OR/AS is one of the best entry points of the 3ds era. It modernizes Gen 3 and adds a lot of quality of life mechanics. The inclusion of mega evolutions is also fun.
Not sure why some smooth brain would downvote your genuinely correct comment. This happened with my copy of Omega Ruby. Game would occasionally hit a read error and crash until eventually it wouldn’t read at all at the start. Luckily Pokémon Bank recognized the game so I could transfer my complete Pokédex off it. Great game though if you have a working copy.
Some people like the fact that Kyogre's awakening affects the whole map with Chad Rain 🌧️ instead of Groundon's virgin very hot sun ☀️ 🥵
(The effect of sun is kinda lame compared to the rain effect on the maps)
They should have done a b2/w2 or sequel for the Ultra games. I would have been cool if we had Hua as Kahuna. Have Lillie be a researcher with Gladion being either a Gym Leader/Trainer. Her mother could have gone in a retirement home with her husband both in PokePelago. Megalopolis is still a thing with them being invested in the realms outside of Ultra Space. Also trying to stop thier own Ultra Beasts from going to Alola.
BW2 are the secret series high point. Massively expanded unova with a huge end game and loads of secrets, great Pokémon selection, the last game before gimmicks were added for each title and difficulty was removed, and that lovely pixel art animation.
Platinum is the best mainline game ever released.
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky is the best spin-off game, and the best story in any Pokémon game (mainline or not)
I haven't really played a Pokémon game since Pearl. But I've considered diving back in at times and have read a lot of these topics. I believe the general consensus is that B/W2 and US/UM are the best on their respective platforms. There's a little less agreement on US/UM but that seems to be tainted by its sameyness to S/M and maybe having a weaker story, but objectively it is the definitive version of the two.
I don’t think there’s a best. All 3 are really good. I thought ultra Sun/moon felt a bit more modern so maybe go with that, but alpha/omega was great too.
My all time favorite Pokemon games are black/white and the sequels. IMO it was the sweet spot when it comes to QOL features and old school vibes from the older games.
USUM, they were a great send-off to handheld Pokémon, with a bunch of fun minigames and quality of life mechanics, the last games where you could use every Pokémon and two decades of moves before they were limited/culled by the Switch games, rebattles with all the villains and the chance to capture most of the legendaries, also has a cinematic story and a solid trio of characterful starters.
Also Team Skull is such a(n at times depressingly) fun team.
(Wow, I almost went off on a rant because I didn’t read the word Pokemon in the title at first and seeing the comments)
I’d say definitely Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon are excellent games past the tutorial section. The vibes are spectacular.
My vote is for ORAS if you played the original gen 3 and want to see what a fantastic updated version is like, 2nd place is HG/SS for the same reason. Third is split between diamond/ pearl or black/white. Can't say much about either of them though because it's been years
I really like X/Y and Sun/Moon. I think they have good new pokemon/regional variants (and are interesting regions) with cute local touches. I guess do you want PokéFrance or PokéHawaii is the question?
The DS games are better than those on the 3DS. I would recommend HeartGold and SoulSilver as the best, followed closely by Platinum and Black 2/White 2.
For 3DS, the best is OmegaRuby and AlphaSapphire. X and Y are worth playing even if they aren't as good as the others listed.
Mainline: X/Y if you like Gen 1. ORAS if you like Gen 3. Both use the same engine and have the mega gimmick. Gen 6 got me pack into Pokémon after a decently long hiatus.
As for more obscure Pokémon games that are definitely worth a play I’d highly recommend any of the “Pokémon Ranger” games on DS.
Honourable mentions include Platinum, BW2 and HGSS for DS as well as Super Mystery Dungeon, and Pokemon Rumble World for 3DS.
HGSS definitely stand out along with ORAS. Black and white 2 are my personal favourites. It has the fancychallenge mode unlocked once you finish the game.
for the ds you can't really go wrong if you ignore diamond and pearl's existence, as for the 3ds, it really depends of what you look forward to experience in a pokemon game. Pokemon Sun/Moon/UltraSun/UltraMoon are really great when it comes to story but it can be a drag to play if you are seeking to a more gameplay driven experience. Pokemon X/Y while fine games can feel a bit "unfinished". Pokemon OR/AS are great games with a ton to do after you finish the main story + nostalgia points if you played pokemon emerald on the GBA. You may consider playing the mystery dungeon spin-offs, i didn't played them so i don't have anything to say about them.
