For greater than 25 years, developer Game Freak has discovered a strategy to reinvent the Pokémon franchise for every new technology of players. Both brand-new Pokémon trainers and seasoned Pokémon masters are captivated by these cute (and typically scary) little monsters. Maybe it’s the drive to catch ’em all that retains gamers coming again. Or maybe it’s how lovable these little pocket monsters might be. Whatever the rationale, gamers proceed to return to or begin exploring the Pokémon franchise.
Between new fundamental sequence titles that carry new areas and Pokémon into the combo — like Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, remakes, and spinoffs — there’s an enormous library of Pokémon video games to select from. Everyone has their favorites, however some are arguably higher than others (identical to Nintendo’s long-running Metroid and Legend of Zelda sequence). We divided each Pokémon recreation into a few classes and ranked them accordingly.
Where do you suppose the following fundamental sequence recreation will rank when it releases? And the place will Pokémon Sleep rank amongst spin-offs?
All fundamental sequence titles ranked
1. Pokémon Gold/Silver/Crystal (technology 2)
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Starter Pokémon: Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile
Pokémon Gold and Silver added 100 Pokémon to the unique 151, together with arguably the perfect trio of starters Pokémon has seen. Beyond including to the Pokédex, technology two made nice strides in a number of areas over the unique. For starters, you now had to consider the time of day when making an attempt to catch new Pokémon, because the day/evening cycle neatly added a layer of depth to your time spent within the lengthy grass.
Gold and Silver added the Kanto area to the map, connecting Johto with the landmass that began the phenomenon. With 16 health club leaders to finest, Gold and Silver stay the deepest, lengthiest Pokémon video games ever created.
Adding to the programs seen in Pokémon Yellow, technology two leaned into twin varieties, permitting you to make a extra different and strategically various crew to carry into battle. The Johto area occurs to be our favourite to discover as nicely and has the perfect legendary birds (Lugia and Ho-Oh). This installment additionally added the three legendary canine Pokémon — Raikou, Suicune, and Entei — which might be discovered roaming all through Johto after an preliminary static encounter.
We’d be remiss to not point out Coronary heartGold and SoulSilver, the improved DS remakes of Gold and Silver, however we’ll get to that in our remake-specific part under.
2. Pokémon Red/Blue/Yellow (gen 1)
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Starter Pokémon (Blue/Red): Charmander, Squirtle, Bulbasaur
Starter Pokémon (Yellow): Pikachu
Partly on account of nostalgia, partly on account of how these video games nonetheless really feel nice immediately, technology one’s trio of fantastic Pokémon video games take our second spot. To today, technology one has the perfect assortment of Pokémon. We’ll always remember the unique 151 or Ash’s first journey. From the opening moments in Pallet Town to selecting your first starter, racking up health club badges, preventing off Team Rocket, and defeating the Elite Four, Pokémon Red and Blue simply really feel proper.
Sure, a few of the deeper mechanics the sequence is thought for now aren’t current within the unique video games, however there’s one thing about their streamlined id that also brings a smile to our faces. Pokémon Yellow introduced the sequence to full coloration, and having Pikachu by our aspect made us really really feel like we had been Ash on a journey to catch ’em all. Generation one will all the time maintain a particular place in our hearts. It’s magical.
3. Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald (gen 3)
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Starter Pokémon: Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip
Generation three is when Pokémon video games actually began to lean into natures, EV programs, and IV programs, emphasizing not solely the species however the particular member of that species in your social gathering. The energy of the perfect Game Boy Advance video games made every mannequin of the now 386 Pokémon extra vibrant.
While we expect the 135 new Pokémon as a gaggle didn’t evaluate to the 100 added in gen two, Ruby and Sapphire had one of many neater areas. The Hoenn island area felt bigger than earlier areas and was usually a extra fascinating space to discover. A pair of stellar gen three remakes, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, can be found on Nintendo 3DS.
4. Pokemon Legends: Arceus
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Starter Pokémon: Rowlet, Cyndaquil, Oshawott
There is a few query as as to if Pokemon Legends: Arceus is technically a mainline title. Regardless of how you are feeling, there isn’t any doubt that that is an bold and contemporary tackle the sequence. We praised Pokémon Legends: Arceus in our evaluate for the way in which it, “…makes bold changes to the tried-and-true formula, successfully kicking off Pokémon’s long-needed reinvention.” Capturing and battling Pokémon meets a Breath of the Wild-like open world in a recreation which will form the way forward for the sequence for years to come back. It’s helped again a bit by the Nintendo Switch’s technical limitations, however the Pokédex system and excellent battling make this a can’t-miss Pokémon entry.
5. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (gen 9)
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Starter Pokémon: Sprigatito, Fuecoco, Quaxly
If it weren’t for its slew of bugs and graphical glitches, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet might very nicely have made it into the highest three right here. From a pure gameplay perspective, it’s some of the pleasurable Pokémon video games launched up to now decade. That’s because of its really contemporary open-world method, which provides gamers far more freedom than they’re used to having within the sequence. In our evaluate, we referred to as it a “real step forward for a series that’s been locked in a holding pattern for well over a decade.”
Though after all, its points are onerous to disregard. Scarlet and Violet are a few of the buggiest first-party Nintendo video games ever launched, which has raised some truthful questions in regards to the unsustainable tempo developer Game Freak works. While these tech points are actually distracting, they don’t take away from a refreshing jaunt by the Paldea area, a spot full of maybe the sequence’ best assortment of monsters.
6. Pokémon Sword and Shield (gen 8)
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Starter Pokémon: Grookey, Scorbunny, Sobble
The newest Pokémon video games are the primary mainline titles launched as a Nintendo Switch recreation, and Game Freak has lastly realized our longtime dream of getting a totally 3D Pokémon journey on a house console. In the British-themed Galar area, you’ll be able to enterprise into the brand new Wild space and seize monsters, or comply with the set pathways from city to city which have been within the sequence for the reason that very starting. Either means, Pokémon are actually simply out and about as a substitute of being hidden in randomized encounters, so frustration is drastically diminished.
With 400 Pokémon to catch and the addition of the Dynamax system to energy up your monsters, Pokémon Sword and Shield can maintain you busy for hours. However, the removing of longtime monsters from the sport, together with Psyduck and Squirtle, does imply you’ll be able to’t catch ‘em all this time. Fortunately, with the arrival of the game’s Isle of Armor DLC and Crown Tundra DLC, you’ll have an opportunity to see new environments within the Galar area, catch new Pokémon, and battle new foes.
7. Pokémon Ultra Sun/Moon (gen 7)
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Starter Pokémon: Rowlet, Litten, Popplio
Sun and Moon and the improved Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon switched up the usual Pokémon development a bit. Set throughout the islands of Alola, Sun and Moon launched gamers to Team Skull and the Aether Foundation, a gaggle devoted to defending Pokémon. Rather than progressing by numerous cities’ gyms, you needed to full island trials, which usually included a small dungeon and a battle with a robust Pokémon. Afterward, you’d be capable of battle the island’s Kahuna.
The 80 new Pokémon had been a few of the most fascinating to be added for the reason that early video games, and the Alolan variations of unique Pokémon felt impressed. Z-Moves, Ultra Beasts, and an expanded tackle Mega Evolutions added welcome mechanics into the fold. There was even a Pokémon Snap-style mini-game, making this probably the greatest 3DS video games you should buy.
8. Pokémon X/Y (gen 6)
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Starter Pokémon: Chespin, Fennekin, Froakie
Pokémon X and Y marked the sequence’ first really 3D expertise. The digicam perspective switched from top-down to a better, behind-the-body angle, which gave the world of Pokémon a way of scope it hadn’t seen earlier than. The France-inspired Kalos area had aptitude and magnificence and featured one of many largest mega-cities we’d seen so far.
Though X and Y solely launched 72 new Pokémon, it did mark the start of Mega Evolutions. The storyline considerably disappoints, however the increased constancy presentation offered by the Nintendo 3DS {hardware} made Pokémon fashions really pop throughout battle sequences, permitting for crisper preventing animations.
9. Pokémon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum (gen 4)
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Starter Pokémon: Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup
Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum served an vital position within the evolution of Pokémon. They appeared markedly higher than gen three Pokémon, because of the Nintendo DS, however they primarily confirmed the place the franchise would finally go. Generation 4 introduced a vital function: Online buying and selling and battling. This made filling out the Pokédex, which then neared 500 with the assistance of the brand new 107 pocket monsters, extra of a worldwide effort.
You didn’t should know individuals with copies of the sport to commerce. Instead, you may simply hop on-line and make a commerce for what you wanted. Online battling allows you to actually see who was the perfect coach for the primary time in sequence historical past. Generation 4 is nice due to its technological improvements, but it surely’s one of many extra forgettable Pokémon time durations general.
