Pokémon has been everywhere for a long time. Since 1995, people have been clamoring for new games. They want new monsters, new adventures, new challenges as often as possible. However, it takes time to make the mainline series. With Gen XI being almost three years old, fans are ready for Gen X to be announced any day.

Of course, we have no idea when this will be announced. How will we keep entertained until then?! Well, luckily, there are dozens of Pokémon game spin-offs made for console and mobile to keep you busy while we wait for the next iteration of the series. From old school battle games to modern remakes, here’s a list of all the console spin-off games for the Pokémon series. 

There are seemingly millions of handheld and mobile releases for Pokémon, so we are holding off on writing about those. We will cover them at a different time.

Spin-Offs | Nintendo 64

The Nintendo 64 came out in 1996, one year into the Pokémon craze. Of course, that meant a whole different audience could be reached to spread the word of Pokémon. There were five different Pokémon spin-offs released on the console, all of which have become cult favorites. All the bases were covered with these games. There were battling games, puzzle games, and games that allowed you to interact with Pokémon in different ways. 

Hey You, Pikachu! | 1998

Hey You, Pikachu! was not only the first spin-off game, but also the first Pokémon console game. And, boy, is it strange. As you can see on the box, it says that you can talk to Pikachu. That’s right. The first console game allows you to do what you have always wanted to do: talk to your own Pokémon. Each game came with a “voice recognition unit” which is a microphone specifically designed for the Nintendo 64.

As for gameplay, this is a virtual pet style game where you use your voice to get Pikachu to do different things. There are three different levels where you explore different Kanto regions, helping Pokémon along the way. Whether it’s helping Bulbasaur make a salad or finding missing Poliwags, your Pikachu will (mostly) listen to your commands to complete the tasks. The microphone is pretty archaic, but it works pretty well for the basic words it needs to understand.

Overall, it’s an odd piece of Pokémon history that, unfortunately, never got a sequel.

Pokémon Snap | 1999

When people think about Pokémon on the Nintendo 64, Pokémon Snap is usually the first thing that comes to mind. It was a very unique idea that many players loved. It was so popular that many Blockbusters video stores in America had stand-up demos of the game where you could actually print out the pictures you took in game.

The game takes place on Pokémon Island where Todd Snap, a photographer, helps Professor Oak study Pokémon by, well, taking pictures of them in their natural habitats. There are several different levels which are all based on a different type of ecosystem. Todd is in a bubble shaped car that travels along a path where he can take pictures, throw rocks to anger different Pokémon, or feed them. Using either of those items can effect Pokémon in a different way, causing some to evolve or create a fun scene. 

As a personal aside, I never had a Nintendo 64. I was only able to play those games either in free demos in stores or when we stayed at a hotel. One of my favorite memories as a kid was begging my mom to let me print out a picture from that kiosk in Blockbuster. I wish I could find it, but it is lost to time.

Pokémon Stadium | 1999

Pokémon Stadium was exactly what Pokémon fans wanted in 1999. This game featured full fledged battles with 3-D models and fully animated attacks. There were also mini-games too, but who cares? You could battle your friends with your favorite Pokémon!

This game was packed with content. There was a free battle mode for you to battle a CPU with whatever Pokémon you wanted. There was a Stadium mode for you to battle through different cups with four difficulty levels. You can battle the Kanto Gym Leaders in the Gym Leader Castle. Battle Now gave you one of two predetermined teams to, well, battle now. After beating Stadium Mode and Gym Leader Castle, you can battle Mewtwo, giving you the true ending to the game.

Most importantly, you can use a Transfer Pak to transfer your favorite Pokémon from Pokémon Red, Blue, or Yellow into Pokémon Stadium. You can also do it the opposite way as well. But that’s not all! The Transfer Pak allows access to GameBoy Tower. While there, you can play a full-color version of your Generation I Pokémon game! 

Pokémon Puzzle League | 2000

With Generation II of Pokémon coming out for the GameBoy Color, the logical next step after Pokémon Stadium is… A puzzle game. Yes, Pokémon Stadium 2 will have to wait because Pokémon Puzzle League is ready for the spotlight. 

