Since the '90s, Pokémon has reign supreme in the handheld market. Since the dawn of the Gameboy, Pokémon has popularized the genre and with the handheld games and the ever popular anime, has made the Nintendo franchise a household name. Starting from Red, Blue, Yellow, and Green (Japan only release) on the Gameboy system to Pokémon Ultra Sun and Moon, the series has defied expectations in the handheld genre, in terms of replay value, exploration, and robust features within every generation it releases.
However, as great as the handheld games are you shouldn't sleep on the non-handheld games that were released. Many hours lost exploring the new worlds, story, challenges, and interesting concepts that many players love and cherish still to this day. Let's see rank the non-handheld games coming from the most beloved franchises in history.
*Note: We will count Switch Games as it's deemed "A console on the go"
15 My Pokémon Ranch - Metascore: 47 (User Score: 5.3)
Yeeeehaaawwwww! Let's get that there Pokémon rounded up now! My Pokémon Ranch is a simplistic game exclusive on the Wii Ware. Wonder with your Pokémon with your custom Mii character on day and night cycle and ability to transfer your Diamond and Pearl Pokémon from your Nintendo DS to join in on the fun as well.
14 Pokémon Battle Revolution - Metascore: 53 (User Score: 6.6)
Debuting on the Wii console, this Pokémon game lets players showcase their trainer skills on the 11 different colosseums surrounding the Pokémon theme park setting of Pokétopia. It's also the first game on the Wii to offer online functionality that allowed for battles with friends and Nintendo DS connection capability, that allowed for you to utilize your Pokémon from the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl games.
13 Pokémon Channel - Metascore: 55 (User Score: 6.3)
Pokémon Channel doesn't offer anything pertaining to battles or vast world exploration rather it offers players fun and interactive channels instead. The main objective is simply watching the television with numerous channels that display news, shopping, game shows, art, weather, and other unique features. The side activities are best spent with your trusty Pikachu, which you can interact within and outside your house.
12 Hey You! Pikachu - Metascore: 57 (User Score: 6.4)
A technical predecessor to the aforementioned Pokémon Channel. Hey You! Pikachu offers interaction with your personal Pikachu as you love and care for it during gameplay. The experience in this game was unique for the time because it allowed you to utilize the Voice Recognition Unit peripheral to voice interact with your cute electrical mouse. Now we know why Ash loves his Pikachu so much.
11 Pokémon Rumble - Metascore: 59 (User Score: 8.3)
Let's get ready to Rumble! Pokémon Rumble is a Pokémon game with a different take on the traditional battle format of the series is known for. Exclusive to the WiiWare on the Nintendo Wii, Rumble is a top-down beat'em that allows to players battle and collect coins through each level, they can buy new attacks and new Pokémon to recruit to join and utilize. This game offers four player co-op mode and competitive modes to tackle with friends.
10 Pokémon Quest - Metascore: 64 (User Score: 6.5)
Think of this game as a mash-up of Pokémon and the highly popular game Minecraft. Pokémon Quest offers exploration and fun where you can build your own team of many Pokémon to choose from to go on quests filled with, enemies, cooking, and resources. In addition to addictive gameplay and cooking mechanical that makes completing tasks and objectives worth pursuing.
9 Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness - Metascore: 64 (User Score: 8.1)
Setting place years after Pokémon Colosseum, Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, offers the same fun, excitement, and exploration with new Pokémon to collect and a new protagonist. The biggest Pokémon that steals the show is Shadow Lugia.
However, there were many changes made from the first game including a much improve purification system and allowing for players to catch non-shadow pokemon, using Poké Spots.
8 Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX - Metascore: 69 (User Score: 8.1)
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX is a remake of the series red and blue rescue teams of the Gameboy Advance series. Similar to Rumble where you recruit and power up Pokémon to join your dungeon questing adventures to complete tasks, gain loot, explore shops along the way. Packed into this RPG dungeon crawler is a story with unique Pokémon interactions and dialogue and wonderful set pieces.