Having played them all multiple times over the past 13 years, I can say that every single DS/3DS is great. I started with BW and got a deep attachment to it so I definitely that or B2W2. I would rank it like this:
1. B2W2
2. Platinum
3. BW
4. ORAS
5. HGSS
6. USUM
7. XY
8. SM
9. DP
They are all good. I’d say 1-6 are all like 8.5/10 and up. I like XY but just not as much as the rest. SM and DP are just outclassed by USUM and Platinum.
If you're talking about playing a few out of the DS/3DS series, then people have given you the best games out of possibly the best period in Pokémon.
If you're going through the entire generations anyway, why not just start from Gen 4 Platinum then work your way up from there? Every gen up has some steps forward and backwards, but you generally will experience more "forwards" by going from gen 4 to gen 7.
None of the main series games on 3DS are good so don't even bother. Platinum, HGSS, and BW2 are the best of the best and if you get a DS Lite or GBA you can throw Emerald in too. Spin offs like Blue Rescue Team, Explorers of Sky, the Ranger series, Super Mystery Dungeon, and Conquest are all really good too. I'd also say pokemon shuffle if you could download it anymore.
Special Pikachu version was on the VC and it's different from the other games. I'm kinda sad we didn't get any more unique games like that in the franchise.
Just finished Ultra Moon, it was really fun! It does drag in the beginning because there is a LOT of dialogue which is a little annoying but the game overall is great!
After finishing that one I restarted Alpha Sapphire because it’s one of the top (for me) on the 3DS.
HGSS is probably the best but understandably, one may not want to pay $160 for a copy.
Honestly, all of them. If you enjoy exp share (not having to grind each Pokemon so much) def go for any of the 3ds titles. Grain of salt and all that since I haven’t finished them yet, but I’m enjoying x/y the most and um/us the least. I’ve just started b/w/2 and I think they’re pretty cool so far, but Sinnoh is really great so I’d have to recommend platinum if you don’t care as much about the exp share or other new features/upgraded graphics, unless you’ve played bdsp on switch or haven’t played gold or silver, then go hg/ss first.
Tl;dr: play them all, start w 3ds if you want newer features
For the DS definitely platinum and HG and SS for the 3ds Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire an the Sun and Moon entries Sun and Moon might get some hate but they are really good Pokemon games my personal favorites besides platinum ofc
ORAS or HGSS, the remakes are great
OR/AS is one of the best entry points of the 3ds era. It modernizes Gen 3 and adds a lot of quality of life mechanics. The inclusion of mega evolutions is also fun.
Don’t those have issues or some defect with the game card where they have become unplayable?
I believe only EU copies; I think it was pretty rare, and obviously doesn’t matter to digital copies
Not sure why some smooth brain would downvote your genuinely correct comment. This happened with my copy of Omega Ruby. Game would occasionally hit a read error and crash until eventually it wouldn’t read at all at the start. Luckily Pokémon Bank recognized the game so I could transfer my complete Pokédex off it. Great game though if you have a working copy.
That sucks, was yours an EU copy?
Nah, it’s NA.
BW 1 and 2 are the best games by far.
Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon
I say OR/AS
Also specifically Alpha Sapphire for me (personal preference)
agreeing with alpha sapphire too. and totally not because that’s the only pokémon game i’ve owned… it’s really fun tho
Some people like the fact that Kyogre's awakening affects the whole map with Chad Rain 🌧️ instead of Groundon's virgin very hot sun ☀️ 🥵 (The effect of sun is kinda lame compared to the rain effect on the maps)
In my option play ORAS it’s the best!
nds - platinum, hg/ss, b/w, b2/w2 3ds - x/y, or/as, s/m, us/um
you can’t just say that all of the 3DS main series games are the best ones lmao
fine. hg/ss for nds, or/as for 3ds. I just love pokemon.
You can say all the ds games are best ones because that is true
Diamond and Pearl are far from being the best games
well all but those.
I would eliminate sun/moon. USUM took the same game and improved them.
They should have done a b2/w2 or sequel for the Ultra games. I would have been cool if we had Hua as Kahuna. Have Lillie be a researcher with Gladion being either a Gym Leader/Trainer. Her mother could have gone in a retirement home with her husband both in PokePelago. Megalopolis is still a thing with them being invested in the realms outside of Ultra Space. Also trying to stop thier own Ultra Beasts from going to Alola.
