The best Pokemon game?

[Terra575]

Hey guys, I've noticed there are a lot of pokemon fans here, so I thought this would be a good place to ask. So I've always liked Pokemon, but I was way more into the trading card game, and the only video games I've played in the franchise are both Pokemon Stadiums. (which I love, but I don't have access to an N64 anymore)

But so, lately I've been wanting to give some of the handheld ones a try, but I'm not sure where to start. I still have a gamebody advance, DS, and 3DS, so I'm open to most of the platforms. But which one would you recommend? Should I go with one of the classic first games, or are any of the newer ones really epic?

[Blue Rose]

I think HG/SS is the overall best personally, but that could be a lot of johto nostalgia talking.

Honestly I don't think you could go wrong with any Pokemon game, but I personally wasn't a fan of the Black/White + B2/W2 era

[BigBangBaby]

Honestly that's really hard to say because everyone's tastes are different. To me Pokemon is like bokumono, I enjoy all the games but that doesn't mean there aren't things I dislike about each generation ^^

If you are interested in getting into sun and moon, I would recommend blue, red, or yellow (or green if you import) Honestly they are fun and simple games that started the series and even after 20 years I still enjoy them. Plus if you buy the digital copy on the eshop you can eventually transfer those Pokemon over to sun and moon via pokebank/transfer.

My favorite game to this day is still crystal. I've definitely played it a lot. Generation wise my favorite order would probably be gen 2, gen 4, gen 6 & 1 tied, gen 3 and last would be gen 5 (not including gen 7 since I haven't played it yet since it's not officially released until the 18th. Personally I would say try a game from each generation because it's the only way to really judge which oh will like (or watch some lets plays to help you decide)

If it helps the games I have replayed the most are Crystal, LeafGreen, Platinum, SoulSilver, Emerald, and X

[Ronin19]

My favorite based on story is 5th gen, Black, White, Black 2 and White 2. That generation had the best story out of any I played and restored my faith in the series when the 4th generation almost ruined it.

My favorite based on generation is 2nd gen, Gold, Silver, Crystal, SoulSilver and HeartGold. Loved the Pokemon designs, the night and day system was introduced on this, and the gyms were awesome.

[Terra575]

Thanks for all of your opinions so far! There's one thing I'm confused on, though; I've noticed some of (if not all) of the games have more than one version. Are the differences that big? Makes it even more confusing for someone to jump in who has no idea what their preferences are, haha.

[Blue Rose]

A lot of times games will be released in pairs with slight variations in each. Usually a few years later they'll release a third game of a similar setting but is usually much improved and has a variation in story.

After many years, Nintendo will usually do remakes which kind of bring said game trio to a more modern console and give them all sorts of upgrades and stuff.

Examples
Blue & red (green in japan). Yellow followed after
Years later were reintroduced as fire red/green leaf

Silver & Gold with Crystal as the third game.
Reintroduced years later as Heartgold/Soulsilver

Ruby, Sapphire, with Emerald as the third.
Reintroduced years later as Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire

The black white generation had a slight variation to this as we got two sequal games instead of one

[BigBangBaby]

Thanks for all of your opinions so far! There's one thing I'm confused on, though; I've noticed some of (if not all) of the games have more than one version. Are the differences that big? Makes it even more confusing for someone to jump in who has no idea what their preferences are, haha.

The different versions were made to get players into trading with others. The main differences are a few Pokemon catchable in one game and not the other and vice versa, the story will be the same. Also with legendary exclusives. Example: if you want the legendary Yveltal you need Pokemon Y, where as if you wanted xerneas you need Pokemon X. For generations with the 3rd version basically the 3rd version is the better one. It'll be the same as the first 2 but with added features or extra story etc. you can always check out the differences on bulbapedia or serebii.net

[Lirishae]

My favorite based on story is 5th gen, Black, White, Black 2 and White 2. That generation had the best story out of any I played and restored my faith in the series when the 4th generation almost ruined it.

Yesss. BW & BW2 had the best story and characters of any Pokemon game, hands down. Those games don't get anywhere near enough appreciation. Gen 4 was the weakest in the series and brought very little new to the table compared to the leaps other generations made.

[WorMzy]

Gold/Silver/Crystal.

[Bluie]

I'm very partial to Platinum as I feel it had the most to do gameplay wise and had the most 'living' world. There always seemed to be something new everyday and kept me coming back for over 400 hours.

I'd recommend it to anyone mildly interested in the series.

[Ronin19]

I'm very partial to Platinum as I feel it had the most to do gameplay wise and had the most 'living' world. There always seemed to be something new everyday and kept me coming back for over 400 hours.

I'd recommend it to anyone mildly interested in the series.

I've heard Platinum is the better game in the fourth generation games. Frankly I blame restricting the new Pokemon until post story in Diamond and Pearl and Giratina made the 4th generation story better.

My favorite based on story is 5th gen, Black, White, Black 2 and White 2. That generation had the best story out of any I played and restored my faith in the series when the 4th generation almost ruined it.

Yesss. BW & BW2 had the best story and characters of any Pokemon game, hands down.

Yessssss. Hopefully 7th gen's story is on par. 6th was a tad weak.

[Pachi]

Though it would be reaaally old by now, I'd still recommend playing the first games (Red, Blue or LeafGreen, FireRed) since they were what started it all, haha.

For me the Hoenn games are my favorite! Emerald, especially. I love the region itself + the post-game! OR/AS was actually what made me buy a 3DS, and it didn't disappoint. It was so nostalgic to see Hoenn in 3D <3

I also liked BW a lot; I loved the 5th gen pokes and that story!! I have yet to finish BW2 though haha;;;

[LeBurns]

Gold/Silver/Crystal.

This. Remakes even better, Heart Gold, Soul Silver.

Least favorite would have to be B&W, though I liked the starters. Seems with the later games some of the new pokemon where just ... well just 'out there' for lack of a better term. It's like they ran out of practical things to make pokemon out of. Course some like that and no harm with that.

[Solar Wind]

Hope you're still accepting answers.

BW and BW2 are hands-down the best generation, but I think BW2 edges its prequels out.

Black and White had the best story and characters of any of the games, period. Very interesting and subtle characterization, strong development, and with a story that's delivered less obnoxiously than SM's. (Don't get me wrong, I like SM's story and characters. It just suffers from a lot of repetition and has way too much dialogue and cutscenes at the start of the game.) The new Pokemon-only might be a turn-off, but you can get old Pokemon in the post-game, and IMO, Gen V had the best Pokemon designs. Plus the region is pretty immersive and full of culture.

BW2 is way better, though. You have difficulty options (though you need someone with B2 to unlock it for you); a Pokedex that perfectly balances old and new Pokemon; an amazing new minigame in PokeStar Studios, where you get to act in movies and even change the plot a bit; and amazing music. It also delves into what happened with the characters after the events of BW, and you can see major developments in some of them, so I recommend playing BW first to experience everything.

[Celestrian]

I don't really know which one is "best" but Generation Four will ALWAYS be my favorite. Four and Five have some of my favorite Pokemon.