Pokemon: 6 Best Spin-off Games Ranked

The Pokemon franchise is known for its many main series games, from the original Pokemon Generation 1 titles to the latest Pokemon Scarlet and Violet games. Pokemon is famed for its classic turn-based RPG gameplay with the core aim of becoming the very best Pokemon trainer. Amid these titles, the Pokemon franchise has seen numerous spin-off games introducing new and innovative mechanics, pushing the franchise in unexplored directions.

While many of these titles lack the star quality of their main series counterparts, some stand head and shoulders above the rest, with some of the series’ most innovative video game mechanics – capturing the hearts of gamers worldwide.

6 Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red and Blue Rescue Team

The Original Pokemon Dungeon Crawler

The first game released in the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon series, Red and Blue Rescue Team, introduced players to dungeon crawling. Released on the Gameboy Advance and Nintendo DS in November 2005, the game had players explore numerous dungeons, uncover lost treasure, and save the world from a giant Meteorite crashing into the Pokemon world.

Turned into a Pokemon to stop the calamity, the player’s character must uncover the secrets to their transformation, defeating legendary Pokemon and befriending various Pocket Monsters on their quest. The games were later rereleased on the Nintendo Switch as Pokemon Mystery Dungeon DX.

5 Pokemon Ranger

Setting the Standard For Pokemon Spin-Off Games

Pokemon Ranger introduced players to the idea of capturing Pokemon using the stylus of the Nintendo DS. In 2006, when the game was released, Pokemon Ranger had players draw circles around Pokemon to capture them to protect the Pokemon environment.

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Challenging captures such as the legendary Pokemon Entei and enemies such as the infamous Go Rock Squad were highlights of the game. Much like Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red and Blue Rescue Team, Pokemon Ranger set a precedent for future games in its spin-off series, making it one of Pokemon‘s best.

4 Pokemon Shadows of Almia

The Best Pokemon Ranger

A sequel to the first Pokemon Ranger, Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia expanded on the original game mechanics set out in its prequel by introducing original Pokemon to capture, a new team to defeat, and an unknown region to explore. The game featured around 270 new Pokemon and stand-out fights, such as against the game’s final boss, Darkrai, and Regigigas, which stands as the series most difficult boss fight.

Alongside the slew of new and challenging pocket monsters, the game also featured new mechanics such as the Capture Arena, which pitted players against powerful Pokemon to test their ranger skills. The best Pokemon Ranger game in every regard, Shadows of Almia is one of the best Pokemon spin-off games.

3 Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Sky

The Best Mystery Dungeon Game

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky expanded on the original red and blue rescue team games and their sequel – Explorers of Darkness and Time, to create the best Mystery Dungeon game in the Pokemon series. Explorers of Sky included dozens of new dungeons and DLC that featured key characters such as Bidoof, Wigglytuff, and Grovyle.

The games not only refined the classic brutality of dungeon-crawling mechanics with a Pokemon twist but expanded on Explorers of Darkness and Time’s excellent story to produce a masterpiece of storytelling, level design, and gameplay that makes it one of the best Pokemon spin-off games of all time, placing it narrowly above Shadows of Almia due to its more extensive content and greater appeal among the Pokemon fan base.

2 Pokemon Conquest

The Best Mechanics In Spin-Off Pokemon Games

Based on Nobunaga’s Ambition games, the famed Pokemon Conquest is one of the most challenging and best games in the Pokemon series. Pokemon Conquest puts players in the trousers of a warrior destined to unite the land of Ransei and defeat the series protagonist, Nobunaga, who wants to conquer the region.

The core gameplay mechanics involve turn-based strategy with warlords teaming up with Pokemon to complete objectives and defeat each other’s teams in single turn-based movements.

Due to its formidable but invigorating gameplay alone, Pokemon Conquest is above most of the titles on this list, with addictive mechanics that found far-reaching appeal. Unfortunately, Pokemon Conquest never got a sequel despite acclaim.

1 Pokemon Legends Arceus

Transforming The Pokemon Series

Pokemon Legends: Arceus is the best Pokemon spin-off game of all time. Set in the region of Hisui, an ancient version of Sinnoh, players are whisked off on a journey of epic proportions. A first for the Pokemon series, Pokemon Legends: Arceus is an open-world adventure that allows players to capture and fight Pokemon in the game’s overworld seamlessly.

In the overworld, players can crouch, roll, and throw items at Pokemon with different Pocket Monsters varying in behavior, such as strong alpha Pokemon often aggressively attacking the player.

The game also featured rideable Pokemon for traversal, such as Hisuian Braviary. Pokemon Legends Arceus changed the narrative regarding what the Pokemon franchise could achieve, pushing the boundaries of the series with a great story highlighting legends such as Arceus and open-world mechanics that have and will continue to shape the Pokemon games going forward. Legends Arceus was the test bed for open-world Pokemon and the best-received Pokemon spin-off game by critics and fans alike.