Pokémon has a very well established, tried and true formula that works. The mainline games in the series change just enough to fit with the times and demands of fans while also remaining consistent with what made fans love it to begin with. The series’ biggest changes by far have come along with the transition to 3D and next-gen consoles.
Some of these changes have been hit or miss, and have resulted in a renewed interested in the more traditional styles of the original games. To meet this demand, the Pokémon company has kept a steady outflow of remakes coming throughout the years, usually accompanied by graphical and gameplay improvements. They have generally had a good track record of staying true to the source material, though some remakes have undeniably been better received than others.
6 Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX Expands On A Popular Spin-Off
While not a mainline Pokémon title, Mystery Dungeon still deserves a mention due to the widespread love the games received. Rescue Team DX is the Nintendo Switch remake of the Blue Rescue Team and Red Rescue Team games released on the 3DS. As with most remakes, the core story and gameplay remain the same from the original games while implementing better graphics and various features which appeared in the later games in the series.
DX is a well-done remake for fans of the other games in the Mystery Dungeon series. There are a lot of quality of life upgrades which longtime fans will be happy to see. For example, players get to pick their own starter Pokémon instead of being bound by the personality quiz. There is also an Auto-Movement mode, an Auto Save feature, and an Auto Select feature which all make for much smoother and more enjoyable gameplay.
5 Let's Go Pikachu And Eevee Let Go Of Some Of What Made The Originals Great
Remaking the original Pokémon games with updated graphics for the Nintendo Switch sounds like a great idea on paper, and Let's Go certainly makes a lot of beneficial improvements. However, there are also some questionable changes which fans disliked.
The biggest change by far was the Pokémon capture system which took away battling wild Pokémon in favor of a Pokémon Go-style system. Other iffy changes included the erasure of the beloved Safari Zone in Saffron City. On a positive note, the inclusion of Pokémon mounts looked better than ever on the Switch. Additionally, various quality of life changes like getting rid of the necessity of going to computers and allowing the starter Pokémon to learn all special abilities without an HM were welcome.
4 Fire Red And Leaf Green Set The Stage For The Trend Of Pokémon Remakes
Pokémon Fire Red and Leaf Green were the first ever remakes of a Pokémon game. Having the better technology of the Game Boy Advance for this remake did wonders for the graphics and style of the classic original Pokémon games. Fire Red and Leaf Green took great care to retain the same experience while also adding on additional improvements from Gens II and III to make the overall Pokémon experience even better.
The games also add additional content in the endgame such as the Sevii Islands which tied it into the Johto region, and players can even trade between Ruby and Sapphire's Hoenn region to bring those Pokémon into Kanto as well. Further additions such as Pokemon breeding, berry planting and Pokémon natures also gave the game a more updated, fuller feel than the original.
3 Brilliant Diamond And Shining Pearl Didn't Step Too Far Outside The Box
Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl were the second mainline Pokémon remakes done on the Nintendo Switch system after Pokémon Lets Go, and the fifth mainline game overall. The overall gameplay changes were much more reserved than in the Let's Go series and made the game feel truer to form. The graphical improvements give it an almost Animal Crossing-esque look that really added to the lighthearted atmosphere of the game.
New additions to this remake include having a walking Pokémon as in Let's Go, greater trainer customization including outfits, and auto exp share is carried over from recent games. Trainers can also re-challenge gym leaders and Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl even have expanded areas to explore.
2 Omega Ruby And Alpha Sapphire Gave The Hoenn Region A New Dimension
The original Ruby and Sapphire games were a huge change of direction stylistically for the Pokémon series. There was a lot more power available for Game Freak on the Game Boy Advance, and it was put to great use. Being such a popular original game, it was pretty much inevitable that they would see a remake.
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire for the 3DS took these already great games and made them even better. The updated 3D element gave the game a whole new dimension, literally. The games also included many gameplay changes that had occurred in subsequent generations following the original Ruby and Sapphire, including Mega Evolutions and unlimited TM usage.
1 Heart Gold And Soul Silver Retained The Heart And Soul Of The Originals
Widely considered the best Pokémon remakes thus far, Heart Gold and Soul Silver on the Nintendo DS really preserved the heart and soul of the original games they were based off while simultaneously making some great improvements. As it was, many fans felt the Johto region was the best of the main games, so bringing it to life in a new way was bound to become popular.
The games make use of the touch screen on the DS for the Pokémon storage and bag systems. They also came with the interesting "Pokewalker" which was akin to a Tamagachi. If the player uploaded a Pokémon onto the Walker, they could increase that Pokémon's experience and friendship just by walking around with it - already demonstrating Pokémon's interest in fitness-related apps long before Pokémon Go.