Since its 1996 debut, Pokemon has become a cultural icon that's remained prominent to this day. The 90s saw the franchise establish itself with a hit anime and memorable RPG on Game Boy, Red and Blue. Yet, the 2000s was a particularly busy and significant time for the series, as Pokemon continued to grow in popularity and expand through various means.
Hordes of new monsters would join the initial generation of 150, and new concepts and elemental types would be introduced to the games, as well as the canon at large. New regions would be explored within the mainline games, which were becoming deeper and more expansive—while an increasing number of spinoffs would also be produced. There is no shortage of great games, even when confining things to the fairly small, but busy snapshot of 2000s Pokemon. But which among these titles are the best?
10 Pokemon Ranger (2006)
HAL Laboratory sought to put a new spin on the tried-and-true Poke-formula with this ARPG spinoff on DS. In this game, players take control of a Pokemon Ranger in Fiore, who temporarily nabs Pokemon by the stylus-controlled "capture styler." These makeshift companions help players along their journey by shooting fire, blowing water, and cutting objects to solve puzzles and progress.
With a fairly slim campaign and touch controls that feel a bit shoehorned, Pokemon Ranger's gameplay felt like "style over substance" for many who played it. Still, this 12-hour adventure mostly proved a welcome breath of fresh air for the few that did bother to give it a look. In terms of action-based combat, at least, Pokemon Ranger partly resembles a Pokemon Go prototype.
9 Pokemon Colosseum (2004)
Though this obscure GameCube game tends to get overlooked and overshadowed my modern Poke-epics, 2004's Colosseum was somewhat ahead of its time. Often viewed as a simple Pokemon Stadium sequel, this title draws from that formula while fleshing out the gameplay quite a bit.
In fact, it adds a story mode that extends over two-dozen hours; making it one of the more content-dense games on the console. Players will explore the Orre region, battling and rescuing darkened "Shadow Pokemon" throughout their journey. While a bit rough around the edges, franchise newcomers Genius Sonority step into the arena in convincing fashion, bringing a surprisingly rich 3D Pokemon experience.
8 Pokemon Puzzle League (2000)
The Pokemon series is no stranger to unique adaptations and spinoffs. Back in 2000 however, a puzzle game bearing the Pokemon brand was a fairly new concept. As a result, fans weren't initially sure what to make of this Pokemon party puzzler, which was in the vein of Tetris Attack.
But much to the delight of genre and franchise fans, Pokemon Puzzle League proved a standout party game N64 and a nice little swan song for the console. This multiplayer romp cleverly incorporates Pokemon's (literal and figurative) elements with anime visuals and colored pieces representing monster types. At the same time, Puzzle League brings plenty of appealing, fast-paced gameplay that franchise newbies and veterans alike can enjoy.
7 Pokemon Emerald (2004)
By late 2004, the GBA was exiting the scene while the DS was set to take center stage. But Game Freak's Emerald proved both Pokemon and the GBA were far from finished. Being an enhanced version of a game predating it by just a few years, Game Freak takes the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," approach with this release.
Critics and fans alike have pointed to Pokemon Emerald as being a rather small evolutionary step overall. Still, this is by no means a bad thing, as it draws from the fan-favorite Ruby and Sapphire, and was, for a time, considered the definitive Pokemon experience. In fairness, the game does sprinkle in a few new features and refinements. These include more detailed animations, replayable Gym battles, and new areas such as the Battle Frontier.
6 Pokemon Crystal (2000)
Given its technological limitations which, even in 2000, were quite archaic—Pokemon Crystal particularly shines in terms of its deep, appealing gameplay and rich content. The game builds on the already dense, sturdy foundation of Gold and Silver. New elements like the Pokemon Stadium-esque Battle Tower, richer visuals, and new subplots serve as welcome additions to this epic journey.
While some have knocked it for some fairly marginal upgrades from its '99 predecessor, Pokemon Crystal remains a gem for the Game Boy Color and one of the most dynamic RPGs on the handheld. For those who understandably missed the boat and stayed wrapped up in Red and Blue years later—this 2000 remake proved an appealing introduction to Gen 2 Pokemon.
5 Pokemon Ruby And Sapphire (2002)
Game Freak had a tough task ahead of them for their Pokemon debut on GBA. Not only did they seek to recapture Pokemon's majesty and charm for a new console generation, but they had to at least match the recent classics that were Gold, Silver, and Crystal. To the relief of most fans, they delivered with this memorable '02 RPG, which showcased a third generation of Pokemon for the first time in all its glory.
GBA's more potent hardware allowed for richer, more colorful, and more dynamic gameplay, which the studio at least partly used to their benefit. Complementing this more appealing presentation are additions like double battles, Pokemon abilities, and 135 new monsters brought to the fold.
4 Pokemon FireRed And LeafGreen (2004)
Take the established classics of Red/Blue and wipe out one of its few weaknesses—visuals and presentation—and the result is this nostalgic gem for GBA. While far from awe-inspiring graphically, the game's improved visuals do the originals justice and allow these hits to shine like never before.
The games maintain that unmatched charm of the classics while sprucing them up with more modern flair and an overall smoother experience. Additions like the 30-player "Union Room," the new Sevii Islands, and compatibility with Colosseum further enhance this delightful trip down memory lane.
3 Pokemon Diamond And Pearl (2006)
Game Freak hits the ground running with their fourth generation debut on the DS, offering two of the strongest Pokemon efforts to date. The improved hardware, as well as the touch screen and dual-screen abilities, complement the experience and bring a smoother flow to the interface. At the same time, these bells and whistles are fairly subtle, allowing the gameplay to take center stage.
Along with the lush, Japanese-inspired region of Sinnoh, the game introduces 107 awesome new monsters, combat refinements, and online play—the latter of which adds loads more addictive gameplay to this 40-hour epic.
2 Pokemon Platinum (2009)
Much like Crystal and FireRed/Leaf Green years before, Pokemon Platinum draws from an established classic and adds more depth and appeal; with a polished presentation and added features.
Despite being just two years apart, Game Freak manages to entice new players and fans of Diamond/Pearl alike with novel inclusions. Elements like the Wi-Fi minigame Plaza, anonymous online trades, recordable battles, and Battle Frontier give vets a reason to return. The highlight add-on, however, has to be the warped variant of Sinnoh known as Distortion World, which adds tons of uniquely trippy content.
1 Pokemon HeartGold And SoulSilver (2009)
When it comes to the Poke-heavy era of the 2000s, it's hard to beat the definitive version of one of Game Freak's best efforts, which brings even more content and modern flair to Gold and Silver.
This memorable remake uses the Diamond/Pearl engine to its advantage—masterfully blending the charm of Gold/Silver with the more vibrant visuals and intuitive interface of DS.
This return trip to Johto and Kanto is more magical than ever, enhanced by additions like touchscreen minigames and timed events which further incorporate the game's internal clock. Often considered the series' pinnacle in the 2000s, HeartGold/SoulSilver is a delightful fusion of old and new Pokemon elements.