New Pokémon games are always exciting when playing them for the first time, especially for avid fans of the franchise. A new generation of Pokémon means a brand new region to explore, new Gyms to challenge, new bad guys to thwart and ultimately, new Pokémon to catch. With a lot of Pokémon games however, once the main story is done and dusted, there is little to get players to come back to the game.
Replayability is vitally important in any game, let alone a big franchise like Pokémon, and this is why post-game activities or at least later introductions of DLC are vital to a game's longevity. A Pokémon game not only needs to give players a reason to play right through to the end and aim to get their Pokémon to level 100, but it also needs to have versatility that can encourage players to play through it again. Over nine generations of mainline Pokémon titles and several other spin-off series, there have certainly been several games with more replay value than others.
10 Pokémon Stadium
Replay value means something different with Pokémon Stadium than it does with the mainline games, as Stadium lacks storyline or anything to make it an RPG. However, Pokémon Stadium did still keep players coming back to the N64 game, whether through the mini-games or the iconic battles. Players battled through Stadium mode, taking on various Trainers and making their way through Cups to eventually face Mewtwo and then unlock another game mode, Gym Leader Castle.
Players could choose their teams of Pokémon, selecting three from a team of six each time, and could even import their own from a cartridge of Blue, Red, or Yellow. This wasn't the only thing that kept players replaying Pokémon Stadium however, as the mini-games are still considered iconic. From jumping hurdles with Rattata to eating sushi with Lickitung, these mini-games will always keep Stadium relevant, even after all these years. Stadium's recent resurgence and port to the Nintendo Switch has certainly helped, allowing players to get stuck into this beloved game once again.
9 Pokémon Sword & Shield
While Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee were the first Pokémon games to arrive on the Nintendo Switch, Sword & Shield ushered in Gen VIII a year later. Sword & Shield were visually impressive, while they presented an engaging story and a rich region to explore in Galar. Players and fans were ultimately left divided on Sword & Shield, but it was more because of how it signaled a change from the norm of the franchise.
No matter the overall verdict, Sword & Shield had replay value. They had different Gym Leader lineups, with Sword having Bea and Gordie, and Shield with Allister and Melony. While the alternate titles do always offer a different playthrough with version-exclusive encounters, the games themselves were fun enough to warrant a second playthrough. They were also the first titles to get DLC, with The Crown Tundra and The Isle of Armor adding even more content.
8 Pokémon Emerald
Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire are remembered fondly as two of the best Pokémon games, as Gen III was generally the best era for the series. However, just as Crystal had done with Gold and Silver, Emerald arrived as the third title and proved to be the perfect blend of the other two.
Pokémon Emerald introduced a unique story that included both Team Magma and Team Aqua, rather than having just one as a persistent threat like in Ruby and Sapphire respectively. Emerald changed the Champion from Steven Stone to Wallace, which felt like a downgrade, but most other changes were welcome. Even though Ruby & Sapphire got remakes in 2014, Emerald is still incredibly popular, especially to those with Emulators.
7 New Pokémon Snap
While at first glance New Pokémon Snap may appear to be monotonous in its premise of exploring the Lental region and taking photographs of wild Pokémon, there is actually an unprecedented level of enjoyment and replay value to get out of the game. No run through any of the levels is ever the exact same, whether in the photographs the player takes, or in the variations that are triggered through leveling up or going at a different time of day.
Players can always strive to better their course scores and quality of photos. The story will always progress in the same way, but as far as spin-off Pokémon games go, there aren't many quite like New Pokémon Snap in terms of getting players to come back for more.
6 Pokémon Black 2 & White 2
The Gen V games Pokémon Black & White sparked the end of the traditional third title release like Yellow, Crystal, Emerald and Platinum, instead introducing Black 2 & White 2. The original Black & White games consisted only of Gen V Pokémon, and while this isn't necessarily a bad thing, it did mean that Unova felt closed off from the wider Pokémon world.
Black 2 & White 2 however, had Pokémon from all five generations, in addition to a different story and various other quality-of-life changes. It built on the originals but ultimately surpassed them, thus offering more replay value and reason to come back for more. When avid Pokémon fans think back to the Gen V games, they will often remember the collective experience through both games, but ultimately how the "sequel" completed the generation.
5 Pokémon Platinum
Pokémon Platinum was the final third title before the Gen V games switched it up, and it served as a great alternative to Diamond & Pearl. All three games explored the Sinnoh region, with its deep lore and interesting places, but Platinum took it to a whole other level by introducing the Distortion World via Legendary Pokemon, Giratina.
Platinum's Pokédex is slightly larger than Diamond & Pearl's, its story differs, and it even introduces new characters in Looker and Charon. Platinum is unique, and holds up as one of the best games of the series. Playing through it is effortless and engaging, and it remains one of the very best Pokémon games to just pick up and start a new game. Platinum Nuzlocke playthroughs are also especially popular.
4 Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver
Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver remain the high bar of what remakes can achieve. They remastered the GameBoy games of Gold and Silver, making them visually stunning and more mechanically sound on the Nintendo DS. HeartGold & SoulSilver introduced various uses for the DS' Stylus, including the Pokéathlon Dome, with various competitive games and competitions.
The remakes already benefited from the original Gen II games spanning both Johto and Kanto, and this immersion of switching between two regions has barely since been touched. The early-game of HeartGold & SoulSilver is not as quick and easy as other generations, but it is still an exceedingly fun game to start a new save and get going through the two regions and sixteen Gyms once again.
3 Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
The Gen IV remakes have received a lot of mixed reviews, mainly for their chibi-like art style, but they were still exceptional remakes. Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl had the benefit of working on one of the best Pokémon generations, with extensive lore and a Sinnoh region that is full of life and mystery.
The remakes added so much to aid and warrant replayability, but the Grand Underground itself stood as reason enough to keep coming back. Players could get lost in this new evolution of the old Underground, with multiplayer adding new dimensions, from Diglett Hunting, Digging and making Secret Bases, to catching Pokémon in various biomes thanks to the new Hideaways. Every Pokémon game encourages replayability to try the other Starter species, and with Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, this doesn't feel like a chore at all.
2 Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Pokémon Legends: Arceus was revolutionary for the franchise when it was released at the start of 2022. It introduced the Hisui region and various familiar concepts, with signs pointing to it being a past form of Sinnoh. Arceus encouraged a whole new way of playing Pokémon, namely in roaming the wilds and catching Pokémon without necessarily having to trigger a battle.
Players can sink hours upon end into Legends: Arceus, just trying to complete the story, catch them all and face off against Arceus. Starting a new game can be a chore with all the dialogue and tutorials in the opening hour or so, but after that, Legends: Arceus is still a ton of fun to play on a new save.
1 Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
The most recent mainline Pokémon games Scarlet & Violet have been criticized for their performance issues and extreme glitches, but they actually still have plenty to like about them. Exciting new species of Pokémon and the Paradox variations have taken the roster above 1000, the three major storylines merge into one shocking twist, and the freedom of an open-world Pokémon game has been a breath of fresh air to many.
From Tera Raids and competitive battling to roaming the wilds of Paldea and exploring every last nook and cranny, there is plenty to do in the Gen IX games. The DLC from later this year will add even more content into the games, perfect for those looking to start another playthrough.