Popular Games by Game Freak
Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire 3DS
- 21st Nov 2014 (NA)
- 28th Nov 2014 (UK/EU)
Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver DS
- 12th Sep 2009 (JPN)
- 14th Mar 2010 (NA)
- 26th Mar 2010 (UK/EU)
Pokemon Legends: Z-A - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Switch 2
- Q4 2025 (UK/EU)
- Q4 2025 (NA)
Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen GBA
- 29th Jan 2004 (JPN)
- 9th Sep 2004 (NA)
- 1st Oct 2004 (UK/EU)
- 18th Sep 2010 (JPN)
- 4th Mar 2011 (UK/EU)
- 6th Mar 2011 (NA)
Reviews of Game Freak Games
Review Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On! (Switch) - Game Freak's 3DS Gem Is Still A Prize Pony
Yay or neigh?
When the 3DS eShop closed back in March 2023, we were sad for a number of reasons. We were sad at the thought of losing the wonderful Virtual Console library. Sad at the prospect of never seeing the little orange bag mascot again. Sad at the understanding that we'd soon be returning to the silent eShop of the Switch without a...
That's why they call it the blues
What is The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero? That was probably the question on most players’ lips after the Expansion Pass for Pokémon Scarlet & Violet was revealed. Part one, The Teal Mask, was just an appetizer, taking players to a new land in Kitakami and introducing new characters who might just end up being...
Review Pokémon Scarlet & Violet - The Teal Mask (Switch) - DLC That Offers More, But Not Enough
Matcha the mood
As a series, Pokémon is one that has held onto tradition pretty firmly. In the 25+ years since Red & Blue’s release, the fundamentals of the game haven’t really changed – you explore a world, you fight Pokémon, you catch Pokémon. Last year’s Pokémon Scarlet & Violet was the mainline series’ first big attempt to...
Review Pokémon Trading Card Game - A Cracking Adaptation That Still Holds Up
A rare source of fun or just an uncommon?
This review originally went live in 2014, and we're updating and republishing it to mark the game's arrival in the Nintendo Switch Online Game Boy / Game Boy Color library. It’s almost surreal nowadays to think that there was ever a time when portable gaming didn’t have Pokémon. When Red and Blue...
The world is your Cloyster
If there’s one thing we always hope for with a brand-new Pokémon generation, it’s a sense of childlike wonder. Of course, it’s not always a guarantee, especially with a formula that has been followed consistently for the last 26 years, but we always start a new generation with our fingers crossed that we'll be...
Review Pokémon Legends: Arceus (Switch) - One Of The Greatest Pokémon Games Ever Made
We all live in a Pokémon world
A century before it became the land of Sinnoh, the Hisui region was a dangerous place where humans and Pokémon didn’t share the close bond they have today. In fact, Pokémon were treated like dangerous creatures to be avoided, and in Pokémon Legends: Arceus it’s up to you and the Galaxy Expedition Team to...
Latest Game Freak News
Thursday20th Mar 2025
Opinion We'll Never Get A Final Boss As Good As Pokémon Legends: Arceus Again
God-like
Editor's note: As the headline suggests, this article discusses late-game spoilers for Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Ask me what my favourite thing about Pokémon Legends: Arceus is, and I can give you a non-exhaustive list. Being able to catch Pokémon without engaging them in battle. Having actual, proper sidequests with rewards. Shiny...
Friday7th Mar 2025
Opinion Legends Z-A's Xenoblade-Style Battles Are Pokémon's Most Exciting Evolution In Years
What? Pokémon is evolving!
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say something crazy: I like the look of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. I reckon I have about five minutes before the torches are lit and an angry mob appears outside my house, so let me throw another bombshell out there. I think the series' turn-based battles have grown stale, and no amount...
Friday28th Feb 2025
Guide Best Pokémon Games Of All Time
Gotta rank 'em all
Ranking the best Pokémon games is no easy feat given that many of them are considered among the best games of their particular hardware generation. Then you have to consider just how many spin-off Pokémon games have come out over the last 30 years or so, too! To make things a little simpler for everyone, we're going to focus on...