Despite being a silly puzzle game, Pokémon Puzzle League has quite a storyline. Ash and Pikachu are on vacation when Professor Oak tells him to go to Puzzle Village and battle in the Puzzle League Tournament. Ash, being the Pokémon Master that he is, rushes off to do something that has little to do with becoming a Pokémon Master. While there, he must earn eight badges from the gym leaders and then usurp the Puzzle Champion in order to battle the Puzzle Master. The Puzzle Champion is, unsurprisingly, Gary. 

But here is where it gets nuts. Gary is defeated, Ash and Pikachu are celebrating when, suddenly, they are teleported to a different world. There, we meet the Puzzle Master… Mewtwo. Yes, Mewtwo is the Puzzle Master. It actually created the Puzzle League in order to find a “worthy foe.” Much like in the first movie, Mewtwo clones Ash’s Pokémon. After beating Mewtwo, he is transported back to where his adventure began. 

Absolutely wild that a puzzle game has a more interesting story than the original Generation I games… Anyway, if you have played any kind of Tetris Attack style games, you’ve played Pokémon Puzzle League. It’s a fun time, definitely worth picking up and playing, especially since it is on the Switch’s Virtual Console.

Pokémon Stadium 2 | 2000

One year after the release of the hit Pokémon Stadium, Nintendo released Pokémon Stadium 2 to coincide with the release of Pokémon Gold and Silver. Pokémon Stadium 2 is essentially the same game as the first, but with new Pokémon added and a few different game modes.

Pokémon Stadium 2 has Stadium mode, Free Battle, and Gym Leader Castle returning from the first game. However, Gym Leader Castle has both the Johto gyms and Kanto gyms and even includes a battle with Red on Mt. Silver. The GameBoy Tower, now GB Tower, is back, allowing you to play both Generation I and II games, depending on what is inserted. 

One of the coolest extra is the addition of transferable Pokémon with special moves. If you beat your rival in Vs. Rival mode, you can get a Farfetch’d with Baton Pass for the first round and a Gligar with Earthquake for the second. These are exclusive moves that can only be obtained in Pokémon Stadium 2 and can be transferred to your Generation II games.

This was a natural extension to Pokémon Stadium and was also a hit, even if it was late in the Nintendo 64’s life. Those games, along with Snap and Puzzle League, were released on the Switch Virtual Console due to their ever-continuing popularity.

Spin-Offs | GameCube

The Nintendo GameCube didn’t sell gangbusters like its predecessor (or successor for that matter), but it did give us some of the most iconic spin-off Pokémon games on console. It introduced Shadow Pokémon and gave us our first full-fledged 3D Pokémon RPGs. 

Pokémon Channel | 2003

You know how I said that Hey You, Pikachu! never got a sequel? Well, that’s mostly true, but Pokémon Channel for the GameCube is a spiritual successor in many ways. It’s even developed by the same company, Ambrella. While you don’t need a microphone for this game, it does rely on the GameCube’s internal clock. 

This game is essentially a series a minigames (channels) where you can collect cards for each successful game. You can also wander around the town to chat with wild Pokémon. They can also give you collectible cards. The big issue is that it’s rather tedious to finish. It uses the internal clock to keep track of the day of the week. Each day, a new set of channels are unlocked, allowing you to continue playing. Outside of that, you can also set up a room for your Pikachu, similar to Animal Crossing. 

For the first foray into the GameCube, it’s a bit lackluster. It wasn’t the critical success people wanted it to be, nor was it commercially well received. However, the other two GameCube games scratched that itch people had.

Pokémon Colosseum | 2003

Pokémon Colosseum was Pokémon’s first attempt at a 3D RPG and it, mostly, hit it out of the park. The game follows Wes, a former member of a gang of Pokémon thieves called Team Snagem, as he tries to purify all the Shadow Pokémon that Team Snagem and Cipher created. 

The fights are turn-based, similar to core Pokémon games, but have pretty cool battle animations like in Stadium. It also has connectivity with all five core Pokémon games on the Game Boy Advance. This is the only way for players to get Jirachi in Generation III. Outside of the story mode, there is a general Battle Mode, similar to Pokémon Stadium. It’s the best of both worlds!

Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness | 2005

Set five years after the events of Pokémon Colosseum, Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness focuses on one kid’s plan to defeat Cipher once and for all and save Shadow Lugia. For all intents and purposes, XD is just an easier Colosseum. The plot may be different but all the stuff from Colosseum is still there. There’s a battle mode, a story mode, and exclusive Pokémon for your Generation III game.

Not a whole lot else to say about this one. It was pretty well received, just had a few points knocked off for the lackluster story and easier difficulty. Definitely worth picking up if you have a few hundred to spare!

Spin-Offs | Wii/WiiWare

The Wii took the world by storm in 2006. It was a uniquely innovative console that gave us the first good experience with motion controls. While the Wii was most popular with families who cannot stop playing Wii Sports (it’s 2025 and I still look forward to going to my in-laws to play Wii Sports with my kids and get destroyed in bowling), the Wii had tons of games for hardcore gamers as well. Games like The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword which revolutionized how you can get carpal tunnel through video games, Xenoblade Chronicles which told us that bothering Nintendo about translating a game will eventually make it happen, and the games listed below. Well, maybe. Let’s find out.

Pokémon Battle Revolution | 2006

Pokémon Battle Revolution is the first Pokémon game for the Wii. It’s pretty much an improved version of Pokémon Stadium. Or at least a version of Stadium with better graphics and new Pokémon. Released during Generation IV, this included Pokémon from every region up to Sinnoh. It’s made up of a bunch of different Colosseums to battle in, each with their own set of rules. You battle through the Colosseums to eventually face the Champion.

The biggest draw was supposed to be the Nintendo Wi-Fi Battles. Using the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, players from all over the globe can battle their Pokémon! You could also connect your Nintendo DS and Generation IV Pokémon game to battle players in Battle Revolution. Unfortunately, you’ll be missing out on that part as the Wi-Fi Connection has been officially shut down. 

It wasn’t really well received at the time, many reviewers noting that it lacked a lot of the extras that made Pokémon Stadium so replayable. 

Pokémon Rumble | 2009

Here’s a weird little game. Pokémon Rumble was released as a WiiWare game in 2009. You play as a little wind-up toy version of a Pokémon. As your little guy or gal, you travel to different stages, trying to befriend stronger Pokémon so you can take on the Battle Royale of that stage. In the Battle Royale, a bunch of these little creatures are dropped in a pit to fight and whoever is the last one standing wins. There’s a pretty basic story, leading to the final battle against Mewtwo.

It’s a cute game that was pretty cheap on the Wii Shop, so it’s perfect for any Pokémon fan! However, it can no longer be obtained legally as the Wii Shop has been closed down for some time now.

PokéPark Wii: Pikachu’s Adventure | 2009

In PokéPark Wii: Pikachu’s Adventure, you play as a Pikachu who gets pushed down a hole. This transports Pikachu to a world where there are only Pokémon and no humans. Pikachu falls asleep and has a dream about Mew. Mew tells it that PokéPark is in trouble because the Sky Prism has blown up and it is up to Pikachu to save the day. Pikachu has to complete each part of the park’s attractions (minigames) to get the pieces of the Sky Prism back.

It’s a very short game clocking in at less than three hours, but it’s a charming piece of Pokémon history. There are tons of Pokémon to befriend and lots of games to play. Luckily, this doesn’t rely on any internet connections so you can play it all you want!

PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond | 2011

If you ever wanted to play a PokéPark game where Pikachu is not pushed into a hole, then we have a game for you. PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond is essentially more PokéPark: Pikachu’s Adventure, but with Generation V Pokémon added to the mix. There are new minigames, a different storyline, and lots of new Pokémon to meet and hang out with. 

In this installment, a mysterious force is trapping Pokémon from PokéPark in an alternate dimension called Wish Park. Reshiram and Zekrom see that this is not good, so they send Pikachu off to stop it. Through their adventures, they discover that this is creating a Dark Vortex which will destroy both parks. Darkrai is the evil mastermind behind the plot but is soundly defeated by Pikachu. In an act of true selflessness, Darkrai sacrifices itself to destroy the Vortex. Dang. RIP to a real one.

