For more than 20 years, the Pokémon series has transcended media and come in all forms. With millions of units sold and more than a dozen titles on Nintendo Switch alone, the franchise doesn’t seem like it’s about to stop. As usual, there are many different titles and they are not suitable for everyone. Be aware, however, that although the characters and the Pokémon universe are suitable for children, the vast majority of games require you to know how to read.
The article here is dedicated to the adventure games of the main nintendo switch series of the Pokémon franchise.
If you are looking for pokémon games available on Nintendo Switch that are the spin-off games, please see the article here. (Legends Arceus, Unite, Café Remix, Mystery Dungeon, New Pokémon Snap…)
If you are looking for Pokémon games available on smartphones, cell phones, mobiles, tablets (Android, iOS), please see this article here. (Pokémon GO, Smile, Playhouse…)
The main series is a role-playing game. That is, the children will play as a Pokémon trainer who tries to catch the most creatures and train them to fight each other.
Pokémon are pocket monsters (> Pokémon) with the appearance of fantastic animals.
The main series is composed of many episodes that are categorized into “generations”. Each generation has its own characters, Pokémon and sometimes some Pokémon in common with the previous ones. There are about 900 different Pokémon now spread across multiple games. And yes it’s normal that you can’t catch all the Pokémon with one game. This has been part of Nintendo’s strategy for over 20 years.
The links to buy the games are Amazon Affiliates links. Shared Screen receives a commission when you purchase a game after clicking on the corresponding link.
Note that the games in this article are sorted alphabetically.
Table of Contents
Spin-off games (Legends Arceus, Unite, Café Remix, Mystery Dungeon, New Pokémon Snap…)
Mobile games, smart phones, cell phones, tablets
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond
A 2D role-playing game reinterpreting the Pokémon Diamond game (2006, Nintendo DS) with new graphics and improvements for today’s players. Very great adventure during several tens of hours of play, see hundred for the most passionate players.
This game is the same as Pokémon Shining Pearl, only a few differences exist, as some Pokémon only available in one version. Be careful, buy only one version.
Requires to know how to read
For a player
Price: $79.99 + taxes
Generation IV
Buy the game on Amazon.ca (cartridge)
Buy the game on Amazon.ca (digital code for download)
Pokémon HOME
It is a cloud-based application (online servers) that allows you to transfer and store Pokémon. For example you have recovered Pokémon in Sword and want to transfer them to the next Brilliant Diamond title? You transfer them from Sword to Pokémon HOME. Then you can transfer them from Pokémon HOME to Brilliant Diamond.
In each game, the number of Pokémon that can be stored and used is limited. But it’s much bigger on Pokémon HOME.
However there are free functions, and functions available via Premium subscription to be able to access everything in Pokémon HOME.
Attention the Pokémon HOME subscription is an additional subscription to everything else and is different from the Nintendo Switch Online subscription. The subscription works with all Pokémon adventure games on Nintendo Switch, as well as Pokémon GO which is available on mobile.
Only 30 Pokémon can be stored in the free version compared to 6000 Pokémon in the subscription version.
If you play several episodes of the main series, the application and its subscription quickly become indispensable. Especially if you undertake the almost infinite quest to catch them all.
In the case of a single game, it is not useful.
Price: Free for basic functions
Premium subscription for 30 days: $3.99 + taxes
Premium subscription for 90 days: $6.99 + taxes
Premium membership for 365 days: $21.99 + taxes
Pokemon Let’s Go Eevee
A 2D role-playing game reinterpreting the game Pokémon Yellow (1998, Nintendo GameBoy) with new graphics and improvements for today’s players. Very great adventure during several tens of hours of play, see hundred for the most passionate players.
Ideal to start the Pokémon series. Very good game, very repetitive. Requires moving the controller in front of the screen to capture Pokémon.
This game is the same as Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu,only a few differences exist, as some Pokémon only available in one version. Be careful, buy only one version.
For 1 or 2 players. The second player is optional and is an aid to the first. He can join or leave the game at any time.
Price: $79.99 + taxes
Generation I
Buy the game on Amazon.ca (cartridge)
Buy the game on Amazon.ca (digital code for download)
Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu
A 2D role-playing game reinterpreting the game Pokémon Yellow (1998, Nintendo GameBoy) with new graphics and improvements for today’s players. Very great adventure during several tens of hours of play, see hundred for the most passionate players.
