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Recommend me just ONE Pokemon game

DGrayson

Mod Team and Bat Team
Staff Member
I have never played a Pokemon game but would like to play one. i dont need to play them all so I am looking for just one to play and the best one preferrably.

Graphics dont matter to me so originals to the 3DS would be fine (I dont own a Switch). I like JRPGs and turn based combat so no worries there. I just want to play one game without getting into the whole series.

Gotta pick just one!
 

Michele

you.
I know it's not a mainline game, but if you have a mobile phone, I would recommend Pokemon Masters. It's really easy to get in, and it's fun. They recently released a new arc in the game, and if you clear all stages, you can get two free attempts to pull a five star Kanto partner. Though, it is a gacha game, meaning you would need to pay, but there are a lot of sources to get them for free.
 

jshackles

Gentlemen, we can rebuild it. We have the capability to make the world's first enhanced store. Steam will be that store. Better than it was before.
Probably the best starting point for beginners (and people curious how all of the game mechanics work) would be Let's Go Pikachu or Let's Go Eevee for the Switch (whichever you pick doesn't really matter).

They're updated remakes of Pokemon Yellow / Red / Blue for the original Gameboy. I'd consider them to be vastly superior to the originals but I'm sure purists would disagree with that assessment.
 
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Danjin44

The nicest person on this forum
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DGrayson

Mod Team and Bat Team
Staff Member
I know it's not a mainline game, but if you have a mobile phone, I would recommend Pokemon Masters. It's really easy to get in, and it's fun. They recently released a new arc in the game, and if you clear all stages, you can get two free attempts to pull a five star Kanto partner. Though, it is a gacha game, meaning you would need to pay, but there are a lot of sources to get them for free.


I was looking for a more traditional one, I dont really play games on my phone either, thanks though.


Probably the best starting point for beginners (and people curious how all of the game mechanics work) would be Let's Go Pikachu or Let's Go Eevee for the Switch (whichever you pick doesn't really matter).

They're updated remakes of Pokemon Yellow / Red / Blue for the original Gameboy. I'd consider them to be vastly superior to the originals but I'm sure purists would disagree with that assessment.


I dont own a Switch unfortunately.



001-2.jpg


Not sure what this is.
 

TexMex

Member
Any of the mainline GB/GBA/DS games are basically the same game. Very little variation, just grab any of them and go. If you don’t like those you won’t like any.
 

DGrayson

Mod Team and Bat Team
Staff Member
Pokemon Gold/Silver. That was the most "adult" in the series before the censors got too sensitive and removed things like gambling, smoking references, hints of drug use and motherfucking riding around listening to PokeRadio!

Would you recommend the GBC version or the remake for the DS? What about Crystal?
 

Fbh

Member
Pokemon-Heart-Gold-Soul-Silver.jpg



It's almost impossible for me to remove the nostalgia I have for the original release of these, but IMO Gold/Silver are still the quintessential Pokemon experience and the DS remakes are a great way to play them.
IMO Jhoto and Kanto are still some of the best regions and the number of Pokemon was still low enough that the designs are consistently good (for the most part). I also appreciate how they were still mostly light on story as opposed to some of the newer games which make you sit through their awful storylines.


With that said some of the newer titles have some welcome quality of life improvements like no random encounters and no need for HM slaves (essentially a pokemon you have to keep around because it has many needed traversal skills)
 

01011001

Banned
play Pokemon Crystal (the third version of gen 2)

it's IMO a perfect introduction, not that many Pokémon, not too much clutter, great atmosphere if you like GBC graphics, and you can even unlock the Kanto region (gen 1) at the end to explore there
 

Chukhopops

Member
Since no one seems to want to answer seriously:

- Black 2 / White 2
- Heart Gold / Soul Silver
- Omega Ruby / Alpha Sapphire

Playable on 3DS and quite good, with less hand holding than the recent games while still looking decent. They hit the sweet spot of the series' evolution but of course everyone will have his own opinion.
 

Banjo64

cumsessed
I have never played a Pokemon game but would like to play one. i dont need to play them all so I am looking for just one to play and the best one preferrably.

Graphics dont matter to me so originals to the 3DS would be fine (I dont own a Switch). I like JRPGs and turn based combat so no worries there. I just want to play one game without getting into the whole series.

Gotta pick just one!
Pokémon Emerald at 1.5x the game speed is pretty much the pinnacle of the series. Can’t go wrong with Fire Red/Leaf Green or any of the DS games either in my opinion.
 

Speedwagon

Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel. Yabuki turned off voice chat in Mario Kart races. True artists of their time.
I like Pokemon X/Y. I think it's a good starting point.
 
