Pokémon games aren't exactly known for their stories, which makes it all the more impressive when they manage to tell a coherent narrative. Most Pokémon plots are simple affairs – collect the eight gym badges, stop the evil team, catch a legendary, and become Champion – but some go out of their way to feature poingnat themes or deeper character writing.

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While the average Pokémon game and Generation is defined by their main gimmick above all else, that doesn't mean their stories should be ignored. Each Gen makes sure that the story the games are telling have something new to say. Pokémon stories aren't always profound, but when they're good, they're great.

Updated on November 21st, 2022 by Tom Steel: Pokémon Sword & Shield, Legends: Arceus, and Scarlet & Violet have introduced new and innovative additions to these beloved games, while subsequently bringing some compelling new storylines.

15 The Original Games Set A Solid Foundation For The Franchise

split image with pokemon blue on the left, yellow in the middle, and red on the right

The Pokémon franchise kicked off with Blue, Red, & Green. Yellow then released as an additional version that bore a closer resemblance to the Pokémon anime. The games themselves are simple, more intent on letting the player adventure around than telling a story.

All the same, Giovanni and Team Rocket presented a clear threat that served as a welcome distraction from the monotony of collecting Gym Badges without much further direction. While Gen I's story never progressed far beyond thwarting evil and becoming the best Pokémon Trainer at the expense of the player's rival, RBGY laid some solid groundwork for the franchise to build on.

14 Gold, Silver, & Crystal Brought Back Kanto To Pad Out Their Johto Story

Pokemon Crystal at night in the forest, the player looks for Celebi

Pokémon Gold, Silver, & Crystal has plenty of story to go around, from the resurgence of Team Rocket and a ruthless new rival, to the mysterious Kimono Girls and the Gen II Legendary Pokémon. Yet Gold, Silver & Crystal do not end after defeating Johto's Champion Lance, as players are then taken back to the familiar region of Kanto.

At this point, the story wains a bit, instead making way for nostalgia and a hotly-anticipated showdown with Red. The HeartGold & SoulSilver remakes made this immersive world even better while adding some new layers to the story.

13 Colosseum Might Be Fans' Most In-Demand Remake

a character from Pokemon colosseum

The original Pokémon Colosseum starts out with the protagonist stealing gear from the Orre region's evil team, Team Snagem, and bolting with both an Umbreon and an Espeon before the base explodes.

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From there, the player goes around discovering that Snagem has been collecting shadow Pokémon, which was caused by the evil organization Cipher. Colosseum can feel incredibly grind-heavy, but having a protagonist that starts out stealing and getting into trouble throughout the game is a deeply interesting premise.

12 Black, White, & Their Sequels Have A Continual Story

Pokemon Black protagonist looking out at landscape

Unlike most of the other games, Black & White 2 are actual sequels rather than psuedo-remakes of the same game. The Gen V games focus on Ghetsis, N, and the vast region of Unova – presenting new threats and routes that differ from those presented in the Sinnoh games. Gen V is widely considered to have the best story in the series from fans, focusing on surprisingly poignant themes of animal abuse and partnership.

11 Mystery Dungeon: Explorers Of Sky Is A Tear-Jerker

Pikachu, Prinplup, Shaymin, Charizard and Meganium looking on in Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of the Sky

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky is not too different from its predecessors Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness, but those differences are important. Namely, Sky has a longer storyline. The game also has a slightly more thorough plotline. After a major storm, the player washes up unconscious on a beach after taking a personality quiz, much like in the other Mystery Dungeon games.

The player ends up needing to catch a thief that's been going around stealing Time Gears, battle a Primal Dialga, and disappears in a tear-jerking narrative.

10 Mystery Dungeon Red & Blue Rescue Team Let The Player Become A Pokémon

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Blue Rescue Team

In Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team, the protagonist is a human-turned-Pokémon who spends the majority of the game trying to turn themselves back. With the help of Gardevoir, Rayquaza, and Gengar, players are able to prevent an ultimate calamity with a Falling Star, returning the protagonist to their human form in the process. However, the player character decides they much prefer being a Pokémon and returns for some post-game shenanigans.

9 New Pokémon Snap Has A Remarkable Story Tucked Behind All Those Photographs

Promo image for New Pokemon Snap

New Pokémon Snap wasn't a cut-and-dry, one-to-one rehashing of the old game. While old characters return and snapping the best photographs of Pokémon is still the main focus, New Snap tells a brand new story to go along the gameplay. In New Pokémon Snap, the player actually feels like they are helping document natural and unusual phenomena in the Lentil region. It's one of the most immersive experiences in the franchise.

8 Sword & Shield's Story Has Gravitas & Stakes

Player character running in Pokémon Sword and Shield

Pokémon Sword & Shield were not to everyone's tastes, but they were a clear sign the franchise was making their games easier and more accessible. The introduction of the Dynamax and Gigantamax phenomena are an active part of the Gen VIII games' storylines.