10. Pokémon White/Black and White/Black 2 (gen 5)
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Starter Pokémon: Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott
Generation 5 was an oddity. It was the primary within the sequence to get a direct sequel, with Black 2 and White 2 releasing a yr after the originals. The sequels did retread acquainted territory, however advised a brand new story and featured some new areas and new Pokémon. Generation 5 additionally holds the report for probably the most Pokémon, with 156 new Pokémon to catch.
Even extra so than Diamond and Pearl, although, gen 5, particularly the sequels, felt like a stopgap for the sequence’ subsequent evolution. While we regard technology 5 because the “worst,” we nonetheless suppose it’s fairly darn good. It didn’t introduce a lot new in any respect, however the true sequel idea was intriguing nonetheless.
All remakes ranked
When you’ve got a profitable system, it’s onerous to need to change it. The Pokémon video games have discovered their area of interest viewers and have managed to maintain this viewers entertained no matter graphics. However, the Pokémon franchise has managed to push out a couple of remakes which might be price your time. Although these video games are nearly similar to the video games listed above, they do have some enhancements to every recreation that make them price trying out and had been often suitable with the newest installment in the principle sequence, permitting for some fascinating cross-generation buying and selling and battling.
1. Pokémon Coronary heartGold and SoulSilver (gen 4)
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Starter: Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile
If you haven’t guessed but, Pokémon Coronary heartGold and SoulSilver are enhanced variations of their predecessors, Pokémon Gold and Silver. This recreation was launched to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Gold and Silver, which had been initially launched in 1999. The creators labored to make sure that the sport felt like a brand new recreation whereas additionally guaranteeing that it revered the emotions of those that beloved the originals.
The video games maintain a couple of new options that initially solely Pokémon Crystal had. It’s additionally the primary Pokémon recreation that allowed the participant’s social gathering to comply with them into the outer world. It was just like how Pikachu would comply with you round in Pokémon Yellow. There had been additionally a handful of minigames that had been added. Players might use the Nintendo DS touchscreen to compete within the Pokéathlon. Additionally, the GB Sounds was a brand new merchandise and would change the background music to the unique 8-bit music from Pokémon Gold and Silver.
2. Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen (gen 3 remake)
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Starters: Charmander, Squirtle, Bulbasaur
The first remake for Game Freak, FireRed and LeafGreen are the 2004 enhanced remakes of the unique Red and Blue. Although they had been made based mostly on Red and Blue, they’re really a part of the third technology of Pokémon video games. The recreation takes us again to the Kanto area, giving us recollections of a few of the Pokémon we’ve seen earlier than.
However, on the finish of the sport, we’re welcomed to the Sevii Islands, which is a very new space that wasn’t out there in both Red or Blue. This island stands out as a result of it holds Pokémon that had been usually unique to the Johto area and has a couple of post-game missions that may be enjoyable. What’s extra, as soon as the missions on the Sevii Islands are accomplished, gamers had been capable of commerce Pokémon with gamers who had Ruby or Sapphire, making it potential to have Hoenn-exclusive Pokémon as nicely.
3. Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (gen 6)
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Starters: Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip
Those of us who most well-liked Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire had been invited again to the sport with Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. The recreation is a part of the sixth technology of Pokémon video games and was performed on the Nintendo 3DS. Although the sport is a remake, Game Freak labored to make sure that it had a few of the modifications from later generations.
We noticed Pokémon with cut up varieties from the fourth technology and had limitless TM utilization and triple battles from the fifth technology. They additionally added options from Pokémon X and Y, corresponding to Super Training and Mega Evolution. One of the brand new mechanics that stood out was the flexibility to make use of Latios or Latias to fly round Hoenn. This is as a result of when utilizing these Pokémon to fly, we might run into “mirage spots,” which had Pokémon that weren’t in any other case out there within the Hoenn area. This consists of quite a few legendary Pokémon from earlier generations.
4. Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
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Starters: Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup
The 2021 launch of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl lastly introduced players a pair of long-requested remakes. The two basic Nintendo 3DS titles got here to the Nintendo Switch with up to date gameplay, enhanced visuals, and expanded endgame.
We praised the sport in our evaluate for faithfully translating Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl in a means that felt genuine to the originals. That generally is a little bit of a double-edged sword, because the linear path and lack of difficult gameplay might be interesting for younger players, however might flip off sequence veterans. The Underground has been expanded into the brand new Grand Underground. This end-game space now incorporates a sprawling dungeon, the place you’ll be able to battle and seize Pokémon of varied varieties. It’s nice for gathering XP or filling out your Pokédex.
5. Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon (gen 7)
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Starters: Rowlet, Litten, Popplio
As a part of the seventh technology of Pokemon video games, Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon improve the variations of the unique Sun and Moon in a means that makes them pleasurable. Critics and gamers had been a bit divided on how this recreation felt. On one hand, the extra options had been superb. On the opposite hand, it didn’t stray too removed from the unique story, which made it really feel like the identical recreation over once more.
Nonetheless, we noticed some nice new options added to the sport. Things like Ultra Beasts, new types of legendary Pokémon Necrozma, and a brand new Lycanroc kind. We might additionally journey across the Alola area to gather Totem Stickers, which might then give us an opportunity to get a Totem-sized variant of a Pokémon. We additionally had a couple of new actions: Mantine Surf allow us to surf throughout the area’s seas, the Alola Photo Club received us to take photos with our Pokémon, and Ultra Warp Ride allow us to journey by Ultra Wormholes and encounter Ultra Beasts in their very own world. Of course, there have been additionally the brand new Z-Moves for a handful of Pokémon and the improve to the Rotom Pokedex, which added Roto-Loto.
All spin-off video games ranked
Outside of the mainline video games, there are dozens upon dozens of Pokémon experiences. Some of them diverge barely from the core system, and others are completely totally different. Make no mistake about it, the Pokémon franchise has produced a whole lot of duds that felt like money grabs. (Pokémon Mystery Dungeon sequence, anybody?) But some Pokémon spin-offs work fairly nicely. Here are our favorites.
1. New Pokémon Snap
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New Pokémon Snap is the newest launch within the Pokémon franchise and one of many sequence’ finest. Part amusement park experience, half puzzle recreation, New Pokémon Snap duties you with accumulating photos of Pokémon as you might be carted round on a self-driving automotive. You earn factors and stars based mostly on the standard of the images as you enterprise throughout a number of maps. Getting the proper shot usually comes all the way down to cautious timing and studying what lures or actions in your half will get the fitting response from the Pokémon. There are hidden pathways to seek out, and the wild Pokémon change into more and more snug with you on repeat visits, resulting in much more alternatives to snap an fascinating image. Seeing these lovable creatures of their pure habitat is stress-free and charming, and New Pokémon Snap is the proper recreation to loosen up with.
2. Pokémon Stadium
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Pokémon Stadium introduced our pals to 3D lengthy earlier than the mainline sequence when it launched on Nintendo 64. The recreation used the usual turn-based battling system, rendering your whole favorites from the unique 151 within the glory they deserved.
Working our means by the stadium cups and enjoying multiplayer in opposition to pals was a blast. The better part about Stadium, although, was the Transfer Pak. The N64 controller attachment allows you to insert your copy of Pokémon Red, Blue, or Yellow to make use of your private assortment within the recreation’s thrilling 3v3 battles.
3. Pokémon Conquest
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Pokémon Conquest for Nintendo DS spun the Pokémon system into a beautiful techniques expertise. Set within the new Ransei area, it advised an entirely unique story full of warlords and waging factions. While the turn-based techniques gameplay wasn’t as deep or difficult as video games corresponding to Fire Emblem and Final Fantasy Tactics, it was an ideal introduction to the style and contained all of Pokémon’s patented appeal.
4. Pokémon TCG Online
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Pokémon started its life as a sequence of video video games, however the buying and selling card recreation has taken on a lifetime of its personal. Published within the West by none apart from Wizards of the Coast — the identical firm behind what could be the most well-liked buying and selling card recreation on this planet, Magic: the Gathering — Pokémon’s bodily spin-off is easy to know however rife with depth. Pokémon TCG Online is a free, on-line model of the tabletop recreation, match with the newest expansions and a glossy interface. Even higher, every pack of bodily playing cards comes with a redemption code, permitting you to double down digitally.
5. Pokémon Snap
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An on-rails shooter about taking candid pictures of Pokémon of their pure habits for Professor Oak? Sign us up. The unique Pokémon Snap as a Nintendo 64 recreation centered extra on the fantastic thing about these magical creatures relatively than their deft fight abilities. We beloved each second of it, particularly after we captured a fully good picture of a fire-breathing Charizard.
6. Pokémon Go
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Pokémon Go is probably the most profitable Pokémon recreation of all time by way of participant depend. The cell sensation allows you to be a real-life Pokémon coach wherever on this planet. Using AR expertise, Pokémon pop up whether or not you’re strolling down the sidewalk or hanging out in your personal yard.