7 Pokémon Colosseum - Metascore: 73 (User Score: 7.9)
Pokémon Colosseum is a breath of fresh air in the Pokémon series. Setting place in a new region where the protagonist, steals a device called the Snag Machine from Team Snagem. This sets you on a journey filled with exploration and a new form of Pokémon called "Shadow Pokemon" which you can capture from trainers within the battle and purify them. Maintaining the same turn-based strategy with creating an inventive story with plenty of battles, vast settings, and unique characters. Just imagine losing a battle and money, only to have your Pokémon stolen as well. Here we thought Team Rocket was so savage.
6 Pokémon Snap - Metascore: 77 (User Score: 7.5)
Ever thought you weren't fit to become a trainer but to become a photographer instead? Well, this is the game for you. Pokémon Snap is a beloved game that allowed for freedom of exploration and discovery inside a Pokémon park filled with the original generation of pocket monsters.
The seven courses offered unique settings that are filled with secrets and require precision and timing to capture the best shots to be observed by Professor Oak. Even cooler is that you can take your photos to Blockbuster to be printed it out. Many fans would adore a remake of this beloved Pokémon title. Please Nintendo.
5 Pokémon Stadium 2 - Metascore: 78 (User Score: 8.3)
The sequel to the beloved game Pokémon Stadium*, this game was an awesome game for players eager to battle and become the very best. Showcasing both the first and second generations of Pokémon with updated graphics, animations, and movesets. Adding more value is the returning features of battling with friends, participating in tournament cups to craft your skills, fun and diverse minigames, or gain knowledge using the Pokémon Academy. You can utilize the Transfer Pak to use your Pokémon from the Gameboy games.
*Pokémon Stadium is not displayed on Metacritic.
4 Pokkén Tournament DX - Metascore: 79 (User Score: 7.6)
Combining the elements of the storied 3D fighter Tekken series in a Pokémon themed game. Pokkén Tournament DX is a 3D fighter that allows for utilizing specific Pokémon with a diverse set of moves, combos, and abilities, but not utilizing the traditional turn-based style like past games.
DX is a port to the Wii U release of Pokkén Tournament* adding more characters, three vs three mode, daily challenges, and online player or PVP split-screen. Not every Pokémon is available, but you do get some favorites such as Mewtwo, Scizor, Lucario, and Pikachu.
*Pokken Tournament - Metascore: 76 (User Score: 7.4)
3 Pokémon Let's Go Eevee/Pikachu - Metascore: 80/79 (User Score: 62/61
Pokémon Let's Go Eevee/Pikachu you can consider a remake of Pokémon Red & Blue with added cutscenes and new and unique elements. The standard battling is the same, utilizing cool models and animations, different in terms of the catching mechanics, by utilizing a more Pokémon Go approach to capturing new creatures.
Another change is optional engagement to visible wild Pokémon. Of course, the tried and true journey of beating all 8 gym leaders, the elite four, and your rival. Also, let's not forget catching every single original 151 Pokémon and the expansive post-game challenges.
2 Pokémon Sword/Shield - Metascore: 80 (User Score: 45)
Pokémon Sword & Shield are the latest additions in the world of Pokémon, introducing the eighth generation and a new Galar region to explore. Pokémon Sword and Shield introduced a brand new setting that allowed for the same explorations, discoveries, and challenges the series is known for. Adding a brand new Wild Area that is both challenging and rewarding as you go up against tough Pokémon, interactable NPC's, changing climates and Max Raid Battles.
Speaking of battles, Pokémon Sword and Shield has new features called: Dynamax and Gigantamax, which allows Pokémon to grow in size, power, and increased stats.
1 Pokémon Puzzle League - Metascore: 81 (User Score: 85)
Who what of thought the best-ranked non-handheld game on Metacritic was going to be a Puzzle based game? Pokémon Puzzle League is an inventive and strategic puzzle game with the charm and theme of the anime. The game offers anime characters from the series to enter the Puzzle League Tournament. Think of this game like Tetris or Candy Crush Saga in a Pokémon style. The game offered an arcade mode with battles against gym leaders and other characters from the series, a 3D mode that allows for sorting on a cylinder style of puzzle, and facing off against friends on your journey to puzzle supremacy.