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Pokémon games have been a staple of video game culture since the late 90s. With over twenty years and thousands of Pokémon titles, there is no shortage of games to choose from. However, with so many games, including the most recent Scarlet and Violet, it can be difficult to determine which titles are the best and which should be left behind. To help you make an informed decision, we’ll break down the worst of the worst and find out which Pokemon games have earned their place at the bottom.
7. Hey you Pikachu!
Hey You, Pikachu!, released for the Nintendo 64 in 1998, was one of the first attempts to create a Pokémon game that offered a unique experience through the use of voice commands. The game stands out for its ambitious idea but ultimately fails due to lack of memorable gameplay and unpolished overall design.
Players had to use a peripheral microphone to communicate with their virtual Pikachu, who would respond accordingly. Unfortunately, due to the limitations of technology at the time, the answers could have been more accurate and logical. On top of this, the actual game mechanics were less than inspiring, like sorting sheets or finding lost items. This makes it more tedious than fun. Ultimately, Hey You Pikachu! It was an interesting experiment that ultimately fell short of the high expectations of Pokemon fans.
6. Pokemon Channel
Pokémon Channel, released for the Gamecube in 2003, was an ambitious attempt to create a unique interactive experience. The game allowed players to interact with various Pokémon characters and participate in mini-games to enhance their “TV channel” viewing experience.
Unfortunately, the game was held back by its repetitive nature (as there weren’t enough activities or content to keep players engaged) and its overly complex menu system felt more like a chore than a feature. Along with sloppy graphics and tedious battles, Pokémon Channel quickly became one of Nintendo’s less successful attempts at creating a truly immersive gaming experience.
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5. Pokemon Picross
Released for the Game Boy in 1999, pokemon picross was a spin-off of the classic puzzle game picross with a few Pokemon-inspired twists. Unfortunately, while there were some cool features such as a comprehensive tutorial and over 300 puzzles, the game quickly became monotonous due to its slow nature and lack of variety.
Also, the game didn’t connect to the main series, making it feel more like a standalone experience than part of the larger universe. Ultimately, Pokémon Picross failed to capture gamers’ attention and has since been largely forgotten even by die-hard fans of the franchise.
4. Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia
The sequel to the original Pokémon Ranger game, Shadows of Almia, was released for the Nintendo DS in 2008. While its plot and gameplay were similar to the first title, it failed to achieve the same level of success due to a lack of new features. and a general feeling that it was more of the same. The game also had several technical issues that made it frustrating to play at times. It’s a shame, as there are a lot of interesting ideas here, and it could have been so much better with a few tweaks.
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3. Pokemon Trozei!
Another DS title, Pokémon Trozei!, attempted to take the puzzle genre in a new direction by introducing some unique elements from the classic RPG series into its gameplay. Unfortunately, this experiment failed miserably as the game’s levels were too repetitive and the general lack of content made the experience short and tedious. While Trozei! It may have seemed like a fun idea on paper, the game’s shallow execution made it one of the worst Pokemon titles ever released.
2. Pokemon Battle Revolution
Pokémon Battle Revolution marked the franchise’s debut on Nintendo’s then-new Wii console. The game featured many of the same mechanics that defined previous games in the franchise, but with a new emphasis on online play. Unfortunately, this only highlighted how limited and outdated other aspects of the game were. It was criticized for being short on content overall and lacking any innovative features or ways to battle other players. As a result, it was quickly forgotten and is now considered one of the worst Pokemon games ever made.
1. Pokémon Stadium: Gold and Silver Edition
This follow-up game to Pokémon Stadium had some new features, but was essentially an inferior version of its predecessor. Compatible with Gold/Silver cartridges, this edition brought back the Gym Leader Castle mode. Still, most of the other additions were bug fixes or minor tweaks that didn’t add much to the overall experience.
The game has also been criticized mainly for its shallow single-player experience and lack of replay value. Additionally, many players have complained about the game’s complex battle system and the “machine learning” feature that makes computer opponents too complicated. Whether you’re looking to relive a childhood ordeal or just interested in seeing how far the series has come, this list is sure to provide you with all the information you need.
If you’re curious to try more games of acquired taste, check out the worst Call of Duty games of all time and the 9 worst games of 2022 here on MyFullGames.