Pokémon is one of the most prolific franchises in gaming history, and one that’s no stranger to spin-offs. In fact, there are over 50 Pokémon games outside the mainline series—a clear sign of just how far the brand has stretched over the years.
With that in mind, I decided to take a closer look at this sprawling list of side titles and determine which ones truly stand out as the best of the best.
15
Hey You, Pikachu!
Hey You, Pikachu! was ahead of its time. Released in 1998 in Japan and 2000 in North America, it utilized the Nintendo 64’s Voice Recognition Unit (a special microphone designed specifically for the console) to let players verbally interact with Pikachu. In many ways, it paved the way for later, comparable spin-offs like Pokémon Channel.
While Hey You, Pikachu! was certainly innovative, the idea of having a Pikachu as your personal companion you could talk to was more charming in theory than in execution. Despite its novelty, the game was held back by clunky voice recognition and shallow gameplay.
It’s a unique little experiment—and absolutely deserving of its spot on this list—but it’s remembered more for what it tried to do than for how well it actually worked.
Related
14
Pokémon Masters EX
Released in 2019, Pokémon Masters EX is still going strong today. This free-to-play mobile title pits you against iconic Pokémon Trainers from the mainline games and anime, like Misty, Brock, and even Ash. You can recruit these Trainers as well, each of whom joins your team alongside their signature Pokémon.
With your team in place, you’ll engage in real-time 3-on-3 battles as you work toward becoming the Champion of the Pokémon Masters League. As a live-service game, Pokémon Masters EX regularly adds limited-time events, new Trainers, and fresh content to keep players coming back.
It might not be the most recognizable Pokémon spin-off, but it’s a solid entry that continues to grow through steady updates.
13
Pokémon UNITE
Pokémon UNITE is a free-to-play spin-off that feels closer to League of Legends than a conventional Pokémon title. One of the newest games on this list, it’s cross-platform between Nintendo Switch and mobile devices, matching teams of five against each other in fast-paced 5-on-5 battles.
As a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA), Pokémon UNITE follows a familiar format with teams fighting across lanes, but instead of pushing through to destroy the enemy’s base, the objective is to defeat wild Pokémon and opposing players to collect Aeos energy, then deposit that energy into your opponent’s goal zones to score points. As you brawl, your Pokémon gains experience, levels up, learns new moves, and evolves—mirroring the progression of a typical MOBA.
At its core, UNITE is built for competitive team play, where success depends heavily on strategy and cooperation. While its monetization model has drawn criticism, the game continues to receive routine updates and balance tweaks. If it keeps evolving, Pokémon UNITE may yet climb the ranks of Pokémon spin-offs.
Related
Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Revisit Competitive Online Multiplayer
What if the reason you stopped playing competitive games no longer exists?
12
Detective Pikachu
When a spin-off game is notable enough to inspire a Hollywood adaptation, it definitely earns a spot on a list like this. In Detective Pikachu, you play as Tim Goodman, a teenager and aspiring detective who, unlike anyone else, can understand what Pikachu is saying. Together, the two team up to solve mysteries and uncover the truth behind Tim’s missing father.
Detective Pikachu is known for its cinematic presentation and narrative-driven gameplay. It stands apart from traditional Pokémon games—particularly with its fully voiced characters. Voice acting is a rarity in Pokémon titles, and it adds a layer of charm and personality that helps define the experience.
The game received some criticism for its easy difficulty and short length, and it was clearly designed with a younger audience in mind. Still, its legacy is undeniable. It not only inspired the live-action film Pokémon Detective Pikachu, but also received a sequel with Detective Pikachu Returns.
11
PokéPark Series
The PokéPark games blend ideas from earlier Pokémon spin-offs into a cute and playful concept. They borrow the mechanic of playing as Pokémon from Mystery Dungeon, photography inspiration from Snap, minigames from Stadium, and even echo the tone of Hey You, Pikachu! and Pokémon Channel.
