JP SFC | Bushi Seiryuuden: Futari no Yuusha | 1997 | Turn-Based | Zelda-like exploration; combat is 2D platformer-like, but still turn-based (enemies only act when you do); pretty spritework |
Switch | Little Town Hero | 2019 | Card-Based | See XBO |
PS4 | Little Town Hero | 2020 | Card-Based | See XBO |
Xbox One | Little Town Hero (DL only) | 2020 | Card-Based | Plays more like a deckbuilder, the only main RPG element is the skill tree, filled out by points earned in battles that take way too long |
3DS | Pocket Card Jockey (DL only) | 2016 | Card-Based | A game about horse raising and racing via solitare. As in the card game. |
JP GB+GBC | Pocket Monsters: Green Version | 1996 | Monster Collecting | If you've played Red/Blue, do you really need this one? |
3DS | Pokemon Alpha Sapphire/Omega Ruby | 2014 | Monster Collecting | Remakes of the Gen III Pokemon games incorporating creatures and mechanics from later generations |
DS | Pokemon Black/White | 2011 | Monster Collecting | Incredible animated spritework and perhaps the best storyline in the franchise |
DS | Pokemon Black 2/White 2 | 2012 | Monster Collecting | Regarded by many as the peak of the franchise; a continuation of Gen 5's story |
GB+GBC | Pokemon Crystal | 2001 | Monster Collecting | An attempt to add story to Gold/Silver, but does add a female protagonist! |
DS | Pokemon Diamond/Pearl | 2007 | Monster Collecting | Less water than Gen 3 Pokemon games, but with an obnoxious mountain to frequently travel through |
GBA | Pokemon Emerald | 2005 | Monster Collecting | Superior third version of Pokemon Gen 3 |
GBA | Pokemon FireRed/LeafGreen | 2004 | Monster Collecting | Remakes of Red/Green versions |
GB+GBC | Pokemon Gold/Silver | 2000 | Monster Collecting | More mons, a day/night system, and the ability to revisit the entire previous region |
3DS | Pokemon Gold/Silver/Crystal (VC) | 2017 | Monster Collecting | See GBC |
DS | Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver | 2010 | Monster Collecting | Remakes of the Gen 2 Pokemon games, with the storyline from Crystal attached, can also make use of the Pokewalker accessory |
Switch | Pokemon Legends: Arceus | 2022 | Monster Collecting | A more dynamic Pokemon-catching experience than anything previously, open-world exploration against a feudal backdrop |
Switch | Pokemon Let's Go Eevee/Pikachu | 2018 | Monster Collecting | Full 3D remakes of Red/Blue versions but with Pokemon Go-like mechanics of catching new mons |
3DS | Pokemon Moon/Sun | 2016 | Monster Collecting | Does away with the traditional gym battle format in favor of puzzles scattered throughout not-Hawaii, adds Ultra Beasts (which look suspiciously Digimon-like…) |
DS | Pokemon Platinum | 2009 | Monster Collecting | Last of the "combined third versions" of Pokemon games, this one the arguably ultimate version of Gen 4 |
Switch | Pokemon Quest (DL only) | 2018 | Monster Collecting | Send voxel-styled Pokemon out to explore an island for you, then take the stones they find to level them up further; relies on free-to-play mechanics |
GB+GBC | Pokemon Red/Blue | 1998 | Monster Collecting | Called Red/Green versions in Japan, definitely the origin of the popularity of monster-collecting video games |
3DS | Pokemon Red/Blue/Yellow (VC) | 2016 | Monster Collecting | See GB |
GBA | Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire | 2003 | Monster Collecting | 7/10, too much water; not possible to collect all Pokemon in these versions |
Switch | Pokemon Scarlet/Violet | 2022 | Monster Collecting | More free-form/open-world in path-taking than any prior mainline entry, but marred with technical hiccups |
Switch | Pokemon Sword/Shield | 2019 | Monster Collecting | First-ever mainline console Pokemon game; not all Pokemon can be caught/are featured in the National Pokedex; regional theme is British |
3DS | Pokemon Ultra Sun/Moon | 2017 | Monster Collecting | Alternate universe story in the same region as Sun/Moon; adds more Ultra Beasts, activities, and ways to catch Pokemon from older games |
3DS | Pokemon X/Y | 2013 | Monster Collecting | Pokemon brought into the 3D realm of not-France, statistics of 'mons can be further raised and refined via minigames |
GB+GBC | Pokemon Yellow | 1999 | Monster Collecting | More of the same, with bonus Pikachu following you |