Without any doubt, Pokémon is one of the most celebrated franchises in the whole world. The franchise started with Pokémon Red & Blue, a pair of video games in 1998 for the original Game Boy console. And just like that, the exciting concept of training your own cute (and sometimes horrifying) monsters captivated a wide array of audiences.
Many years later, the whole franchise has expanded across many gaming platforms and through various media. The franchise was adapted to animation series and movies and even had its own top-selling card game. But its games are what people are raving about throughout the years.
This 2021, the Pokémon franchise celebrates its twenty-five glorious years. That’s twenty-five years of constantly inspiring youngsters and young-at-hearts to become the best Pokémon trainer! And in this article, we’re going to celebrate this legacy by looking at the best Pokémon games that you should get your hands on!
Hop on, and let’s catch them all!
Pokémon Red & Blue (Game Boy)
Let’s start with the video game that started it all. Pokémon Red & Blue inspired many of us to live to our best potentials. Looking back at the region of Kanto will just hit you with nostalgia. Plus, the original 151 Pokémons that all of us indeed memorized by heart. Come on, who can even forget the iconic original starter Pokémons: Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle! This trio has become a core memory in our childhood and will always remain as such.
Together with our protagonist Ash, you’ll battle with many gym leaders, stack up badges, fight off Team Rocket, and defeat the Elite Four. You can never go wrong with this classic.
Pokémon Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition (Game Boy)
Aside from the trio of Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle, what stuck with people the most is the cute yellow sparky companion that’s always beside Ash, which the franchise’s animation has already immortalized this friendship and bond. With this thought comes Pokémon Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition.
This edition is known to be the ultimate edition of the Red & Blue. Here, you automatically start your game with Pikachu as your starter Pokémon. It follows the same gameplay as its predecessor but gives you a fantastic add-on like a Pikachu minigame that you can enjoy.
Pokémon Gold & Silver (Game Boy Color)
After the massive success of Pokémon Red & Blue, the sequel must be nothing shorter than great. Expectations are rising, and the demand is that the sequel must be better than its predecessor. Luckily, the expectations have not only been met but surpassed with Pokémon Gold & Silver.
This sequel gave us an additional 100 more Pokémons to our library and two new Pokémon types. It also gave us new features like the day and night cycle and the time-specific challenges that come with it. This game might be the lengthiest in this franchise, pushing you to defeat sixteen gym leaders to complete the game finally.
Pokémon Masters EX (Mobile)
With the success of Pokémon GO in the market, the Pokémon franchise expands its reach further with Pokémon Masters EX. After all, the mobile arena is not unfamiliar terrain for the Pokémon franchise, and the Pokémon Masters EX features unique but simple-to-understand gameplay. For serious fans out there, this game is worth the try!
Players of this game are partnered with their desired Pokémon, which makes a Synch Pair. Each pair has four abilities they can fully use during three-on-three battles. Knowing the best Synch Pair is essential to rank in this game.
Pokémon Sword & Shield (Nintendo Switch)
Pokémon Sword & Shield is one of the latest franchise entries, just being released back in 2019. This is also the first core Pokémon series that can be played on Nintendo’s Switch. With this addition to the franchise’s ever-growing game collection, the desires of many players to play a fully 3D Pokémon game have been realized.
Sword & Shield introduces 400 more Pokémons to catch throughout the Galar region, loosely patterned after the United Kingdom. The Dynamax system is another interesting detail that allows you to buff up your monsters whenever you like it. These great additions ensure that there’s no space for dull moments when you’re playing this game!
Conclusion
Ever since Red & Blue, the Pokémon franchise never ceases to make us feel that we’re living up to our dreams of becoming the best Pokémon trainer. Each new release brings something new to the table, pushing us to keep playing more and wanting more.
What can I say other than it’ll only keep on getting better? I expect nothing less from a mammoth of a franchise to keep us entertained and hooked for more years to come!
Gonna catch them all!
Talha Ali is your tech generalist, covering a wide spectrum of topics within the ever-evolving world of technology. With a curiosity for the latest innovations, industry trends, and breakthroughs. Whether it’s hardware, software, emerging technologies, or the intersection of tech with daily life, Talha’s articles provide readers with a well-rounded perspective on the dynamic landscape of the tech industry.