The Pokemon series takes place in a unique, fantastical world that’s populated by fascinating creatures with incredible powers. However, even though the entire franchise is literally named after them, all the mainline entries only allow players to control a human trainer who catches, trains, and gives orders to the Pokemon.
Every Pokemon Game Playable On The Nintendo Wii, Ranked
While none of the Pokemon games on the Wii took off like some of the other choices, there are still several great Pokemon games for the consoles
Nevertheless, there are a few notorious exceptions, which is great news for those who want to play as the Pokemon themselves. Whether they’re official spin-offs published by Nintendo or beloved fan games/ROM hacks, the following Pokemon games are perfect for anybody who wants to take control of an actual Pokemon instead of a generic human.
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX
A Faithful Remake Of The Game That Kick-Started One Of The Most Beloved Spin-Off Series
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX
- Released
- March 6, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone Due To Mild Cartoon Violence
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike
When it comes to popular Pokemon games that allow the player to play as an actual Pokemon, the Mystery Dungeon spin-off series is the first thing that will inevitably come to most people’s minds. Naturally, its very first entry, Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team, is a perfect starting point for those who want to delve into it. While the original 2005 release has aged relatively well, its 2020 remake, Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX, is just superior in every way.
When players boot up this game, they’ll have to answer a personality quiz that will determine which Pokemon they’ll play as, and with sixteen different creatures to choose from, there’s a lot of variety. After that, they’ll be able to meet other talking Pokemon, befriend them, and explore dungeons in turn-based action gameplay. Rescue Team DX not only looks way better than the original version, but it also has the excellent quality-of-life upgrades and features from recent generations, including Mega Evolution.
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers Of Sky
Its Excellent Story Has Turned It Into One Of The Most Popular Games In The Series
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky
- Released
- October 12, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike
All Pokemon Mystery Dungeon games are quite solid, but most fans seem to agree that the absolute best one (which hasn’t been topped yet) is Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky, an enhanced version of Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness, in a similar vein to Pokemon Emerald or Pokemon Platinum.
While Explorers of Sky is brimming with content and its gameplay is more polished than any of its predecessors, the main reason this game is so beloved is because of its engaging (and surprisingly emotional) narrative, which is often considered one of the best in the entire Pokemon franchise. Once again, the player has to answer a personality quiz that’ll determine which Pokemon they’ll play as, only that this time there are twenty-two possible results. After that, they’re off to experience one of the most nuanced Pokemon adventures ever made.
PokePark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure
A Free-Roaming Action-Adventure Title That Lets Players Take Control Of Pikachu
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure
- Released
- December 5, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
Pokemon fans are very fond of spin-off series that allow them to take control of Pokemon without any involvement from human trainers, which is perfectly reflected by the massive popularity of PokePark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure. This is an action-adventure title starring a Pikachu who’ll have to explore the titular PokePark and meet other Pokemon in the process.
10 Best Pokemon Games For Exploration, Ranked
Pokemon fans who enjoy their games with a hefty side of exploration won't be disappointed by the following titles.
What sets PokePark Wii apart from the Mystery Dungeon series is the fact that this game is in full 3D and its camera is more zoomed in, making the entire experience way more personal in comparison. Gameplay-wise, this is a really fun and relaxing game that was clearly meant for kids, with a big focus on quick and easy mini-games. It's definitely not the most complex game out there, but exploring a large 3D map as Pikachu feels fantastic, and it's something that can’t be experienced in many other Pokemon titles.
PokePark 2: Wonders Beyond
A Great Sequel With A Bigger Focus On Real-Time Action Gameplay
PokePark 2: Wonders Beyond
- Released
- November 12, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
PokePark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure was a moderate success, which naturally led to the production of a direct follow-up that came out a little over a year later: PokePark 2: Wonders Beyond. Like any good sequel, this game looks a lot better, is more expansive and ambitious, has a collection of brand-new mini-games, and even features several Pokemon from the Fifth Generation that had started just a few months before its release.
But PokePark 2 is notorious for two major changes: Firstly, Pikachu is no longer the sole playable character, as players can also choose to play as the Starter Pokemon of Unova: Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott. Secondly, while PokePark 1 focused more on fun mini-games, the sequel has a bigger focus on the action, with more complex mechanics and a larger collection of intense boss fights. Both of these games are perfect for anybody who wants to play as a Pokemon, but PokePark 2 will definitely scratch an itch that most other spin-offs in the franchise can’t.