The series is lighthearted and easygoing, offering players the opportunity to explore themed zones, take part in various minigames, and befriend other Pokémon along the way. The sequel, PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond, builds on the original by introducing additional playable Pokémon, a larger map, a more structured story, and multiplayer support.
10
Pokémon Pinball
Pokémon Pinball is, as the name suggests, a Pokémon-themed twist on the classic arcade pinball game. In this version, Poké Balls serve as the pinballs. While your main objective is still to rack up points, you also have the ability to capture Pokémon.
Pokémon Pinball doesn’t exactly reinvent the wheel, but it’s an extremely fun and borderline addictive Pokémon spin-off.
9
Pokken Tournament
If you couldn’t already tell from the name, Pokken Tournament is Pokémon’s take on a Tekken-inspired fighting game—and the developers pulled it off impressively. The spin-off walks a fine line between simple controls and rewarding skill expression for players who want to compete at a higher level. The visuals aren’t too shabby, either.
The idea of a Pokémon fighting game might raise an eyebrow at first, but it actually feels like a natural evolution for the franchise. Instead of issuing commands as a Trainer in turn-based battles, Pokken Tournament puts you directly in control of the Pokémon themselves in real-time combat.
All in all, Pokkén Tournament delivers exactly what you’d hope for in a spin-off: something fresh, polished, and highly replayable.
8
Pokémon Stadium Series
The Pokémon Stadium series is a personal favorite of mine. I grew up on the Nintendo 64, so it holds a place near and dear to my heart. But it’s not just nostalgia that earns it a spot on this list: it’s genuinely a great pair of games.
The original Pokémon Stadium was the first Pokémon game to use full 3D models. It retained the classic turn-based battle system, but brought it to life with fully rendered animations—something that felt revolutionary at the time. It was visually stunning and unlike anything fans had seen in a Pokémon game before.
In addition to battles, Pokémon Stadium included a fun lineup of minigames, perfect for multiplayer sessions when you need a break from strategy. While Pokémon Stadium 2 didn’t radically innovate, it expanded on everything the first game did well: adding more Pokémon, better visuals, and a deeper overall experience.
7
Pokémon Trading Card Game (Digital Adaptations)
The physical, tabletop version of the Pokémon Trading Card Game remains as popular as ever, and over the years, several digital adaptations have made it more accessible and free from the constraints of physical play.
The first was Pokémon Trading Card Game for the Game Boy Color, a single-player take on the TCG with RPG elements. In 2011, Pokémon TCG Online launched as a 1:1 digital version of the tabletop game, complete with online battles and code cards from real-life packs. It was succeeded in 2023 by Pokémon TCG Live, now the official platform for playing the TCG digitally. For those more interested in collecting than competitive play, there’s Pokémon TCG Pocket, a more casual, easier-to-get-into mobile adaptation.
The Pokémon TCG is a foundational pillar of the franchise, so it’s only fitting that its digital versions get the recognition they deserve.
6
Pokémon Ranger Series
Pokémon Ranger introduced yet another distinctive take on the franchise, this time as an action RPG built specifically around the Nintendo DS’s touchscreen. Its core mechanic involved using the stylus to draw circles around Pokémon in real time to befriend them, a system that made full use of the DS hardware. Instead of playing as a traditional Trainer, you step into the shoes of a Pokémon Ranger, tasked with protecting nature and working alongside Pokémon in new and inventive ways.
The series spawned two sequels—Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia and Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs—and more importantly, several of its original mechanics would later influence the mainline games. For example, Pokémon could assist with overworld tasks like clearing obstacles, traversing water, or even flying through the sky—features that are now commonplace in modern titles. In Shadows of Almia, you even start the game as a student at Ranger School, much like the academy setting in Scarlet and Violet.
When a spin-off leaves that kind of imprint on the main series, it’s more than worthy of a spot on this list.
Related
ARPGs, JRPGs, CRPGs, Roguelikes, and Roguelites: What the Heck’s the Difference?!
Choose the role you want to play.