The Best Pokémon Games to Start With Are Still the Classics From 20 Years Ago
According to Polygon, Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, released 20 years ago on Nintendo DS, remain excellent entry points for players new to the Pokémon franchise. Despite Game Freak’s continued releases of new mainline games and remakes every few years, these classic generation-four titles from September 2006 maintain their appeal as effective introductions to the series.
The article explores how the Pokémon franchise operates as a continuous cycle, with new players constantly entering while others eventually move on. While newer titles have introduced numerous ambitious new twists on the formula, the original Diamond and Pearl games continue to serve as quality gateways for those starting their Pokémon journey. The author shares their personal experience of entering the franchise through Pokémon Pearl, which features the legendary Pokémon Palkia, as an example of how these older games remain engaging and captivating for contemporary players.
The franchise’s model of regular new releases keeps overall interest levels high, yet the durability of these 20-year-old games demonstrates that classic entries still have significant value for newcomers despite the constant stream of newer alternatives.