Poll Which Starter Pokémon Will You Choose In Legends: Z-A?
Choices, choices...
What's the most important part of a Pokémon game? The roster of 'mons? The setting? The story? Well, sort of the first, but tangential — it's the starter Pokémon. We now know just who the starter trio of Pokémon Legends: Z-A will be. And, similarly to Legends: Arceus, it's a triple threat of returning favourites. Chikorita,...
Guide Pokémon Legends: Z-A - Release Date, Starters, Everything We Know So Far
All details, updates, release dates, and more
Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the second Pokémon game to bear the Legends moniker, was announced at the February 2024 Pokémon Presents. Taking the Legends formula to new heights, Legends: Z-A takes a more modern-day approach to the world compared to its predecessor, Legends: Arceus. As more details emerge...
Thursday27th Feb 2025
Opinion Pokémon Legends: Z-A Looks Cool, But It's Lacking Arceus' Unique Style
We're getting Scarlet and Violet vibes
One year after its initial announcement, Pokémon Legends: Z-A has finally been showcased properly during the most recent Pokémon Presents, giving us a good look at the upcoming title's gameplay and features. It wasn't quite the deep dive many of us were hoping for, but it was certainly enough to whet our...
Guide Pokémon Legends: Z-A Pokédex - Every Confirmed Pokémon So Far
Time to catch 'em all?
With a return to Kalos and Lumiose City coming in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, that means we'll have another set of Pocket Monsters to catch and collect. With the game set to launch in late 2025, we've been keeping an eye on all of the trailers and promotional material for the game to round up every single Pokémon coming to...
News Pokémon Legends: Z-A Trailer Confirms Starters And Mega Evolutions, Coming Late 2025
Illuminating
Pokémon Legends: Z-A made a not-unexpected appearance during today's Pokémon Presents, and while it stopped short of getting a solid release date, it has been confirmed for a late 2025 release date — likely in time for the holidays. In the new footage, we got a look at many of the Pokémon you'll be running into, a detailed look at...
Watch Pokémon Presents February 2025 - Live!
Will it be super effective?
Hello there! Welcome to the world of Pokémon Presents! My name is Oak. What up. Anyway, we've got a new Pokémon Presents to watch. Kicking off at 6am PT / 9am ET / 2pm GMT / 3pm CET / 12am AET (Friday), online sleuths have seemingly discovered that the showcase will last roughly 19 minutes. That means it's...
Wednesday19th Feb 2025
Talking Point Should We Actually Get Excited For Pokémon Day This Year?
Is it all Sleep Talk?
Next week, on 27th February 2025, Pokémon will be celebrating its 29th birthday. And you know what that means? It's time for some Pokémon Presents. After a relatively 'muted' 2024, there's a lot on people's minds. Inverted commas there because, come on, if muted means releasing a brand new mobile game which has taken the...
Tuesday31st Dec 2024
Feature A Trip To Machida, The Real-Life 'Pallet Town' That Inspired Pokémon
Pokén around
The first generation of Pokémon games features some of the most iconic locations in the entire franchise. The eerie Lavender Town, the winding Viridian Forest, and the quaint Pallet Town where all players start their journey. Pallet Town isn’t just a fanciful creation, but draws real-life inspiration from Pokémon creator Satoshi...
Monday18th Nov 2024
News Shiny Rayquaza Is Coming To Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
Alongside a whole slate of events
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet is celebrating its two-year anniversary with a bumper list of in-game events, all of which culminate in the arrival of shiny Rayquaza, which you'll be able to get for a limited time via Tera Raid Battles. The black-coloured Rayquaza will be available in Scarlet & Violet from 20th...
Saturday16th Nov 2024
News Pokémon's Major Game Freak Leak Is Apparently Over (For Now)
But the leakers intend to share more "at a later date"
Last month, Pokémon developer Game Freak confirmed a third-party gained unauthorised access to a company server earlier this year - leaking personal information and reportedly all sorts of details about past and present projects. Now that the damage has been done, the leakers have shared an...
