The best Pokémon game by critical consensus is Pokémon X & Y, the highest-rated mainline entry on Metacritic, closely followed by the HeartGold & SoulSilver remakes and Black & White, all sitting around 87–88. Fans often crown different favourites — Emerald and Platinum above all — so this ranking weighs both. It covers the mainline RPGs, not spin-offs.
Pokémon review scores sit in a tight band, so fan love matters as much as the numbers. Here is the ranking, with the critic/fan split flagged where it matters.
88
Pokémon X & Y, the top mainline Metacritic
87
HeartGold/SoulSilver & Black/White
1996
Red & Green launched the phenomenon
9
Mainline generations to choose from
The best Pokémon games, ranked
The mainline RPGs ranked by critical consensus, with Metacritic scores. Fan-favourite status is noted where it diverges from critics.
#
Game
Year
Metacritic
1
Pokémon X & Y
2013
88
2
HeartGold & SoulSilver
2009
87
3
Black & White
2010
87
4
Sun & Moon
2016
87
5
Diamond & Pearl
2006
85
6
Legends: Arceus
2022
83
7
Platinum
2008
Fan favourite
8
Ruby & Sapphire
2002
82
9
Black 2 & White 2
2012
80
10
Sword & Shield
2019
80
11
Emerald
2004
76 (fan favourite)
12
Red & Blue
1996
The original classics
The top mainline Pokémon games by Metacritic — a very tight band.
Critics vs fans
Pokémon is unusual: critic scores barely move between generations, so review numbers alone don’t capture which games players love most. Emerald sits at 76 on Metacritic — among the lowest mainline scores — yet fans routinely rank it the best Pokémon game ever for its content and post-game. Platinum has the same story. We’ve kept the ranking led by critical consensus but flagged the games where fan opinion runs far higher, because for a series this beloved, both views count.
The essential Pokémon games
Four generations worth starting with.
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X & Y
2013 · 88
The series’ jump to 3D — the top mainline critic score
#1
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HeartGold & SoulSilver
2009 · 87
The beloved Gen 2 remakes — often called the best ever
You can start with any generation — each is a fresh region and story.
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The best entry points
For a modern game on Switch, Legends: Arceus or Scarlet & Violet are the current entries. For the classic formula at its best, HeartGold/SoulSilver and Black/White are the standouts — and Emerald or Platinum if you want the fan-favourite older games.
Best Pokémon games FAQ
What is the best Pokémon game?
By Metacritic, Pokémon X & Y is the highest-rated mainline game, with HeartGold/SoulSilver, Black/White and Sun/Moon just behind at 87. Fans, however, frequently name Emerald or Platinum as the best of all.
Why do fans love Emerald if its score is low?
Emerald sits at 76 on Metacritic, but fans prize it for its huge post-game, the Battle Frontier and being the definitive version of Gen 3. It’s a classic case of critic scores and fan love pointing in different directions.
Which Pokémon game should I start with?
Any generation works as a starting point. On modern hardware, Legends: Arceus or Scarlet & Violet are the Switch entries; for the classic style, HeartGold/SoulSilver and Black/White are the best-regarded.
Do I need to play Pokémon games in order?
No. Each mainline game is a self-contained region and story with its own Pokédex. You can start with whichever generation appeals to you and never feel lost.
What are the best Pokémon remakes?
HeartGold & SoulSilver (Gen 2) are widely considered the best remakes and among the best Pokémon games full stop, at 87 on Metacritic. Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire are the Gen 3 remakes.
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