Every Pokémon Game On The 3DS, Ranked (According To Metacritic)
Not counting the Pokédex, or Dream Radar apps, there were thirteen Pokémon games on the 3DS. That is a record for the franchise although not far from the norm. Since it debuted over two decades ago, Nintendo and Game Freak have been eager to experiment and release mainline games and spin-offs aplenty for almost every console since the Game Boy.
The 3DS then is no different. That number thirteen isn’t even counting the multiple versions of each generation like Pokémon X/Y. In the rankings they will only count as one to make things simpler. So, of these thirteen titles, which can be skipped and what are the must play classics?
13 Pokémon Shuffle (56)
This was a free to play match-three puzzle game. Players would use Pokémon blocks to fight other Pokémon in the hopes of catching them in a way. It wasn’t awful, but the free to play trappings certainly weighed this one down.
12 Pokémon Rumble Blast (56)
This one is at a tie with Pokémon Shuffle. While Nintendo has worked with Koei Tecmo on some Dynasty Warriors spinoffs, like Hyrule Warriors and Fire Emblem Warriors, they have never collaborated on a Pokémon Warriors project. Pokémon Rumble Blast follows a similar gameplay concept, but has an even greater monotonous wheel.
11 Pokémon Rumble World (58)
Four years after that, seemingly not learning any lessons from the experience, another entry was made. This time they went free to play which was a slight step up.
It didn’t feel like a waste of money like the previous entry. Like Pokémon Shuffle though, the trappings were too high to really sink time into it without paying money.
10 Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity (59)
This was the first Pokémon Mystery Dungeon game to grace the 3DS. For roguelikes, it is a very kid friendly version of the concept. These games, including this one, aren’t bad. They just don’t offer much challenge to seasoned fans of the genre. Also of note they all tend to feel the same and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity was no different.
9 Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon (69)
Three years after that game debuted in 2012, another entry was born: Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon. This one seemed to learn a lot of lessons and even evolved some concepts from gameplay elements to the graphics. Again, it’s not a spin-off one has to play in order to become a mega fan, but the series was at least getting better at this point.
8 Pokémon Battle Trozei (70)
This game is like Pokémon Shuffle, but it is not free to play. It’s also a better made game because of that. It won’t have any Tetris fans abandoning ship, but Pokémon Battle Trozei managed to blend the concept of Pokémon and puzzle games together in a coherent way.
7 Detective Pikachu (71)
Another genre that didn’t seem possible for Pokémon to ace is the adventure game. A talking, gruff sounding Pikachu that is a detective?
Sounds ridiculous. Even though it is extremely easy to get through, the story is fun enough to keep players hooked. It was so good that it spawned the series’ first movie which was also fairly well received.
6 Pokémon Picross (75)
A somewhat better, more traditional puzzle game, for those looking, is Pokémon Picross. It doesn’t have much to do with the branding just like Mario Picross doesn’t. This is to say it is Picross but with a Pokémon skin. That’s not a bad thing for this brain teaser though.
5 Pokémon Art Academy (76)
Another 3DS game with basically a Pokémon skin is this addition of Art Academy. In all fairness it at least has many techniques to show how to draw some of one’s favorites. It’s more like a coloring book than a game but that being said, it’s also a very good coloring book with high production values.
4 Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (83/82)
Pokémon Omega Ruby got the 83 while its other half is just a point lower for whatever reason. They’re good games only made better by these enhanced ports. The third generation of Pokémon games has always had a weird place in the hearts of fans. Not as bad games but just as odd half-steps coming off of Pokémon Gold/Silver.
3 Pokémon Ultra Sun/Moon (84)
Not much new was added to these games over the originals. There is more content, but also some missing as well. If one had to choose between these and the originals, reviews will make it obvious which one to go after.
2 Pokémon Sun/Moon (87)
These two games are almost tied in first place as Pokémon X also sits at an 87. Its counterpart got an 88 edging out this tie. Anyway, while not as innovative as those two games as the first mainline 3DS entries, Pokémon Sun/Moon added a lot too. The biggest changes came from gym battles and Pokémon having alternate, tropical versions of themselves like the surfing Raichu.
1 Pokémon X/Y (88/87)
As previously mentioned, this was the debut of Pokémon on the 3DS. It was the first time players got into a more 3D gameplay style along with a different art aesthetic. Not only that, but they added Mega Evolutions which have split the fan base. The list of changes could go on but the point is these are the Pokémon games to play on the handheld.
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