Huge Hit for Nintendo: The 8 Most Popular Pokémon Games of All Time
Happy Birthday Pokémon! The little pocket monsters are just 25 years old – the perfect occasion to review the history of Pokémon and see which Pokémon games have captivated most players in front of the screen in the last quarter of a century. These are the 8 most popular Pokémon games of all time!
25 years of Pokémon: The most successful titles in the game series
The first Pokémon game appeared in Japan in February 1996. At that time nobody could have guessed what a huge success the brand would one day be. This year the little pocket monsters are celebrating their 25th birthday. We took the anniversary as an opportunity to take a look at the most successful games in the series. Which Pokémon games have sold particularly well over the past 25 years? The top 8 Poké bestsellers might surprise you!
Editor’s note: The information on the sales figures comes from the Statista online platform.
Release year: 2010 Platform: Nintendo DS
Proud 15.64 million units of Pokémon Black & White have been over the counter for the past 11 years. The fifth generation of Poké surprised players with a new camera perspective and two new types of combat. In addition, TMs and VMs can be used infinitely often since then. 156 new Pokémon brought the two games with them.
Release Year: 2016 Platform: Nintendo 3DS
The Pokémon Sun & Moon editions sold even better. The bottom line was the games for the Nintendo 3DS 16.2 million times sold – so the development should have been more than worth it for Nintendo. The two seventh generation Poké games were well received by both gamers and critics. The games broke with some old traditions and introduced numerous innovations – there was only greater criticism when it came to the level of difficulty. The game was far too easy for both connoisseurs and beginners. 80 new Pokémon were introduced in the game.
Release year: 2002 Platform: Game Boy Advance
Old but gold! Pokémon Rubin & Sapphire for the Game Boy Advance are now 19 years old – but overall, the two offshoots of the third generation of Poké have sold amazingly 16.22 million times. Compared to its direct predecessors, the developers made numerous changes this time. Character, skills and diligence points were established for the first time – the double fight also made its debut. There were also new Pokéballs, different bikes and 135 new Pokémon.
Release year: 2013 Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Pokémon X & Y for the Nintendo 3DS sold even better than the GBA offshoot from 2002. 16.49 million times the two games of the sixth generation of Poké went over the counter. The biggest innovation: Instead of sprites, almost everything in the games consists of 3D models. In addition, the attack animations of the individual Pokémon are much more realistic. Also there is now one Mega development as well as a new type of Pokémon called Fee. 72 new Pokémon were established in the world with X & Y.
Release year: 2006 Platform: Nintendo DS
The two games of the fourth generation of Pokémon appeared exclusively for the Nintendo DS and sold altogether 17.67 million times. Since the game was played on two screens for the first time, the menu navigation was adapted to the control with the stylus. In addition, the day and night alternation of the second generation returned. 107 new Pokémon the players were allowed to catch in the wild.
Release year: 2019 Platform: Nintendo Switch
The newest Pokémon part wins bronze. Pokémon Sword & Shield has sold so far 20.35 million times – in the course of the year this number is likely to increase again. The two new games form the eighth generation of Poké and establish that Dynamax phenomenon. In addition, the classic arenas return to the game. Much more important, however: Sword & Shield are the first Pokémon games in the main series, which automatically save your game progress.
Release Year: 1999 Platform: Nintendo Game Boy
A veteran of the Pokémon games secures 2nd place. Pokémon Gold & Silver for the Game Boy have been sold to this day 23.1 million times and are still considered true classics by many fans. There have been numerous changes compared to its predecessor: A dynamic day / night change, the PokéCom, berries, the Poké breeding, genders and special events that only take place on certain days of the week. For the first time, players could also choose whether they want to play as a boy or a girl. In addition, steel and dark have been added as new Poké types. 100 new Pokémon could catch the players in the gold & silver.
Release Year: 1996 Platform: Nintendo Game Boy
The origin of the Poké series makes itself comfortable in first place – and with a huge lead! 31.38 million units The first works for the Game Boy have been sold since their release in 1996. That was 25 years ago now – and yet every player will probably still know how the duplication bug around Missingno works in order to cheat extra special sweets and master balls.
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