These retro titles that were released as early as 1998 and no later than 2005 for players in the US, continue to be played by many Pokemon lovers who argue that these pixel titles have stood the toll of time greatly. Besides the originals, these are the Pokemon games that have aged the best.
7 Pokemon Puzzle League
Combining the love for the puzzle title Tetris Attack with the equally successful Pokemon led to the creation of one of the most loved spin-off Pokemon titles to ever grace the Nintendo 64 console. Although some players may first see it as a new texture over Tetris, Pokemon Puzzle League actually explores a lot more through its game modes than just being a match of three puzzles.
Completing levels would reward the player with Pokemon badges as they defeated other Pokemon trainers by earning the most points. Once all the badges were earned players could then compete in the Ultimate Competition, after earning all fifteen badges players could officially call themselves the Pokemon Puzzle Master.
6 Pokemon Pinball: Ruby And Sapphire
Pinball itself has aged well over the years from being a classic game played in Arcades to players being able to enjoy it from the comfort of their own homes on a console. With the popularity of Pinball, this also meant that franchises themselves wanted to combine their games with this.
However, Pokemon didn’t just make a pinball game on the Game Boy Color for players to enjoy it also had some fun other features. Firstly, the Pinball settings themselves were based on different locations in Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire, and therefore, while players were attempting to earn points they were also exploring while catching Pokemon. Players could then go on to evolve the Pokemon they have caught as if it was a standalone RPG of the franchise.
5 Pokemon Ruby And Sapphire
Stepping away from the Pokemon spin-offs of the franchise, the games that Nintendo was most popular for have also aged well throughout the years they have been published. The third generation’s titles of Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire were two of the last Pokemon RPG games to be published on the Game Boy Advance before moving on to Pearl and Diamond on the Nintendo DS.
Besides some players feeling that not much had changed about the franchise gameplay-wise during the exploration of this game, it was by far one of the most commercially successful games to be played on the Game Boy Advance. It did so well that in 2014 remakes of both titles were released on the Nintendo 3DS that players continued to enjoy.
4 Pokemon Snap
When the New Pokemon Snap was released on the Nintendo Switch in 2021 this piqued the interest of many old Pokemon fans who had equally enjoyed the original Pokemon Snap on the Nintendo 64 back in 1999. In this adorable game of exploration, players were tasked with taking pictures of a wide variety of friendly monsters as they went on an island tour.
This it isn’t as easy as it sounds due to many of these cute creatures being camera-shy. This was the first N64 Pokemon title to show these creatures in 3D though players weren’t able to freely explore the island as they are now with the likes of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
3 Pokemon Red And Blue
As Pokemon continues to grow with each generation, players can’t deny that by far one of the greatest of all the available RPGs was the very first to ever be created from the franchise. Pokemon Red and Blue first graced the screens of Game Boy for players in the US in 1998, and since then it has continued its success on the market.
Players continue to emulate Pokemon Red and Blue even without using a Game Boy through their PC, while other players take inspiration from the original title to make their own games. There were even official remakes of the title, as Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen in 2004 were the first Pokemon games to be remade and loved by the player base.
2 Hey You, Pikachu
Nintendo has been known to make the most of new and interesting game controller mechanics in their games and Hey You, Pikachu was no different. Created and published on the Nintendo 64 in 2000 by Ambrella relied on using a Voice Recognition Unit to interact and control Pikachu as players go on an adventure with one of the most loved creatures.
Players can fish, explore, and much more all while helping Professor Oak try out his newest invention. Hey You, Pikachu never received any direct sequels though this didn’t stop players from enjoying their time taking the place of Ash looking after Pikachu while it lasted.
1 Pokemon Gold And Silver
The second generation of the Pokemon franchise is one of the most loved RPG Pokemon games players have received by Nintendo, with many arguing it is one of the best Pokemon games before 2005. It sold just as well as Pokemon Red and Blue, making it a critically acclaimed title for not only Pokemon but also the Game Boy family.
In 2010 Pokemon Heart Gold and Soul Silver were released on the DS, these remakes further proved the love players had for the second generation of Pokemon as many nostalgic fans replayed and enjoyed the adventure all over again in Johto.
More: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: Pokemon That Still Need Evolutions
