With 30 years of games across Game Boy, DS, Switch and now Switch 2, “which Pokémon game should I play first?” is a fair question. The short answer: start with whichever game runs on the system you own and matches the kind of adventure you want. Every mainline game is a standalone story, so you never need to play them in order.
Below are our picks for different kinds of new players, based on what’s actually available to buy and play in late 2026.
Table of Contents
Quick picks
| If you want… | Start with | Play on |
|---|---|---|
| The best classic, easy-going first game | Pokémon Sword / Shield | Switch, Switch 2 |
| A big open world | Pokémon Scarlet / Violet | Switch, Switch 2 (free performance update) |
| The newest major game | Pokémon Legends: Z-A | Switch, Switch 2 Edition |
| The original Kanto experience | Pokémon FireRed / LeafGreen | Switch / Switch 2 (digital, 2026) |
| Something very simple, great for kids | Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! / Eevee! | Switch, Switch 2 |
| Catching and exploring over Gym battles | Pokémon Legends: Arceus | Switch, Switch 2 |
Best overall first game: Pokémon Sword and Shield
Sword and Shield are the cleanest “traditional” Pokémon adventure on Switch. You pick a starter, travel through the UK-inspired Galar region, beat eight Gyms and become Champion. The difficulty is gentle, the story is easy to follow, and the Wild Area gives you a taste of open-world catching without overwhelming you. Many guides still name it the best first Pokémon game for most new players.
Good for: anyone who wants the classic Pokémon formula with modern convenience.
Best open world: Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
Scarlet and Violet let you explore the Paldea region freely and tackle Gyms, Titan battles and Team Star bases in any order. They were rough on the original Switch, with noticeable slowdowns, but a free update makes them run much better on Switch 2. If you own a Switch 2 and want freedom, this is a great choice.
Good for: players who love exploring and don’t mind a looser structure.
Newest major game: Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Released in October 2025, Legends: Z-A is set in Lumiose City in the Kalos region and brings back Mega Evolution with a real-time battle system. It has a native Switch 2 Edition that looks and runs noticeably better than the Switch version. It plays differently from classic turn-based games, which makes it exciting — but if you specifically want the traditional style, start with Sword/Shield instead.
Good for: Switch 2 owners who want the newest, best-looking Pokémon game.
Best for nostalgia: Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen
For the 30th anniversary on February 27, 2026, Nintendo released FireRed and LeafGreen — the Game Boy Advance remakes of the very first games — digitally on Switch and Switch 2. They’re short, focused and exactly how the series began: 151 Pokémon, eight Gyms and the Elite Four.
Good for: players who want to experience Kanto the way it was meant to be played.
Best for kids or total beginners: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!
These remakes of Pokémon Yellow use a simple catching system inspired by Pokémon GO and let a second player join in with a second controller. They’re the easiest mainline games and a great family pick.
Best for catching and exploring: Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Set in an ancient version of the Sinnoh region, Legends: Arceus focuses on catching, researching and exploring rather than Gym battles. Many fans consider it one of the freshest games in the series.
Not into a long RPG?
- Pokémon Champions — a battle-focused game on Switch, Switch 2 and mobile if you only want to build teams and battle other trainers.
- Pokémon Pokopia — a relaxed life-sim/building game, exclusive to Switch 2, released in March 2026.
- Pokémon GO — free on phones, built around catching Pokémon in the real world.
What about the next game?
Pokémon’s 10th generation, Pokémon Winds and Waves, was announced on February 27, 2026 for Nintendo Switch 2 with a 2027 release window and no exact date yet. If you’re buying a Switch 2 now, any of the games above will tide you over until it arrives.
Tips for your first playthrough
- Pick the starter you like the look of. Every game is beatable with any starter.
- Don’t worry about “versions”. Paired games (Sword/Shield, Scarlet/Violet) have only small differences, such as a few exclusive Pokémon.
- Build a balanced team of different types so you’re not stuck against one Gym.
- Catch everything early. It’s the best way to learn types and find favourites.
FAQ
Do I need to play Pokémon games in order?
No. Each mainline game is a standalone adventure. Only a few direct sequels, like Black 2 and White 2, assume you’ve played the previous game.
What’s the easiest Pokémon game?
Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! are the most beginner-friendly mainline games.
Can I play older Switch Pokémon games on Switch 2?
Yes. Switch 2 plays Switch games, and several Pokémon titles have free updates or a Switch 2 Edition with better performance.
Which Pokémon game should I buy for a young child?
Let’s Go, Pikachu! / Eevee! for very young players; Sword/Shield once they’re comfortable reading and following a story.
Hi, I’m Emam Hasan — an English teacher and the founder of Anirban Lexicon Center in Mirpur, Dhaka. I run Takedownloads to share honest game guides, tips and app reviews that help players choose well and play better. Alongside teaching, I work in digital marketing and SEO, and I enjoy turning complex topics into simple, helpful lessons anyone can follow.