7 of the best Pokémon games for Switch in 2024
A definitive list of the best Pokémon games available on Nintendo Switch for families, trainers and everyone else
Pokémon is the biggest franchise in the world and the chances are you've got at least 1 trainer in your life. The problem is, with so many games across its almost 30-year history (Pikachu doesn't look a day over 25), and with a range of Nintendo Switch consoles available, it can be a nightmare to find the right game to buy.
Fear not parents and fledgeling trainers, we've got you covered with our guide to the best Pokémon games on the Switch including some free options for you to consider.
Best Pokémon games for Switch at a glance
- Best for all the latest Pokémon: Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, £49.99
- Best overall Pokémon game: Pokémon Sword & Shield, £48.99
- Best for explorers: Pokémon Legends Arceus, £49.99
- Best for younger Pokémon fans: New Pokémon Snap, £36.99
- Best classic Pokémon game: Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, £49.99
- Best for Pikachu and Eevee fans: Pokémon Let's Go, Pikachu and Let's Go, Eevee, £49.99
- Best free-to-play Pokémon game for Switch: Pokémon Unite, Free
Pokémon is a huge franchise with hundreds of characters, toys, trading cards and more on offer making it a daunting prospect for any parent who thinks that a 'gym' is a place you go for those Friday night yoga classes.
Even if you're a Pokémon die-hard fan, you'll likely struggle to find exactly where to play the best games with so many consoles and versions available. Our friends at Radio Times have a great list of the best Pokémon games for all the grown-up trainers out there. After all, we've all gotta catch em' all, right?
We've also got a list of the best Switch games for families for when you run out of Pokémon to play. For some great offers on other popular Switch games, take a look at the best Black Friday Nintendo Switch game deals we found for you.
Best Pokémon games for Switch
1. Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, £37.99
- Best for all the latest Pokémon
PEGI Rating: 7 | Players: Single System (1), Local Wireless (2-4), Online (2-4)
Where better to start than with the latest game, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet? They include all the latest Pokémon as well as all the classics like Pikachu and, my personal favourite, Magikarp.
Scarlet and Violet are technically 2 different games, though the storylines and gameplay are exactly the same in both games, with the only differences being the Pokémon you catch and the legendary Pokémon you can ride.
Set in the Paldea region (based on Italy and the Mediterranean), Scarlet and Violet offers an expansive and colourful story that lets players choose their own path.
They can also trade Pokémon with their friends and team up with them in wireless co-op.
Whether they're interested in all the mysterious Pokémon or they want to battle their way to the top, there's plenty for the trainer in your life to enjoy.
Pokémon Scarlet available from: Nintendo, Amazon, JD Williams, Currys, Very
Pokémon Violet available from: Nintendo, Amazon, JD Williams, Currys, Very
2. Pokémon Sword & Shield, £48.99
- Best overall Pokémon game
PEGI Rating: 7 | Players: Single System (1), Local Wireless (1-4), Online (1-4)
Sword and Shield happens to be one of the best Pokémon games on any console, not just the Switch. Set in the Galar region (inspired by the UK), Sword and Shield streamline Pokémon to make a fun, fast and expansive game.
With fantastic first partner Pokémon Grookey, Scorbunny and Sobble to choose from and tons of other great Pokémon to catch, there's something for every trainer in this epic.
Like many of the main Pokémon games, Sword and Shield are slightly different versions of the same game with the only real differences being the types of Pokémon available to catch.
Overall, if you buy just one game for the trainer in your life then make it Sword and Shield, an incredible, next-level Pokémon experience that's guaranteed to hook them.
Pokémon Sword available from: Amazon
Pokémon Shield available from: Amazon
3. Pokémon Legends Arceus, £37.99
- Best for explorers
PEGI Rating: 7 | Players: Single System (1), Local Wireless (1-2), Online (1-2)
Set in the Hisui region, based on the island of Hokkaido in Japan, Arceus is a new take on the franchise. Packed with mystery, wonder and plenty of cute Pokémon to catch, Arceus has some brand-new ways to play.