Ideal to start the Pokémon series. Very good game, very repetitive. Requires moving the controller in front of the screen to capture Pokémon.
This game is the same as Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee,only a few differences exist, as some Pokémon only available in one version. Be careful, buy only one version.
For 1 or 2 players. The second player is optional and is an aid to the first. He can join or leave the game at any time.
Price: $79.99 + taxes
Generation I
Buy the game on Amazon.ca (cartridge)
Buy the game on Amazon.ca (digital code for download)
(See the trailer of Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee above)
Pokémon Scarlet (Scarlet)
A 3D role-playing game that includes a great adventure during several tens of hours of gameplay, or even hundred for the most passionate players.
In this episode, players can move their characters freely in an open world, and some Pokémon can get the ability to… Terastaliser? Basically, they become crystallized versions of themselves and get special abilities.
(This is the same game as Pokémon Violet)
For a 1 player.
Price: $79.99 + taxes
Generation IX
Pokémon Shield
A 3D role-playing game that includes a great adventure during several tens of hours of gameplay, or even hundred for the most passionate players.
The adventures of this episode take place in the Galar region.
In this episode some Pokémon can get the Gigamax form, the Pokémon then gets an oversized shape to get additional abilities.
(This is the same game as Pokémon Sword)
For a 1 player.
Price: $79.99 + taxes
Generation VIII
Buy the game on Amazon.ca (cartridge)
Buy the game on Amazon.ca (digital code for download)
Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass
Expansion with more Pokémon and environments for the Game Pokémon Shield. Cannot be played independently.
For a 1 player.
Price: $39.99 + taxes
Generation VIII
Pokémon Shining Pearl
A 2D role-playing game reinterpreting the Pokémon Diamond game (2006, Nintendo DS) with new graphics and improvements for today’s players. Very great adventure during several tens of hours of play, see hundred for the most passionate players.
This game is the same as Pokémon Brilliant Diamond,only a few differences exist, like some Pokémon only available in one version. Be careful, buy only one version.
Requires to know how to read
For a player
Price: $79.99 + taxes
Generation IV
Buy the game on Amazon.ca (cartridge)
Buy the game on Amazon.ca (digital code for download)
(See the Pokémon Brilliant Diamond trailer above)
Pokémon Sword
A 3D role-playing game that includes a great adventure during several tens of hours of gameplay, or even hundred for the most passionate players.
The adventures of this episode take place in the Galar region.
In this episode some Pokémon can get the Gigamax form, the Pokémon then gets an oversized shape to get additional abilities.
(This is the same game as Pokémon Shield)
For a 1 player.
Generation VIII
Price: $79.99 + taxes
Buy the game on Amazon.ca (cartridge)
Buy the game on Amazon.ca (digital code for download)
(See the Pokémon Shield trailer above)
Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass
Expansion with more Pokémon and environments for the Pokémon Sword game. Cannot be played independently.
For a 1 player.
Generation VIII
Price: $39.99 + taxes
(See the Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass trailer above)
Pokémon Purple
A 3D role-playing game that includes a great adventure during several tens of hours of gameplay, or even hundred for the most passionate players.
In this episode, players can move their characters freely in an open world, and some Pokémon can get the ability to… Terastaliser? Basically, they become crystallized versions of themselves and get special abilities.
(This is the same game as Pokémon Scarlet)
For a 1 player.
Price: $79.99 + taxes
Generation IX
Don’t buy Double Packs
Online or in store, for the release of the main games, merchants often offer to buy 2 games at once. It is 2 times the same game as Sword and Shield, or Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
So we do not recommend buying the same game 2 times, especially since it is to pay $ 80 + taxes, 2 times.
Which game to choose?
If you want a huge adventure that lasts dozens of hours and these are your first steps in the series: Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu OR Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee are more than appropriate. In addition as a parent, you can take a second controller, play with your child and guide him.
If you want a new adventure exclusive to the Nintendo Switch, Pokémon Sword OR Pokémon Shield are appropriate.
Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet are the latest episodes.
Finally, if you have become comfortable with the series, and you want to complete your collection of Pokémon: Pokémon Brilliant Diamond OR Pokémon Shining Pearl.
All this is for very long (and very repetitive) adventure games that consist of exploring, capturing Pokémon and their take-turns combat. No reflex necessary. Everything is done via menus.
The rest of the games are special editions.
