5 Pokemon Spin-Offs That Desperately Need New Games

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Over the almost three decades that Pokemon has been around, its games generally fit into three primary groups: the main series titles (such as Scarlet and Violet), live-service games (like Pokemon TCG Pocket), and spin-offs (for instance, Pokken Tournament). Regrettably, in recent years, The Pokemon Company has mostly steered clear of developing spin-off games. Live-service games are now being used by the developers to maintain excitement for the Pokemon series between mainline releases. They have shorter production periods and offer more potential for generating income over an extended timeframe.

Many Pokemon enthusiasts have felt disheartened due to the release of several excellent Pokemon spin-offs throughout the years. Consequently, here are five Pokemon spin-off games that definitely warrant fresh installments.

1. Pokemon Pinball

Back in 1999, one of the earliest spin-off games from Pokemon, Pokemon Pinball, was introduced. Despite the passage of time, it continues to be highly regarded as one of the best. This unique game cleverly merged the captivating universe of Pokemon with a classic pinball experience. The gameplay was designed flawlessly for handheld devices and the stunning pixel art continues to impress even today, proving that Pokemon Pinball was not just a hit, but a timeless masterpiece. To put it simply, this game managed to achieve something truly remarkable in the gaming world.

In 2004, another highly praised sequel was released for Game Boy Advance, but sadly, the series has been inactive since then. There seemed to be plans for a third game with big ambitions, but those plans didn’t work out. It’s truly unfortunate because a new Pokemon Pinball on Nintendo Switch would be exciting. At this stage, I’d be content if the two existing games were made available on Nintendo Switch Online instead.

2. Pokemon Puzzle League

You might not know this, but even though Dr. Mario is often linked with Nintendo as their puzzle game, I think their best puzzle series is actually Panel de Pon. It may seem basic at first, but once you start playing, it’s hard to stop! For the past 30 years, Nintendo has tried to get people interested in this concept, and in my opinion, Pokemon Puzzle League is still the best version they’ve made. Not only is the gameplay enjoyable, but the developers really captured the essence of the early Pokémon anime seasons within the game. It’s like a heartfelt tribute to those first seasons!

The mix of instrumental tunes from the show and fresh voiceovers by the cast gives this an endearing quality, although I’m not sure if the same magic could be captured in today’s anime scene. However, the game Pokemon Puzzle Challenge on Game Boy Color demonstrated that such a combination remains effective even without the influence of the anime (albeit not as successfully). With the recent lackluster attempts at Tetris-like games, it seems fitting to reunite the puzzle series with Pokemon again.

3. Pokemon Ranger

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but reminisce about the innovative days of the DS era when game developers were on a mission to discover original methods to leverage the handheld’s unique capabilities, crafting captivating gaming experiences. The Pokemon Ranger series was born out of this creative journey, as HAL Laboratory and Creatures brainstormed an unconventional way to engage with the Pokemon universe – by utilizing the touch screen. In these games, I found myself drawing circles with the DS stylus, harnessing each captured Pokemon’s abilities to conquer intricate puzzles.

Over time, the spin-off series of the show had multiple releases. Characters from Pokemon Ranger also made appearances in both the anime and main video games. However, during the era of the 3DS, The Pokemon Company seemed to stop supporting Pokemon Ranger. But if a new version were to be developed for Nintendo Switch 2, it could be great! This is especially true if they utilize the system’s mouse mode to mimic the stylus.

4. Pokemon Trading Card Game

Back in 1998, I was just a young gamer, but even I couldn’t ignore the hype around Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG). Hudson Soft and Creatures had taken everyone’s favorite card game and transformed it into an amazing handheld experience on the Game Boy Color. It was like having my beloved physical cards right in my pocket!

This new game, simply called “Pokémon Trading Card Game”, introduced me to the strategy of deck-building while still capturing the essence of collecting cards digitally. In a way, it felt like a precursor to the later release of “Pokémon TCG Pocket”. It was an exciting time to be a Pokémon fan!

Despite the mobile version of the game surpassing its Game Boy Color precursor in many aspects, the earlier version boasts an advantage: it offers a standalone RPG campaign. Admittedly, I’m quite fond of Pokemon TCG Pocket, but the emphasis on player-versus-player battles in the mobile game can get annoying at times. A revamped edition of the Pokemon Trading Card Game incorporating the sleek interface and quicker combat of Pokemon TCG Pocket would be a perfect blend, and a highly desirable addition to Nintendo Switch. At the minimum, it would be delightful to witness the release of the game’s Japanese-exclusive sequel in North America and Europe, translated for our enjoyment.

5. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon

At one point, Pokemon Mystery Dungeon stood out among other Pokemon spin-offs due to its frequent release of new games across various Nintendo handheld systems. However, it’s been some time since we last saw multiple entries in the series. Despite a remake of the original game being launched on Nintendo Switch in 2020, the latest entirely new entry was released back in 2015 for the 3DS. Given its popularity among fans, it’s high time that Pokemon Mystery Dungeon made a return with a fresh installment.

In regards to the Pokémon series, predicting what lies ahead can often be tricky. Yet, given that next year marks the 30th anniversary of this popular franchise, we can make some educated assumptions. Since the Pokémon franchise is turning 30, it’s likely that the upcoming year will be significant. While details about the celebration are still uncertain, fans might have plenty to anticipate, courtesy of The Pokémon Company.

Rumors circulating suggest that we could witness the debut of a new full generation of Pokémon in 2026. However, it’s also possible that additional surprises will be unveiled alongside this release. This could potentially mean a comeback for some long-absent spin-offs within the series.

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2025-08-12 00:45