Summary
- Pokemon is built for social play, as trading, battling, and co-op have defined the entire series.
- Each generation added multiplayer innovations to the mainline games, like online connectivity, the PSS, raid battles, open-world co-op and more.
- Spin-offs like Pokemon GO, Pokken Tournament and Pokemon Unite deliver diverse, social multiplayer thrills.
Pokemon has always been a social franchise, ever since its inception, which is precisely why these games are usually released in pairs of two that can be connected to each other, so players can trade Pokemon and/or engage in intense battles with each other. Naturally, this all means that this series almost always offers outstanding multiplayer experiences.
Whether they are mainline titles with traditional turn-based gameplay or experimental spin-offs that fall into other genres, most Pokemon games are perfect for those who seek to interact with others while they play. While a lot of Pokemon games are excellent for multiplayer, the following examples are the absolute best multiplayer options in the entire series so far.
Pokemon X & Y
Accessible Online Multiplayer With Many Battle Formats To Choose From
Pokemon X and Y
- Released
- October 12, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum revolutionized the franchise by being the first games to offer online multiplayer. Pokemon Black and White and their sequels ironed out a few flaws and added a few more fun battle formats players could play around with, like Triple Battles and Rotation Battles. However, the series’ online multiplayer didn't really thrive until the sixth generation, with the release of Pokemon X and Y.
Aside from allowing players to battle in any format introduced up until that point (Single, Double, Triple, and Rotation), Mega Evolution also debuted in these games, and it made online matches even more exciting. The best part about X and Y’s multiplayer component was its Player Search System (or PSS), which made searching for other people to trade, fight, or befriend extremely easy, efficient, and accessible. Additionally, players were encouraged to interact with each other via the addition of Friend Safaris, which allowed them to find and catch a large variety of exclusive Pokemon, depending on how many people they had registered on their friend list.
Pokemon Sun & Moon/Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Mega Evolution And Z-Moves Interact In Thrilling Online Battles
Pokemon Sun and Moon
- Released
- November 18, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Multiplayer got even better in the following generation, when Pokemon Sun and Moon came out in 2017. Even though these games sadly replaced the PSS with the Festival Plaza (which is a lot more cumbersome in comparison), it more than made up for that by having one of the best multiplayer experiences in the entire franchise. Sun and Moon added Z-Moves but didn’t remove Mega Evolutions, meaning that these two battle mechanics could coexist in the game's competitive scene and resulted in some really intense and thrilling online battles.
On the other hand, players who prefer to fight NPCs instead of each other could hop into the Battle Tree and face off against strong trainers together (although this mode can only be accessed via wireless connection). If all that wasn't enough, Sun and Moon also introduced Battle Royal, a brand-new chaotic battle format that allows up to four players to fight each other simultaneously. Their direct follow-ups, Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, are also solid games with a worthwhile multiplayer component, which is made even better by the fact that they are directly compatible with their predecessors (meaning that players in Sun and Moon could trade or battle with players in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, and vice versa) which was an unprecedented achievement for this franchise.
Pokemon Sword & Shield
The Arrival Of Raid Battles To The Franchise
Pokemon Sword and Shield
- Released
- November 15, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E for Everyone: Comic Mischief, Mild Cartoon Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Generation Eight launched with the release of Pokemon Sword and Shield, which maintained many of the successful multiplayer elements from previous generations. These games even have their own online communication system called Y-Comm, which works similarly to PSS and allows players to interact with each other via the internet in a quick, simple, and accessible way.
However, the sole addition that made multiplayer in Sword and Shield extremely fun and addictive was Max Raid Battles, in which up to four players could connect with each other and work together to take down and catch a powerful Dynamax/Gigantamax Pokemon. Of course, these raids can technically be done with NPCs, but their AI is so frustratingly bad at times that some of the harder battles can only be completed with other human players. If that wasn’t enough, the Crown Tundra DLC pack introduced Dynamax Adventures, a new mode that allows players to make their way through a gallery of tough Max Raid Battles until they face a powerful legendary Pokemon at the end (which everybody can catch if they defeat it in time).
Pokemon Scarlet And Violet
A Vast Open World That Can Be Explored With Friends
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
- Released
- November 18, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone Due To Mild Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
There are a lot of things about the most recent mainline entries in the series, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, that can be criticized, but their multiplayer component is not one of them. Raids returned in full force in these games in the form of Tera Raid Battles. These are even more entertaining, engaging, and challenging than Max Raid Battles, with the main difference being that players get to catch a Tera Pokemon at the end.
