Summary
- Pokemon spin-off games feature innovative mechanics and expanded storytelling beyond main series titles.
- Titles like Pokemon Mystery Dungeon and Pokemon Conquest offer unique gameplay experiences for fans.
- Pokemon Legends Arceus introduces open-world mechanics, transforming the Pokemon franchise's traditional gameplay.
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.
Pokemon: 6 Best Pokemon Rivals, Ranked
Every hero in Pokemon games has a rival who challenges them throughout their journey. These are the best rivals that Pokemon trainers will ever face.
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
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team
- Released
- September 18, 2006
- Developer(s)
- Spike Chunsoft
- Franchise
- Pokemon
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Game Boy Advance
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike
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
CAPTURE ON!!!
With the help of Pokémon, set out on a fun-filled adventure! You play as a Pokémon Ranger in the Fiore Region, and work to preserve nature and protect Pokémon.
- Released
- October 30, 2006
- Developer(s)
- HAL Laboratory, Creatures Inc.
- Franchise
- Pokemon
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo DS
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
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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Fire Pokemon are known to be some of the strongest in the franchise. These stand out as the best ones trainers can use.
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
Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia
Become a Top Ranger and protect hundreds of different types of Pokémon from an evil corporation in Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia. The second title in the Pokémon Ranger series once again calls on you to capture Pokémon on the Touch Screen, and then use their abilities to save the day. This time around, however, you’ll encounter 50 additional Pokémon that weren’t in the original game, including many from Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl.
Starting out in Ranger School as a Student Ranger, you’re bursting with enthusiasm at the prospect of one day becoming a Top Ranger and using your knowledge for the good of Almia and its many Pokémon. Little did you know, after graduation you would soon be putting your new skills to work in a quest that would determine the very future of the region.
Playing as either a boy or girl Ranger, it will be up to you to find and capture Pokémon that can aid you on your journey. To do so, you’ll need to use the Capture Styler, a special tool that enables you to capture Pokémon by drawing lines around them on the Touch Screen using your stylus. Whether or not you successfully catch Pokémon will be determined by the strength of your Capture Styler and the ability to call on help at the right moment from Friend and Partner Pokémon you have already caught.
- Released
- November 10, 2008
- Developer(s)
- Creatures Inc.
- Franchise
- Pokemon
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo DS
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
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
NOW YOU CAN GO BEYOND DARKNESS...OUTSIDE THE LIMS OF TIME...TO THE SKIES!
Be a Pokémon and experience the world in a whole new way!
Learn more secrets of Time and Darkness... Journey with your friends on remarkable adventures and save the world!
- Released
- October 12, 2009
- Developer(s)
- Spike Chunsoft
- Franchise
- Pokemon
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo DS
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike
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.
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Many Pokemon resemble real-life animals, monsters, or objects, but these Pokemon resemble a bunch of smaller Pokemon all stuck together.
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
Pokemon Conquest
- Released
- June 18, 2012
- Developer(s)
- Koei Tecmo
- Franchise
- Pokemon
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo DS
- Genre(s)
- Tactical, RPG
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
- Released
- January 28, 2022
- Developer(s)
- Game Freak
- Franchise
- Pokemon
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch
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 w ith 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.
5 Best Alien Pokemon, Ranked Based On Stats
These pocket monsters came to the Pokemon world from other planets or dimensions, and are among the most powerful in the games.