Pokémon is one of the biggest gaming franchises in the world, but figuring out where to start can be surprisingly difficult for newcomers.

From the beginner-friendly adventure of Pokémon Let's Go, Pikachu and Pokémon Let's Go, Eevee to the open-world freedom of Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, there is no shortage of entry points into the series.

With more than 30 mainline Pokémon games to choose from, knowing where to begin can be overwhelming. GCML presents seven titles that prioritize accessibility over complexity, making them ideal starting points for newcomers to the Pokémon world.

Pokémon Unite - (2021) - Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android

This 5v5 competitive MOBA will allow you to understand and visually see the impact of Pokémon and their core abilities.

It also teaches you the type matchups really well, with meta and counters, the theme of every MOBA, at the heart of its competitive queues.

For players unaware of the Pokémon world and just diving into it, a MOBA represents something closer to home, and the gameplay feels like usual MOBAs like League of Legends or Dota 2, which will ease you into the Pokémon world without demanding that you learn everything at once.

Pokémon Go - (2016) - iOS, Android

Pokémon Go is a real-life exploration game that is a great entry point for new Pokémon enthusiasts.

Wander around your local surroundings and catch Pokémon that you encounter. This helps you learn the basic details of the types of Pokémon and also introduces you to the concept of Pokémon Trainer Battles, along with learning which Pokémon types perform better or worse against other types.

Pokémon Let's Go, Pikachu or Pokémon Let's Go, Eevee - (2018) - Nintendo Switch

If you want to enter the Pokémon gaming universe, Pokémon Let's Go, Pikachu or Pokémon Let's Go, Eevee are your best options.

They take Pokémon Go's catching mechanics and introduce you to the theme of most Pokémon games. The games feature the first 151 Pokémon.

They are also set in the Kanto region, the first region from the Pokémon anime, which eases you into the Pokémon gaming universe without requiring you to learn the complexities of regions, trainers, and more.

Some deem them too easy. But for beginners, these should be your starting games after Pokémon Go.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus - (2022) - Nintendo Switch

Pokémon Legends: Arceus is another game that prioritizes the catching mechanics of Pokémon games rather than focusing heavily on battles. Not only does Pokémon Legends: Arceus rely heavily on its storyline, but it is also a truly immersive experience through the Pokémon universe.

While you might find Pokémon Legends: Arceus a bit different from other legacy Pokémon games, it is still a venerable title in the Pokémon universe.

Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield - (2019) - Nintendo Switch

While Pokémon Let's Go, Pikachu or Pokémon Let's Go, Eevee serve as a great entry point, Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield guide you through the core mechanics of most golden-era Pokémon games.

The journey is straightforward but gives you a glimpse into what to expect from the earlier story-driven and theme-heavy Pokémon titles.

Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen - (2004) - Game Boy Advance

Another game that is based in the Kanto region, Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen actually belong to the legacy Pokémon gaming era and are thus a little tougher to handle compared to the games above.

However, once you have ventured through the games above on this list, you will need to learn the type matchups to enjoy each Pokémon game to the fullest and avoid finding Trainer Battles difficult.

Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet - (2022) - Nintendo Switch

Since these are modern titles, they have modern multiplayer features and are the Pokémon gaming universe's first truly open-world games.

Set in the Paldea region, you will assume the role of a student in the region; you can either take the normal journey route of battling Gym Trainers and completing the game by becoming a Pokémon Champion.

However, they also have side quests, so to speak. You can tread the Path of Legends, attempting to capture Titan Pokémon and helping your friend Arven along the way. You can also take on Team Star and discover its origins.

Despite the exploration aspect of the open world, all three storylines finally culminate in a battle against the professor's team of powerful Paradox Pokémon, giving the ending a very RPG feel, which should be an experience worth going through for newcomers.

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Written by

Abhisek Bajaj

Edited by

Pulkit Prabhav