Pokemon Games Tier List – Complete (March 2026) Guide

Updated by Sunny Kaushik
November 4, 2025
GamingTier ListTier Lists

As a lifelong Pokemon fan who’s played through every mainline game multiple times, I’m excited to bring you the most comprehensive Pokemon Games Tier List you’ll find anywhere. After analyzing data from TierMaker’s community voting (1,368 submitted lists), Smogon forums discussions, and expert rankings from GamesRadar, Nintendo Life, and Den of Geek, I’ve created the definitive ranking of every Pokemon game.

Whether you’re a seasoned trainer looking to revisit the classics or a newcomer wondering where to start, this tier list will help you discover which Pokemon games are truly worth your time in 2026. I’ve considered gameplay mechanics, story quality, post-game content, innovation, and overall enjoyment to create rankings that reflect both critical acclaim and community sentiment.

Pokemon Games Tier List: Quick Overview (March 2026)

Tier	Games	Key Strengths
S Tier	HeartGold/SoulSilver, Black 2/White 2, Emerald, Platinum	Perfect refinement, massive content, revolutionary features
A Tier	Ruby/Sapphire, FireRed/LeafGreen, Legends: Arceus, Sword/Shield	Strong innovation, great regions, memorable experiences
B Tier	Red/Blue/Yellow, X/Y, Sun/Moon, Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire	Historic importance, good mechanics, some flaws
C Tier	Diamond/Pearl, Let’s Go Pikachu/Eevee, Scarlet/Violet	Flawed gems, technical issues, divisive features
D Tier	Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl, Legends: Z-A	Disappointing remakes, missed opportunities

Pokemon Games Tier List (2026)

S Tier: The Cream of the Crop

Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver (2009)

Ranking Justification: HGSS represents the absolute pinnacle of Pokemon game design. These remakes took the already excellent Gold and Silver and enhanced them with every quality-of-life feature from Generation 4, creating an experience that remains unmatched to this day.

Why They’re S Tier:

Two full regions (Johto AND Kanto) to explore
Following Pokemon feature that let your companion walk beside you
Perfect blend of nostalgia and modern gameplay
Excellent post-game content including Battle Frontier
Beautiful sprite work and music that still holds up
The PokeWalker added real-world interaction

Community Consensus: Across all sources I analyzed, HGSS consistently ranks as the best or second-best Pokemon game ever made. The attention to detail and sheer amount of content make these games the gold standard for what Pokemon should be.

Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 (2012)

Ranking Justification: The only direct sequels in Pokemon history, B2W2 took everything great about Black and White and expanded it into the most content-rich Pokemon experience ever created.

Why They’re S Tier:

Largest regional Pokedex at the time (300 Pokemon available before Elite Four)
World Tournament feature letting you battle gym leaders from all generations
Amazing post-game content with White Treehollow/Black Tower
Perfect difficulty curve that challenges experienced players
Introduced Join Avenue for multiplayer features
Improved story and characters from the original BW

Community Consensus: Smogon forum users particularly praise B2W2 for having “the best post-game set up of the series” and being “the closest they’ve ever come to a perfect game.” The sheer volume of content and polish makes these games essential playing.

Pokemon Emerald (2004)

Ranking Justification: Emerald took Ruby and Sapphire’s solid foundation and transformed them into the definitive Generation 3 experience with incredible improvements that set standards for future games.

Why It’s S Tier:

First game to feature Battle Frontier (still one of the best post-game features)
Balanced both Team Magma and Team Aqua storylines
Added Rayquaza as the cover legendary and story centerpiece
Improved gym leader teams and difficulty
Animated sprites for the first time
Secret Base customization with online features

Community Consensus: The EliteFourum discussion highlighted how Emerald “did both Magma and Aqua justice” and that the Battle Frontier alone makes it superior to Ruby/Sapphire. It’s widely considered the most complete Pokemon experience of its era.

Pokemon Platinum (2008)

Ranking Justification: Platinum fixed everything wrong with Diamond and Pearl, creating what many consider the most polished Pokemon game of the DS era.

Why It’s S Tier:

Dramatically improved battle speed (fixed DP’s slow animations)
Expanded Sinnoh Pokedex with more Fire-type options
Added Distortion World and Giratina Origin Forme
Improved Team Galactic storyline
Battle Frontier equivalent (Battle Zone)
Better character development and story pacing

Community Consensus: Multiple sources, including Den of Geek, praise Platinum for fixing Diamond and Pearl’s issues while expanding the world in meaningful ways. It’s often cited as the example of how “third version” Pokemon games should be done.

