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What’s the best Pokémon mainline game on the Nintendo Switch?
“What’s the best Pokémon mainline game on the Nintendo Switch?” That’s the question I’m answering in today’s post.
Now, before we begin, keep in mind, this is my personal list, built entirely around my own experiences and enjoyment with each game.
I won’t be listing every single pro and con. Instead, I’m focusing on what stood out to me, for better or worse. And some of these picks might surprise you.
Let’s rank every mainline Pokémon game on the Nintendo Switch… from worst to best.
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5. Pokémon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl
A Rough Start
My story with Pokémon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl didn’t start on the right note. I ordered the bundled version, and it didn’t arrive on time. So, I cancelled it and just bought both versions on the spot with a special discount… But was it worth it?
My only time with the Sinnoh region was with Pokémon Pearl, so I never got to experience all the improvements available in Pokémon Platinum.
So, in my eyes, these games were an improvement in some way.
Visuals and Companion Features
The Sinnoh region was rebuilt in 3D, and it looks great for a 1:1 remake. In this game, Pokémon follow you around, which I love seeing in any Pokémon game, even if the execution is lacking a bit.
They’ve also remade the Grand Underground to have roaming Pokémon in different biomes, and I’ve spent hours down there exploring and capturing every Pokémon I could, before the Pokémon League, and even caught Spiritomb!
A Lively Underground… Lacking Interaction
BUT!
Although the Grand Underground feels more alive in the remakes, it cost almost any kind of social interaction.
You can see players and walk around with them, but there is no meaningful way to interact with them.
In the original games, you could play Capture the Flag, and set traps to mess with other players. And even visit other people’s secret bases, which was a returning feature from the previous generation.
Secret bases still exist in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, but all you can do with them is place Pokémon Statues, which is a far cry from the customization we used to have…
Ramanas Park: A New Legendary Hub
But the Grand Underground isn’t the only new feature. We now have a brand-new way of catching plenty of legendary Pokémon in the Ramanas Park located on Route 221, the place where you’d go to transfer Pokémon from Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald.
Although you can catch 14 Legendaries, unlocking them requires slates, and to get them, you’ll need to dig for shards in the underground.
This could’ve been a fantastic way of connecting these 2 features, but it’s just boring—very, very, very, boring.
These shards are rare, and after 30 minutes of no luck, I just gave up.
Also, I already have multiple of these in Pokémon Home, so I definitely don’t need 14 more. Mythical Pokémon, however, are a different topic.
Locked Mythicals and Save File Bonuses
Pokémon Diamond/Pearl has several mythical Pokémon locked behind events, and unfortunately, they are still locked in the remakes unless you’ve purchased and played the game at a specific time or if you have a specific save file in your Nintendo Switch.
Darkrai and Shaymin events were accessible through a distributed item for a few months, and the same goes for the Manaphy Egg.
And Arceus can only be obtained by having a Save File of Pokémon Legends Arceus in your system. Additionally, if you also have a save file of Pokémon Sword/Shield and Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee or Pikachu, you can obtain a Jirachi and a Mew, respectively, from an elderly couple.
Final Thoughts on Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl
As you can see, every time they add something new, there’s something disappointing right behind it.
And, that’s the major sentiment I share with the rest of the game. So many things could be improved but were left untouched in the name of being faithful to the original games. So faithful, in fact, that in a game released in 2022…
TM’s are still one-time use, let that sink in.
4. Pokémon Sword and Shield
The Dexit Controversy
I can’t discuss Pokémon Sword and Shield without immediately addressing its biggest controversy, the Dexit.
For the first time in a new generation, not all Pokémon would be available in the National Pokédex. And although the DLC added more Pokémon, there were still 234 left out.
But was it really that bad?
I honestly didn’t care much back then, and from a competitive standpoint, it was refreshing seeing other Pokémon in the spotlight.
Although it was great seeing Metagross and Salamence back in the game again in the Crown Tundra.
Deeper Issues Than Dexit
People use the Dexit argument to bash on these games, but there were far more reasons to criticize them, like the lack of exploration.
Playing this game is like going through a bunch of hallways with an occasional path that leads to nothing interesting.
It’s true that you have more freedom in the Wild Area, but it can get boring pretty fast since there’s nothing else to do there other than catching roaming Pokémon and entering Max Dens.