Tera Raid Battles have been a huge part of these games’ success and their community since their launch, which is why The Pokemon Company is still releasing special raid events regularly to this day. However, the most significant addition to Scarlet and Violet is its Union Circle feature, which allows players to connect with each other and explore the vast open-world map of Paldea together. That’s right, Pokemon trainers are no longer relegated to interacting with each other via trades or battles, as they can actually travel together on the same map, similarly to Ash Ketchum and his friends in the anime.
Pokemon GO
The Revolutionary Mobile Game That Encouraged Players To Meet Up In Real Life
Pokémon GO
- Released
- July 6, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Augmented Reality, RPG
Unforgettable multiplayer experiences are not only exclusive to the mainline Pokemon games, seeing as most of the spin-offs in this franchise also allow people to play and interact with each other. Pokemon GO is definitely one of the most remarkable examples of that trend. This augmented reality mobile game took the entire world by storm when it was released back in 2016, as it encouraged people to go outside and catch Pokemon, which naturally led to a lot of friendships being forged over this unique experience.
Nine years have passed since the initial launch of Pokemon GO, and the game is still receiving regular updates and additions that have improved the entire multiplayer experience. Now it has one-on-one PvP battles, raid battles that up to twenty trainers can join at the same time, beloved battle mechanics like Mega Evolution and Dynamax, and a lot more. Of course, Pokemon GO can be played alone, but that’s often not worth doing; it’s a game that gets better when more and more people are playing together.
Pokken Tournament
The Pokemon Fighting Game Fans Sought For Decades
Pokkén Tournament
- Released
- September 22, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Fighting, Action
Inspired by the inclusion of several playable Pokemon in the Super Smash Bros. Series, fans have been asking The Pokemon Company to make a full-on Pokemon fighting game for decades. Fortunately for them, they finally got their wish in 2015, when Pokken Tournament came out. The best part is that this game was developed by Bandai Namco and was heavily based on the Tekken series.
The combat system in Pokken Tournament is fast-paced, exciting, and has a lot of over-the-top special attack animations, but—due to its Tekken roots—it can also be extremely strategic and requires a lot of practice to fully master it. The original Pokken Tournament was a fun multiplayer experience, but its Nintendo Switch port, Pokken Tournament DX, is even better thanks to its superior graphics, balanced gameplay, and a bigger roster of playable characters. There’s a reason this fighting game was played in an official capacity, at the Pokemon World Championships, until 2022.
Pokemon Unite
A Surprisingly Fun And Refreshing MOBA
Pokémon Unite
- Released
- July 21, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- MOBA
The MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) genre was dominated by games like League of Legends and Dota 2 for many years, until the Pokemon franchise threw its hat into the ring in 2021, and it ended up working surprisingly well. Pokemon Unite is a MOBA game in which two teams of playable Pokemon face each other in a sport-like event where they have to run, fight, and collect points to score goals, not to mention that they can also evolve and learn new moves in the middle of a match.
When compared to its direct competitors, Pokemon Unite is one of the most streamlined and accessible MOBA games out there. Its matches are relatively easy to understand, but they still require a lot of strategy and teamwork. The fast pace and brief length of these battles also make this the perfect “pick-up-and-play” multiplayer experience, which is made even better by the fact that Pokemon Unite is available on both Nintendo Switch and mobile devices, and both of its versions can interact with each other through cross-play.
Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket
The Quintessential Pokemon Trading Card Video Game
Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket
- Released
- October 30, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Digital Card Game
The Pokemon Trading Card Game (or TCG) has been popular for decades, with many people enjoying it despite never touching a mainline Pokemon video game. That said, its popularity skyrocketed with the recent release of Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket in 2024, which made this part of the franchise more accessible to an even broader audience.
Pokemon TCG Pocket is everything one could ask for in a digital adaptation of the classic card game. Players can open new packs of collectible cards every day, and then trade with their friends to expand their collections. On top of that, they can also face each other in thrilling card matches via online connectivity. Needless to say, Pokemon TCG Pocket is the perfect multiplayer experience for fans who enjoy the Pokemon Trading Card Game but don’t care for its physical aspect.