Throughout the history of Pokemon franchise, we have seen several popular titles get remakes for modern consoles and newer audiences. To be honest, these remakes almost always hit the mark, bringing back a wave of nostalgia while polishing things up for today’s players. However, with a massive library of games, each of them can’t get new remakes.
That said, there are still a few fan-favorites that players have been begging to see return. So, we’ve put together a list of the 10 best Pokemon games that truly deserve a remake.
Best Pokemon Games That Deserve a Remake
Pokemon is one of the biggest franchises in the world, and with a massive lineup of games, some of them didn’t get the attention they deserve — especially for new players. Some of the best titles from the Wii, GameCube, and Nintendo 3DS era still aren’t available on the Nintendo Switch library, and a few that did return were just re-releases rather than proper Pokemon game remakes, like FireRed and LeafGreen. And honestly, these games deserve more than just a port.
| Game | Release Date | Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| Pokemon Colosseum and Gale of Darkness | Nov 21, 2003, and Oct 3, 2005 | Nintendo Switch, Nintendo GameCube |
| Pokemon X and Y | Oct 12, 2013 | Nintendo 3DS |
| Pokemon Black and White | Sep 18, 2010 | Nintendo DS |
| Pokemon Conquest | June 18, 2012 | Nintendo DS |
| Pokemon Emerald | Sep 16, 2004 | Game Boy Advance |
| Pokemon Platinum | Sep 13, 2008 | Nintendo DS |
| Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver | March 14, 2010 | Nintendo DS |
| PokePark Wii: Pikachu’s Adventure | Dec 5, 2009 | Nintendo Wii |
| Pokemon Rangers Series | Oct 30, 2006 – Oct 4, 2010 | Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii |
| Pokemon Sun and Moon | Nov 18, 2016 | Nintendo 3DS |
Pokemon Colosseum and Gale of Darkness
Pokemon Colosseum is the first game on our best Pokemon games remakes list. It is set in the desert-like Orre region and focuses on rescuing “Shadow Pokemon,” similar to the ones that you get by defeating Rocket Grunts and Leaders, like Cliff in Pokemon GO. This is also one of the early Pokemon games that introduced a stadium-style arena and double battles, similar to Pokemon Champions.
What makes this game a highly desired one is the dark narrative plot that it offers, making it feel like a movie that you’re playing. And let’s not forget its sequel, Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, which brought in Shadow Lugia and doubled down on that darker narrative. While the game did make its way to the Nintendo Switch during Pokemon’s 30th anniversary, fans were honestly hoping for a full remake, which still feels like a missed opportunity.
Pokemon X and Y
Pokemon X and Y are the games that introduced Mega Evolutions and completely changed how battles felt. Set in the Kalos region, your goal is the classic “become the Champion” journey, while taking down Team Flare before they wipe out the region. But what made these games stand out was how they pushed Pokemon into the 3D era for the first time.
They also rebalanced the entire Pokemon Type Chart with the introduction of the Fairy-type, which shook up Dragon-type. The generation 6 games were massive hits, and with a proper remake, upgraded visuals and deeper mechanics could easily be a record-breaker. Especially when you compare it to Pokemon Legends ZA, which, despite the hype, didn’t exactly live up to expectations in terms of overall quality.
Pokemon Black and White
If it comes to the Pokemon game with the best music, then it has to be Pokemon Black and White. Both games were the first titles to introduce Generation 5 and brought a ton of fresh ideas. Like the dynamic camera angles, fully animated battle sprites, seasonal changes that actually impacted encounters, and new formats like Triple Battles and Rotation Battles, which felt way ahead of their time.
Then came the hit sequels, Black 2 and White 2, which elevated things even further, with Black Kyurem, and White Kyurem. But now, with new modernised consoles, fans are craving the dynamic adventure of Unova with more twists and turns. And honestly, a remix of the Drifveil theme might be a cherry on top.
Pokemon Conquest
Pokemon Conquest is an underrated gem that might be one of the best Pokemon games’ remakes if it ever gets one. However, that might be a big IF, as it’s a game that has been forgotten for over a decade. The game itself was a unique collab between The Pokemon Company and the Nobunaga’s Ambition franchise, blending turn-based battles with grid-based tactical combat. Something along the lines of Baldur’s Gate 3, but with a Pokemon twist.
The story was surprisingly good, but here’s the harsh reality: games like this are hard to bring back. Since it’s built on a crossover concept, pulling off another collaboration like this would take a lot of effort. So while it absolutely deserves a remake, it might just stay as one of those “what could’ve been” titles.
Pokemon Emerald
The Hoenn region, home to Generation 3, has always been a fan favorite. A lot of its Pokemon are still top-tier picks in Pokemon GO raids. Pokemon Emerald, in particular, was an incredibly well-received game, right alongside Ruby and Sapphire.
Now, sure, we did get remakes in the form of Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, but those mainly focused on Kyogre and Groudon, depending on the version. And that’s where it feels a bit incomplete. With so many Pokemon movies centered around Rayquaza, a similar remake is something fans have been wanting for a long time — still sitting high on that wishlist.
Pokemon Platinum
Giratina is one of the most mysterious Legendaries in the entire Pokeverse, and Pokemon Platinum does a great job in highlighting the fact, while also bringing in Dialga and Palkia. Sure, we have some of the best Pokemon game remakes like Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl that spotlight Dialga, but Giratina feels left out.
It feels like a left-out opportunity, as The Distortion World alone has so much untapped potential, and a remake centered around it could easily stand on its own. Or, a better take, with a new storyline, deeper lore, and modern quality-of-life upgrades, like Pokemon Legends Arceus.
Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver
It’s been over a decade since we had the last Pokemon game remake, based on the Generation 2 games. Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver were the two titles that perfectly captured the Jhoto and Kanto regions, delivering one of the complete Pokemon experiences to date. Now, with the release of new Mega Evolution abilities for the Generation 2 starters, a modern remake can be a perfect setup for a comeback.
PokePark Wii: Pikachu’s Adventure
PokePack Wii Pikachu’s Adventure is a spin-off that focuses on exploration and interaction rather than traditional battling. Players control Pikachu in the PokePark, completing attractions (mini-games), solving small quests, and befriending other Pokemon to restore the park. While this game was developed for Nintendo Wii, a remake for Switch that brings in mechanics from Pokemon Pokopia can be a great option for players looking for a relaxing experience.
Pokemon Ranger Series
Pokemon Ranger is a spin-off game that takes a very different approach than the standard RPG battle-oriented games. Instead of traditional battles, Poke Balls, and Master Balls, you step into the role of a ranger, using a Capture Styler to draw loops around Pokemon and temporarily befriend them. It was a fresh, hands-on approach that really stood out at the time.
A modern remake could take that idea even further, with updated touch controls, motion inputs, or even analog-based capture mechanics; the whole experience could feel a lot smoother and more immersive. Add in extra quests, online features, and maybe even a co-op mode, and suddenly you’ve got a remake that could bring a ton of charm back to this underrated series.
Pokemon Sun and Moon
Pokemon Sun and Moon is the Generation 8 game that introduced a new set of mons to the already existing Pokemon roster. While it might feel a bit early for a remake or sequel, there’s still some potential here, as the in-depth lore of Alola can be combined further with the Pokemon Legends series. However, with Pokemon Winds and Waves in development, that is expected to have a similar beach-style setting — it feels like Alola might be taking a backseat for the time being.
That completes our list of all the Pokemon games that deserve a remake. Hopefully, Nintendo and The Pokemon Company have their eyes on any of the games. And, if you see any announcements related to these remakes, then you know that they are hitting the jackpot.
