Pokemon is one of the most famous video game franchises in the world. Gamers all over the world have caught, trained, and battled with Pokemon ever since the first generation of Pokemon games was released in 1996, and they have only become bigger thanks to the anime and the movies.
Pokemon is so big now that making a spin-off game is almost guaranteed. While some of these spin-off games have gained popularity on par with the mainline games (like Pokemon Snap), many of them have been forgotten. Here are some Pokemon games that have been forgotten by time.
10 Pokemon Trading Card Game
As a big multimedia franchise, Pokemon obviously has a trading card game that is still traded and played to this day. While the TCG is generally known as a physical tabletop card game, it does have a few video game versions, such as Pokemon Trading Card Game for the Game Boy Color.
In this video game, players play as a young boy traveling the world and challenging others, this time using card decks instead of Pokemon. The game contains over 200 cards from the first three sets of the Pokemon TCG.
9 Pokemon Pinball
Pokemon Pinball is a classic game with a Pokemon spin on it. The way this game is played is identical to other pinball games, but the ball and pinball tables are Pokemon-related.
However, there are a few unique mechanics in Pokemon Pinball. Throughout the game, the player still attempts to catch all 151 Pokemon and complete their Pokedex. They do this by using "Catch Mode" to catch new Pokemon and "Evolution Mode" to evolve them. These mechanics provide a fresh formula to a classic game like pinball.
8 Pokemon Trozei!
Pokemon Trozei! is another Pokemon-themed puzzle game. This one is more unique, but it resembles games like Bejeweled or Tetris, in that the player needs to match up similar Pokemon-themed blocks in order to earn points.
When a match of four Pokemon blocks is made, the player gets a Trozei Chance. This allows the player to make matches with only three Pokemon blocks. If they manage to get that, then they can make matches with only two blocks. This game is very simple, but it does have some depth to it.
7 Pokemon Puzzle League
Another Pokemon puzzle game, this time a crossover between Pokemon and Nintendo's Puzzle League series. The player must clear blocks by swapping Pokemon-themed blocks around to make lines of three or more blocks. Blocks are constantly added to the bottom of the screen, and if the blocks reach the top, the player loses.
One special feature this game has is that the player can play as characters from the Pokemon anime. This includes obvious fan favorites such as Ash, Misty, and Brock, but also characters like Tracy, Professor Oak, and Gary.
6 Hey You, Pikachu!
Hey You, Pikachu! is an interesting game because it utilizes the Nintendo 64's voice recognition feature. The game involves befriending a wild Pikachu using the PokeHelper, one of Professor Oak's inventions. Once the Pikachu is befriended the player can have it do various tasks on a daily basis.
Many of these tasks generally involve different objectives like collecting food. Completing these tasks allows the player to earn Pika Points, which can be used to own items. While most Pokemon games are about collecting various Pokemon, Hey You, Pikachu! seems to only be about playing with the ever-popular Pikachu.
5 Pokemon Rumble
Pokemon Rumble is a very unique Pokemon game. It is a beat 'em up game where the player controls one Pokemon and fights off other Pokemon as they go through each level. The player starts with only one Pokemon and slowly gains more attacks and playable Pokemon as they progress through the game.
While Pokemon Rumble can be played single player, it also supports multiplayer for up to four people. Passwords can also be used to unlock certain playable Pokemon. While the game itself was not very successful, it did spawn several sequels such as Pokemon Rumble Blast and Pokemon Rumble U.
4 Pokemon Stadium
While it might not immediately occur to most casual players, Pokemon is generally considered a role-playing game. Exploration is just as important as battles, and so is crafting a strong party with few weaknesses.
Pokemon Stadium cuts out many of these role-playing aspects, focusing entirely on Pokemon battles. The player fights in a series of Pokemon battles with a party of Pokemon either rented in-game or received from mainline Pokemon games. When beating certain cups, the player can even receive Pokemon that can be transferred back to the original Red and Blue.
3 Pokemon Battle Revolution
Pokemon Battle Revolution is a very similar game to Pokemon Stadium, as it focuses on Pokemon battles instead of the usual role-playing experience of Pokemon. Like Pokemon Stadium, the player progresses through a series of battles in Colosseums, each one with different rules and restrictions.
Pokemon Battle Revolution also has some connectivity with the Pokemon Diamond and Pearl games. Players can occasionally win Pokemon that can be transferred to those games, as well as TMs and other useful items. It was the first Pokemon game with online functionality on a home console.
2 Pokemon Ranger
Pokemon Ranger is pretty similar to a normal Pokemon game, with a few exceptions. The player character can catch Pokemon temporarily by using their capture styler, with is controlled with the Nintendo DS's stylus. These Pokemon can then be used to solve puzzles or even catch other Pokemon.
Pokemon Ranger is also distinctive for taking place in a unique region called Fiore. There, Pokemon are not kept in Pokeballs and Rangers keep the peace in each town. The Go-Rock Squad serves as the main villains, and they plan on using legendary Pokemon to cause trouble in the region.
1 Pokemon Conquest
Pokemon Conquest is another crossover game, this time between Pokemon and Koei's Nobunaga's Ambition series. This tactical role-playing game features a trainer traveling through the Ransei battling figures from Japan's Warring States Era, recruiting them and their Pokemon to use in battle.
Because battle in Pokemon Conquest is very different, there are a lot of changes from mainline Pokemon games. Pokemon can only use one move, and wild Pokemon are recruited by having Warriors link with them. The link (which is a percentage) replaces the usual level system, and Pokemon can only evolve when they reach a certain link.