DLC Improvements and Shortcomings
The DLC expands this concept, giving the player more interesting layouts that feel rewarding and exciting to explore.
While also including NPCs throughout the area, making it feel like a true open world should be. But it’s a shame that you need to dump 30 dollars to play it.
And if you don’t spend the money, there won’t be much to do after you beat the game, unfortunately. There is an epilogue, but it’s too boring, and I barely stomached through it the first time.
You also have access to the Battle Tower, but it’s too easy and shallow when comparing it to battle facilities from previous games.
Highlights and Personal Enjoyment
So, are there any Pros?
Of course there are. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have spent more than 200 hours of my precious time with this game.
First, the Max Dens and the Gigantamax forms were a great addition.
One of my fondest memories of Sword and Shield is playing next to my brothers on release, roaming around the Wild Area, searching and capturing a Gigantamax Butterfree.
Of course, this led to us being overleveled for the rest of the game, which is a huge issue in itself.
Game Freak doesn’t seem to know how to balance their games anymore.
World and Characters
Also, Galar is a beautiful region, and it probably has the prettiest starting point of any game, it’s pure eye candy.
And it’s not just the region, all the characters and new Pokémon have memorable designs and are filled with personality.
Although the story could be better, it had a decent conclusion and character growth for the main cast.
Final Thoughts
Both DLCs were great additions, especially the Crown Tundra, which was my favorite.
Possibly because it features two new awesome Regis to capture and an amazing Galarian Form for our favorite Kanto bird trio.
The Dynamax Adventures was fun to play with friends as well, but I can’t lie when I say that I was expecting more after seeing the initial concept art.
But, in the end, Pokémon Sword and Shield were a good starting point for what’s to come, and we could see the vision they had for the wild areas—finally—in the next generation.
3. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
I bet you weren’t expecting to see Pokémon Scarlet and Violet in the 3rd spot, and now you must be trembling with the thought of what’s to come — but relax and let me share my thoughts!
As mentioned, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is the true vision of the Wild Area of Pokémon Sword/Shield. And the result is a massive open world to explore full of roaming Pokémon to capture, raid dens, and diverse locales that feel fun to explore.
You can go anywhere you want after the prologue, and this sense of freedom in a Pokémon game is a dream come true.
But not all is great.
Freedom – With Limits
While you can technically go anywhere, not all places are immediately accessible.
You first need to increase Koraidon’s/Miraidon’s abilities by feeding them special sandwiches unlocked by completing one of the three main storylines.
Also, an open-world game means you can take on gym leaders in any order, but since there’s no level scaling, it’s easy to get overleveled or underleveled.
And the same goes for wild Pokémon — just because you’re in the first area doesn’t mean you won’t run into a level 50 monster.
What Game Freak Can Learn
I think Game Freak should take a look at how Xenoblade Chronicles handles open-world design.
In Xenoblade, you might walk into an area and see titan-like enemies you should avoid, but you’ll also find ones you can handle.
Paldea attempts this with Tera Pokémon, but they’re too scattered and isolated to feel impactful.
The Price of Going Bigger
With a huge Pokémon world, many compromises had to be made.
For the first time ever, it’s not fun to walk around towns or speak with NPCs.
And the low number of towns and cities makes Paldea feel oddly small in scale.
I used to believe Pokémon regions were as massive as countries.
Even in Sword and Shield, you could look at the horizon and dream beyond the borders.
Paldea doesn’t give you that illusion — there are exactly 12 towns and cities, minutes apart.
Technical Woes and DLC Burnout
The other big compromise is visual fidelity and performance. The game still suffers from technical issues nearly three years after launch.
I feel like patches could’ve fixed a lot, but Game Freak seemed more focused on selling DLC. And yes — I bought and completed them. But I had already fallen off the game and had to push myself to finish them, which was a first for me with Pokémon. Maybe I’m getting old?
Still, I Played for 200+ Hours
Don’t get me wrong. While I’ve criticized a lot, I also played Pokémon Scarlet for over 200 hours — and loved most of it.
When a new Pokémon game comes out, I tend to overlook flaws because it’s my favorite franchise, and I’m fully immersed in having fun.
The Best Parts of Paldea
I enjoyed the three different story paths, which you can tackle in any order, enhancing player freedom.