Arceus is set in the Pokémon universes past and is built around exploration and discovery as you survey, catch and research Pokémon of all kinds. This is the perfect game for Pokémon fans who love to explore and catch different kinds of Pokémon.
Do they know all the PokéDex entries for their favourite Pokémon? Maybe they know every region inside out. In that case, Arceus is a great pick for them.
Available from: Nintendo, Argos
4. New Pokémon Snap, £36.99
- Best for younger Pokémon fans
PEGI Rating: 3 | Players: Single System (1), Online (1)
Instead of battling Pokémon, Snap is all about taking photos and while that might not sound super exciting, this relaxing on-the-rails photography adventure is a lot of fun.
This is the perfect game for budding photographers who love finding and discovering new Pokémon. It's set in the Lental region and is packed with the latest generation of Pokémon to snap on your adventure.
Snap makes use of the Switch in some really cool ways too, letting you move the console to frame your shots allowing players to get creative and level up their real-world photography skills.
Available from: Argos
5. Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, £49.99
- Best classic Pokémon game
PEGI Rating: 7 | Players: Single System (1), Local Wireless (2-8), Online (1-16)
This one's a remake of a classic DS game from the noughties, but that doesn't mean it's retro. This is a simple, clean and easy-to-play experience that takes one of the best Pokémon games and gives it a modern upgrade.
It's not as expansive as the newer games but what it lacks in scope it makes up for in polish. This is a faithful remaster of the classic game, bringing the Sinnoh region to life in all its glory.
Piplup is one of the starter Pokémon, what more could you want?
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond available from: Nintendo, Amazon
Pokémon Shining Pearl available from: Nintendo, Amazon
6. Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
- Best for Pikachu and Eevee fans
PEGI Rating: 7 | Players: Single System (1), Local Wireless (2), Online (2)
Let's Go, Pikachu and Let's Go, Eevee are obvious picks for the Pikachu and Eevee obsessives in your house. Are you constantly dodging Pikachu Squishmallows? Then the chances are this is the perfect pick for the trainer in your life.
Heading back to the famous Kanto region, both Let's Go, Pikachu and Let's Go, Eevee tie into the classic Pokémon anime with characters like Team Rocket ready to battle.
Even though this is a remake, they have upgraded the game significantly with the introduction of Alola region Pokémon who take on new and interesting forms making them exciting to catch and learn about.
This is another classic Pokémon game that brings modern gameplay and graphics to the old-school Pokémon formula.
Pokémon Let's Go, Pikachu available from: Nintendo, Amazon
Pokémon Let's Go, Eevee available from: Nintendo, Amazon
7. Pokémon Unite, Free
- Best free-to-play Pokémon game
PEGI Rating: 7 | Players: Single System (1), Online (1-10) | In-app Purchases? Yes
If you're looking for a fun, free-to-play battler then Pokémon Unite is a great place to start. It's a 5-on-5 team battle to see who can score the most points before the clock hits 0.
Players take control of a Pokémon and play a key role in their team including Attacker, Speedster, All-rounder, Defender and Supporter.
The game includes tons of classic Pokémon including Pikachu and Umbreon (no Magikarp though, sadly) giving you plenty to pick from.
Pokémon Unite is perfect for playing online with friends and family as it's also available on iOS and Google Play, though you will need a Nintendo Account to play. If you're looking for a new tablet to play Unite with your kids then check out our best tablets for kids guide for our picks.
While it is free-to-play, there are in-app purchases to be aware of when you're child is playing.
Available from: Nintendo
What are PEGI ratings?
Like movies and TV, video games have age ratings to help parents understand what is suitable for your child. In Europe, the PEGI system is employed giving each game a rating depending on a range of content descriptors.
The ratings themselves are similar to those used by the BBFC when rating movies and TV. They are broken down as follows:
- PEGI 3: suitable for children ages 3 and under
- PEGI 7: suitable for children ages 7 and under
- PEGI 12: suitable for children ages 12 and under
- PEGI 16: suitable for those ages 16 and under
- PEGI 18: suitable for those ages 18 and under
To make finding the right game for your child easier, we’ve separated our list into age categories based upon their PEGI age rating.
Pic credit: Product websites
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