Often cited as one of the world's most valuable media franchises, Pokémon is a household name that's been a Nintendo staple since the Game Boy. The beloved series is home to hundreds of amazing creatures you can catch in-game or collect as trading cards, with each new generation bringing loads more to discover. Every console released by Nintendo has had plenty of Pokémon games released for it, and the Nintendo Switch is no exception.
With Nintendo's official Switch 2 announcement confirming the console's backwards compatibility, you can feel confident picking up any existing Pokémon games on the Switch, knowing they'll carry over to the new system. Below, we've compiled every Pokémon game that has been released on Nintendo Switch and the information we have on upcoming Pokémon games releasing on the Switch 2.
How Many Pokémon Games Are There on Nintendo Switch?
In total, **12 Pokémon games have been released for the Nintendo Switch**. This includes the mainline games for the 8th and 9th Pokémon generations as well as plenty of spinoffs. For the sake of this list, we've counted mainline entries with two versions as a single release. We also don't include the Pokémon games offered through Nintendo Switch Online, but you can check out that list below.
Note: 2024 was a skip year for Pokémon, meaning it's been over a full year since the release of a new Pokémon game (and two years since the last mainline title). Instead, The Pokémon Company published Pokémon TCG Pocket, a free app version of Pokémon cards that's become a pretty massive hit. It's not available on Switch, so it's not on this list, but TCG Pocket is definitely worth checking out for Pokémon fans.
What Pokemon Game Should You Get in 2024?
If you're wondering which game is worth picking up on the Switch in 2024, my recommendation is Pokémon Legends: Arceus. It's not going to give you that OG Pokémon game feeling, but that's what the older generation games are for. Instead, Legends: Arceus introduces more action and RPG elements to the Pokémon series, offering the freshness of open areas to explore, more control over encounters, and plenty of polish for the handheld.
Nintendo Switch Pokémon Legends: Arceus
14See it at Amazon
All Pokémon Games on the Nintendo Switch (in Release Order)
Pokkén Tournament DX (2017)
Pokkén Tournament was originally released for the Wii U in 2016. A year later, Nintendo and Bandai Namco prepared a deluxe version of the game for Nintendo Switch, adding new characters and updated visuals to take advantage of better hardware. This three-on-three battle system is a blast to play with friends both in person and online.
Pokkén Tournament DX - Nintendo Switch
18See it at Best Buy
Pokémon Quest (2018)
Pokémon Quest turns all your favorite Pokémon into miniature cube form. This free-to-play Switch game features a fun and simple combat system where you send Pokémon on expeditions. Equip different abilities to your Pokémon to handle all types of encounters.
Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! & Let's Go, Eevee! (2018)
Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! & Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! are remakes of the beloved 1998 Pokémon Yellow. These titles were the first mainline Pokémon games ever to release on a home console, since none made it to the Wii U. Set in the Kanto region, all 151 original Pokémon appear with varying forms from previous mainline installments. With heavy accessibility features, these remakes were a great first step for the series on Nintendo Switch for newcomers and veterans of the series.
Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! - Switch
30$59.99 save 13%$51.99 at Walmart
Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! - Switch
36$48.79 save 0%$48.79 at Walmart
Pokémon Sword & Shield (2019)
Pokémon Sword & Shield marked the first installment in the series to feature aspects of an open world. Dubbed the Wild Areas, these regions allowed for free traversal and battles with wild Pokémon. Gyms also made a return for the first time since X & Y. Additionally, Sword & Shield introduced the eighth generation of Pokémon, which included Dynamax and Gigantamax forms of previous Pokémon.
Pokémon Sword - Nintendo Switch
32See it at Amazon
Pokémon Shield - Nintendo Switch
16See it at Amazon
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX (2020)
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX is a remake of the 2005 titles Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team & Blue Rescue Team. Surprisingly, this is the first Pokémon spinoff remake ever, with development handled by Spike Chunsoft. The gameplay consists of completing jobs in different dungeons and unlocking new Pokémon along the way.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX - Nintendo Switch
8See it at Amazon
Pokémon Café ReMix (2020)
The other Pokémon release of 2020 was Pokémon Café ReMix featuring similar gameplay to other puzzle games like Disney Tsum Tsum, which requires you to connect Pokémon together to solve puzzles. In Pokémon Café ReMix, you and Eevee own a café and must serve the Pokémon who come for food or a little drink. This charming service game is free-to-play via the Nintendo eShop.
