It may surprise some thatPokémongames are not in the highest percentile of Metacritic scores. After all, the games are so famous and have influenced entire generations. However, Metacritic does not score games on account of their cultural influence on society. It is just a website that gives an average score depending on critic and user reviews.
With that in mind, what are the highest scoringPokémongames? We have checked and must tell you that they are very closely scored. However, there is aPokémonwith the highest score and its identity may surprise you. Here is a count down of the ten best ratedPokémongames on Metacritic.
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10Pokémon Diamond (Score: 85)
As of now, this DS game is more than ten years old. It is back when the protagonist could only walk in four directions and you could not change their clothes or hair. Critics were pleased, some calling it the best DS game of its time. It still followed much of the old game formula and did not take much risk when it came to change besides introducing new Pokémon. Fans still cross their fingers to this day that it and its sister game,Pokémon Pearl, will one day get a remake/remaster.
9Pokémon Pearl (Score: 85)
Diamond’ssister game,Pearl, of course was rated the same. They came out at the same time with few differences such as the types ofPokémonin the game, most notably the mascot legendary ones. BothPearlandDiamondreceived higher rating than previous games such asSapphire, Ruby, FireRed,andLeafGreen. In terms of plot and storyline however, these games were very similar to their predecessors. It biggest improvements from the past games were the Wi-Fi capabilities. It helped trading, battling, and playing with friends really come alive.
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8Pokémon Sun (Score: 87)
Rated two points higher thanDiamondand Pearl is one of the much newer games,Pokémon Sun. It revolutionizedPokémonin numerous ways. They changed HMs in a really good way by showing how people use Pokémon in an everyday setting. It changed Gyms to Trials. The new Pokémon like Mimikyu, the starters, and Alolan versions of Pokémon that already existed were very popular. A lot was introduced that jazzed old and new fans.
7Pokémon Moon (Score: 87)
The sister game toSun,Pokémon Moon, was similar received by gamers and critics. Another aspect that fans appreciated in these games was the characters. Fans loved Hau, Lillie, Professor Kukui, and all of Team Skull. In fact, Team Skull was very well received for being one of the more interesting villain organizations thatPokémonhas created. Rather than having a desire to rule the world, they seem to just be teenagers and rebels who want to noticed.
It is also worth noting that bothSunandMoonwere rated higher than their sequels,Ultra SunandUltra Moon.
6Pokémon X (Score: 87)
In terms of the generation that changed the games the most, it is probablyPokémon XandY. This may weXties with the more recentSunandMoonon Metacritic.Most of the changes were thanks from the jumped from the regular DS to the 3DS. Due to the jump, the company decided to also take a leap in terms of visuals and mechanics. The game became bigger, with 3D battles, customizable characters, roller skates, and introducing Mega-evolution.
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5Pokémon Black (Score: 87)
This generation ties withPokémon Sun, Moon,andXbut scores higher thanDiamondandPearlwhich is interesting since it is more similar to that generation than the others it ties with. Due to its popularity, it even got a sequel.
It did introduce on of the most popularPokémoncharacters: N. He was very well written as a child puppet for a villain organization. He cared a ton forPokémonand could even communicate with them which was something unseen in the games. He was also your enemy, which made the story more complex than you would expect or aPokémontitle.
4Pokémon White (Score: 87)
Black’ssister game,White, was rated with the same score of 87. One reasons these games also scored pretty high is the amount of new Pokémon introduced, more than 150 of them! There were some complaints about certain designs (such as the Pokémon that is literal garbage) but that is what happens when you get a wide variety. The games came out in 2011, and added a lot to the now incredibly long list of fantasy creatures. Some players disliked that most oldPokémonwere not available, but others liked the new and fresh generation.
Related:10 Features We Miss From Old Pokémon Games (That We Need In Sword & Shield)
3Pokémon HeartGold (Score: 87)
This remake was a big deal for Johto fans. It still stands as one of the onlyPokémontitles that explore two region in one game. The remake made it only better by adding possibly the best thing ever in aPokémongame: the ability to have yourPokémon walk by your side. By Pokémon, we mean any Pokémon. It was sort of likeLet’s Go EeveeandLet’s Go Pikachu, except there were hundreds upon hundreds of Pokémon instead of just the first generation.
2Pokémon SoulSilver (Score: 87)
SoulSilverwas rated the same asHeartGold. Another reason these games were so successful is the nostalgia. The originalSilverandGoldhad a lot packed into them. The reason why is thatSilverandGoldwere planned to be the last of thePokémongames. The franchise certainly changed that tune later.
These games are also home to one of the most memorable battles for the 90s fans: fighting Red on Mt. Silver. You got to meet the protagonist of a previous game and fight them in a very difficult and high level battle. It was epic, because the trainers do not even exchange words. It was just silent, and then battle music.
1Pokémon Y (Score: 88)
SoPokémon Yis the game with the highest rating on Metacritic. Surprised? We sure were.
It is only by one point above the others and honestly we have no answer as to why. It is no different fromXexcept for some of thePokémonyou can find and catch. As mentioned before,XandYis the generation that really jumped in terms of mechanics and visuals. So in that sense, we can see why one of those games have made it as the most highly ratedPokémongame. WhyY? Well, perhaps some critic just really liked that legendary destruction bird more thanX’slegendary deer. Who is to say?
