The world ofPokémonhas taken players on hundreds of unforgettable adventures, from capturing different Pokémon acrossunique regionsto battling wicked trainers and thwarting their malicious plots. While the various magical creatures you encounter remain the core of what makes this franchise so great, sometimes it’s the stories players remember more fondly.
10 Amazing Feel-Good Game Franchises
These top gaming franchises are guaranteed to bring joy to all players.
Some of the best Pokémon games that stuck with players the most had a unique story to share. Maybe it was a specific character that stood out, perhaps it was the enemy team, or it could have been a combination of both, with a compelling plot. Whichever it was, this list aims to explore and rank which Pokémon game had the most enthralling story.
10Pokémon Red
The Classic That Started It All
Pokemon Red
Before there was a Pokémon God or mega evolution, there was just a trainer, a rival and Team Rocket. It may not have been an award-winning story, but the original Pokémon game of the late ’90s introduced the design and layout of what the later stories would follow. It all begins in a specific region where a young trainer receives their first starter.
Journeying across the region, the trainer takes on a series of gyms while encountering a nefarious team of enemy trainers. After thwarting their devious plans, the trainer goes on to defeat their rival, become champion and capture a Legendary Pokémon. You can call the original game’s story simple, but you can’t deny its significance. So much of what it started laid the groundwork future stories would build and expand upon.
9Pokémon Emerald
Land Versus Sea
Pokemon Emerald
The third generation introduced players to two sinister teams: Team Aqua and Team Magma. Though the story follows similar elements of the first game, a trainer exploring the region of Hoenn and taking on the Pokémon League, it raises the stakes with Aqua’s and Magma’s opposing goals. You have Team Magma, who are trying to expand the landmass in the hopes of creating more land for people and Pokémon, and Team Aqua, who believe they can achieve a better world by increasing the ocean’s mass.
Their hubris awakens two powerful Pokémon, Groudon and Kyogre, leading to a global catastrophe as the two begin battling. And so, it falls on the trainer to stop the awakened titans from destroying the world, seeking out the one Legendary who can pacify the two. Some players may have mixed feelings over Gen III, but many argue it was here where the stories started to get more elaborate.
8Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red/Blue Rescue Team
Same World, New Perspective
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team
There’s no shortage ofPokémon spin-offs. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon, however, introduced players to a whole new perspective. Here, there are no humans and no trainers, only Pokémon. Well, except for the player character, because in this story, you’re a human who’s been turnedintoa Pokémon.
With no memories of who you are or why you’re here, you quickly befriend the Pokémon who found you and form a rescue team. The original Mystery Dungeon was a touching story as you aid and befriend various Pokémon, all of whom have distinct roles and personalities. For players who love the games just for the Pokémon, being able to just mingle and talk with them was a dream come true. It’s why Mystery Dungeon went on to become its own series with several sequels.
7Pokémon Colosseum
A Criminal Turned Hero
Pokemon Colosseum
Released for theNintendo GameCube, Pokémon Colosseum remains one of the most beloved 3D games in the franchise. Besides the incredibleRPG-stylegameplay, Colosseum tried to show a more mature and action-packed story. Instead of the traditional young trainer going on a journey spiel, you’re a former criminal who worked for Team Snagem, crooked trainers who steal Pokémon.
You discover that Team Snagem is serving a far more evil organization named Team Cipher, a terrorist group plotting to corrupt Pokémon and turn them into vicious Shadow Pokémon to conquer the land. So, you turn on your former allies and attempt to right their wrongs by purifying the Shadow Pokémon and stopping Team Cipher. Though the overall story doesn’t have any major twists or turns, unfortunately, Pokémon Colosseum’s hero stands out from the other protagonists in the series.
6Pokémon X/Y
War & Doomsday
Fighting is the main theme of the Pokémon games. It’s what the franchise is all about. Players have often questioned, however, if there was ever a point in Pokémon lore where a war broke out – humans and Pokémon fighting in a major conflict. The closest players have gotten to a story that dared to tackle such an idea was Pokémon X and Y.
10 Strongest Pokémon That Are Not Legendary
Just because they aren’t Legendary doesn’t mean these Pokémon don’t pack a punch.