A Tier: Excellent Games with Minor Flaws

Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire (2002)

Ranking Justification: While not perfect, Ruby and Sapphire revolutionized Pokemon with massive mechanical improvements that still influence the series today.

Why They’re A Tier:

Introduced Abilities and Natures (still core mechanics)
Double battles for the first time
Beautiful Hoenn region with diverse environments
Contests provided alternative gameplay
Secret Base system for customization
Weather effects that influenced battles

Community Consensus: GamesRadar ranks Ruby/Sapphire highly for introducing “elements and features that continued throughout the series.” The Hoenn region remains one of the most beloved in Pokemon history.

Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen (2004)

Ranking Justification: These remakes perfectly updated the original games while maintaining their classic charm, making them the definitive way to experience Kanto.

Why They’re A Tier:

Beautiful color graphics and updated sprites
Added all Generation 2 mechanics (breeding, genders, etc.)
Sevii Islands provided new post-game content
Wireless connectivity for trading and battling
Perfect balance of nostalgia and modernization
Ability to trade with Ruby/Sapphire

Community Consensus: Den of Geek praises these remakes for being “the ideal way to experience the first Pokemon games” with their quality-of-life improvements and expanded content.

Pokemon Legends: Arceus (2022)

Ranking Justification: A bold reimagining of Pokemon that successfully innovated while maintaining the series’ core appeal.

Why It’s A Tier:

Revolutionary real-time catching mechanics
Beautiful open-world design in feudal Sinnoh
Alpha Pokemon provided genuine challenge
Strong story with historical context
Perfect blend of action and traditional Pokemon elements
Set the stage for future Pokemon evolution

Community Consensus: Nintendo Life calls it “the closest thing we’ve seen to a complete reboot” and praises how it “once again has gamers excited about where the franchise could go next.”

Pokemon Sword and Shield (2019)

Ranking Justification: Despite controversy, Sword and Shield successfully brought Pokemon to the Switch with several innovative features.

Why They’re A Tier:

Wild Area was the first true open-world Pokemon experience
Dynamaxing added strategic depth to battles
Beautiful Galar region with UK-inspired design
Camping feature for Pokemon bonding
Excellent competitive balancing
Expansion pass added substantial content

Community Consensus: While divisive, GamesRadar notes that Sword and Shield “offers a fantastically memorable experience” and that “the wonders of exploring the Wild Area felt like the true evolution of the series.”

B Tier: Good Games with Notable Issues

Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow (1996-1998)

Ranking Justification: The originals that started it all. While primitive by modern standards, their influence and solid gameplay earn them a respectable position.

Why They’re B Tier:

Historic importance in gaming history
Solid core gameplay that still holds up
151 original Pokemon with iconic designs
Simple but effective story structure
Groundbreaking trading and multiplayer features
Nostalgic value for millions of players

Community Consensus: Den of Geek acknowledges that while “they might not look like much nowadays,” the originals “remain master classes in the importance of gameplay over graphics.”

Pokemon X and Y (2013)

Ranking Justification: A beautiful transition to 3D that introduced several great features, but suffered from lack of content and low difficulty.

Why They’re B Tier:

Gorgeous 3D graphics and character customization
Introduced Fairy type and Mega Evolution
Excellent new Pokemon designs
Friend Safari for unique Pokemon encounters
Pokemon-Amie for bonding with creatures
Online features were well-implemented

Community Consensus: Multiple sources criticize X and Y for being “especially easy” with “little post-game content,” but praise their visual presentation and mechanical innovations.

Pokemon Sun and Moon (2016)

Ranking Justification: Ambitious changes to the Pokemon formula that worked well but suffered from pacing issues and hand-holding.

Why They’re B Tier:

Beautiful Alola region with Hawaiian inspiration
Trial system replaced gyms with fresh challenges
Alolan Forms provided interesting variants
Strong story and character development
Rotom Dex was a helpful companion
Ultra Beasts added unique gameplay elements

Community Consensus: GamesRadar notes that Sun and Moon “felt a lot slower than the earlier games” and were “very light on the post-game content,” despite their beautiful world and interesting story.

Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (2014)

Ranking Justification: Excellent remakes that improved on the original Ruby/Sapphire but felt somewhat safe in their approach.

