Usually cited as one of many world’s most beneficial media franchises, Pokémon is a family identify that is been a Nintendo staple for the reason that Recreation Boy. The beloved collection is residence to a whole bunch of wonderful creatures you’ll be able to catch in-game or accumulate as trading cards, with every new technology bringing hundreds extra to find. Each console launched by Nintendo has had loads of Pokémon games released for it, and the Nintendo Change is not any exception.
With Nintendo’s official Switch 2 announcement confirming the console’s backward compatibility, you’ll be able to really feel assured selecting up any present Pokemon video games on the Change, understanding they will carry over to the brand new system. Beneath, we have compiled each Pokémon recreation that has been launched on Nintendo Change and the data we’ve on upcoming Pokémon games releasing on the Change 2.
How Many Pokémon Video games Are There on Nintendo Change?
In whole, 12 Pokémon video games have been launched for the Nintendo Change. This contains the mainline video games for the eighth and ninth Pokémon generations in addition to loads of spinoffs. For the sake of this checklist, we have counted mainline entries with two variations as a single launch. We additionally do not embody the Pokémon video games supplied by means of Nintendo Switch Online, however you’ll be able to try that checklist beneath.
What Pokemon Recreation Ought to You Get in 2025?
When you’re questioning which recreation is price selecting up on the Change in 2025, my advice is Pokémon Legends: Arceus. It isn’t going to present you that OG Pokémon recreation feeling, however that is what the older technology video games are for. As an alternative, Legends: Arceus introduces extra motion and RPG components to the Pokémon collection, providing the freshness of open areas to discover, extra management over encounters, and loads of polish for the hand held. When you’re seeking to choose up new Change video games on sale, it is price trying out Presidents’ Day game deals this weekend.
All Pokémon Video games on the Nintendo Change (in Launch Order)
Pokkén Match DX (2017)
Pokkén Tournament was initially launched for the Wii U in 2016. A yr later, Nintendo and Bandai Namco ready a deluxe model of the sport for Nintendo Change, including new characters and up to date visuals to reap the benefits of higher {hardware}. This three-on-three battle system is a blast to play with buddies each in particular person and on-line.
Pokkén Match DX – Nintendo Change
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Pokémon Quest (2018)
Pokémon Quest turns all of your favourite Pokémon into miniature dice type. This free-to-play Switch game incorporates a enjoyable and easy fight system the place you ship Pokémon on expeditions. Equip totally different skills to your Pokémon to deal with all sorts of encounters.
Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! & Let’s Go, Eevee! (2018)
Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! & Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! are remakes of the beloved 1998 Pokémon Yellow. These titles had been the primary mainline Pokémon video games ever to launch on a house console, since none made it to the Wii U. Set within the Kanto area, all 151 authentic Pokémon seem with various kinds from earlier mainline installments. With heavy accessibility options, these remakes had been an amazing first step for the collection on Nintendo Change for newcomers and veterans of the collection.
Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! – Change
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Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! – Change
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Pokémon Sword & Protect (2019)
Pokémon Sword & Shield marked the primary installment within the collection to function elements of an open world. Dubbed the Wild Areas, these areas allowed free of charge traversal and battles with wild Pokémon. Gyms additionally made a return for the primary time since X & Y. Moreover, Sword & Protect launched the eigth technology of Pokémon, which included Dynamax and Gigantamax types of earlier Pokémon.
Pokémon Sword – Nintendo Change
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Pokémon Protect – Nintendo Change
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Pokémon Thriller Dungeon: Rescue Group DX (2020)
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX is a remake of the 2005 titles Pokémon Thriller Dungeon: Pink Rescue Group & Blue Rescue Group. Surprisingly, that is the primary Pokémon spinoff remake ever, with improvement dealt with by Spike Chunsoft. The gameplay consists of finishing jobs in numerous dungeons and unlocking new Pokémon alongside the best way.
Pokémon Thriller Dungeon: Rescue Group DX – Nintendo Change
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Pokémon Café ReMix (2020)
The opposite Pokémon launch of 2020 was Pokémon Café ReMix that includes comparable gameplay to different puzzle video games like Disney Tsum Tsum, which requires you to attach Pokémon collectively to resolve puzzles. In Pokémon Café ReMix, you and Eevee personal a café and should serve the Pokémon who come for meals or just a little drink. This charming service recreation is free-to-play by way of the Nintendo eShop.
