The best Pokemon games for new players

Pokemon is now thirty years old, like the original two games, Pokemon red and Greenwhich was released on the Game Boy in 1996 in Japan. Everyone who grew up in this era had to play a Pokemon game, but it's also not surprising if anyone avoided the franchise like the plague.

That said, on this momentous anniversary, and since the franchise never seems to stop, reluctant gamers may want to finally jump into Pokemon game for the first time. From basic experiences like Pokemon Legends: ZA to weird spin-offs like Detective Pikachuthere is a Pokemon game for all types of players.

Pokemon Legends: ZA

A good modern game

Pokemon Legends: ZA is the latest main style game in the series, featuring character customization and the ability to choose one of three Pokemon to be their default partner. Afterwards, players can explore Lumiose City, which expands over time as players progress through the story. At night, players will battle other Pokemon trainers to increase their rank, leading to big battles to continue the story.

There are also natural areas where players can catch or battle wild Pokemon to grind for EXP. The combat system is technically turn-based, although there are some action elements as well. Legends: ZA is well constrained Pokemon game within one city for newcomers to test what is typical Pokemon adventure is like.

Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver

A classic from top to bottom

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver are DS remakes of Gen 2 games. They aren't easy to find and play these days, but gamers looking to experience a classic entry into the main line will want to check out one of these games. The main gameplay loop of the franchise is that players start in a small town and then travel throughout the region, in this case Johto, to collect Pokémon, battle other trainers, and collect eight Gym Badges in major cities.

Once all eight are collected, players can challenge the Elite Four to become the Pokemon Champion of that region, but that's not all. There is a second campaign that takes players back to Kanto, the original region, so it's like getting two games in one. For this reason and others such as a more limited list of Pokemon, Pokémon HeartGold and Pokemon SoulSilver they're still primo turn-based RPGs.

Pokemon Pokopia

Cozy Life-Sim

Pokemon Pokopia is a quirky spin-off that can best be described as a life sim experience with a twist Minecraft. Players can customize their Ditto character to take human form and then travel around a ruined version of Kanto. All the humans disappeared and only a few Pokemon remained.

Players can build habitats for them from materials that will draw out Pokemon. They can then be used to build larger areas or make Ditto learn new mechanics such as using water to grow plants or learning to glide. How dark is the overall theme, Pokemon Pokopia is a very cozy life-sim that even non-fans can get into.

Catching Pokemon

Unification of Japan

Catching Pokemon is a grid-based tactical RPG for players who find most mainline RPGs too easy. While Catching Pokemon is far from the hardest tactical RPG around, it will certainly require some strategy to win matches. The game is a mashup Nobunaga's Ambition 4X series that brings players back to ancient Japan.

With their hero character, players can gather a team of Pokémon to battle famous generals across Japan, such as Oda Nobunaga and Akechi Mitsuhide, to take it over. Catching Pokemon is a hidden gem among the many RPGs of the DS system and as long as players need to find it Golden heart or SoulSilverthey can pick it up too.

Detective Pikachu

Who wants coffee?

Some players may be curious about Pokémon, but not interested in more intense games, not even a cozy life-sim. For fans of adventure games like Ace Attorney or anything by Telltale, they might like them Detective Pikachu on the 3DS. The game gives a better look at how Pokémon and their trainers live between cities, but the real focus is Tim Goodman, the son of a famous detective who came to Ryme City to find him.

Instead, Tim finds a Pikachu that can talk, a Pokemon that also has a constant craving for coffee, pretty deep. Together they will solve mini-mysteries, all of which will hopefully lead to Tim finding his father. Detective Pikachu is hilarious and will provide adventure fans with enough information to familiarize themselves with the Pokemon universe.

Pokemon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire

Bouncing pokeballs

Fans of pinball games will be in for a treat Pokemon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphirethat deviates from normal video games. Players can choose a table from any world and play seemingly normal pinball rounds that involve bouncing pokeballs. By getting bonuses, players summon Pokémon to the table to catch them and move to a new game with the same table.

The explanation is a little confusing, but some of the minigames take the player to new areas where they can attack and defeat Pokemon like Kecleon. There is a real one Pokemon pinball game at work but find a copy Pokemon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire it will probably be cheaper for the GBA.

Pokken Tournament DX

Tekken's hidden spinoff

Fighting game fans might like to check it out Pokken Tournament DX, especially if Super Smash Bros. Ultimate it didn't give them enough pokemon action to really buy into the series. Matches are fairly standard as players choose one Pokemon and then defeat it to see who is the winner, although players can also choose a Pokemon for an assist bonus.

While many of the Pokémon are fighting types, there is also plenty of variety, including Mewtwo, Pikachu, Lucario, and Machamp. The Pokemon will move around 3D arenas and each one has a series of moves that can be unleashed with combos. Pokken Tournament DX was designed by the company Tekken team at Bandai Namco, giving this spinoff more relevance as a true fighting game.

New Pokémon Snap

Passive adventure on rails

New Pokémon Snap is a passive experience and only the second game in the series after the original N64 game. As a Pokémon Explorer, players will venture into new regions on a cart that takes them along the tracks of a Pokémon safari. All players can do is move the camera, literally, as they can take pictures of the Pokemon that appear.

For perfect hits, the player gets points, which can then lead to the opening of new areas and other bonuses. Out of many Pokemon games on the list, this is the one for video game fans who want a taste of the universe with as little effort as possible. By playing New Pokémon Snapplayers can at least learn some Pokemon names.