New Pokémon Snap (2021)
After more than 20 years, the Nintendo Switch is the console that finally received a sequel to Pokémon Snap. Developed by Bandai Namco, you traverse around different biomes and areas with an on-rails camera to capture pictures of Pokémon in the wild. You can unlock new courses by taking good pictures in New Pokémon Snap, leaving for a sizeable amount of content to unlock and discover. You never know what you might find during each session!
New Pokémon Snap - Nintendo Switch
8See it at Amazon
Pokémon Unite (2021)
This free-to-play game marked Pokémon's first entry into the MOBA genre. You command and control a team of five Pokémon in head-to-head battles against other players online. There's a solid amount of Pokémon to choose from, so you can adjust your team to best fit your needs. Pokémon Unite went on to be featured in different esports tournaments, with multiple championships held for the game.
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl (2021)
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Pokémon Shining Pearl are remakes of Pokémon Diamond & Pearl, which originally released in 2006 for the Nintendo DS. As the fourth generation of Pokémon, Diamond & Pearl feature a wide variety of Pokémon to battle against and discover. The remakes feature a new chibi art style that was created to stay faithful to the original titles while still remaining fresh.
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Pokémon Shining Pearl Double Pack - Nintendo Switch
18See it at Amazon
Pokémon Legends: Arceus (2022)
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is often praised as one of the best Pokémon games available on the Switch. This original title takes place far in the past, somewhere in the Hisui region. With a focus on exploration, you can freely walk all around the map to capture Pokémon, explore different environments, and so much more. Pokémon can be spotted wandering around all over the map, which requires you to be strategic if you're looking to avoid battle.
Out Now Pokemon Legends: Arceus for Switch
26See it at Amazon
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet (2022)
The latest mainline Pokémon games officially kicked off Generation 9, bringing along an entire new approach to gameplay and world design. In Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, an open world awaits with freedom to explore wherever your heart takes you. The DLC pass, titled The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero, is now wrapped up, making it a perfect time to check out Scarlet & Violet.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet - Nintendo Switch
23See it at Amazon
Detective Pikachu Returns (2023)
One game and one movie later, the sequel to Detective Pikachu is finally available on Nintendo Switch. Tim's father is missing, and it's up to Detective Pikachu to solve the case! This sequel features new puzzles and investigations, where you can investigate scenes and use your notebook to get to the bottom of the mystery. If you're a fan of both Pokémon and mystery games, this is a great game to consider.
Detective Pikachu Returns - Nintendo Switch
17See it at Amazon
Available Pokémon Games With Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack
The Nintendo Switch Online subscription service has additional Pokémon titles if you're looking for more after completing the Nintendo Switch library. Here are the five Pokémon games you can play with a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership:
- Pokémon Trading Card Game
- Pokémon Snap
- Pokémon Puzzle League
- Pokémon Stadium
- Pokémon Stadium 2
Pokemon: All Mainline Games
Here are all the mainline Pokemon games, spanning nine generations of RPGs and monster catching. See All!
Nintendo
Game Freak
Nintendo
Nintendo
Nintendo
Nintendo
Nintendo
Game Freak
Game Freak
Game Freak
Upcoming Pokémon Games on Nintendo Switch
After a rare year without a new Pokemon game, Pokemon Day 2024 brought some solid news about upcoming releases. The biggest announcement from the presentation is that a new Pokemon Legends game will be arriving in 2025. Given that no further information has been released, we can only imagine Pokemon Legends Z-A will release on the Switch as well as the recently revealed Switch 2.
A Nintendo Direct is scheduled for April 2, likely bringing more information about the Switch 2 release date and new games. For now, see the full list of upcoming Switch games for everything we've confirmed is coming to the Nintendo handheld and our predictions for what games will release on the Switch 2.