Spin-Offs | Wii U

Remember the Wii U? The thing everyone was confused about because they thought it was just a gamepad for their Wii? Yeah! That one! Despite the odd naming convention, the Wii U gave us some really great games and introduced us to Amiibo. Granted, now most of those games have been remade for the Nintendo Switch and Amiibos are now nothing more than cute little figures, but the Wii U had them first! It also had a really small library of games with only two original Pokémon games making it to the console.

Pokémon Rumble U | 2013

Pokémon Rumble U is exactly what it says on the tin. It’s Pokémon Rumble, but on the Wii U. Nothing really to write home about here. 

Its only claim to fame was that it was the first Wii U game to use NFC figures. These were pre-Amiibo figures that were shaped like Pokémon. Honestly, it's a little strange that these incredibly popular statues were first used in a Wii U eShop game and not for something more mainstream. 

Pokkén Tournament | 2016

Have you ever wanted a Pokémon fighting game? One where you press input combinations to make them punch, kick, and do special moves? Then Pokkén Tournament is the perfect game for you. In it, you have a partner Pokémon who gets their energy from a synergy stone that uses a force called Gaia to bond with their human. Suddenly, a Shadow Mewtwo appears with a dark synergy stone in its shoulder. This stone is draining the Gaia energy from the world, causing bonds to be weaker. The player has to battle through different tournaments in order to battle Shadow Mewtwo and purify the synergy stone.

Gameplay is similar to any fighting game. There are light and heavy attacks, grabs, special moves, the gang’s all here! There are initially only fourteen playable characters with Mewtwo and Shadow Mewtwo available after beating the game. There are tons of Support Pokémon that all have unique abilities to help defeat your opponent. Overall, it’s a really unique fighting game with a decent story. Too bad it’s on the Wii U so no one really played it…

Spin-Offs | Switch

Chances are high that, if you are reading this article, you have a Nintendo Switch. The Switch is home to so many incredible games and the Pokémon games are no exception. Even though the Switch has more Pokémon games than are listed below, I will only be covering those with a physical release in this article.

Pokkén Tournament DX | 2017

Wait, didn’t we go over this already? Yes! But, it’s a physical release for the Switch, so we need to talk about it. Pokkén Tournament DX is an upgraded version of Pokkén Tournament. There are some new playable characters, additional Support Pokémon, and online multiplayer. Other than that, there aren’t many other changes. 

A team mode was added to it, allowing players to choose three different Pokémon to switch between during battle. There was also a replay mode where you can rewatch any battles you have had in order to, I don’t know, analyze your form? Get better? Who knows, but it’s something new. 

Most importantly, with Pokkén Tournament DX coming to Nintendo Switch, it opened up a whole new audience for the game. It also made it easily accessible for esports teams, especially those in schools.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX | 2020

The Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games are stables for handheld Nintendo systems. The original games for the Game Boy Advance were Red/Blue Rescue Team. These are such incredibly beloved stories that they were remade for the Switch under one title: Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Rescue Team DX.

The game starts off with a voice from the void. It asks you some questions and, when you wake up, you’re a Pokémon. Yeah, you are transformed into a Pokémon. Which Pokémon you become depends on your answers to the questions. After waking, you befriend Pokémon to join your “Rescue Team," a group that goes out and helps weaker Pokémon with various tasks. Each outing has you clear rooms floor by floor until the boss is defeated. It’s not turn-based, for the most part, and is a real-time battle, allowing you to move around, hide, heal, do all sorts of stuff. 

As you progress, you find out that you were turned into a Pokémon in order to prevent some crazy event from happening. Groudon has become violent, defeating teams left and right. After your team defeats it, the crazy event occurs: a giant meteor is heading to destroy the world. It’s up to you to find Rayquaza and convince it to destroy the meteor. After it does, you end up in the Netherworld and have to be revived by Gengar. Yeah, you die. After destroying a meteor. 

These games rule, you have to play them.