I loved carving my own path and capturing all the wonderful new Pokémon Paldea had to offer.
The story and lore are among the best in the series, especially the mysteries of Area Zero and the Terastallization phenomenon.
Online Battles and the Missing Challenge
But, what made me pass the 200-hour mark was online battling since there’s no battle facility in these games.
Online battles were my endgame.
It still baffles me that all the complicated mechanics for training a Pokémon — IVs, EVs, breeding, Bottle Caps, Mints only matter in the online mode. There’s still no challenge mode for players who loved battle facilities from older games.
Nonetheless, even with all the bad, I’d still choose to play Scarlet and Violet over Sword and Shield any day.
But the next games? They offer what I’m truly looking for in a Pokémon title.
2. Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee/Pikachu
Initial Reception and Simplicity
Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu/Eeve belong in the second spot because there’s beauty in simplicity. They had the pleasure of being the first main-line Pokémon game on a home console, and the reception was not great.
Everyone was anticipating the next generation, and instead they got what seemed like a spin-off, developed to grab the attention of Pokémon Go players.
Motion Controls and Catching Mechanics
There were no wild battles, and Pokémon and catching Pokémon involved throwing a Poké Ball with motion controls. This was the most considerable change these games introduced and the most controversial, being received with a mixed user experience.
In my case, I remember having issues with the aiming, but I got better at it the more I played.
Although playing handheld was always my preferred choice, I could avoid the motion controls.
Difficulty and Power Balance
One other aspect that fans disliked was the difficulty of the games. They were too easy due to various reasons.
First, your Pokémon Partner is completely busted. Not only are their stats higher than a regular Eevee and Pikachu, they also have 31 Iv’s at every start and have access to exclusive moves that can be used to solo the entire game.
This is especially true for Eevee since it gets a move for each different Eevelution, giving it a wide type coverage.
Then there are the Candies. A mechanic that further trivializes every Pokémon battle. Each Pokémon you capture will give you a candy, which you can use to feed any Pokémon to increase individual stats.
With this method, a measly Rattata can potentially surpass a Charizard in every stat, which sounds ridiculous but fun at the same time.
If you see this mechanic as a way of giving a chance to the underdogs, then it’s great! But give it to an already powerful Pokémon, and the concept of challenge is completely removed.
Visuals and Nostalgia
Despite all this, Pokémon Let’s Go nails a couple of things that overshadow the bad.
Such as the visuals used to bring life to the Kanto Region.
In my most honest opinion, this is the best-looking main-line Pokémon game on the Nintendo Switch, and it’s not up to debate when you look at the competition.
I played hundreds of hours of Pokémon Blue/Red as a kid, and seeing Kanto in HD with Pokémon roaming around still warms this 32-year-old heart.
Pokémon in the Overworld and Interaction
For the first time, you can see Pokémon walking in the tall grass, and even more surprisingly, you can see them at their actual size! No longer is an Onix or a Gyarados the size of a 10-year-old in a 3D Pokémon game,
And, not to mention, you can have Pokémon follow you and even ride a few of them in your journey, which is a dream come true for any Pokémon fan. Riding your bike might be cool, but have you tried tagging along the back of a Shiny Rapidash?
Shiny Hunting and Replayability
Shiny hunting is also the most accessible it’s ever been. It was the first time when it didn’t feel like a chore. And it’s the game I spent the most hours doing it and caught so many I lost count! Although I got bored eventually, I’m not the most patient person in the world.
My Daughter’s a fan
Nostalgia might be speaking here, but Let’s Go holds a special place in my heart. I’ve played and replayed it many times. Just the other day, I introduced it to my daughter, and she had an absolute blast catching Pokémon using the Poké Ball Plus.
It was her first time playing a Pokémon game, and because of this moment I was close to putting this one at number one. But that place is reserved for a certain game, you might know by now.
1. Pokémon Legends Arceus
A Bold New Direction
Yes, Pokémon Legends Arceus is my favorite Pokémon game on the Nintendo Switch and the most refreshing title we’ve seen in years. It completely ditches the traditional gym-based structure and takes us to the Sinnoh region of many years ago. Where Pokémon roamed free and were a threat to anyone who crossed their path.
