What Pokémon to Play in Order?
The Pokémon franchise has been a beloved phenomenon for decades, with a vast array of games, anime series, manga, and movies. Among the many Pokémon games released, some stand out for their engaging stories, challenging gameplay, and memorable characters. In this article, we’ll explore the ideal order to play the Pokémon games, helping you decide which ones to start with and which to save for later.
The Official Chronological Order
To begin with, let’s look at the official chronological order of the Pokémon games. This order is essential for understanding the storyline and character development in the franchise. Here’s the list of games in chronological order:
- Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow (1996)
- Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal (1999)
- Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald (2002)
- Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum (2006)
- Pokémon Black and White (2010)
- Pokémon X and Y (2013)
- Pokémon Sun and Moon (2016)
- Pokémon Sword and Shield (2019)
The Ideal Order to Play
While the chronological order is a great way to experience the story, it’s not the only way to play the games. Some players prefer to start with the more modern games, while others enjoy the classic ones. Here’s a suggested order to play the Pokémon games, taking into account the game’s difficulty level, story, and overall experience:
- Classic Start: Begin with Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow (1996). These games introduced the world to the franchise and offer a charming, nostalgic experience.
- Gold and Silver Era: Move on to Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal (1999). These games introduced many new features, such as breeding and evolving Pokémon.
- Ruby and Sapphire Era: Play Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald (2002). These games saw the introduction of double battles and the concept of battling other trainers.
- Diamond and Pearl Era: Continue with Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum (2006). These games introduced the Nintendo DS and featured a more complex storyline.
- Black and White Era: Play Pokémon Black and White (2010). These games offered a fresh start with new regions, Pokémon, and gameplay mechanics.
- X and Y Era: Move on to Pokémon X and Y (2013). These games introduced 3D graphics and the concept of Mega Evolutions.
- Sun and Moon Era: Play Pokémon Sun and Moon (2016). These games saw the introduction of Z-Moves and the concept of Island Challenges.
- Sword and Shield Era: Finally, play Pokémon Sword and Shield (2019). These games offered a new region, Pokémon, and gameplay mechanics, as well as the introduction of Dynamaxing.
Why This Order Makes Sense
So, why should you follow this order? Here are a few reasons:
- Storyline: The order above allows you to experience the storyline in a cohesive manner. You’ll be able to follow the main characters, Gym Leaders, and the overall narrative of the games.
- Gameplay Mechanics: Each era of Pokémon games introduces new gameplay mechanics, making it more enjoyable to play the games in this order. You’ll be able to adapt to the changes and improvements in the games.
- Difficulty Level: The order above is designed to gradually increase the difficulty level of the games. You’ll start with the more classic games and work your way up to the more challenging ones.
- Pokémon: The order above allows you to catch and train a wide range of Pokémon. You’ll be able to experience different types, moves, and evolutions.
The Best Pokémon to Start With
If you’re new to the franchise, here are some recommendations for which Pokémon to start with:
- Classic Start: Start with the original Pokémon Red, Blue, or Yellow. You’ll get to experience the classic Pokémon and the beginning of the franchise.
- More Modern: If you prefer a more modern experience, start with Pokémon X or Y. These games introduced 3D graphics and the concept of Mega Evolutions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the order in which you play the Pokémon games is crucial to understanding the storyline, characters, and gameplay mechanics. The order above provides a suggested sequence to play the games, taking into account the game’s difficulty level, story, and overall experience. Whether you’re a newcomer to the franchise or a seasoned player, this order will help you enjoy the Pokémon games to the fullest.