I suggest going with original GBC games like Silver or Crystal if you only want the pokemon brand. Silver remake is solid, I think a bit worse than the original but the graphic is prettier, just avoid the mainline ones. If you just want the same structure try nexomon, it's a good clone. I think it does a better job than last entries in the pokemon franchise.
 
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TheAssist

Member
Since no one seems to want to answer seriously:

- Black 2 / White 2
- Heart Gold / Soul Silver
- Omega Ruby / Alpha Sapphire

Playable on 3DS and quite good, with less hand holding than the recent games while still looking decent. They hit the sweet spot of the series' evolution but of course everyone will have his own opinion.
I agree. Any of these will do honestly, changes are more in the details, butthe basic gameplay loop is always the same. Personally I would go with Heartgold/Soulsilver
 
Pokemon Crystal Clear, hands down. It's a rom hack that combines Red/Blue and Gold/Silver into one open world game where you can challenge any 16 Gym leaders in any order that'll get stronger and more strategic the more badges you get. All 251 Pokemon over the two regions, 15 different starters, quality of life updates, added side quests and stories, and you can play it on your phone, PC, etc. It's not just some fan made story, it's literally the two games smashed into one with amazing stuff added.

If you're not wanting rom hacks? I'd say play Pokemon Red. It's charming and nostalgic and just had it's own vibe I haven't seen in many other games.
 
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Dream-Knife

Banned
Not to hijack this thread, but I've only played blue. Is it worth even playing the later games, or are they all the same basically? I think SMT and Persona have spoiled me.
 

Saber

Gold Member
Not to hijack this thread, but I've only played blue. Is it worth even playing the later games, or are they all the same basically?

Yes and no.
Yes because they use basically the same dumb formula.
And no because they add, change and updates certain mechanics here and there.

I highly recommend you to play Gold & Silver. Super jump from R/B, but still classic and nostalgic.

If you want a huge boost, play Black & White. Note that these already have newer mechanics(like different EVs, abilities, etc). But its a refreshing game.
 
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Nezzeroth

Member
Either gen 1 or gen 2 remakes. I prefer gen 1 purely because I love how the games looked on GBA and how fast they played. That's what made them so addictive to me.

The move to DS made the series worse, both in performance and appearance (I hate how the pokemon look now. for example, they used to have such bright colors back then), and it's only been getting progressively worse. Completely subjective opinion, of course.
 
Hmm. Fire red.

Heart gold soul silver is the best game and also a great start, but fire red/leaf green will be the best introduction as it’s generation 1.
 
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ResurrectedContrarian

Suffers with mild autism
In all sincerity: Pokemon - Trading Card Game (GBC)

For me, the mechanics of the card game are great and strategic, whereas the combat in core entires of the series just bores the hell out of me. This little gem on the GBC (available on the 3DS eShop as well) is fantastic, and gets to heart of collecting cards, building decks, and battling.
 

Rambone

Member
You never mentioned if you were limited to a specific console or not but, recommendation is in order.

Switch: Pokemon Sword or Shield
3DS: X or Y
DS: Platinum
GBA: FireRed or LeafGreen
GB: Crystal
 
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N1tr0sOx1d3

Given another chance
I have never played a Pokemon game but would like to play one. i dont need to play them all so I am looking for just one to play and the best one preferrably.

Graphics dont matter to me so originals to the 3DS would be fine (I dont own a Switch). I like JRPGs and turn based combat so no worries there. I just want to play one game without getting into the whole series.

Gotta pick just one!
This would’ve made an interesting poll actually….
 

RaZoR No1

Member
PKMN Crystal
or Black and White
Crystal is/has still the classic Pokemon feeling, both regions (from Red/Blue and Gold/Silver) are nice, a good number of Pokemons are available.

Black and White is like a reboot at the beginning. Afaik in the main Story you only had the new Gen Pokemons, which was pretty nice, like experiencing Pokemon for the first time again. Only after the main game you were able to find older Pokemons.
If the story is interesting enough for you, than you can directly continue with B&W2.
 

Ribi

Member
Its Crystal and its not close you heathens. Jusy play it on your phone with an emulator. So good
 
Easily Pokémon FireRed / Pokémon Leaf Green. I've played every installment and I still prefer the first ones, but the GBA remakes are truly great.
 

Saber

Gold Member
As much I like the different tastes around here, please just don't go with Sword Shield. Its the only game in the series that makes you feel like literally very stupid.
 
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Werewolf Jones

Gold Member
Pokemon Black and White. I'd be interested in what you think of the Swan Song gen for Pokemon quality and their attempt at a soft reboot.

All new Pokemon only.
 
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