New Pokémon Snap | 2021

Tired of old Pokémon Snap? Well, try New Pokémon Snap! Yes, it’s a terrible name, but, man, this game is excellent. Is it essentially just Pokémon Snap, but New? Of course. There’s a new plot, new Pokémon, new courses, all sorts of new stuff!

The story, such as it is, focuses on the player’s adventures on the island of Lental. Seeing how much of a natural you are behind the camera and your undying love for Pokémon, Professor Mirror sends you off to take pictures of the five Illumina Pokémon. These are Pokémon that glow brightly and cause the crystabloom flowers around them to glow. It’s a very rare phenomenon that they know little about.

The rest of the game is just going around taking pictures of Pokémon. Unfortunately, they didn’t have the printing kiosks at Blockbuster this time around. I wonder why?

Pokémon Unite | 2021

“Hey, wait a minute,” you say, staring at your phone in disbelief. “This doesn’t have a physical release! He said he’s only covering physical releases!” You rear your arm back, ready to throw your device.

Hey wait! Don’t smash your phone! Although Pokémon Unite does not have a physical release, it was first released on the Switch and I consider this version the most definitive version of the game. Pokémon Unite is a MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) game, similar to League of Legends. The player chooses a partner Pokémon, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, and joins a team for a five on five battle.

Unite is constantly being updated with new Pokémon, arenas, and events. This is definitely not a game for everyone as it is a more detail oriented experience. You can definitely pick up and play a quick match, but it does require a bit of homework if you want to really get into it. If you are a fan of MOBAs, this is an excellent addition to your roster of games. If not, it’s an excellent game to download, play every day for a week or so, then get too overwhelmed and delete it, only to download it again six months later. Guess which one I am.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus | 2022

This game. Oh boy, this game. Pokémon Legends: Arceus is the first in the Legends series of games and it is a doozy. It not only flipped the mythology of the Sinnoh region on its head, it revolutionized the gameplay and allowed you to be killed by Pokémon. How cool is that?

The game starts out in a void. A mysterious device is floating in front of you. You are told that you have to stop the space-time continuum from breaking. You are 10 years old. When you wake up, you’re in an ancient land called Hisui. This is what the Sinnoh region was called before the Diamond and Pearl clans united. You are found by Professor Laventon, a member of the Galaxy Expedition Team, who tells you that his group is trying to find a way to allow Pokémon and humans to live together in harmony.

The goal of the game is to placate the local deities, called Noble Pokémon; unite the clans; and help Arceus calm Palkia and Dialga who are creating rips in the space-time continuum. Of course, there’s so much more to do. The Pokémon are free roaming, meaning you can throw Pokeballs at them without getting into a battle. This allows you to sneak up on them, observe their behavior, and all sorts of other things in order to complete the very first Pokédex. 

I won’t go too far into it for spoiler reasons, but, if you haven’t gotten this yet, get on your Origin Forme Palkia and go buy it.

Detective Pikachu Returns | 2023

Detective Pikachu Returns is a sequel to the 3DS game Detective Pikachu. You play as the titular detective as you solve investigations. You are aided by Tim, a teen whose father passed away in a car accident before the events of the game. As you solve these mysteries, Pikachu keeps having flashbacks about Harry, Tim’s father. The duo try to get to the bottom of why this happens and how can this Pikachu talk?!

I haven’t played either of these games, so I don’t have a lot to say about them regarding their gameplay. I really like it when Pokémon games go into a different genre, so heading into this crime solving/family drama area is really interesting to me. Unfortunately, it has not been well received by critics or fans. 

Pokémon Legends: Z-A | 2025

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is the latest Pokémon spin-off, having come out days before writing this. It continues the Legends formula set by Legends: Arceus, but takes us to Kalos years after the end of Pokémon X/Y. This has been a long-awaited installment in the series as X/Y never received a third game or sequel, like every other generation has.

In this game, you battle through Lumiose City in a big tournament. The prize? Any wish they want will be granted. However, Rogue Mega Evolved Pokémon are wreaking havoc throughout the city. As you progress through the city, more Rogue Megas start attacking. Is there any way to stop them? The game is too new for me to be spoiling, so you’ll have to find out yourself!