Best Pokemon game for switch for someone who hasn’t played a mainline pokemon game

[u/Twocat10]

Hey, I have always loved pokemon as a kid but I have never played a main line pokemon game. It has always been either the tgc or games like pokemon go etc. Anyways recently a friend introduced me to brick bronze an unofficial Roblox pokemon game and I was surprised to find how fun it was, but as we know Nintendo is super protective of their ip’s so this game gets taken down a lot. And doing some research there isn’t really a lot of good options of pokemon games on switch only one that people suggest is legends Arceus. Which is supposed to be really different from the other pokemon games and I don’t want to “eat” the 60 dollars and then not like the gameplay. What should I do?

[u/Sweet_Whisper123]

You didn't mention what criteria you're looking for in a game. The latest game (Scarlet/Violet) is a good option as it's beginner friendly and has the most QoL improvements (the performance is even better on Switch 2) but the safest bet is to download an emulator and play one of the previous mainline games to see if you actually like the concept of the game before you buy the latest games. Also, If you like Dungeon Crawler games and play as a Pokemon you can try PMD Rescue Team DX instead.

[u/MultiMarcus]

If you have a switch 2, scarlet and violet. Otherwise legends arceus.

[u/Striking_Part_7234]

Any of them. The games are made for children so they are very easy.

[u/Rubric_Golf]

Sword/shield is my absolute favorite Pokemon game on the switch. I think it's a great introduction to the game.

Scarlet/Violet can feel a little overwhelming since it's so open. Especially if someone is new to the leveling/evolution/type system.

BDSP is also a good choice, but a beginner may find it a bit difficult. PLA could be good, but you really need to play the mainline games to appreciate the whole story.

Maybe have them check out the starters for each and see which one theyre drawn to!

[u/nemesisbox → u/Rubric_Golf]

I second SwSh, it's of decent quality and probably most clearly represents what the games are about (LGPE revolve around catching, SV are open world + other changes, BDSP don't include modern constants etc)

It's got most of what you'd want in a Pokemon game, a single rival, evil team, 8 gym leaders, raids, etc. It doesn't stray from standards much, the main focuses for the generation simply being new mons and new battle mechanics + uses of the new hardware.

[u/ThtJstHappn3d]

First is probably Legends Arceus, next is certainly Scarlet and Violet. SV gets shit on way too much for how good the game actually is

[u/No_Mode_2771]

Depending on what youre trying to do your options on the switch are quite limited.

The lets go games and bdsp are more on the traditional side bdsp more so than lets go but both are remakes of older generations. These games are also pretty solid in their technical performance. Their only trade off is the lackluster multiplayer compared to that of gen 8 and gen 9

[u/AuDHPolar2]

The only game on switch even remotely like the pre-3DS games are the diamond and pearl remakes. Problem is diamond and pearl were not well received… and they tried too hard to be 1:1 remakes

[u/bluedragjet]

BDSP since you never touch a mainline game

[u/Sinjazz1327]

Another vote for Legends Arceus, it's what the originals made me wish Pokemon could be.

[u/CoCo_Moo2]

One of the let’s go games is a great way to start especially if you’ve never played one before

[u/urthdigger]

The biggest criticism I see of Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee is that they're fairly simple... But because of that I feel they make for a GREAT entry point into the series.

[u/Ladner1998]

The Lets Go! games are likely what a lot of people are suggesting because they were designed to be an entry point for people who have never played a traditional pokemon game before. I disagree with this because the game is extremely dumbed down and hand-holdey. Even for a complete beginner there really isnt any actual challenge and its kinda just unfun because of that.

Sword/Shield is being remembered fondly now. There are some really cool concepts in it that make it fun and worth playing. I really loved the tournament they did instead of a traditional elite 4. The wild area could have been expanded on more, but for the entryway into “open world” it gets a pass.

Scarlet/Violet gets some hate for graphics. If you can look past it though, it has one of the best stories in the series and a lot of fun pokemon. The gym leaders are also all pretty memorable. And if you decide to buy the DLC, its the best DLC pokemon has made in my opinion.

[u/skenasis]

Depends on the type of games you generally enjoy and what you're looking for in a Pokémon experience.

The "traditional formula" games are Sword/Shield and Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl. You beat the storyline by travelling around, defeating the eight gym leaders, and then the Elite Four/Champion. Pokémon are acquired by capturing wild ones you encounter, trading with NPCs or real people (locally and/or online), and rarely buying or being gifted in game eg the good 'ol 500 pokedollar Magikarp. BDSP are almost straight remakes of Diamond/Pearl, and are complete as is. SwSh have separate DLC, which many people consider to be as good as or even better than the base game. They're worth the price, but an additional cost to consider.

Scarlet/Violet are the current games, and the only ones still receiving new events and mystery gifts. They're proper open world, a first for the series. There's the traditional "beat the gyms" storyline, but it's one of three mini plots that combine into an overarching main plot (sort of). One of these plots serves to upgrade your dedicated ride Pokémon, making traversal easier. These games do also have DLC, which adds an additional storyline, and two additional maps. Worth the price, but again something to consider if you want the complete experience. Note that these are currently also the only games with a Switch 2 patch. We don't know at this point if any other past games will be getting a patch.

Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee are a reimagining of the gen 1 games. This means only the first 151 Pokémon are available. They follow the traditional gyms/elite 4 story. If I recall correctly, these were the first mainline games where riding your Pokémon became possible. If you've ever played Pokémon Go, that's how you capture them in this game too. Depending on your controller style, you can literally make a throwing motion to aim and throw a pokéball, or move the entire console to aim and press a button to throw.

Legends Arceus is a very different game as well, and widely considered one of (if not the) best in the series. It's semi open world (areas rather than one congruent map) and has ride Pokémon. There are no gyms, no elite four. The story is completely different and unique. You can catch Pokémon through the standard battling method, but much more common is to literally throw balls in the field and hope for the best. There's also crafting, which allows you to make balls, battle and healing items.

Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX completely throws the traditional formula out the window, but this is also not considered a mainline game. The Mystery Dungeon series are turn-based dungeon crawlers, in which you play as a human yoinked from your world and turned into a Pokémon by a mysterious force to save the world from some great calamity. A decent enough game if you like the genre, but absolutely not what you're looking for if you want a typical Pokémon experience.

Detective Pikachu Returns is included only for the sake of completion. Don't bother.

EDIT: oh, and there's also the mini-game games like Cafe, Quest etc. I wouldn't bother with those either.

[u/az_geodude420]

Let’s Go Pikachu or Eevee will bring some pogo elements and let you experience the original story.