New Pokémon Snap (2021)
After greater than 20 years, the Nintendo Change is the console that lastly obtained a sequel to Pokémon Snap. Developed by Bandai Namco, you traverse round totally different biomes and areas with an on-rails digital camera to seize photos Pokémon within the wild. You’ll be able to unlock new programs by taking good photos in New Pokémon Snap, leaving for a sizeable quantity of content material to unlock and uncover. You by no means know what you would possibly discover throughout every session!
New Pokémon Snap – Nintendo Change
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Pokémon Unite (2021)
This free-to-play recreation marked Pokémon’s first entry into the MOBA style. You command and management a crew of 5 Pokémon in head-to-head battles in opposition to different gamers on-line. There is a stable quantity of Pokémon to select from, so you’ll be able to modify your crew to finest suit your wants. Pokémon Unite went on to be featured in numerous esports tournaments, with a number of championships held for the sport.
Pokémon Good Diamond & Shining Pearl (2021)
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Pokémon Shining Pearl are remakes of Pokémon Diamond & Pearl, which initially launched in 2006 for the Nintendo DS. Because the fourth technology of Pokémon, Diamond & Pearl function all kinds of Pokémon to battle in opposition to and uncover. The remakes function a brand new chibi artwork fashion that was created to remain trustworthy to the unique titles whereas nonetheless remaining recent.
Pokémon Good Diamond & Pokémon Shining Pearl Double Pack – Nintendo Change
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Pokémon Legends: Arceus (2022)
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is commonly praised as one of many best Pokémon games obtainable on the Change. This authentic title takes place far previously, someplace within the Hisui area. With a give attention to exploration, you’ll be able to freely stroll throughout the map to seize Pokémon, discover totally different environments, and a lot extra. Pokémon might be noticed wandering round everywhere in the map, which requires you to be strategic when you’re seeking to keep away from battle.
Out Now Pokemon Legends: Arceus for Change
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Pokémon Scarlet & Violet (2022)
The most recent mainline Pokémon video games formally kicked off Era 9, bringing alongside a whole new method to gameplay and world design. In Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, an open world awaits with freedom to discover wherever your coronary heart takes you. The DLC move, titled The Hidden Treasure of Space Zero, is now wrapped up, making it an ideal time to take a look at Scarlet & Violet.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet – Nintendo Change
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Detective Pikachu Returns (2023)
One recreation and one film later, the sequel to Detective Pikachu is lastly obtainable on Nintendo Change. Tim’s father is lacking, and it is as much as Detective Pikachu to resolve the case! This sequel options new puzzles and investigations, the place you’ll be able to examine scenes and use your pocket book to resolve the thriller. When you’re a fan of each Pokémon and thriller video games, it is a nice recreation to contemplate.
Detective Pikachu Returns – Nintendo Change
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Out there Pokémon Video games With Nintendo Change On-line + Enlargement Pack
The Nintendo Change On-line subscription service has extra Pokémon titles when you’re on the lookout for extra after finishing the Nintendo Change library. Listed here are the 5 Pokémon video games you’ll be able to play with a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership:
- Pokémon Buying and selling Card Recreation
- Pokémon Snap
- Pokémon Puzzle League
- Pokémon Stadium
- Pokémon Stadium 2
Upcoming Pokémon Video games on Nintendo Change
Pokémon Day 2025 introduced some stable bulletins about new Pokémon video games. Pokémon Legends: Z-A was initially introduced final yr, although a brand new gameplay trailer revealed the sport’s setting in Lumiose Metropolis throughout the Kalos areas. Tepig, Totodile, and Chikorita are acquainted beginning Pokémon, from Gen 2 and 5, however can be getting new ultimate evolutions. “Rooftop parkour” and new battle mechanics additionally point out an elevated targeted on real-time motion. So far as a launch date, “Fall 2025” is all we all know for now.
Recreation Freak and The Pokémon Firm also announced Pokémon Champions, a brand new battle recreation within the spirit of Pokemon Showdown. Coming to cell units and Change, you can battle with Pokémon you have educated in different video games by means of the Pokémon Home app.
A Nintendo Direct is scheduled for April 2, probably bringing extra details about the Change 2 and potential launch dates for brand spanking new video games. For now, see the total checklist of upcoming Switch games for all the things we have confirmed is coming to the Nintendo handheld and our predictions for what games will release on the Switch 2.
Noah Hunter is a contract author and reviewer with a ardour for video games and know-how. He co-founded Closing Weapon, an outlet targeted on nonsense-free Japanese gaming (in 2019) and has contributed to varied publishers writing concerning the medium.