Why They’re B Tier:

Beautiful 3D graphics for Hoenn region
Soaring mechanic for aerial exploration
Delta Episode provided new story content
Mega Evolutions integrated well
Secret Base improvements with online sharing
Updated mechanics from Generation 6

Community Consensus: While well-received, these remakes are often seen as not taking enough risks compared to other remakes in the series.

C Tier: Flawed but Still Playable

Pokemon Diamond and Pearl (2006)

Ranking Justification: Introduced important online features but suffered from technical issues and poor game design choices.

Why They’re C Tier:

First games with WiFi trading and battling
Introduced physical/special split (crucial mechanic)
Sinnoh region had interesting lore and design
Underground secret base system
Limited Fire-type options (only Infernape and Rapidash)
Extremely slow battle animations

Community Consensus: Nearly every source criticizes Diamond and Pearl for their “slow animations” and limited Pokemon variety, with Platinum being widely preferred.

Pokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! (2018)

Ranking Justification: Interesting experiments that appealed to casual players but alienated longtime fans with simplified mechanics.

Why They’re C Tier:

Beautiful updated Kanto visuals
Motion controls were divisive
Wild Pokemon catching without battles
Integration with Pokemon Go
Co-op multiplayer was fun
Too easy for experienced players

Community Consensus: Den of Geek criticizes the motion controls as “gimmicky” and notes the games are “ridiculously easy,” while acknowledging their accessibility for newcomers.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (2022)

Ranking Justification: Ambitious open-world design undermined by technical issues and lack of polish.

Why They’re C Tier:

True open-world freedom
Three separate storylines
Terastal phenomenon added strategy
Beautiful new Pokemon designs
Severe performance issues
Lack of content compared to other open-world games

Community Consensus: Nintendo Life acknowledges that while Scarlet and Violet “has us cautiously excited about the series’ future,” they’re held back by “ongoing performance issues.”

D Tier: Disappointing Entries

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (2021)

Ranking Justification: Lazy remakes that failed to improve on the originals while introducing questionable art direction.

Why They’re D Tier:

Chibi art style was divisive
Too faithful to original Diamond/Pearl flaws
Grand Underground was the only major addition
EXP Share made the game too easy
Missing features from Platinum
Felt like a cash grab rather than passionate remake

Community Consensus: Nintendo Life calls them “disappointing retreads” that are “Brilliant and Shining remakes in name only,” with little reason to play over the original DS versions.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A (2025)

Ranking Justification: A step back from Arceus that failed to deliver on its potential despite some interesting ideas.

Why They’re D Tier:

Limited to one location (Lumiose City)
Real-time combat felt unrefined
Lost the exploration magic of Arceus
Switch 1 version had performance issues
Story felt underdeveloped
Lacked the personality of other Pokemon games

Community Consensus: Nintendo Life notes that while it has “fabulous real-time combat,” it “loses part of the Pokemon magic that Arceus and many other entries managed to amplify.”

Ranking Criteria Explained

When creating this comprehensive Pokemon Games Tier List, I evaluated each game based on several key factors:

Gameplay Innovation

How well did the game introduce new mechanics that improved the Pokemon experience? Games like Emerald (Battle Frontier) and Black 2/White 2 (World Tournament) scored highly here, while remakes like Brilliant Diamond offered little new.

Story and Characters

While Pokemon isn’t known for deep storytelling, games with engaging narratives and memorable characters ranked higher. Sun/Moon and Black/White series excelled in this area.

Content and Replayability

The amount of post-game content and reasons to replay significantly impacted rankings. HeartGold/SoulSilver and Black 2/White 2 dominate this category with their massive content offerings.

Technical Performance

Games that ran well and had polished presentation scored higher. Scarlet/Violet and Diamond/Pearl were penalized for technical issues, while Emerald and Platinum were praised for their refinement.

Regional Design

The quality of the game’s world, including route design, city variety, and environmental diversity, played a major role. Hoenn (Ruby/Sapphire) and Unova (Black/White) are particularly strong examples.

Competitive Viability

How well the game supported competitive Pokemon play through available Pokemon, movepools, and battle facilities. This benefited games like Emerald and Platinum.

Community vs. Critical Analysis

One fascinating aspect of creating this Pokemon Games Tier List was comparing community sentiment with critical reviews. Some interesting patterns emerged:

Nostalgia Factor

Games like Red/Blue and Gold/Silver consistently rank higher in community polls than in critical reviews, showing how nostalgia influences player perception. However, HeartGold/SoulSilver transcends this by being genuinely excellent games that also tap into nostalgia.

