Following Ash Ketchum’s departure from the Pokémon animated series, long-time franchise fans have been feeling the loss and nostalgia. Since the very beginning, we’ve followed Ash and his partner Pikachu across eight regions, battling alongside the duo in our corresponding games.
Players are now taking to their older systems and wiping their save files from early Pokémon titles to start all-new journeys and relive their fondest in-game memories. With consistent releases since the debut of Pokémon Red and Blue in 1998, we certainly have a long list of games and regions to choose from as we play through the series once more.
Here are some of the best Pokémon games to replay this year.
Pokémon Yellow Version
If you were able to snag a copy of Pokémon Yellow Version before the Nintendo 3DS eShop shutdown in late March, it’s definitely worth starting with this title on a Pokémon playthrough.
This early game made a seamless addition to its counterparts, Red and Blue, by allowing you to explore the Kanto region once more. Not only that, but Pokémon Yellow Version was designed to provide players with a journey parallel to Ash’s, complete with their very own Pikachu partner.
While this early entry has since been done over with Pokémon Let’s Go: Pikachu & Eevee, these newer titles don’t quite hold quite the same amount of weight as Yellow did in the first generation of Pokémon. Despite its in-game bugs and lack of newer gameplay features, Yellow is arguably the best place to start on a replay through the series.
Pokémon Colosseum
While Pokémon Colosseum isn’t a mainline title, this particular installment offered a completely unique gameplay experience that we haven’t seen from mainline entries. As as ex-member of Team Snagem named Wes, your objective in this spin-off is to purify the hearts of Shadow Pokémon by capturing and training them.
Compatible with Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire, you could once transfer monsters directly from your GameBoy Advance to Pokémon Colosseum on your GameCube and battle with them alongside your partners, Umbreon and Espeon.
It’s unlikely that this feature will hold up well today, but those who have the proper systems on hand may still be able to enjoy a Pokémon Colosseum replay. What’s more, with news that classic Nintendo 64 titles will be arriving to Nintendo Switch Online, it’s possible that we may see GameCube titles like this added as well in the coming months.
Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver
Undoubtedly the most coveted titles in the series, Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver turned the franchise on its head by improving the gameplay elements popularized in the original entries, Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal.
Revisiting both the Johto and Kanto regions, HeartGold & SoulSilver bring vivid color, life, and even more monsters to the table than their predecessors. Perhaps the most beloved in-game feature is the ability to venture alongside each of the Pokémon in your party and interact with them on your journey to the Pokémon League.
The replay value of these titles is high as it is, but the added nostalgia following Ash’s departure from the anime will make future playthroughs all the more significant. This is certainly reflected in the shelf price of these games, too, so consider yourself lucky if you happen to own one or both titles.
More N4G Unlocked: Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: Which Game is Better?
Pokémon Platinum Version
Pokémon Diamond & Pearl of Generation IV are among the most beloved entries in the franchise to date. With that being said, Pokémon Platinum Version, the third installment to the trio, improved on the base features in the previous two games and quickly became the undisputed fan-favorite.
Platinum Version gave players access to all Gen IV monsters and implemented a new area to explore: the Distortion World. Home to the Legendary Pokémon, Giratina, the labyrinthine Distortion World remains the primary element of the game that fans continue to rave about today.
On a replay through the mainline games, you can’t skip Platinum Version without missing out on something truly special. While we have since seen similar worlds introduced in other entries like Pokémon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon and Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Platinum Version was the first title to accomplish this particular type of world-building, offering its players a uniquely nostalgic replay experience.
Pokémon Black 2 & White 2
It’s no secret that each of the Generation V entries received a lot of unwarranted disapproval at the time of their release. However, Pokémon Black & White and their sequels have developed somewhat of a cult following in the years that followed, shedding some deserved light on how great these games really are.
Of the Gen V installments, Pokémon Black 2 & White 2 in particular have a lot to offer, as they incorporated a much larger Pokédex than their predecessors, in addition to the Pokémon World Tournament in Driftveil City. This allowed players to take on trainers, gym leaders, and Elite Four members from across the regions in brand-new battles.
With some of the best monsters, including Chandelure, Volcarona, and Whimsicott, alongside a compelling storyline, Black 2 & White 2 have seriously high replay value. If you previously skipped Gen V, these games are definitely worth revisiting in a playthrough this year.
Pokémon X & Y
Although they have been criticized for removing challenging elements from the franchise, Pokémon X & Y of Generation VI made up for it with a major graphics upgrade and the introduction of Mega Evolution. They were also some of the last installments to incorporate a genuinely evil team in the form of Team Flare, offering an interesting plot.
Released on the Nintendo 3DS, X & Y gave us some of the most beautiful in-game scenery we’ve seen in any mainline titles, arguably even more vivid than the cities and nature featured in games released for the Nintendo Switch. Combined with the spectacular gimmick that is Mega Evolution, X & Y delivered where it mattered most.
While fans were left empty-handed when it came to receiving a third Gen VI title, colloquially referred to as the elusive Z Version, X & Y marked new beginnings for the franchise as well as endings. This was further exemplified in the anime, making both the games and series worth revisiting.
Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
There is no shortage of appreciation for Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire of Generation III. However, their remakes entitled Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire offered some major improvements that greatly enhanced the features introduced in the original titles, making them excellent candidates for a replay.
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire took the sound and graphics upgrades of Generation VI and quite literally ran with them. Combined with the online capabilities of the Nintendo 3DS system, this not only brought life to the Hoenn region, but it also made the iconic base-building feature all the more rewarding in that you could visit bases belonging to players all around the world.
Despite the 3DS eShop shutdown last month, you can use the online features of these games. Because of this, they still have just as much to offer now as they did at the time of their release.
More N4G Unlocked: Is Scarlet and Violet Connected to Pokémon Home?
Pokémon Sword & Shield
It goes without saying that the Galar region of Pokémon Sword & Shield now holds a lot of meaning to long-time franchise fans. While we can assume that Ash will go on to visit all-new regions, we might not see this explored in the anime, making Galar possibly the last destination on our respective journey alongside the beloved series protagonist.
Because of this, Sword & Shield are likely the best entries to replay, especially if you’re looking to revisit memories associated with the animated series. However, the games have a lot more to offer aside from nostalgia, including Dynamaxing, camping, Raid Battles, and two DLC expansion packs.
The Galar region of Sword & Shield was hugely influential, and we didn’t realize this when the titles were first released. This makes them a crucial part of any replay through the mainline games, whether you choose to start or end your Pokémon journey there.
After nearly 25 years of adventures, Ash’s exit from the Pokémon animated series is certainly bittersweet. The series will go on, though, and there is limitless value in replaying each mainline game release.
For more news, guides, and features on Pokémon and other titles, stay on N4G Unlocked.