Tuesday22nd Oct 2024
Feature What Pokémon Could Learn From Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom
Ekans of Wisdom
In my first few hours playing Echoes of Wisdom, every new enemy I stumbled across gave me a familiar thrill: Ooh, I haven’t seen that one yet! I can’t wait to have its power! I’d flick through my Echoes, discerning the best one to fight the newbie. A Spark defeated a Hydrozol, a team of Ignizols set a Mothula on fire. And when...
Tuesday15th Oct 2024
Talking Point Just How Damaging Is This Big Pokémon Leak?
Typhlosion of interest
As the dust settles and details emerge following the latest round of internal video game company material finding its way onto the World Wide Web, it's a stark reminder that those monolithic companies we follow are made up of regular, ordinary people. Talented, yes — and erm, imaginative, to say the least — but still just...
Sunday13th Oct 2024
News Pokémon Developer Game Freak Reportedly Hacked, Massive Amounts Of Data Allegedly Leaked
Update: Game Freak releases official statement
Updated [Sun 13th Oct, 2024 15:55 BST]: Game Freak has acknowledged the leak in an official statement. A third-party apparently gained unauthorised access to a company server earlier this year - accessing personal information including names and email addresses of current and former employees. Source...
Rumour Switch 2's Codename Believed To Be In Latest Pokémon Data Leak
From 'NX' to... [redacted]
There's been a massive Pokémon leak and it seems details related to the Switch "successor" have been uncovered. According to the latest reports and findings circulating online, here's what Nintendo's 'Switch 2' is internally known as (via Nintendo Everything): "The new [Pokémon] gen is apparently being developed for...
Monday2nd Sep 2024
Soapbox The Next Pokémon Game Should Rework Old Critters, Not Just Add Dozens More
Gotta not forget 'em all
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Lowell considers how future Pokémon games could do justice to old Pocket Monsters who got lumped in with the also-rans... We’re still a little far out from Pokémon...
Wednesday31st Jul 2024
News Pokemon Developer Game Freak Seeking New Talent For Future Projects
Pokémon Legends: Z-A is due out in 2025
The famous Pokémon developer Game Freak is gearing up for a new era with titles like Pokémon Legends: Z-A, and with this in mind, it appears to be on a recruitment drive. As highlighted by DenFamiNico Gamer (thanks, Siliconera), the developer is holding a new recruitment campaign on 30th August 2024. Some...
Tuesday16th Jul 2024
News Alternative Titles For Pokémon Ruby And Sapphire Reportedly Discovered
No, not Pokémon: Too Much Water
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire launched over two decades ago on the Game Boy Advance, but according to a couple of Pokémon fans, the third-gen titles may have been called something completely different during development. As highlighted by farore.gba and wobb on social media (thanks, VGC), after looking through data...
Monday8th Jul 2024
News Pokémon Scarlet And Violet Kick Off Four Seasonal Events This Week
Tera raids and mass outbreaks galore
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are hosting four new seasonal events starting this week, including Tera Raids and Mass Outbreaks. The first kicks off this week on 11th July 2024 and is headlined by a black crystal Tera Raid featuring Pikachu with the Mightiest Mark. This is then supplemented by a 'Pikachu and...
Sunday24th Mar 2024
Guide Best Pokémon Spin-Off Games Of All Time
Ranked by you
If there's any franchise that's no stranger to a spin-off or two, it's Pokémon. The inherent appeal of the little Pocket Monsters makes the series ripe for all kinds of genres and video games. Name a genre, and Pokémon has most likely done it. But, dear readers, what's the very best Pokémon spin-off? That's where you come in. We...
Thursday22nd Feb 2024
Talking Point Pokémon Presents Predictions - What Are You Expecting?
