For more than two decades, Pokémon has held a steady place as one of gaming’s most consistent pillars. The series has seen a lot—mobile AR with Pokémon GO, open-zone structure in Legends: Arceus, and something new with Nintendo Switch release Pokémon Legends: Z-A, but the core concept never changes: smart party builds, tight turn-based battles, and worlds designed to explore. Here are some of the best Pokémon games the company has released in the franchise’s history.
Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen
FireRed and LeafGreen are regarded as the two best remakes of Pokémon games ever developed. They took the original Kanto adventure, ditched the old visuals for something shiny and new, improved the battle system to feel more like a real fight, and added a postgame that let you explore the Sevii Islands—the first time Kanto received a wide region.
What further pushed FireRed into fan legend was its flexibility. Players found a huge range of in-game modifiers and Action Replay/GameShark codes, so you could turn it into an experimental playground. Either you use them for convenience or chaos, FireRed has remained one of the most replayed Pokémon games of the franchise.
Why it’s popular:
- They re-told the Gen 1 storyline with polish
- Postgame with new areas, quests, and a story that links Kanto to Johto
- Great for Nuzlockes and challenge runs
Pokémon Gold and Silver
Gold and Silver didn’t just build on Red and Blue, but the developers also overhauled the formula. Day–night cycles, breeding, held items, Steel and Dark Types, and Shiny Pokémon were all introduced in the release. The world was more lively than any RPG at the time. Then came the reveal that stunned players: if you beat the Johto League, the entire Kanto region unlocks, and gives you a second entire map to explore.
Why they’re well-known:
- First Pokémon games with a real-time world
- Johto + Kanto equals the biggest adventures in the franchise
- Large mechanical upgrade
- Iconic champion battle with Red on Mt. Silver
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire were basically where competitive Pokémon received its modern form. The introduction of Abilities and natures, alongside improved IV/EV systems, adds depth to team-building. The Hoenn region is still praised for its environmental variety—reefs, rainforests, volcanoes, and the water routes are a defining part of its identity. Ruby and Sapphire took a gamble with Double Battles, which may seem simple, but they pushed players to think about strategy in a different way.
What they contributed:
- First games with Abilities (Levitate, Intimidate, etc.)
- Double Battles became a competitive standard
- A region built around weather, nature, and exploration
- Strong identity with Team Aqua and Team Magma
Pokémon Black and White
Black and White are frequently referred to as Pokémon titles with the deepest narrative. Unova was the first story to question the bond between Pokémon and humans, thus making it the big story-driven, led by Team Plasma and the mysterious N, one of the series’ strongest characters.
Throughout the storyline, every Pokémon you see is new to let the region stay fresh. To show the game world, the company used a mixed 2D/3D presentation with animated sprites. Black and White also brought a great follow-up to the series in Black 2 & White 2, which made for the only real multi-game story that era had.
Why the community ranks them highly:
- Best plot and character writing
- N is a fan-favorite antagonist/ally
- A new regional Pokedex for the most recent runs
- The city design and soundtrack in top-level Unova are probably my favorite of any game so far.
Pokémon Sun and Moon
Sun and Moon unmoored the classical niceties. Gym battles were scrapped in favor of Island Trials and Totem Pokémon, which feature fresh encounter mechanics and challenges. Its setting—Alola, inspired by Hawaii—also offers a regional culture, ecosystems, and a laid-back vibe unlike previous games. The introduction of Alolan Forms changed the familiar species with new typings like Ice-type Vulpix or Psychic-type Raichu to start a trend that is later continued by generations with Galarian and Hisuian Pokémon.
Why they are fan-favorite:
- First mainline Pokémon game to break the gym badge formula
- Regional Forms breathed new life into old favorites
- Strong regional identity with a focus on nature, culture, and tradition
- The story is more like a movie and puts more attention on the characters.