Every Pokemon Game On The Nintendo DS, Ranked (2024)

Key Takeaways

The Nintendo DS offers a wide variety of Pokemon games, including spin-offs like Pokemon Dash and Learn With Pokemon: Typing Adventure.
Explore the Sinnoh region in classics like Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, which feature captivating narratives and god-like Pokemon.
Engage in action-packed adventures with games like Pokemon Ranger and the unique top-down strategy game Pokemon Conquest on the DS system.

Just like so many other people, you might be the kind of person who absolutely loves the Pokemon games and has a nostalgic soft spot for the Nintendo DS. If you are, then you’re fortunate, thanks to the sheer amount of games you had available. The amount of Pokemon games on the DS stretches into the double digits, and many of them are beloved by fans.

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You have access to plenty of classic Pokemon games on the system, but that’s not all you get. There are also a wide range of spin-off games for you to give a try, thanks to both the Mystery Dungeon and the Ranger series taking off.

Updated on August 13, 2024, by Kyle Chamaillard: We've decided to update this list to include every Pokemon game available on the Nintendo DS, including mainline entries and spin-offs.

13 Pokemon Dash

Pokemon Dash

Racing

Systems

Platform(s): Nintendo DS
Released: March 13, 2005
Developer: Ambrella
Publisher(s): The Pokemon Company , Nintendo
ESRB: E For Everyone
How Long To Beat: 2 Hours
Metascore: 46

Pokemon spin-offs have covered almost every genre imaginable, from pinball to apps that record your sleep data. Pokemon Dash was the first game in the series to appear on the DS and pits some of your favorite creatures against each other in races. It's a neat idea, but the concept barely makes it over the finish line.

First, the only playable Pokemon in the game is Pikachu. There are so many fascinating Pokemon that could control differently and use their attacks to slow down the competition, but you're stuck playing as the iconic yellow mouse. Pokemon Dash also relies on the touchscreen to control your character, which quickly loses its appeal after the screen misreads an input and you start running in the wrong direction.

12 Learn With Pokemon: Typing Adventure

Edutainment games are still a great way to get young audiences into the world of gaming, though they don't seem to be as common as they used to be. Even popular IPs like Pokemon struggle to break into this market, though attempts were made with titles like Learn with Pokemon: Typing Adventure.

Only ever available in Japan, Europe, and Australia, this DS game was actually bundled with a wireless keyboard peripheral that was almost twice the size of the console you were playing the game on. Your goal is to catch Pokemon by typing out their name as quickly as possible to help your typing abilities. It's a decent idea that could teach even older trainers how to spell certain names, like Girafarig and Gyarados, but that's the most appealing aspect of the game.

11 Pokemon Trozei

Pokemon Trozei!

Puzzle

Systems

Franchise: Pokemon
Platform(s): Nintendo DS
Released: March 6, 2006
Developer: Genius Sonority
Publisher(s): The Pokemon Company , Nintendo
ESRB: E For Everyone
How Long To Beat: 4 Hours
Metascore: 74

If you enjoy puzzle games like Pokemon Puzzle Challenge or Pokemon Shuffle, it might be worth your time to seek out a copy of Pokemon Trozei for the DS. With a gorgeous aesthetic and satisfying gameplay loop, it's still a blast to play through all of these years later.

Similar to Tetris, Pokemon Trozei requires you to drop blocks to create matches and clear the board. You initially need to match four to start earning points, then you can match three for bonus points for a short burst of time. There is more strategy involved than you initially might think, and a full-fledged campaign allows you to play through a new story set in the world of Pokemon.

10 Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, And Platinum

Pokemon Diamond and Pearl

JRPG

Systems

9 Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team

Roguelike

Systems

Franchise: Pokemon
Platform(s): Nintendo DS
Released: September 18, 2006
Developer(s): Spike Chunsoft
Publisher(s): The Pokemon Company , Nintendo
ESRB: E For Everyone
How Long To Beat: 20 Hours
Metascore: 62

While not every Pokemon spin-off is an instant hit, a lot of people remember the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon series fondly. This is because you controlled the Pokemon directly instead of a trainer, going on missions as they grow stronger and make more friends. The heartfelt story found in these games is what tons of fans were drawn to.

Rather than the standard turn-based combat of the core series, this game sees you crawling through various dungeons and battling whatever Pokemon you come across as you have been turned into a Pokemon of your choosing. It’s a major departure from the core series but a delightful change of pace.

Red Rescue Team is only available on the GameBoy Advance, while Blue Rescue Team is available on the Nintendo DS.

8 Pokemon Ranger

Pokemon Ranger

Action RPG

Systems

Franchise: Pokemon
Platform(s): Nintendo DS
Released: October 30, 2006
Developer(s): HAL Laboratory , Creatures Inc.
Publisher(s): The Pokemon Company , Nintendo
ESRB: E For Everyone Due To Mild Cartoon Violence
How Long To Beat: 11 Hours
Metascore: 69

The Pokemon Ranger line of spin-off games might feel familiar to the core series with it's focus on "captures", though many of the game’s mechanics are unique. Rather than being the very best like no one ever was and catching ‘em all, you’ll be taming wild Pokemon to help you out.

The story unfolds through you taking on a series of missions as an official Pokemon Ranger. You’ll be handling tasks that have you helping those in need and the local Pokemon population. While the original entry is rather simple compared to its successors, it's still fun to revisit.