Sword & Shield focuses on the Darkest Day, the Legendary Pokémon Zacian and Zamazenta, and ultimately defeating the Champion Leon. Chairman Rose's motivation is surprisngly compelling, making for a grounded villain that players still want to defeat. Sword & Shield's overall story is largely underrated.

7 Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire Managed To Improve Their Predecessors

Primal Groudon and Kyogre in Pokemon

Ruby and Sapphire are still some of the most well-loved games in the series. Fans were expecting something great from Alpha and Omega, and the remakes did not disappoint. For starters, the games no longer made the player automatically aid one of the evil organizations.

Instead, the remakes maintain Emerald's clear message that both are bad. The Legendary Pokémon step up and play a more integral part in the story of the remakes, with Primal energy making the story vastly different from the original games.

6 Platinum Offers Even More Depth To The Already Lore-Heavy Sinnoh

Palkia, Dialga, And Giratina In Pokemon

Diamond & Pearl have some of the most in-depth lore in the main series, which Platinum then takes one step further by granting access to the Distortion World and a new form of Giratina. The Elite Four Champion Cynthia appears throughout Gen IV to aid the player, adding even more to the rich lore.

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Gen IV gave players a deeper understanding of the Pokémon world's history, explaining the creation of space, time, and antimatter through the three eggs laid by the ultimate Pokémon Arceus. Platinum goes hard on the mysticism and intrigue, adding a new dimension to the Pokémon franchise.

5 Ranger Made Sure To Be Unique In Every Way

Pokemon Ranger Solana and Plusle in the anime

In Pokémon Ranger, the player has to go around on various missions, many of which involve thwarting the region's crime syndicate, the Go-Rock Squad. Eventually, they travel to the Jungle Relic to test themselves in a series of challenges – of which there is a prophecy that states if all four are cleared, a catastrophe will befall the region. Beating Ranger opens up the ability to capture the mythical Pokémon Deoxys, Celebi, Mew, and Manaphy.

4 Ultra Sun & Moon Tell An Engaging Story Any Fan Can Enjoy

Pokemon Ultra Sun Moon Protagonists and the game's main Pokemon

Sun & Moon, as well as their Ultra counterparts, did not do great in terms of sales and many long-time fans were unhappy with the games' general direction. While they didn't feel much like main series games, Sun & Moon still had fascinating storylines, and the Ultra counterparts built on this even further.

From Team Skull and the Aether Foundation to Lusamine and the Ultra Beasts, Gen VII is packed full of interesting lore and backstories. Sun & Moon are still fondly remembered for straying from the usual path of earning eight Gym Badges from Gym Leaders, and are seen as a breath of fresh air within the main series.

3 X & Y's Storyline Stands Out

Pokémon X and Y's Legendary Pokemon Xerneas And Yveltal

Pokémon X and Y initially received mixed reviews, and never got a third-game variant to the generation. Instead, the presumed plot for a Zygarde game was smashed into the Alola games, with many rumors as to why there might not have been a Z game. To their credit, X & Y are one of a few Pokémon games where the stakes are actually high.

Depending on the game, Lysandre and Team Flare are either trying to destroy all Pokémon or destroy all humans to end wars with the help of Xerneas, Yveltal, and AZ's Ultimate Weapon. Lysandre is eventually convinced to stop his plans after a losing match with the player, but his lackeys have other plans and trigger the weapon themselves.

2 Scarlet & Violet Divide Their Storylines To Great Effect

Picnic selfie in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

Pokémon Scarlet & Violet have finally arrived, introducing a ninth generation to the successful franchise. Much of the focus will be drawn to Scarlet & Violet's new open-world approach, but that freedom also extends to the games' storylines. Players can approach either game as they want, although levels will still restrict and subtly guide players in a rough direction.

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With players attending a Pokémon Academy, Scarlet & Violet's storylines branch off in various directions. The usual Gym challenge returns once again, but accompanied by locating and defeating Team Star members, as well as taking on Titan Pokémon on the way to discovering the truth about Herba Mystica. The freedom and charm Gen IX exude makes for a unique story experience, even if Scarlet & Violet aren't too deep or complex.

1 Legends: Arceus Has Been A Revolution For The Franchise

Pokemon Legends Arceus for the Nintendo Switch

Pokémon Legends: Arceus kicked off a monumental 2022 for the franchise, with Scarlet & Violet following months later. Arceus felt like a project made with the intention of testing out a future direction for Pokémon as a whole. Arceus introduced a sense of freedom that's made its way to Scarlet & Violet, with a focus on catching and researching Pokémon.

The story in Legends Arceus plays second fiddle to its open world and new direction, but it still has enough substance to be enjoyable by itself. Players get to join and navigate the Galaxy Expedition Team's Survey Corps, while meeting new people and Pokémon along the way. Trainer battles take more of a backseat role in Arceus, which adds more weight to the ones that do happen.

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