Modern vs. Classic Preferences

Younger players tend to rank newer games like Sword/Shield and Legends: Arceus higher, while longtime fans often prefer the depth and polish of older titles like Emerald and Platinum.

Regional Biases

Players from different regions show preferences for games released during their childhood. Japanese players often rate Diamond/Pearl higher, while Western players prefer Ruby/Sapphire.

Evolution of Pokemon Games Through the Tiers

Looking at this Pokemon Games Tier List chronologically reveals interesting patterns about the series’ evolution:

Generation 1 (1996-1999)

The foundation builders. Simple but effective, they created the formula that would define the series. Ranked B tier for their historic importance despite primitive mechanics.

Generation 2 (1999-2001)

The first major refinement. Added breeding, genders, and two regions. HeartGold/SoulSilver remakes perfected this vision, earning S tier status.

Generation 3 (2002-2006)

The mechanical revolution. Introduced abilities, natures, and double battles. Emerald represents the peak of sprite-based Pokemon, earning S tier.

Generation 4 (2006-2010)

The online era. Brought WiFi trading and the physical/special split. Platinum fixed Diamond/Pearl’s issues to reach S tier status.

Generation 5 (2010-2013)

The content kings. Black 2/White 2 offer the most content in any Pokemon game, earning them S tier status and universal acclaim.

Generation 6 (2013-2016)

The 3D transition. Beautiful graphics but lacking content. X/Y and ORAS rank A tier for their innovations but missed opportunities.

Generation 7 (2016-2019)

The experimental phase. Sun/Moon tried new formulas with mixed results (B tier), while Let’s Go aimed for accessibility (C tier).

Generation 8 (2019-2022)

The Switch era. Sword/Shield brought Pokemon to home consoles with mixed results (A tier), while Scarlet/Violet aimed for open-world but suffered technically (C tier).

Generation 9 (2022-2025)

The reboot attempts. Legends: Arceus successfully innovated (A tier), while Legends: Z-A stumbled in execution (D tier).

Platform-Specific Considerations in 2026

Game Boy/Color (Gen 1-2)

Strengths: Nostalgic charm, simple but effective gameplay
Weaknesses: Primitive graphics, limited mechanics
Best Games: Yellow, Gold/Silver

Game Boy Advance (Gen 3)

Strengths: Beautiful sprites, introduced core mechanics
Weaknesses: Limited online features
Best Games: Emerald, FireRed/LeafGreen

Nintendo DS (Gen 4-5)

Strengths: Online play, touch screen features, massive content
Weaknesses: Some games suffered from slow performance
Best Games: Platinum, HeartGold/SoulSilver, Black 2/White 2

Nintendo 3DS (Gen 6-7)

Strengths: 3D graphics, enhanced online features
Weaknesses: Some games lacked content, formula became stale
Best Games: Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire, Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon

Nintendo Switch (Gen 8-9)

Strengths: Home console experience, open-world elements
Weaknesses: Technical issues, varying quality
Best Games: Sword/Shield, Legends: Arceus

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Pokemon Games

Based on my analysis of community discussions and critical reviews, here are common pitfalls players fall into:

1. Playing Only the Newest Games

While Scarlet/Violet and Legends: Z-A offer modern graphics, they lack the polish and content of older titles like HeartGold/SoulSilver or Black 2/White 2.

2. Skipping “Third Versions”

Games like Platinum, Emerald, and Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon are often significantly better than their initial releases. Diamond/Pearl players miss out by not playing Platinum.

3. Ignoring Remakes

FireRed/LeafGreen and HeartGold/SoulSilver are often the best ways to experience older regions with modern quality-of-life improvements.

4. Focusing Only on Graphics

Games like Ruby/Sapphire and Black/White have excellent gameplay despite dated graphics, while some modern games look good but play poorly.

5. Missing Regional Exclusives

Each generation offers unique experiences worth exploring. Don’t skip Unova (Black/White) just because you prefer Kanto or Hoenn.

2026 Pro Tips for Choosing Your Next Pokemon Game

For Competitive Players

Start with Emerald, Platinum, or Black 2/White 2 for the most robust competitive scenes and battle facilities.

For Story Enthusiasts

Black/White and Sun/Moon offer the most engaging narratives and character development in the series.

For Content Hunters

HeartGold/SoulSilver and Black 2/White 2 provide the most content and replayability, with hundreds of hours of gameplay.

For Casual Players

Let’s Go Pikachu/Eevee and Sword/Shield offer accessible experiences perfect for newcomers or those with limited time.

