Often cited as one of the world’s most valuable media franchises, Pokemon is a common name that has been a staple of Nintendo since the Game Boy. The beloved series has hundreds of amazing creatures that can be caught in the game or collected as trading cards. Each of the new generations brings more loads. Every console released by Nintendo has released a lot of Pokemon games, and the Nintendo Switch is no exception.
By checking the console’s backward compatibility of Nintendo’s official Switch 2 announcement, you can feel confident knowing that it will pick up existing Pokémon games on the Switch and carry them over to a new system. Plus, Pokemon Day has brought plenty of new announcements about what’s next for the franchise. Below we have compiled information about all the Pokemon games released on the Nintendo Switch, as well as the Pokémon games released on Switch 2.
How many Pokemon games are there on the Nintendo Switch?
In total, 12 Pokemon games released for the Nintendo Switch. This includes the mainline game of the 8th and 9th Pokemon generation, as well as many spinoffs. For this list, we counted mainline entries with two versions as one release. Additionally, although it cannot include Pokemon games offered online from the Nintendo Switch, you can see the list below.
Which Pokemon games do I need to get in 2025?
If you’re wondering which games are worth choosing the Switch in 2025, my recommendation is Pokemon Legend: Arceus. I’m not going to give you the sense of OG Pokemon games, but that’s the purpose of the older generation of games. Instead, Legend: Arceus introduces more action and RPG elements to the Pokémon series, providing plenty of polish for open areas to explore, more control over encounters, and plenty of polish for handheld. If you’re considering selling a new Switch game, it’s worth checking out the President’s Day Games deal this weekend.
All Pokemon games on the Nintendo Switch (release order)
Pokkén Tournament DX (2017)
The Pokkén Tournament was released for the Wii U in 2016. A year later, Nintendo and Bandai Namco prepared a deluxe version of the game for the Nintendo Switch, adding new characters and updated visuals to take advantage of better hardware. This 3-on-3 combat system is an explosion that allows you to play with friends both directly and online.
Pokemon Quest (2018)
Pokemon Quest transforms all your favorite Pokemon into miniature cube forms. This free Switch game has a fun and simple combat system that sends Pokemon on expeditions. Equip Pokemon with a variety of abilities to handle all sorts of encounters.
Pokemon: Let’s go, Pikachu! & Let’s go, EB! (2018)
Pokemon: Let’s go, Pikachu! & Pokemon: Let’s go, EB! This is a remake of my beloved Pokemon Yellow from 1998. These titles were the first mainline Pokemon games to be released on the home console. Because it appeared on Wii U. set in the Kanto region, all 151 original Pokemon will appear in various forms from previous mainline installments. With heavy accessibility features, these remakes were a great first step in the Nintendo Switch series for newcomers and veterans in the series.
Pokemon Sword & Shield (2019)
Pokemon Sword & Shield marked the first article in the series to feature the open world aspects. These regions, known as wild areas, allow free traversal and battles with wild Pokemon. Jim is back for the first time since X&Y. Additionally, Sword & Shield introduced endemic generation Pokemon, including the previous Pokemon Dynamax and Gigantamax form.
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX (2020)
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX is a remake of the 2005 title Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team & Blue Rescue Team. Surprisingly, this is the first Pokemon spinoff remake in history and was developed by Spike Chunsoft. Gameplay consists of completing jobs in various dungeons and unlocking new Pokemon along the way.
Pokemon Cafe Remix (2020)
Other Pokemon releases in 2020 were Pokemon Cafe Remix, featuring gameplay similar to other puzzle games like Disney Tsum Tsum. This requires you to stitch Pokemon together to solve the puzzle. At Pokémon Café Remix, you and Eevee own a cafe and have to serve Pokémon that drinks food and a bit of drink. This fascinating service game is free to play via Nintendo’s eShop.
New Pokemon Snap (2021)
After more than 20 years, the Nintendo Switch was a console and finally received a sequel to the Pokémon Snap. Developed by Bandai Namco, you have an on-rail camera to run around a variety of biomes and areas to capture wild Pokemon. You can unlock new courses by taking good photos with new Pokemon snaps and leaving a substantial amount of content to unlock and discover. I don’t know what I’ll find during each session!
Pokémon Unite (2021)
This free-to-play game marked the first entry into Pokémon’s MOBA genre. You command and control a team of five Pokemon in direct battles with other players online. The Pokémon you can choose from are solid, so you can adjust your team to the best of your needs. Pokémon Unite was featured in various eSports tournaments and multiple championships were held for the game.
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl (2021)
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Pokemon Shining Pearl is a remake of Pokemon Diamond & Pearl, which was released for the Nintendo DS in 2006. As the fourth generation of Pokemon, Diamonds and Pearls feature a wide variety of Pokemon to fight and discover. The remake features a new millet art style created to remain fresh, yet remain true to the original title.
The Legend of Pokemon: Arceus (2022)
Pokemon Legend: Arceus is often praised as one of the best Pokemon games available on the Switch. This original title takes place in the past somewhere in the Hisui region. A focus on exploration allows you to freely roam the map to capture Pokemon and explore different environments. Pokémon can discover that they wander the entire map. This should be strategic if you want to avoid a fight.
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet (2022)
The latest mainline Pokemon game officially launched Generation 9, bringing a whole new approach to gameplay and world design. At Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, there’s an open world awaiting you with the freedom to explore wherever your mind takes you. The DLC Pass is entitled Area Zero’s Hidden Treasure and is now wrapped around, making it the perfect time to check out Scarlet & Violet.
Detective Pikachu is back (2023)
After one game and one movie, a sequel to Detective Pikachu was finally available on the Nintendo Switch. Tim’s father is missing, and it’s up to Detective Pikachu to solve the case! This sequel features new puzzles and investigations, allowing you to explore the scene and use your notebook to reach the bottom of the mystery. If you’re a fan of both Pokemon and mystery games, this is a great game to consider.
Pokémon game with Nintendo Switch Online + expansion pack
The Nintendo Switch Online subscription service has additional Pokemon titles if you are looking for more after completing your Nintendo Switch library. Here are five Pokemon games you can play with your Nintendo Switch Online + expansion pack membership:
- Pokemon Trading Card Game
- Pokemon Snap
- Pokemon Puzzle League
- Pokemon Stadium
- Pokemon Stadium 2
Upcoming Pokemon games on Nintendo Switch
Pokémon Day 2025 brought a solid announcement about the new Pokemon game. Pokémon Legends: ZA was announced last year, but the new gameplay trailer reveals the game’s setting in Lumiose City within the Kalos region. Tepig, Totodile, and Chikorita will familiarize themselves with Gen 2 and 5 Pokemon, but will acquire new final evolutions. The “Rooftop Parkour” and the new battle mechanism also show that it focuses on real-time action. As for release dates, “Autumn 2025” is everything we know for now.
Game Freak and the Pokemon Company have also announced Pokemon Champion, a new battle game in the spirit of Pokemon showdowns. You can come to switch to your mobile device and fight Pokemon you train in other games through the Pokémon Home app.
Nintendo’s direct is scheduled for April 2nd, and could bring in more information about the new game Switch 2 and potential release dates. For now, see our full list of upcoming Switch games of everything we’ve seen coming to Nintendo’s handheld and our predictions about which games will be released on Switch 2.
Noah Hunter is a freelance writer and reviewer with a passion for gaming and technology. He co-founded Final Weapons, an outlet focused on nonsense-free Japanese games (2019), and contributed to various publishers writing about the medium.
