Renewing the Novelty of Pokémon

The best Pokémon games are not ones that are bigger or better; instead, the best games in the franchise are ones that evoke a genuine sense of novelty. This novelty is different from, say, adding new features or bringing the creature count to over 1000. It's more about taking the core experience and rejuvenating its foundations to feel just as novel as it did the first time.

I remember when Pokémon itself was a new thing; those Red/Blue cartridges flew off the shelves, and everyone had one (or both), simply because there was nothing quite like it before. The formula itself remained unchanged over the next few decades, and over time, I had an on-and-off relationship with the franchise, until I reached a point where I couldn't be bothered playing Sword/Shield all the way through, and I haven't picked up a mainline title since.

There are titles that provide a breather from the mainline cookie-cutter grind, the earliest example being Pokémon Snap and its unique photo safari experience, which even saw a sequel on Switch. The recent unanimous praise and record sales of Pokopia demonstrate the need for fresher alternative experiences. Throughout its storied history, the Pokémon franchise has successfully presented novel perspectives on its core premise. Here are some strong examples from more recent times.

Pokémon Let's Go (Pikachu/Eevee)

Taking its namesake and primary gameplay mechanic from the still-successful smartphone app, I enjoyed Let's Go more than most of the other entries in the franchise, as even the gimmicky catching system was enough to help me get something different out of what was a wholesome remake of a Game Boy classic. While I enjoyed the novelty of 3D back when X/Y launched for the Nintendo 3DS, even then the basic gameplay formula had long outstayed its welcome, at least to my gaming tastes. Still, I was cautiously anticipating something else on the horizon.

I envy those who are discovering video games for the very first time. I can just imagine how amazing it must be for Final Fantasy XVI to be someone's very first RPG, or even for someone discovering Pokémon for the first time today, where instead of the 151 I had to cherish in my childhood, newer players have their pick from nearly 1000 and still counting. The tried-and-tested formula has its place; after all, there will always be a whole new generation of gamers discovering it for the first time. Yet, at the same time, those of us who played the Game Boy in our childhood, and have somehow held on to this hobby as long as we have, need something to rekindle that discovery. Let's Go gets the job done by revamping and updating the iconic Pokémon Yellow experience that was a big part of so many childhoods.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a game that achieves exactly that, for it genuinely feels like a reintroduction of a sound gameplay concept, and yet it feels like something completely new at the same time. The game takes place in the past, showing a setting where humanity has only just discovered these creatures for the very first time, and the player is more interested in researching and learning about these pocket monsters who reside in uncharted territories. Rather than being fixated on building their own private collection for bragging rights, players focus on making a contribution to better understanding these mysterious inhabitants, at times even having to capture multiple variations of the same monster.

The convenient Pokédex we have taken for granted for several decades is now something which must be created from the ground up as a humble scrapbook. It's a surreal and genuine sense of discovery and wonder, and even the most seasoned players can't help but feel like they are discovering something anew, something they've known all their lives, as if for the very first time.

Detective Pikachu

There have been many petitions in the realm of video games, but none stranger than the petition for Nintendo to get Danny DeVito to be the voice of Detective Pikachu... but of course that didn't happen; it wasn't even remotely possible. Still, the very strange Detective Pikachu 3DS game was localised in pretty decent fashion, but what happened afterwards was even more stunning: a Hollywood-sized production of a Detective Pikachu movie by Warner Bros., directed by Rob Letterman, with none other than Ryan Reynolds of Deadpool fame voicing the unlikely hero himself.

Detective Pikachu was clearly intended for a much younger audience, but it certainly captivated everyone to a point where a legitimate big-budget studio was interested in turning it into a movie which, in all seriousness, looks very good. Even with its straightforward and simple adventure gameplay, Detective Pikachu as a 3DS game still fleshed out the Pokémon universe in a very creative and inventive manner, allowing players to see these battling pocket monsters in a whole new light. The unlikely detective himself proved to be a charming and memorable character in his own right, making him the variant of Pikachu we never knew we needed. It also helped that the game was released alongside a pretty impressive limited edition amiibo figurine.

The movie used CG animation in convincing fashion to literally bring the classic creatures to life, realising an age-old imagination we all probably had about Pokémon coming to life. The attention to detail really answers the "what if Pokémon were real?" question we all likely had at some point in our childhood when we were playing Pokémon Yellow on our Game Boys.

The success of the film encouraged Nintendo to make another Detective Pikachu game for the Switch, which was a far more realised game than the original 3DS title.

Pokopia

Talk about a runaway success; some parts Animal Crossing and some parts Dragon Quest Builders, Pokopia skyrocketed as one of the highest-rated and best-selling Pokémon games in recent memory. Taking control of a Ditto, Pokopia is about treating the pocket monsters as equals, together rebuilding a bustling community.

It's easily one of the best Switch 2 titles of 2026, and offers a gameplay loop and creative freedom that lets players build and rediscover their own sense of novelty. Sure, Squirtle can be a little fussy with his living arrangements, but these guys deserve a comfortable home away from the confines of a Pokéball.

Pokémon Champions

The excitement and hype surrounding Pokémon Stadium on the N64 was an event, and although the latest incarnation of the concept is a free-to-play title, Pokémon Champions reintroduces Stadium in a new context as a serious competitive title. The best part is, there is absolutely no reason to spend any real money on it, and it's perhaps one of the least intrusive free titles in a while.

There's a lot to discover and enjoy here, and the competitive scene offers no shortage of opponents and diverse teams to create novel match-ups each time. Turning the series' core RPG combat into a competitive versus fighting sport is a smooth and flawless transition, and hopefully support for this title lasts long enough to add more to the experience.

For fans of the franchise, including cynical lapsed players, these are titles that bring a fresh perspective and novelty to the setting and universe in ways that go beyond just a quirky spin-off. If you feel a little burnt out by the main series, then these compelling alternatives will have you humming the iconic theme song like it was 1999 all over again.