For Nostalgia Seekers

FireRed/LeafGreen and HeartGold/SoulStrike the perfect balance between classic gameplay and modern improvements.

Future of Pokemon Games

Based on the trends observed in this Pokemon Games Tier List and recent announcements, here’s what to expect from future Pokemon games:

Legends Series Continuation

The success of Legends: Arceus suggests more historical/reimagined Pokemon games are likely, hopefully learning from Z-A’s missteps.

Open-World Evolution

Scarlet/Violet’s ambition, despite technical issues, points toward more open-world Pokemon games with improved performance.

Cross-Platform Play

With Switch 2 on the horizon, expect better performance and potentially cross-platform features between console and mobile Pokemon games.

Remake Quality Improvement

The backlash against Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl may lead to higher-quality remakes in the future, similar to HeartGold/SoulSilver’s standard.

FAQ: Pokemon Games Tier List

What is the best Pokemon game of all time?

Based on comprehensive analysis of community voting and critical reviews, Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver are widely considered the best Pokemon games ever made. They offer two full regions, following Pokemon, and the perfect blend of nostalgia and modern gameplay.

What is the worst Pokemon game?

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are generally considered the weakest mainline Pokemon games due to their lazy remake approach, divisive art style, and lack of meaningful improvements over the original Diamond/Pearl.

Should I play Pokemon games in order?

While playing in release order helps appreciate the series’ evolution, it’s not necessary. Each Pokemon game is designed to be accessible to newcomers. Start with any game that interests you, though HeartGold/SoulSilver or Black 2/White 2 are excellent entry points.

Are Pokemon remakes worth playing?

Most Pokemon remakes are worth playing, especially FireRed/LeafGreen and HeartGold/SoulSilver, which significantly improve upon the originals. However, Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl are exceptions, offering little improvement over their DS counterparts.

What Pokemon game has the most content?

Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 offer the most content of any Pokemon game, featuring the largest regional Pokedex at release, the World Tournament, White Treehollow/Black Tower, and Join Avenue, providing hundreds of hours of gameplay.

Are newer Pokemon games better than older ones?

Not necessarily. While newer games have better graphics and some quality-of-life improvements, many older games like Emerald, Platinum, and HeartGold/SoulSilver offer more content, better balance, and more polished experiences.

What Pokemon game should I start with?

For newcomers, Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver or Pokemon Black 2/White 2 are excellent starting points. They offer the perfect balance of accessibility, content, and series-defining features.

How long does it take to complete a Pokemon game?

Most Pokemon games take 30-50 hours to complete the main story. However, games with substantial post-game content like HeartGold/SoulSilver and Black 2/White 2 can provide 200+ hours of gameplay.

Are Pokemon games getting easier?

Yes, modern Pokemon games generally feature lower difficulty and more hand-holding compared to older titles. Games like Emerald and Platinum offered more challenge, while recent entries like Sword/Shield and Scarlet/Violet are more accessible to casual players.

What makes a Pokemon game “good”?

A good Pokemon game balances innovation with tradition, offers substantial content, provides challenging but fair difficulty, features a well-designed region, and includes meaningful post-game content. Games like HeartGold/SoulSilver and Black 2/White 2 excel in all these areas.

Final Thoughts

Creating this definitive Pokemon Games Tier List has been an incredible journey through gaming history. From the humble beginnings of Red and Blue to the ambitious open-world experiments of Scarlet and Violet, the Pokemon series has evolved dramatically while maintaining its core appeal.

What stands out most from this analysis is that the best Pokemon games aren’t necessarily the newest or most graphically impressive. Instead, they’re the ones that perfect the formula, offer substantial content, and respect both new and returning players. HeartGold/SoulSilver, Black 2/White 2, Emerald, and Platinum represent the pinnacle of Pokemon game design, setting standards that recent games still struggle to match.

As we look toward the future with Pokemon Legends: Z-A and beyond, I hope Game Freak learns from the series’ greatest hits. The Pokemon community deserves games that combine the innovation of Legends: Arceus with the polish and content of HeartGold/SoulSilver.

Whether you agree with my rankings or have your own opinions, I hope this comprehensive Pokemon Games Tier List helps you discover your next Pokemon adventure. Remember to bookmark this page as I’ll update it regularly with new releases and community feedback!

What’s your personal Pokemon Games Tier List? Which games would you rank differently? Share your thoughts in the comments below – I’d love to hear from fellow trainers about their Pokemon journey experiences!