GameOrder.gg — Pokemon Checklist
GameOrder.gg — free franchise play orders and collector guides
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Franchise Directory
The Pokemon franchise has 21 entries. Play in Release Order for newcomers, Chronological Order for lore completionists.
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| OwnedYour shelfOwn | # | Title | Year | Platform | Play Today | CIBComplete In BoxCIB $ | WarningsFakes · Region · Audio | Find / Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pokemon Red / BlueEssential ⓘ Most counterfeited Game Boy game. Authentic carts have embossed Nintendo logo on back. Fake save batteries drain in hours. Test save function before buying. | 1996 | Game Boy | Nintendo Switch Online | ModerateWhat is CIB? →— | — | ⚠️ Verify authenticity before buying | |
| 2 | Pokemon Gold / SilverEssential ⓘ Save battery fails on fakes within days. Authentic carts have Nintendo embossing. | 1999 | Game Boy Color | Nintendo Switch Online | Moderate— | — | ⚠️ Verify authenticity before buying | |
| 3 | Pokemon CrystalRecommended | 2000 | Game Boy Color | —— | — | |||
| 4 | Pokemon Ruby / SapphireEssential ⓘ GBA Pokemon is the most counterfeited game category. Fakes outnumber originals on eBay. Verify via Nintendo embossing, board inspection, or save test. | 2002 | GBA | Moderate— | — | ⚠️ Verify authenticity before buying | ||
| 5 | Pokemon FireRed / LeafGreenOptional ⓘ Extreme counterfeit risk. Same verification as Ruby/Sapphire. | 2004 | GBA | Moderate— | — | ⚠️ Verify authenticity before buying | ||
| 6 | Pokemon EmeraldRecommended ⓘ Highest counterfeit risk in franchise. Authentic battery compartment has Nintendo stamp. Shiny label on fake is too bright vs matte on authentic. | 2004 | GBA | Moderate— | — | ⚠️ Verify authenticity before buying | ||
| 7 | Pokemon Diamond / PearlEssential ⓘ DS era counterfeits less common but exist. Verify Nintendo DS logo on cart. | 2006 | DS | Simple— | — | ⚠️ Verify authenticity before buying | ||
| 8 | Pokemon PlatinumRecommended | 2008 | Nintendo DS | —— | — | |||
| 9 | Pokemon HeartGold / SoulSilverOptional | 2009 | Nintendo DS | —— | — | |||
| 10 | Pokemon Black / WhiteEssential ⓘ | 2010 | DS | Simple— | — | |||
| 11 | Pokemon Black 2 / White 2Recommended | 2012 | Nintendo DS | —— | — | |||
| 12 | Pokemon X / YEssentialDELISTED ⓘ 3DS eShop closed March 2023. Physical copy required. | 2013 | 3DS | Simple— | — | |||
| 13 | Pokemon Omega Ruby / Alpha SapphireOptional | 2014 | Nintendo 3DS | —— | — | |||
| 14 | Pokemon Sun / MoonOptional | 2016 | Nintendo 3DS | —— | — | |||
| 15 | Pokemon Ultra Sun / Ultra MoonOptional | 2017 | Nintendo 3DS | —— | — | |||
| 16 | Pokemon: Let's Go Pikachu / EeveeOptional | 2018 | Nintendo Switch | —— | — | |||
| 17 | Pokemon Sword / ShieldEssential ⓘ | 2019 | Switch | Simple— | — | |||
| 18 | Pokemon Brilliant Diamond / Shining PearlOptional | 2021 | Nintendo Switch | —— | — | |||
| 19 | Pokemon Legends: ArceusRecommended | 2022 | Nintendo Switch | —— | — | |||
| 20 | Pokemon Scarlet / VioletEssential ⓘ | 2022 | Switch | Simple— | — | |||
| 21 | Pokemon Legends: Z-ARecommended | 2025 | Nintendo Switch | —— | — |
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Essential marks the installments that carry the spine of Pokemon's main story and world-building — the ones collectors and lore-focused players treat as must-play for the core narrative. On GameOrder, Essential titles include Pokemon Black / White, Pokemon Diamond / Pearl, Pokemon Gold / Silver, Pokemon Red / Blue, Pokemon Ruby / Sapphire, Pokemon Scarlet / Violet, Pokemon Sword / Shield, and Pokemon X / Y.
Recommended entries meaningfully enrich the franchise — strong stories, fan favorites, or connective tissue that pays off after the essentials, without being strictly required. Recommended picks here: Pokemon Black 2 / White 2, Pokemon Crystal, Pokemon Emerald, Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Pokemon Legends: Z-A, and Pokemon Platinum.
Optional games are fair to skip for continuity; they are side paths, experiments, or lighter fare that fans can pick up when they want more, not when they need the main plot. Optional tagged titles: Pokemon Brilliant Diamond / Shining Pearl, Pokemon FireRed / LeafGreen, Pokemon HeartGold / SoulSilver, Pokemon Omega Ruby / Alpha Sapphire, Pokemon Sun / Moon, Pokemon Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon, and Pokemon: Let's Go Pikachu / Eevee.
Spinoff titles sit apart from the primary saga — different genres, timelines, or branding — and are best treated as extras after you know the heart of the series. No Spinoff tags appear on these rows.