Pokémon: A Comprehensive Guide to Nintendo Switch Games (and Beyond)

Pokémon, a globally recognized media powerhouse, has been a Nintendo mainstay since the Game Boy era. The franchise boasts hundreds of captivating creatures, collectible both in-game and as trading cards, with each generation introducing a plethora of new discoveries. Every Nintendo console has featured numerous Pokémon titles, and the Nintendo Switch is no exception. With Nintendo's announcement of the Switch 2 and its backward compatibility, existing Switch Pokémon games are guaranteed to transition seamlessly to the new system. This article details every Pokémon game released on the Nintendo Switch, along with insights into upcoming releases for the Switch 2.

How Many Pokémon Games Are on Nintendo Switch?

A total of twelve Pokémon games have graced the Nintendo Switch. This encompasses mainline entries from generations eight and nine, plus a variety of spin-offs. For clarity, this list counts dual-version mainline games as single releases and excludes titles available via Nintendo Switch Online (detailed below).

Note: 2024 marked a hiatus for new Pokémon game releases, the first in over a year (and two years since the last mainline title). The Pokémon Company instead launched Pokémon TCG Pocket, a free mobile app featuring Pokémon cards, which has achieved remarkable success. While not on this Switch list, TCG Pocket is highly recommended for Pokémon enthusiasts.

Recommended Pokémon Game for 2024: Pokémon Legends: Arceus

For Switch players seeking a worthwhile purchase in 2024, Pokémon Legends: Arceus is highly recommended. While it deviates from the classic Pokémon formula, it offers a refreshing experience. Legends: Arceus introduces action and RPG elements, open-world exploration, enhanced encounter control, and polished handheld gameplay.

All Nintendo Switch Pokémon Games (Release Order)

• Pokkén Tournament DX (2017): A deluxe Switch port of the Wii U title, featuring new characters and enhanced visuals. This 3-on-3 fighting game offers engaging local and online multiplayer.

  

• Pokémon Quest (2018): A free-to-play game transforming Pokémon into adorable cube creatures. Simple yet fun combat involves sending Pokémon on expeditions and equipping them with various abilities.

  

• Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! & Let's Go, Eevee! (2018): Remakes of Pokémon Yellow (1998), marking the first mainline Pokémon games on a home console. Set in Kanto, featuring all 151 original Pokémon and enhanced accessibility.

  

• Pokémon Sword & Shield (2019): Introducing open-world Wild Areas for free exploration and wild Pokémon battles. Gyms return, and the eighth generation of Pokémon debuts, featuring Dynamax and Gigantamax forms.

  

• Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX (2020): A remake of the 2005 titles, featuring dungeon exploration, job completion, and Pokémon recruitment.

  

• Pokémon Café ReMix (2020): A free-to-play puzzle game where players manage a café, serving Pokémon and solving connection puzzles.

  

• New Pokémon Snap (2021): The long-awaited sequel, featuring on-rails photography of Pokémon in diverse biomes. Unlocking new courses adds significant replayability.

  

• Pokémon Unite (2021): Pokémon's foray into the MOBA genre, featuring 5v5 online battles with a diverse roster of Pokémon.

  

• Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl (2021): Remakes of the 2006 Nintendo DS titles, featuring a charming chibi art style and the fourth generation of Pokémon.

  

• Pokémon Legends: Arceus (2022): A critically acclaimed title set in the past Hisui region, emphasizing open-world exploration and strategic Pokémon encounters.

  

• Pokémon Scarlet & Violet (2022): The latest mainline entries, launching Generation 9 and offering a fully open world for exploration. The "The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero" DLC is now complete.

  

• Detective Pikachu Returns (2023): The sequel to the popular Detective Pikachu game, featuring new mysteries to solve through investigation and puzzle-solving.

  

Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Pokémon Games

The Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription unlocks additional Pokémon titles:

• Pokémon Trading Card Game
• Pokémon Snap
• Pokémon Puzzle League
• Pokémon Stadium
• Pokémon Stadium 2

All Mainline Pokémon Games

[Image collage of all mainline Pokémon game boxes]

Upcoming Pokémon Games on Nintendo Switch

Following Pokémon Day 2024, a new Pokémon Legends game is slated for 2025. Further details are awaited, but a Switch 2 release is anticipated. An upcoming Nintendo Direct (April 2nd) may reveal more information about the Switch 2 and new game releases.