7 Pokemon Conquest

Pokemon Conquest

Tactical

RPG

Systems

Franchise: Pokemon
Platform(s): Nintendo DS
Released: June 18, 2012
Developer(s): Koei Tecmo
Publisher(s): Nintendo , The Pokemon Company
ESRB: E For Everyone due to Mild Cartoon Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes
How Long To Beat: 14 Hours
Metascore: 80

If you love the idea of the Pokemon series branching out and trying new things, you’re going to love how bizarre Pokemon Conquest is for the series. It is a top-down turn-based strategy game that can be compared to other titles like the Fire Emblem series or even Final Fantasy Tactics.

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6 Pokemon Black And White

Pokemon Black and White

JRPG

Systems

Franchise: Pokemon
Platform(s): Nintendo DS
Released: March 6, 2011
Developer(s): Game Freak
Publisher(s): Nintendo
How Long To Beat: 32 Hours
Metascore: 87

The fifth generation of Pokemon kicked off in a big way with the release of Pokemon Black and White back in 2010. While the Fifth Generation was initially criticised harshly, especially for the Pokemon designs, people came around after a few years. Playing like any other game from the main series, the Black and White games uniquely offer one of the grandest narratives of the entire series.

Initially, your focus will be solely on becoming a Pokemon master, though you will be sidetracked in a hurry when you begin running into Team Plasma. This game also features the mysterious and enigmatic N, a character you’ll be seeing again in the sequels.

5 Pokemon Ranger: Shadows Of Almia

Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia

Action RPG

Systems

Franchise: Pokemon
Platform(s): Nintendo DS
Released: November 10, 2008
Developer(s): Creatures Inc.
Publisher(s): The Pokemon Company , Nintendo
ESRB: E For Everyone Due To Comic Mischief, Mild Cartoon Violence
How Long To Beat: 22 Hours
Metascore: 68

Playing similar to the other games in the series, Pokemon Ranger: Shadows Of Almia once again asks you to take on the role of a Pokemon Ranger. Rather than being yet another Pokemon RPG, the game is much more adventurous and action-focused.

You’re forced to deal with the villainous Team Dim Sum throughout this game as you complete various missions. You’ll face plenty of tough challenges on your journey across Almia, and that includes the fearsome Darkrai. While similar to the first game, this entry has a lot more to dig into and enjoy, especially for a younger audience.

4 Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs

Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs

Action RPG

Franchise: Pokemon
Platform(s): Nintendo DS
Released: October 4, 2010
Developer(s): Creatures Inc.
Publisher(s): The Pokemon Company , Nintendo
ESRB: E For Everyone Due To Mild Cartoon Violence
How Long To Beat: 20 Hours
Metascore: 68

Yet another action-adventure spin-off game for the Pokemon series, Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs continues the trends of the previous two games. Playing nearly identical to the others, you are a Pokemon Ranger tasked with maintaining peace and eventually saving the region.

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You once again use the Capture Styler in order to tame various Pokemon, though, by the third game in the series, some people were hoping for a bit more from this entry. Regardless, the story is still a blast to play through, and those who love the spin-off series gameplay will be right at home.

3 Pokemon Black 2 And White 2

Pokemon Black and White 2

RPG

Systems

Franchise: Pokemon
Platform(s): Nintendo DS
Released: June 23, 2012
Developer(s): Game Freak
Publisher(s): The Pokemon Company , Nintendo
How Long To Beat: 35 Hours

If you can’t get enough of Pokemon Black and White, then you’re lucky to have sequels that continue the story of the Unova region. Team Plasma is back in the mix, and the storyline is as rich as the first games, if not more so.

As you make your way across the region, you’ll constantly find yourself at odds with Ghtsis’ evil team, something that leads to the return of N from the previous game. This was the one single time where GameFreak experimented with sequels, and boy did it work out beautifully.

While you can enjoy the story by itself, you'd get the most out of the game if you have already played Black or White.

2 Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers Of Time, Darkness & Sky

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky

Roguelike

Systems

Franchise: Pokemon
Platform(s): Nintendo DS
Released: October 12, 2009
Developer(s): Spike Chunsoft
Publisher(s): The Pokemon Company , Nintendo
ESRB: E For Everyone
How Long To Beat: 24 Hours
Metascore: 54

Acting as a sequel to the previously mentioned Pokemon Mystery Dungeon game, this trio of games lets you take control of Pokemon up to the Fourth Generation. The setup of the game is basically the same as the previous one, but more of the same isn’t a bad thing in this case.

Once again, you prepare your team and accept a series of rescue missions to complete while you crawl through dungeons. The story is one of the best examples in the whole franchise. It's not without reason that there are compilations of streamers crying their eyes out while playing the game.

While similar, Explorers of Sky is the definitive version of this set of games. With more content and features, it's the best way to experience this chapter of Pokemon history.

1 Pokemon HeartGold And SoulSilver

Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver

JRPG

Systems

Franchise: Pokemon
Platform(s): Nintendo DS
Released: March 14, 2010
Developer(s): Game Freak
Publisher(s): Nintendo
How Long To Beat: 37 Hours

A decade after the initial release of Pokemon Gold and Silver, the DS remakes Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver were released. These games serve as updated and improved versions of the original games, which were already groundbreaking in their own way.

Like with the original games, you can travel throughout Johto and Kanto to become a Pokemon master. With Pokemon following you, Generation Four's refined battle system, and an expansive story that spans more than a single region, Heart Gold and Soul Silver are among the best Pokemon games of all time.

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