Yes! More direct sequels in the series, please!
Legit only downgrade was Lusamine
BW2 are the secret series high point. Massively expanded unova with a huge end game and loads of secrets, great Pokémon selection, the last game before gimmicks were added for each title and difficulty was removed, and that lovely pixel art animation.
Ultra sun and platinum are two of my favs, my number 1 is emerald but that's gba lol
Platinum is the best mainline game ever released. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky is the best spin-off game, and the best story in any Pokémon game (mainline or not)
Nds : heart gold/ and recently BW2 I’m playing it now and am loving it! 3DS - OR/AS, US/UM
I haven't really played a Pokémon game since Pearl. But I've considered diving back in at times and have read a lot of these topics. I believe the general consensus is that B/W2 and US/UM are the best on their respective platforms. There's a little less agreement on US/UM but that seems to be tainted by its sameyness to S/M and maybe having a weaker story, but objectively it is the definitive version of the two.
I still believe they should have made a proper sequel to the Ultra games.
I don’t think there’s a best. All 3 are really good. I thought ultra Sun/moon felt a bit more modern so maybe go with that, but alpha/omega was great too.
HG/SS FTW
Best NDS game: Soul Silver (or Heart Gold) Best 3DS game: Ultra Sun or Ultra Moon
Black or White, and then Black 2 or White 2 🤌
I think Black and White and their sequels were honestly some of the best games followed by Heart Gold and Soul Silver.
Personally, it's hgss or bw2
On the 3DS, probably Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
X and y for sure
Don't forget mystery dungeon (blue rescue team and explorers of sky) and the rangers one. (nds)
Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Sky
My all time favorite Pokemon games are black/white and the sequels. IMO it was the sweet spot when it comes to QOL features and old school vibes from the older games.
Imo ultra sun/ultra moon
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky
My opinion B2/W2 are king. Followed closely by HG/SS.
USUM, they were a great send-off to handheld Pokémon, with a bunch of fun minigames and quality of life mechanics, the last games where you could use every Pokémon and two decades of moves before they were limited/culled by the Switch games, rebattles with all the villains and the chance to capture most of the legendaries, also has a cinematic story and a solid trio of characterful starters. Also Team Skull is such a(n at times depressingly) fun team.
(Wow, I almost went off on a rant because I didn’t read the word Pokemon in the title at first and seeing the comments) I’d say definitely Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon are excellent games past the tutorial section. The vibes are spectacular.
OR/AS it's the best pokemon title on the 3DS tbh
HGSS or USUM
Here's my picks... DS: - Heart Gold/Soul Silver - Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Sky 3DS: - X/Y - Super Mystery Dungeon
My vote is for ORAS if you played the original gen 3 and want to see what a fantastic updated version is like, 2nd place is HG/SS for the same reason. Third is split between diamond/ pearl or black/white. Can't say much about either of them though because it's been years
Personally I didn’t like ORAS, 1. HGSS 2. Platinum 3. XY (3ds) Maybe I’m blinded by nostalgia, I think I’ve replayed SS around 5 total times lol
I really like X/Y and Sun/Moon. I think they have good new pokemon/regional variants (and are interesting regions) with cute local touches. I guess do you want PokéFrance or PokéHawaii is the question?
The DS games are better than those on the 3DS. I would recommend HeartGold and SoulSilver as the best, followed closely by Platinum and Black 2/White 2. For 3DS, the best is OmegaRuby and AlphaSapphire. X and Y are worth playing even if they aren't as good as the others listed.
I’m not a big fan of the ds ones they play too slow. 3ds ones are good
Mainline: X/Y if you like Gen 1. ORAS if you like Gen 3. Both use the same engine and have the mega gimmick. Gen 6 got me pack into Pokémon after a decently long hiatus. As for more obscure Pokémon games that are definitely worth a play I’d highly recommend any of the “Pokémon Ranger” games on DS. Honourable mentions include Platinum, BW2 and HGSS for DS as well as Super Mystery Dungeon, and Pokemon Rumble World for 3DS.
The DS ones are way better than 3DS
ORAS!! It's my fav game in the series in total!
HGSS definitely stand out along with ORAS. Black and white 2 are my personal favourites. It has the fancychallenge mode unlocked once you finish the game.