The story of AZ and the role he played in the war is one of the high points of X and Y’s plot. 3,000 years ago, he stopped the conflict between two regions using a terrible weapon, and now, Team Flare intends to use it. Despite having the goofiest outfits, Team Flare has the darkest of agendas: the annihilation of all human life to create a better world. Unfortunately, the story’s pacing leaves you wishing the plot took the time to expand upon the story’s darker elements fully.
5Pokémon Legends: Arceus
On A Mission From God
Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Pokémon Legends: Arceusdared to try something different in so many ways. Besides the fast-paced gameplay, the story introduces players to a brand-new setting as they’re sent back in time by Arceus, the God of Pokémon. Upon arriving, it’s up to the trainer to assist the people of the Hisui region by helping them forge a connection with Pokémon and stopping the impending threat of Giratina.
Besides breaking the mold in taking players to a more archaic period, the story feels more tense than the other entries. There’s no fancy tech or immense knowledge of Pokémon. You’re on your own and have to make alliances with the people of the past and help them grow stronger to ensure the future remains unchanged. Plus, you get to meet the Pokémon God and the equivalent of the Pokémon Devil. So, that’s cool too.
4Pokémon Sun/Moon
Pokemon Sun and Moon
Pokémon Sun and Moon brought players to the tropical island of Alola. Despite the sun, surf, and colorful new Pokémon, the main story is anything but sunny. Sure, you have those Team Skull thugs causing trouble for the locals, but they’re mere Magikarps compared to the real threat of this story: The Aether Foundation, and their manipulative leader, Lusamine.
When it comes to memorable villains, Lusamine’s twisted actions still stick with players even now. It’s true she started with good intentions, wanting to protect the Pokémon of Alola and preserve their beauty. Yet these dreams soon shifted into unhinged obsession, to the point where that became her only focus, leading to the neglect of her own children. Her actions not only endangered her family, but also the people and Pokémon of Alola. Some fans may have mixed feelings about Sun and Moon’s delivery, yet none can deny that the story didn’t have the guts to tackle heavy themes.
3Pokémon Scarlet/Violet
The Friends We Made Along the Way
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Pokémon Scarlet and Violethas been a subject of debate among players. Some love it, some dislike it and their opinions are sound. Despite thegame’s issues at launch, however, the story is praised by fans for its likable characters and the freedom of exploring each different storyline.
10 Best Pokémon Games to Start the Series Now
If you want to get into this incredible series and aren’t sure how to go about it, here are the best Pokémon games to start the series now!
Instead of just following the traditional path, players have the freedom to experience three main stories in any order they wish. In one, you’re tackling gyms, growing stronger while encountering Nemona, whom fans consider the most fun rival to date. In the other, you’re working with Arven as you explore his plotline while gathering herbs. Or you may take on Team Star and their leaders to unearth their goal. Say what you will about Scarlet and Violet’s shortcomings – having the freedom to choose the story order was a refreshing change.
2Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky
The One That Made Everyone Cry
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky
Of all the entries in the Mystery Dungeon series, Explorers of Sky is hailed by fans as the best for its incredible story, as well as the twists and turns the plot takes. When it wants to make you laugh, it’ll make you laugh. When it wants to make you cry, it’ll make you cry.
Once again, you’re a lost human who’s turned into a Pokémon. With no idea why you’re here, you form a special team with another Pokémon and set out on adventures. This time, the fate of time and space is at stake as you’ll find yourself in confrontations with Legendary Pokémon. Along the way, you’ll encounter a roster of lovable characters, a manipulative villain, and an ending that still makes fans tear up to this day.
1Pokémon Black/White
The Story of N
Pokemon Black and White
Pokémon Black and White handles the biggest dilemma in the franchise: is it right to capture Pokémon and make them fight? The story explores this moral gray question through one of the most notable characters in the series, N. Although he’s a major antagonist of the story, it’s hard to call him a villain. N believes that Pokémon should be free from trainers and wants to liberate them.
He might seem naïve, but N truly does believe what he’s doing is just, and even considers the protagonist a friend, despite opposing him. N also leads one of themore interesting enemy factions in the series: Team Plasma, an organization that fights for the better treatment of Pokémon. Of course, you learn that most of Team Plasma’s intentions are far from pure, especially with the nefarious Ghetsis on their side, but all this is just why Pokémon Black and White is the most compelling story in the franchise.
10 Best Pokemon that are Loved by Everyone
From Pikachu to Charizard, these Pokemon that have captured hearts across generations and remain universally loved by fans.