Pokemon Unite
The Pokemon MOBA That Took The World By Storm
Pokémon Unite
- Released
- July 21, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- MOBA
Pokemon is an extremely versatile franchise that can adapt to almost every video game genre, so it is no surprise that the Pokemon Company partnered with Tencent to make Pokemon Unite, the very first MOBA game in the series, a genre that is especially popular among professional eSports players.
Its gameplay is reminiscent of classic MOBAs like League of Legends or DOTA 2, as players choose one Pokemon to take control of and then have to explore a large arena in which they’ll have to defeat enemies, learn new moves, and even evolve to get stronger and score points against the opposing team before time runs out. This gameplay loop is extremely addictive and satisfying, especially in short bursts, which explains why Pokemon Unite still has such a large player base that spans around the entire world. The best part about this game is that it currently has over seventy different playable Pokemon (all with their own distinct playstyles and move sets), and more are being added regularly.
Pokken Tournament
A Fast-Paced 3D Arena Fighter With A Roster Of Powerful Pokemon
Pokkén Tournament DX
- Released
- September 22, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Fighting
For decades, the inclusion of several playable Pokemon in the Super Smash Bros. Series made fans want to play a dedicated fighting game with a roster made up entirely of playable Pokemon. Fortunately for them, their prayers were answered when Nintendo and the Pokemon Company released Pokken Tournament in 2015. It’s worth pointing out that this is not any regular fighting game, but it’s a direct collaboration with Bandai Namco and the Tekken franchise, which explains why its combat system is so polished and technical.
ROM Hacks Long-Time Pokemon Fans Should Know
There are a lot of fan-made Pokemon Game/ROM hacks out there that are great all-around adventures.
Pokken Tournament is a 3D arena fighter with fast-paced gameplay and powerful special moves with over-the-top animations. The original Nintendo Wii U version had sixteen different playable Pokemon, which included the likes of Pikachu, Lucario, Charizard, Gardevoir, Mewtwo, and many more, but the enhanced Nintendo Switch port, Pokken Tournament DX, added even more fighters, like Blastoise, Scizor, Decidueye, and Aegislash.
Pokemon: Close Combat
A Fan-Made Traditional 2D Fighter With A Beautiful Art Style
As good and fun as Pokken Tournament is, some fighting game enthusiasts may prefer to experience a more traditional 2D fighter instead, so they should take a look at the big and expansive world of free Pokemon fan games, where they’ll find Pokemon: Close Combat. This is one of the most popular projects that was made by fans and for very good reason.
This is a 2D fighter with a more complex, technical, and satisfying combat system, so fans of the genre will definitely enjoy it, especially in multiplayer matches against friends. The most noteworthy aspect of Pokemon: Close Combat is, however, its vast roster of playable Pokemon, which includes well-known faces like Blaziken or Primeape and more bizarre creatures that would most likely never make it into an official fighting game, like Falinks or Slither Wing, not to mention that the developers are still adding new fighters regularly. All these Pokemon were brought to life with a beautiful and dynamic hand-painted art style that makes this impressive fan game stand out even more.
Pokemon Evolve Eevee
A Turn-Based ROM Hack, Starring Eevee And Its Evolutionary Family
Pokemon is, first and foremost, a turn-based RPG series, and yet, there’s a surprising lack of RPGs that actually let fans play as the Pokemon, whether it’s official or fan-made. There is one notorious exception, though, and it’s a popular free ROM hack simply titled Pokemon Evolve Eevee.
Players take control of an Eevee and have to get stronger to face the eight Eeveelutions in battle and finally prove that it’s the most powerful member of the entire evolutionary family. Exploration and combat are done in the same way as all the classic 2D mainline Pokemon entries (even other Pokemon can be befriended and added to the party), but getting to play as an Eevee is a surprisingly fun and refreshing concept that has made Pokemon Evolve Eevee one of the most popular ROM hacks in the community.
Every Pokemon Game On The Game Boy Advance, Ranked
The Game Boy Advance handheld console had some of the most iconic Pokemon games. While they are all loved, some are better than others.