Pokémon in the Wild
Although it’s a linear game that follows a structured narrative, you have a lot of freedom while exploring the areas you progressively unlock.
And as mentioned, Pokémon roam free with no wild encounters in tall grass! You see them in their natural habitats behaving in different ways, although not on the same level as in Pokémon Snap.
Some run away once they spot you, while others will try to kill you on sight, creating a sense of danger I’m not used to in a Pokémon game.
Trainer Control and Catching Mechanics
Since Pokémon can directly attack you, you are in more control of the trainer than ever before. You can dodge, throw items to stun your foes, and even send your own Pokémon to initiate a battle. But you don’t need to start a battle to capture a Pokémon anymore, since you can aim and throw Pokéballs at any time, which is a first in the entire Pokémon series and why I love this game so much.
Catching Pokémon is so satisfying! The throw has weight, and the sound it makes when it connects is incredibly rewarding. And, when you capture a Pokémon, there’s a flare that bursts from the Pokéballs to celebrate your achievement.
Traversal and Flow
Traversal is another area where the game shines. Riding Pokémon, from dashing across the plains with Wyrdeer to gliding over valleys with Braviary, feels natural and smooth. You can swap between them on the fly, and this makes getting around a breeze.
This, combined with the catching mechanics, provides fluid gameplay that is difficult to put down.
Combat and Innovation
Combat, however, is where I found myself a bit conflicted. While it was nice to see Game Freak experiment with the Agile and Strong style mechanics, the new battle system didn’t quite click for me. Still, I respect the effort to innovate, and in a game that already takes so many risks, it’s difficult to be too critical of one that didn’t land perfectly for me.
Boss Battles
Boss battles are another highlight. They’re actual action sequences that take some dexterity to overcome, since you need to keep alert and dodge incoming attacks and know when it’s safe to attack. And they can be tough, especially Arceus, which took me several attempts before I finally took him down.
Side Quests and Charm
There are also small but memorable side quests that bring warmth to the experience. One quest that stuck with me involved helping a man find his Spheal, which kept rolling down a hill. It was such a simple mission, but charming moments like this give this game a unique vibe.
Visuals and Limitations
Of course, not everything about Legends: Arceus is perfect. Visually, the game struggles. The textures are rough, the animations can be stiff, and the performance dips when too much is happening on screen. It’s not as close as buggy as Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, but it still shows the limitations of not just the Switch, but also Game Freak’s.
And while most Pokémon can be caught through normal gameplay, Shaymin and Darkrai are locked behind save files from other games, which feels like an unnecessary barrier; that’s only there to make me spend more money on their games.
A Blueprint for the Future
Despite these shortcomings, Legends: Arceus succeeds where it matters most. It feels like a true evolution of what a Pokémon game can be. It’s immersive, challenging, and, more importantly, it makes you feel like your actions have an impact in this world.
And in the end, it left me wondering what other past Pokémon worlds could look like if given the same treatment. This isn’t just a spin-off — it’s a blueprint for the future of the franchise, and one I hope Game Freak continues to explore.
Wait, where is Pokémon Z-A?
Look, all other games on this list have been out for a few years now, enough for me to give my honest thoughts on each one and ranked them accordingly.
I’m updating this list on January 6th 2026, and so far I have a 110 hours in Pokémon Legends Z-A. I can say that, despite what hater say, it’s a great game for Pokémon Fans, and it runs, plays, and looks better than Pokémon Legends. However, it has a lot of drawbacks, which makes it super difficult to rank.
Currently, I’m done with the Mega-Dimension DLC, and after I 100% there will be nothing else to for me to experience, and then, I‘ll be able to sit down and write my thoughts.
I’m not sure when that will be, but if you’re subscribed to my Newsletter you’ll definitely get notified!
Were these the Best Pokémon games on Switch?
Thank you reaching the end! With all this said here’s the condensed ranking of the best Pokémon mainline game on Nintendo Switch:
- Pokémon Legends Arceus
- Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu/Eevee
- Pokémon Scarlet/Violet
- Pokémon Sword/Shield
- Pokémon Brilliant Diamond/Shinning Pearl
It was tough ranking them all, but I think I explained myself properly. Keep in mind this ranking is based on my opinion, so If you don’t agree with the list let me know what you’d change!
See you next time.
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