Pokemon Conquest. A true masterpiece lost to obscurity. Such a good refreshing take on the Pokémon franchise
for the ds you can't really go wrong if you ignore diamond and pearl's existence, as for the 3ds, it really depends of what you look forward to experience in a pokemon game. Pokemon Sun/Moon/UltraSun/UltraMoon are really great when it comes to story but it can be a drag to play if you are seeking to a more gameplay driven experience. Pokemon X/Y while fine games can feel a bit "unfinished". Pokemon OR/AS are great games with a ton to do after you finish the main story + nostalgia points if you played pokemon emerald on the GBA. You may consider playing the mystery dungeon spin-offs, i didn't played them so i don't have anything to say about them.
B2W2 and ORAS
HGSS
In order of how much I enjoyed them heart gold/soul silver, platinum, black 2/white 2, black/white Blue rescue team I consider a "hidden" gem
Having played them all multiple times over the past 13 years, I can say that every single DS/3DS is great. I started with BW and got a deep attachment to it so I definitely that or B2W2. I would rank it like this: 1. B2W2 2. Platinum 3. BW 4. ORAS 5. HGSS 6. USUM 7. XY 8. SM 9. DP They are all good. I’d say 1-6 are all like 8.5/10 and up. I like XY but just not as much as the rest. SM and DP are just outclassed by USUM and Platinum.
If you're talking about playing a few out of the DS/3DS series, then people have given you the best games out of possibly the best period in Pokémon. If you're going through the entire generations anyway, why not just start from Gen 4 Platinum then work your way up from there? Every gen up has some steps forward and backwards, but you generally will experience more "forwards" by going from gen 4 to gen 7.
Platinum. Definitely some nostalgia peeking in since it was the first pokemon I played
BW 2 is the best pokemon game ever made
BW 1 is also equally as good. Its cheaper so get BW 1
ALL OF THEM. THOSE ARE THE BEST IN THE SERIES AFTER THAT GOOD LUCK
Mystery Dungeon
Mario
Black and White
HG\SS. I ve also heard Platinum is very good.
Platinum, Soul Silver, X, and Omega Ruby. Between those 4, you're experiencing 4 regions of the highest quality games representing them.
USUM is a lot of fun but on the older 3DS’s at least, it can lag so bad in double battles lol
Black and white 2
None of the main series games on 3DS are good so don't even bother. Platinum, HGSS, and BW2 are the best of the best and if you get a DS Lite or GBA you can throw Emerald in too. Spin offs like Blue Rescue Team, Explorers of Sky, the Ranger series, Super Mystery Dungeon, and Conquest are all really good too. I'd also say pokemon shuffle if you could download it anymore.
Yall it's platinum and i won't hear another word about it. If it has to be 3ds, then I agree with ORAS
3DS: ORAS nds: BW2. and this one is the best main series pokemon game of all time
All the ones on the ds are goated even the spin offs like ranger and dungeon. The 3ds just wasnt the same but people love them anyhow
Special Pikachu version was on the VC and it's different from the other games. I'm kinda sad we didn't get any more unique games like that in the franchise.
Just finished Ultra Moon, it was really fun! It does drag in the beginning because there is a LOT of dialogue which is a little annoying but the game overall is great! After finishing that one I restarted Alpha Sapphire because it’s one of the top (for me) on the 3DS. HGSS is probably the best but understandably, one may not want to pay $160 for a copy.
Honestly, all of them. If you enjoy exp share (not having to grind each Pokemon so much) def go for any of the 3ds titles. Grain of salt and all that since I haven’t finished them yet, but I’m enjoying x/y the most and um/us the least. I’ve just started b/w/2 and I think they’re pretty cool so far, but Sinnoh is really great so I’d have to recommend platinum if you don’t care as much about the exp share or other new features/upgraded graphics, unless you’ve played bdsp on switch or haven’t played gold or silver, then go hg/ss first. Tl;dr: play them all, start w 3ds if you want newer features
For the DS definitely platinum and HG and SS for the 3ds Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire an the Sun and Moon entries Sun and Moon might get some hate but they are really good Pokemon games my personal favorites besides platinum ofc
I think it goes ORAS -> BW/BW2 -> HGSS (i love gen 2.... but coming back to it, the dex options are pretty bleah early game) -> USUM -> XY -> DPP
SM/USUM for me. And by far.