protect hundreds of different types of Pokémon from an evil corporation in Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia. The second title in the Pokémon Ranger series once again calls on you to capture Pokémon on the Touch Screen, and then use their abilities to save the day. This time around, however, you’ll encounter 50 additional Pokémon that weren’t in the original game, including many from Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl.Starting out in Ranger School as a Student Ranger, you’re bursting with enthusiasm at the prospect of one day becoming a Top Ranger and using your knowledge for the good of Almia and its many Pokémon. Little did you know, after graduation you would soon be putting your new skills to work in a quest that would determine the very future of the region.Playing as either a boy or girl Ranger, it will be up to you to find and capture Pokémon that can aid you on your journey. To do so, you’ll need to use the Capture Styler, a special tool that enables you to capture Pokémon by drawing lines around them on the Touch Screen using your stylus. Whether or not you successfully catch Pokémon will be determined by the strength of your Capture Styler and the ability to call on help at the right moment from Friend and Partner Pokémon you have already caught.

A sequel to the firstPokemon Ranger,Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almiaexpanded on the original game mechanics set out in its prequel by introducing original Pokemon to capture, a new team to defeat, and an unknown region to explore. The game featured around 270 newPokemon and stand-out fights, such as against the game’s final boss, Darkrai, and Regigigas, which stands as the series most difficult boss fight.

Alongside the slew of new and challenging pocket monsters, the game also featured new mechanics such as the Capture Arena, which pitted players against powerful Pokemon to test their ranger skills. The bestPokemon Rangergame in every regard, Shadows of Almia is one of the bestPokemonspin-off games.

The Best Mystery Dungeon Game

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky

NOW YOU CAN GO BEYOND DARKNESS…OUTSIDE THE LIMS OF TIME…TO THE SKIES!Be a Pokémon and experience the world in a whole new way!Learn more secrets of Time and Darkness… Journey with your friends on remarkable adventures and save the world!

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Skyexpanded on the original red and blue rescue team games and their sequel -Explorers of Darkness and Time, to create the bestMystery Dungeongame in thePokemonseries.Explorers of Skyincluded dozens of new dungeons and DLC that featured key characters such as Bidoof, Wigglytuff, and Grovyle.

The games not only refined the classic brutality of dungeon-crawling mechanics with a Pokemon twist but expanded onExplorers of Darkness and Time’sexcellent story to produce amasterpiece of storytelling, level design, and gameplay that makes it one of the bestPokemonspin-off games of all time, placing it narrowly aboveShadows of Almiadue to its more extensive content and greater appeal among thePokemonfan base.

Based on Nobunaga’s Ambition games, the famed Pokemon Conquest is one of the most challenging and best games in thePokemonseries.Pokemon Conquestputs players in the trousers of a warrior destined to unite the land of Ransei and defeat the series protagonist, Nobunaga, who wants to conquer the region.

The core gameplay mechanics involveturn-based strategywith warlords teaming up withPokemonto complete objectives and defeat each other’s teams in single turn-based movements.

Due to its formidable but invigorating gameplay alone,Pokemon Conquestis above most of the titles on this list, with addictive mechanics that found far-reaching appeal. Unfortunately,Pokemon Conquestnever got a sequel despite acclaim.

Pokemon Legends: Arceusis the bestPokemonspin-off game of all time. Set in the region of Hisui, an ancient version of Sinnoh, players are whisked off on a journey of epic proportions. A first for thePokemonseries,Pokemon Legends: Arceusis an open-world adventure that allows players to capture and fightPokemonin the game’s overworld seamlessly.

In the overworld, players can crouch, roll, and throw items at Pokemonwith different Pocket Monstersvarying in behavior, such as strong alpha Pokemon often aggressively attacking the player.

The game also featured rideable Pokemon for traversal, such as Hisuian Braviary.Pokemon Legends Arceuschanged the narrative regarding what thePokemonfranchise could achieve, pushing the boundaries of the series with a great story highlighting legends such as Arceus and open-world mechanics that have and will continue to shape thePokemongames going forward.Legends Arceuswas the test bed for open-worldPokemonand the best-receivedPokemonspin-off game by critics and fans alike.