10 Best Pokémon Games of 2026

Pokémon Legends: Arceus is our pick for the best Pokémon game in 2026. Nintendo's store page calls it a game that blends action and exploration with the RPG roots of the series, and it changes the core loop more than any main entry here. You play in the Hisui region, the Sinnoh of old, taking survey missions from Jubilife Village with the task of building the region's first Pokédex. Instead of always battling first, you sneak up on wild Pokémon and throw a Poké Ball, or toss your partner's ball to start a fight. A Celestica Flute lets you ride Pokémon across land, water and sky, and powerful noble Pokémon guard parts of the map. It costs $59.99 on the US eShop and plays on Switch and Switch 2, where Nintendo says behavior matches the Switch. Multiplayer is limited to 2 players locally or online. For a fan who wants one game that feels new, start here.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is the newest major Pokémon RPG and the runner-up on our list. Nintendo's store page says that for the first time in the RPG series trainers and their Pokémon both move around in real-time battles, and your Pokémon use moves when you tell them to, so timing and area of effect matter. Mega Evolution returns, rampaging Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokémon drop Mega Stones when beaten, and each night a battle zone opens for the Z-A Royale, where you climb from Rank Z to Rank A. The whole game takes place in Lumiose City, with wild zones, shops, cafés and Hotel Z as your base. Nintendo lists play for 2 to 4 locally or online, a Switch 2 version, and accessibility tags such as playable without motion controls. The Mega Dimension DLC costs $29.99. It sits second because one city is a smaller setting than Hisui or Paldea.

Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet are the open-world main entries, and they rank third. Nintendo's store page describes the Paldea region as a vast land of lakes, towering peaks, wastelands, small towns and sprawling cities that you can explore at your own pace, riding Koraidon in Scarlet or Miraidon in Violet across land, water and air. There is no set path: you weave between Victory Road and its Gyms, the Path of Legends with giant Titan Pokémon, and Starfall Street against Team Star. Terastallizing adds a battle twist, and the Poké Portal lets you explore with other players. Each version costs $59.99, the Double Pack is $119.99 and a bundle with The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC is $94.99. The two versions have exclusive Pokémon and different professors, so pick the one whose legendary you prefer. For co-op exploration, this is the best choice.

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver are the classic games fans name most often, and on quality alone they would top our list. The Pokémon Company describes them as the 2010 Nintendo DS remakes that take players back to the Johto region to replay the Gold and Silver adventure with updated graphics and sound. Touch controls handle the Pokédex, Bag and PC Boxes, and button controls remain for players who prefer them. The original boxes shipped with the Pokéwalker, a pedometer that holds a Pokémon and earns it experience as you walk. The problem is price. They are not sold new, and DKOldies lists used SoulSilver at $354.99 and HeartGold at $369.99 before sales, more than five times a new Switch game. That value score drops them to fourth. If you already own a DS and the budget allows, this is the classic to buy.

Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield are the easiest main-series games to pick up on Switch, and they rank fifth. Nintendo's store page starts you with Grookey, Scorbunny or Sobble in the Galar region, where you face Team Yell and look into the Legendary Zacian and Zamazenta. The Wild Area is a large space with free camera control, and Max Raid Battles let you team up with three other players locally or online against giant Dynamax Pokémon, some of which can Gigantamax. Poké Jobs, Pokémon Camp and clothing shops add side activities. Nintendo lists one player on a single system, 2 to 4 over local wireless and 1 to 4 online. Each version costs $59.99, and the Expansion Pass with The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra adds $29.99. Outside the Wild Area the routes are more linear than Paldea or Hisui, which keeps its capabilities score lower.

Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon are the best Pokémon games on the 3DS and land sixth. The Pokémon Company describes them as powered-up versions of Sun and Moon, set in Alola's four islands plus one artificial island. New additions include the Ultra Wormhole, which leads to Ultra Space where you can meet Ultra Beasts and Legendary Pokémon such as Mewtwo, Ho-Oh and Lugia; a larger role for Necrozma; and Team Rainbow Rocket, where Giovanni leads villains from Team Magma, Aqua, Galactic, Plasma and Flare. Side content includes Mantine Surf, which earns Beach Points for move tutors, and the Battle Agency in Festival Plaza. Pokémon lists 1 to 4 players. A used Ultra Sun cartridge lists at $94.99 at DKOldies, about a quarter of the DS classics. If you already own Sun or Moon, the overlap is large.

Pokémon Black Version 2 and White Version 2 are the only direct numbered sequels in the main series, and they rank eighth. The Pokémon Company's page sets the story in Unova two years after Black and White, starting in Aspertia City in the region's far southwest, with new places and people and many returning characters in new roles. The legendary mystery centers on Black Kyurem or White Kyurem, a Dragon and Ice type. An expanded Unova Pokédex includes Pokémon from earlier games, and Pokémon Dream Radar on the 3DS can send Pokémon into your game. The games run on the DS and in 2D on the 3DS for 1 to 4 players. Pokémon notes that Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection features for these games ended on May 20, 2014. A used Black 2 lists at $314.99 at DKOldies before sales, which is what keeps a strong game this low.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX is the best Pokémon spin-off sold new, and it ranks seventh. Nintendo's store page sets up the premise simply: you wake up one day as a Pokémon. You build a rescue team, meet and recruit over 400 Pokémon, and take on mysterious, changing dungeons where you move one square at a time, or use Auto mode, until turn-based battles start. Rescue team camps house and strengthen your recruits. If you get stuck, you can send a rescue request to other players online or use an offline password system. This version adds Mega Evolved Pokémon and watercolor-inspired graphics. It is single player, a 2.2 GB download, and costs $59.99, with a free demo on the eShop. The dungeon loop repeats more than a main entry, so its capabilities score is lower, but the demo makes it easy to check first.

Pokémon Platinum Version is the most complete original Sinnoh game and ranks ninth. The Pokémon Company's page puts Giratina at the center of the story, in place of Dialga and Palkia from Diamond and Pearl, and adds the Distortion World, a place where time and space are altered. Team Galactic returns under Cyrus, and the Battle Frontier offers tough post-game opponents led by the Frontier Brains. The Global Terminal adds a Vs. Recorder to record and share battles, though Pokémon notes that Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection features for DS games ended in May 2014, so the Wi-Fi Plaza for up to 20 players no longer works. It plays offline and over local wireless. A used cartridge lists at $374.99 at DKOldies before sales, the highest DS price here, while Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl cost $59.99 on Switch. Buy Platinum if you want the original.

Pokémon Emerald Version closes our list. The Pokémon Company's page describes it as an expanded return to Hoenn in which you face both Team Magma and Team Aqua, with a story built around the Legendary Rayquaza and chances to catch Latios and Latias. Its biggest addition is the Battle Frontier, which the page calls an amusement park for Trainers, with arenas headed by the Frontier Brains. Pokémon from the Game Boy Advance games could also be moved into later DS Pokémon RPGs. It released on May 1, 2005 for the Game Boy Advance and lists 1 player. The game is well liked, but it is the hardest to justify on price: DKOldies lists a used cartridge at $549.99 before sales, more than nine times a new Switch game. That value score puts it last. Buy it as a collector piece or if Hoenn is your favorite region.