In early 1996, the world was introduced to Nintendo's newest role-playing game, Pocket Monsters - or more commonly referred to as Pokemon.
Released in Japan in a Red and Green version, players of all ages were transported to the engaging and wild world of these digital monsters and humans. Six months later, the adjacent trading card game was released, bringing in even more people to the blossoming franchise. Over 25 years later, Pokemon is one of the most recognized video game franchises globally, bringing joy to millions of people of all ages.
Aside from the main series of games, there are over 30 spinoff games as well. These games were released across a number of platforms, including mobile and PC. For this article, I will only be focusing on the console spin-off games that were released in Japan and North America. That's not to say Japanese-only editions are not important, but they would best be suited in another article. There are also side game series, such as Pokemon Stadium, that are so popular in their own right that, again, they deserve their own article.
One of the first spinoff games for Pokemon is based on the real-life TCG series. The Pokemon Trading Card Game was first released on the Gameboy Color in 1998, in 2014 for the 3DS, and again in 2023 for the Nintendo Switch Online. This game includes many of the early trading card sets, but at the end of the day, this is just a digital version of the TCG.
Spinoff Pokemon Games
Pokemon Pinball
Pokemon Pinball was released in June 1999 in North America. Released for the Gameboy Color, it features two tables based on Pokemon Red and Blue games. The game also has a built-in rumble pack, which adds to the pinball feel.
Pokemon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire was released in August 2003 in North America. The follow-up game had playfields based on the Ruby and Sapphire games.
Pokemon Snap
Pokemon Snap was released in June 1999 for the Nintendo 64. Pokemon Snap would be re-released on the Wii, Wii U, and Nintendo Switch.
New Pokemon Snap was released in April 2021 for the Nintendo Switch.
Pokemon Puzzle League
Pokemon Puzzle League was released on the Nintendo 64 in September 2000. This game has a sister game, Pokemon Puzzle Challenge, which was released on the Game Boy Color in December 2000. Both games are Tetris-type games. Puzzle League was re-released on the Wii and Nintendo Switch. Puzzle Challenge was re-released on the 3Ds.
Hey You, Pikachu!
Hey You, Pikachu! was released on the Nintendo 64 in November 2000 in North America. This is only one of two games that use the Nintendo 64 Voice Recognition Unit. This game allows players to give commands to Pikachu, who can understand up to 200 words.
Pokemon Dash
Pokemon Dash was released on the Nintendo 3DS in March 2005 in North America. This game has yet to be re-released on any other console.
Pokemon Trozei!
Pokemon Trozei! was released on the Nintendo DS in March 2006 in North America.
Pokemon Battle Trozei was released on the Nintendo 3DS in March 2014. Neither game has yet to be re-released on any other console.
Pokemon Conquest
Pokemon Conquest was released on the Nintendo DS in June 2012 in North America. The game has yet to be re-released on any other console.
Pokemon Art Academy
Pokemon Art Academy was released on the Nintendo 3DS in October 2014 in North America. This game has yet to be re-released on any other console.
Pokemon Picross
Pokemon Picross was released on the Nintendo 3DS in December 2015 in North America. The game is currently unavailable on any current console.
Pokemon Quest
Pokemon Quest was released on the Nintendo Switch in May 2018 in North America. This game also has a mobile counterpart.
Pokemon Cafe ReMix
Pokemon Cafe ReMix was released on the Nintendo Switch in June 2020 in North America. This game also has a mobile counterpart.
Pokemon UNITE
Pokemon UNITE was released on the Nintendo Switch in July 2021 in North America. This game also has a mobile counterpart.