7. Pokémon Unite
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Pokémon meets League of Legends in Pokémon Unite, the first-ever Pokémon MOBA. Customizable trainers battle 5 versus 5, utilizing a few of the hottest Pokémon from the sequence. It has basic assault strikes, evolutions, and lovable outfits for Pokémon to put on. What’s to not love?
8. Pokémon: Let’s Go
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Pokémon: Let’s Go for Nintendo Switch is extremely near being thought-about a mainline Pokémon recreation. After all, it’s a largely trustworthy remake of Pokémon Yellow rendered in lovely 3D visuals, full with battling, the health club badge development, and the Elite Four. Where Let’s Go differs is the act of catching Pokémon.
Using Pokémon Go as an affect, a simplistic catch mini-game commences when operating right into a wild Pokémon. Let’s Go additionally depicts wild Pokémon roaming the overworld, so that you all the time know what you’re moving into beforehand. Pokémon: Let’s Go is a superb melding of two varieties of Pokémon video games.
9. Pokémon Puzzle League
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Pokémon Puzzle League is basically simply Tetris Attack with a distinct coat of paint, however it’s nonetheless one of many extra entertaining Pokémon video games outdoors of the principle sequence. The recreation is easy: the participant’s board is on one aspect of the display with the opponent’s on the opposite.
Both boards will replenish with tiles and gamers should rearrange the tiles to create traces of three or extra in a row. Doing so will clear the tiles out of your board and ship blocks to your opponent’s board, which they’ll should filter out. The recreation is simple however difficult and is especially enjoyable to play in opposition to one other individual. The presence of varied characters from Pokémon additionally offers it a heat feeling of nostalgia.
10. Pokémon Pinball
Pokémon Pinball for the Game Boy Color is surprisingly addictive for a recreation with solely two tables. Hitting sure objects on the desk will trigger Pokémon to look, and gamers can then catch them by hitting them with the ball a number of occasions earlier than the time restrict runs out.
Though it’s a primary recreation, there are some fascinating points to it. It has a misshapen recreation cartridge that incorporates a battery-powered “rumble” function so as to add some haptic suggestions. This was a novel novelty for the Game Boy when this recreation was launched.
11. Pokémon Café Mix
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Pokémon Café Mix is a free-to-play recreation that requires you to finish puzzles. The recreation stars you and an Eevee, who’re house owners of a café the place Pokémon come and order Pokémon-themed meals and drinks. To fulfill every order, it’s a must to full a puzzle to organize the corresponding merchandise. You’ll have to clear Pokémon icons on-screen by linking them collectively in a hoop. When you end a degree, you’re capable of improve your café with custom-made flooring and designs that draw in several Pokémon. After some time, these Pokémon will even change into a part of your employees.
This recreation is just like a whole lot of cell video games available on the market. First-time gamers who attempt it out will get the grasp of it pretty rapidly. It’s a enjoyable and remedy recreation for gamers on the go to check out. You can play the sport on each the Nintendo Switch and cell gadgets, however the recreation is just supported within the Switch’s hand-held mode. Pokemon Cafe Mix isn’t an progressive recreation that may garner particular awards, but it surely’s a enjoyable recreation for Pokémon followers to play.
12. Pokken Tournament DX
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Pokken Tournament DX is a Tekken-inspired preventing recreation that places you in direct management of your chosen Pokémon, battling your strategy to the highest. This deluxe model is an expanded and upgraded port of the 2016 Wii U launch, bringing with it expanded rosters and gameplay modes to the Nintendo Switch.
The motion shifts between 3D and 2D, and efficiently blends Pokémon powers with conventional melee fight. The result’s a recreation that’s welcoming to Pokémon followers however deep sufficient to fulfill preventing recreation aficionados. Pokken Tournament includes a single-player marketing campaign however actually shines in its on-line aggressive multiplayer mode.
13. Detective Pikachu
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Detective Pikachu is the primary of its form throughout the Pokémon franchise. It’s an journey recreation that takes you thru a robust narrative. You play as Tim Goodman, who stumbles upon a Pikachu that he can oddly perceive. We come to seek out out that this explicit Pikachu is definitely the Pokémon of Tim’s father, Harry Goodman. We additionally come to study that Harry has disappeared. Now it’s as much as you and your new Pikachu to seek out Harry and unravel the secrets and techniques of the Pokémon Comprehensive Laboratory.
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