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The complete guide to Pokemon DS games in order

Pokemon DS games

Between 2004 and 2018, Nintendo added 34 Pokemon DS games to its ever-expanding IP, and some are much more obscure than others.

Pokemon has been a major gaming franchise since Red, Green, and Blue debuted in Japan in 1996 for the Nintendo Game Boy. The most recent mainline game was 2022’s Scarlet and Violet, and a new Legends game is just around the corner. In its almost 30 years of history, the Pokemon Company and Nintendo have sold 448 million copies with a significant amount of those being for the DS and 3DS.

Unfortunately, some games that were only available in the 3DS eShop are now inaccessible. Nintendo shut down the eShop in 2023, and online play was closed in April 2024. So for those who didn’t get the relevant Pokemon games before that, they’re out of luck.

From main games to Mystery Dungeons, here’s a complete guide to every Pokemon game made for the DS in release date order.

1. Pokemon Dash

Pokemon Dash, the first Pokemon DS game

Japanese release: December 2, 2004

American release: March 14, 2005

Developer: Ambrella

Console: Nintendo DS

Pokemon Dash takes the honor of being the first Pokemon DS game. Players can use the DS stylus to race Pikachu against other Pokemon on the ground or in hot air balloons. Notably, the game wasn’t received very well and doesn’t seem to have improved with age.

2. Pokemon Trozei!

Pokemon Trozei!

Japanese release: October 20, 2005

American release: March 6, 2006

Developer: Genius Sonority

Console: Nintendo DS

Pokemon Trozei! is a matching puzzle game where players make combos with Pokemon blocks like Psyduck, Smoochum, and Ditto. Only by beating the Phobos generals in a game of Trozei can the player save the world from a Poke-powered secret weapon.

3. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team

Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team, a Pokemon DS game

Japanese release: November 17, 2005

American release: September 18, 2006

Developer: Chunsoft

Console: Nintendo DS

Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team was released as a Pokemon DS game alongside Red Rescue Team, its Game Boy counterpart. Unlike other games, Mystery Dungeon allows the player to actually inhabit a Pokemon decided by either a personality quiz or choice. The player and a partner Pokemon then go through maps to rescue Pokemon and, eventually, work with Rayquaza to stop a meteor. All Pokemon in this first Mystery Dungeon game come from Generations I-III.

4. Pokemon Ranger

Pokemon Ranger

Japanese release: March 23, 2006

American release: October 30, 2006

Developer: HAL Laboratory; Creatures, Inc.

Console: Nintendo DS

Pokemon Ranger takes place in the previously unknown setting of Fiore and involves the player using a stylus to manually control the PC, a park ranger of sorts seeking to protect both nature and Pokemon. Rather than catching Pokemon, the ranger befriends them and enlists them in the quest to stop the Go-Rock Squad. The two partner Pokemon are Minun or Plusle, depending on the PC’s gender.

Pokemon Ranger also allows players to transfer eggs to Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum.

5. Pokemon Diamond and Pearl

Pokemon Diamond, a Pokemon DS game Pokemon Pearl, a Pokemon DS game

Japanese release: September 28, 2006

American release: April 22, 2007

Developer: Game Freak

Console: Nintendo DS

Generation IV marks the beginning of the run of mainline Pokemon DS games, introducing players to Piplup, Chimchar, and Turtwig. The PC must defeat all eight gym leaders and the Elite Four while also saving the world from the notorious Team Galactic. The main difference between the games is the main legendary Pokemon. Diamond features the temporal Pokemon Dialga, while Pearl has the spatial Palkia.

6. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness

Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time

Japanese release: September 13, 2007

American release: April 20, 2008

Developer: Chunsoft

Console: Nintendo DS

Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness were released at the same time and are similar, with each having a few version-exclusive Pokemon. The player in the DS game is once again transported into a Pokemon body and now has to join the new Expedition Guild to figure out why time is stopping. Those who feel strongly about getting Celebi would fare better in Explorers of Time, while Mewtwo fans will want to spring for Explorers of Darkness.

7. Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia

Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia for DS

Japanese release: March 20, 2008

American release: November 10, 2008

Developer: Creatures, Inc.

Console: Nintendo DS

In the second DS game in the Pokemon Ranger installments, players have graduated from Ranger school in Almia and are able to set off with their own partner Pokemon from a greatly expanded list. The mechanics once again revolve around stylus use and a lack of catching to mixed success among fans. As a team, the player and partner Pokemon must protect Almia and prevent Altru Inc. from launching their mega computer, the Gigaremo.

8. Pokemon Platinum

Pokemon Platinum game for DS

Japanese release: September 13, 2008

American release: March 22, 2009

Developer: Game Freak

Console: Nintendo DS

Pokemon Platinum is similar to Diamond and Pearl with a few additional areas and scenes, new Pokemon, and general quality-of-life fixes. The box legendary is Giratina, the anti-matter Pokemon. Other noteworthy changes include Shaymin’s sky form, new Rotom forms, the addition of the Distortion World at the story’s climax as well as more post-game locations.

9. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky

The Pokemon DS game Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky

Japanese release: April 18, 2009

American release: October 12, 2009

Developer: Chunsoft

Console: Nintendo DS

Explorers of Sky is the Pokemon Platinum to Explorers of Time and Darkness. The Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky DS game adds several exclusive maps through Spinda’s Juice Bar, more Pokemon to play as, five special episodes, and much more. Across Pokemon forums, Explorers of Sky is almost universally agreed to be the best Mystery Dungeon game.

10. Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver

HeartGoldSoulSilver

Japanese release: September 12, 2009

American release: March 14, 2010

Developer: Game Freak

Console: Nintendo DS

HeartGold and SoulSilver are Pokemon DS remakes of the Generation II games, Gold and Silver, with extra Gen IV Pokemon. Overall, they seem to be relatively faithful remakes while adding exclusive features from Pokemon Crystal. Players can catch either Ho-Oh or Lugia depending on the version and even other legendary Pokemon from other games through special events.

11. Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs

Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs

Japanese release: March 6, 2010

American release: October 4, 2010

Developer: Creatures, Inc.

Console: Nintendo DS

The third game in the Ranger trilogy, rangers are responsible for stopping the Pokemon Pinchers, who seek to capture and control Pokemon. Most interestingly, Guardian Signs introduces a new multiplayer mode where up to four players can tackle missions together in Oblivia. Other major changes to the system include DLC content, a new Pokemon agitation meter, and the ability to resummon legendary birds and beasts.

12. Pokemon Black and White

The Pokemon DS game Pokemon BlackThe Pokemon DS game Pokemon White

Japanese release: September 18, 2010

American release: March 6, 2011

Developer: Game Freak

Console: Nintendo DS

Pokemon Black and White brings in Generation V and new starters Snivy, Oshawatt, and Tepig. The player must once again make their way through the gym leaders while being responsible for stopping Team Plasma from stealing all Pokemon. Black gives access to the Light Stone and legendary Reshiram, while White has the Dark Stone and Zekrom. Additionally, players won’t be able to access other generations of Pokemon until after completing the main game, at which point the Pokemon will occur in outbreaks.

13. Pokemon Rumble Blast

Pokemon Rumble Blast

Japanese release: August 11, 2011

American release: October 24, 2011

Developer: Ambrella

Console: Nintendo 3DS

Pokemon Rumble Blast is part of the Rumble series, originally debuting on WiiWare, and is also the first 3DS Pokemon game. Players use wind-up Pokemon Toys to compete in real-time battles and save all of the other toys. Boasting over 600 Pokemon to collect, Rumble Blast’s plot revolves around trying to find out where all the rust is coming from.

14. Learn With Pokemon: Typing Adventure

Typing Adventure

Japanese release: April 21, 2011

American release: N/A

Developer: Genius Sonority

Console: Nintendo DS

Typing Adventure is the only Pokemon DS game not to get a North American release, though it was playable in Europe and Australia. It came with a Nintendo wireless keyboard and rewarded players for typing Pokemon names quickly and correctly.

15. Pokemon Conquest

Pokemon Conquest

Japanese release: March 17, 2012

American release: June 18, 2012

Developer: Tecmo Koei

Console: Nintendo DS

Pokemon Conquest is a crossover with Nobunaga’s Ambition, a turn-based strategy game set in feudal Japan. The gameplay is more closely related to Nobunaga’s Ambition and keeps the setting, using Pokemon to battle different warriors and warlords.

16. Pokemon Black 2 and White 2

Pokemon Black 2Pokemon White 2

Japanese release: June 23, 2012

American release: October 7, 2012

Developer: Game Freak

Console: Nintendo DS

Black 2 and White 2 were the last Pokemon DS game proper. A sequel to Black and White, it takes place in Unova two years after the first games. Some previous characters have gone on to become gym leaders, while past members of Team Plasma are lurking around and trying to force the legendary Pokemon Kyurem to destroy the world. After unlocking Kyurem, the PC can choose to fuse him with Reshiram or Zekrom to get White and Black Kyurem, respectively.

17. Pokemon Dream Radar

Dream Radar for the DS

Japanese release: June 23, 2012

American release: October 7, 2012

Developer: Creatures, Inc.; Game Freak

Console: Nintendo 3DS (eShop only)

Dream Radar was a 3DS supplement to Black 2 and White 2. Players were a research assistant studying the Interdream Zone and used augmented reality to battle Pokemon and collect items. Anything gained in Dream Radar could be transferred directly to Black 2 and White 2.

18. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity

Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity

Japanese release: November 23, 2012

American release: March 23, 2013

Developer: Spike Chunsoft

Console: Nintendo 3DS

In the switch to 3DS, Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity still maintains most of its core mechanics. The game removes the personality sorting test and furthermore uses more advanced 3D image generation. Plotwise, Gates to Infinity brings in Generation V Pokemon and even features Kyurem as the main antagonist.

19. Pokemon X and Y

Pokemon X Pokemon Y

Release: October 12, 2013

Developer: Game Freak

Console: Nintendo 3DS

Pokemon X and Y marks an important milestone. Nintendo decided to do localization at the same time as game development, so the Japanese and North American release dates converged for following mainline games. Oddly, Europe still had to wait an extra week until 2017.

In the 3DS game, players battle gyms and Team Flare, who first seem to want to sell Pokemon and then reveal that they want to wipe out humanity for a more beautiful world. The box legendaries are Xerneas and Yveltal, the former of which is of the newly introduced fairy type. X and Y also bring in Mega Evolutions for popular Pokemon.

20. Pokemon Battle Trozei

Pokemon Trozei Battle

Japanese release: March 12, 2014

American release: March 20, 2014

Developer: Genius Sonority

Console: Nintendo 3DS (eShop only)

Similar to Pokemon Trozei!, Pokemon Battle Trozei’s main addition was that wild Pokemon can be made into blocks for later play, a process known as “trozeizing.” Additionally, the game incorporated strengths and weaknesses from the main game and allowed for co-op play.

21. Pokemon Art Academy

Pokemon Art Academy DS game

Japanese release: June 19, 2014

American release: October 24, 2014

Developer: Headstrong Games

Console: Nintendo 3DS

The Pokemon DS Game Pokemon Art Academy focuses on teaching fans how to draw different species in forty progressive lessons. Players can progress through different skill levels and even export content to the Miiverse. Because the game was designed for younger children, Pokemon Art Academy introduces digital art tools but does not rely on them too heavily.

22. Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

Pokemon Omega RubyPokemon Alpha Sapphire

Release: November 21, 2014

Developer: Game Freak

Console: Nintendo 3DS

Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire are remakes of Ruby and Sapphire, Generation III Pokemon games. Rather than being a straight port, the games include newer developments like Mega Evolutions and fairy Pokemon along with new evolutions of old Pokemon. Omega Ruby has Team Magma which wants to expand the land and give humans more room to live using Groudon, whereas Team Aqua in Alpha Sapphire wants to do the opposite for Pokemon with Kyogre.

23. Pokemon Shuffle

Pokemon Shuffle, a Pokemon DS game

Release: February 18, 2015

Developer: Genius Sonority

Console: Nintendo 3DS (eShop only)

Another discontinued Pokemon 3DS game, Pokemon Shuffle worked comparably to Trozei! and Battle Trozei. Players “caught” wild Pokemon by matching them. Additionally, Pokemon Shuffle included Mega Evolutions and had a certain amount of player lives that reset over time.

Fortunately, committed fans can still play Shuffle on mobile.

24. Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon

Pokemon DS game Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon

Japanese release: June 19, 2014

American release: October 24, 2014

Developer: Spike Chunsoft

Console: Nintendo 3DS

The final installment in the Mystery Dungeon series, Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon focuses on sixth generation Pokemon and almost all Mega Evolutions. The DS game plot involves the player and their partner recruiting several legendary and mythical Pokemon, including Arceus and Xerneas, to save the Tree of Life.

25. Pokemon Rumble World

Pokemon Rumble World

Japanese release: September 17, 2015

American release: November 20, 2015

Developer: Ambrella

Console: Nintendo 3DS (eShop only)

Pokemon Rumble World was a “freemium” Nintendo game in the Rumble series. In this game, players could increase rank by catching species of Pokemon toy, which would then unlock more species. The king was the main place to get challenges to find more Pokemon.

26. Pokemon Picross

Pokemon Picross

Japanese release: December 2, 2015

American release: December 3, 2015

Developer: Jupiter Corporation

Console: Nintendo 3DS (eShop only)

This Pokemon puzzle game didn’t only rely on matching but also numbers. With over three hundred puzzles, Pokemon Picross gave numeric hints to complete images in a paint-by-number-type style, at which point the pictured Pokemon could be collected.

27. Detective Pikachu

Detective Pikachu for DS

Japanese release: February 3, 2016

American release: March 23, 2018

Developer: Creatures, Inc.

Console: Nintendo 3DS

More in the style of the anime, Detective Pikachu is a narrative-based adventure game that features a talking investigative Pikachu. PC Tim meets Pikachu, and the two set off to discover the mystery of what happened to Tim’s father. As Tim, the player can walk around and look for clues for various cases.

The Detective Pikachu game was such a hit that it spawned a full-length movie of the same title, released in 2019. The movie confirmed that Pikachu is, in fact, furry.

28. Pocket Monsters Red and Green

Pokemon Red for the DSPokemon Green for the 3DS

Release: February 27, 2016

Developer: Game Freak

Console: Nintendo 3DS (eShop only)

Red and Green was one of the remasters that Nintendo made in honor of the twentieth anniversary of the original Pokemon game. First releasing on the Game Boy in 1996, Red and Green introduces players to the world of Pikachu and with theme colors after Mario and Luigi. Additionally, Green was initially only released in Japan.

On the DS game, Red and Green maintains the original 151 Pokemon and the infamous Team Rocket that were always blasting off again. The antagonists in this game have a more simplistic motive than some of the others, merely seeking to use Pokemon as tools rather than friends. But a less wrong doesn’t make it a right. The big difference between Red/Green is the version exclusive Pokemon, which must be traded to complete the Pokedex.

29. Pocket Monsters Blue

Pokemon Blue for the 3DS

Release: February 27, 2016

Developer: Game Freak

Console: Nintendo 3DS (eShop only)

Pokemon: Blue is the American counterpart to Pokemon: Green and was originally released in the States along with Red. Many minor issues with Green were fixed in Blue, such as false weights for Nidoqueen and Geodude and a glitch that makes it impossible for the game to recognize that the player lost to Sabrina. Blue and the American Red also have a lower number of items in the Poke Shop alongside changed Pokemon designs.

Mew in Pokemon Green vs Blue

30. Pokemon Yellow

Pokemon Yellow for the 3DS.

Release: February 27, 2016

Developer: Game Freak

Console: Nintendo 3DS (eShop only)

Pokemon Yellow only has one starter Pokemon option in Pikachu. The gym leaders also have different teams than in Red, Blue, and Green, instead more closely reflecting those in the anime. In fact, its closer similarities to the Pokemon anime is why many fans have Pokemon Yellow at the top of their tier lists.

31. Pokemon Sun and Moon

Pokemon SunPokemon Moon

Release: November 18, 2016

Developer: Game Freak

Console: Nintendo 3DS

Pokemon Sun and Moon invites players into the tropical setting of Alola with new Generation VII Pokemon like Fenniken, Chespin, and Froakie. Notably, the PC is given a legendary right off the bat with the adorable space ball Cosmog who either evolves into Solageo or Lunala depending on the game version. Sun and Moon also brings in Ultra Beasts, which are sort of like alien Pokemon.

This is the only main game series without any gyms. Instead, players complete grand trials with different leaders in the Alolan island chain. Team Skull, the Sun and Moon enemies, are the ones who opened the Ultra Wormhole that let in the Ultra Beasts.

32. Pokemon Gold and Silver

Pokemon Gold for the 3DS eShopPokemon Silver for the 3DS eShop.

Release: September 22, 2017

Developer: Game Freak

Console: Nintendo 3DS (eShop only)

Gold and Silver was another ported Pokemon 3DS game, allowing new players to choose Chikorita, Totodile, or Cyndaquil. The PC once again must face off against Team Rocket and force them to re-disband. After this, they receive a Rainbow Wing or Silver Wing to encounter Ho-Oh or Lugia respectively. In the post-credit game, players can travel from Gen II’s Johto back to Gen I’s Kanto, fight all of the gym leaders, and then meet the PC from Red and Blue in Silver Cave.

33. Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon

Pokemon Ultra Sun, the last mainline Pokemon DS gamePokemon Ultra Moon, the last mainline Pokemon DS game

Release: November 17, 2017

Developer: Game Freak

Console: Nintendo 3DS

Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are famous for introducing new Pokemon in the middle of a generation. Similar to Sun and Moon, the games add five more Ultra Beasts, new forms for the previously released Necrozma, and new mini-games. Storywise, Ultra Sun and Moon make more changes than other second-line games have typically received. Characters are changed, scenes are added, and important plot points are moved around. Many even consider Ultra Sun and Moon to be the most difficult game in the series.

34. Pokemon Crystal

Pokemon Crystal for the 3DS eShop

Release: January 26, 2018

Developer: Game Freak

Console: Nintendo 3DS (eShop only)

The last Pokemon game for the 3DS before Nintendo made the full move to the Switch, Crystal was an adaptation of the original Generation II Game Boy game. It was released after Gold and Silver and has minor changes to the original gameplay, but nothing nearly as dramatic as seen in Ultra Sun and Moon. Crystal allows for the option of a girl PC and introduces the Clear Bell and Suicune, along with other small differences.

Still want to play the Pokemon DS games but don’t have the handheld anymore? Players can try getting their hands on a refurbished Nintendo DS, which can cost between $70 and $200 depending on the retailer and condition.

For hardcore fans, the price could be worth it to play their favorite Pokemon DS games.

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