'mon Dieu
Following hot on the heels of the February 2024 Nintendo Direct, the inevitable announcement of a Pokémon Presents broadcast to coincide with Pokémon Day on 27th February came along. It's traditional to have a broadcast on this date — the anniversary of the first Pokémon games' Japanese debut way back in 1996 — and it's been a busy...
Wednesday21st Feb 2024
News Pokémon Developer's Brilliant 'Pocket Card Jockey' Bolts To Switch Today
Ride on time
Following on from its non-Nintendo debut on Apple Arcade in January 2023, the sublime horse-racing-solitaire game for 3DS, Pocket Card Jockey, has finally made the jump to Nintendo Switch as Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On! Developed by Game Freak of Pokémon fame, this curious mash-up of puzzling with breeding and racing horses was one of...
Tuesday20th Feb 2024
News Pokémon Presents Announced For 27th February 2024
And another one
The next Pokémon Presents showcase has been announced by The Pokémon Company for the end of the month, on Pokémon Day no less. On Tuesday 27th February at 6am PT / 9am EST / 2pm GMT / 3pm CET / 12am AEST (Wednesday), we'll be getting a presentation on the latest Pokémon news over on the official Pokémon YouTube channel. It's...
Monday22nd Jan 2024
Soapbox Game Freak Could Actually Learn A Thing Or Two From Palworld
No, Pikachu doesn’t need an assault rifle
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Lowell locks and loads up the Pokémon-inspired game that's been the talk of the town since it launched on Steam and Xbox Game Pass last week... You...
Friday12th Jan 2024
News Pokémon Developer Game Freak Trademarks 'PAND LAND'
What could it be for?
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet might not be the only project Game Freak has been busy with in recent times. As highlighted by Gematsu, the Japanese developer recently filed logo trademarks for "PAND LAND". Two variations of the logo have been trademarked. According to the source, "PAND LAND" was originally trademarked late last...
Friday22nd Dec 2023
PSA Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Celebrate Holidays With Delibird-Themed Events
Outbreaks, Tera Raids - it's a holiday special!
The holidays are very close right now, but there's no need to wait for Delibird to come down the chimney and deliver your presents — you can go catch them right now in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. There are actually two different Delibird-esque events going on right now in Paldea. First up, let's...
Thursday21st Dec 2023
Soapbox Kieran’s Hatred Of You In Pokémon Scarlet & Violet's DLC Almost Makes It Good
Fumbled PokéBalls
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Lowell laments the Scarvi DLC, but finds a diamond in its rough. The following article contains story spoilers for The Teal Mask and The Indigo Disk... Pokémon stories suck...
Thursday7th Dec 2023
Guide Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: All Returning Pokémon, Including DLC
The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero will add another 230
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are the newest Pokémon games on the block, and the first new mainline entry in the series since Pokémon Sword and Shield came out in November 2019. Both Scarlet and Violet are out now, and players all over the world are discovering a brand new generation 9 Pokédex...
News Pokémon Scarlet & Violet - The Indigo Disk Final Trailer Reveals Return Of Old Legendaries
The DLC is out next week
The Pokémon Company has shared the final trailer for The Indigo Disk, part 2 of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet's Expansion Pass, The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero, which is out on 14th December. The trailer is jam-packed full of new details, such as returning Gym Leader fights, a new look for a certain character from The...
Wednesday29th Nov 2023
Guide Pokémon Nintendo Switch Games
Every Pokémon game for Nintendo Switch
The Pokémon franchise began way back in 1996 on Nintendo's Game Boy and sparked a catch 'em all craze that soon engulfed the entire planet. These days the Pocket Monster-collecting-and-battling series series is as strong as ever, with mobile sensation Pokémon GO still attracting a huge number of players,...
Saturday18th Nov 2023
Soapbox 20 Years On, It's About Time These Pokémon Games Got Switch Remasters
Gotta snag em’ all
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, ahead of its 20th anniversary on 21st November, Nathanial looks back on a Pokémon region that's been pretty much ignored for two decades... A common mislabelling seen online...
Monday13th Nov 2023
Random Pokémon Gold & Silver's Male Protagonist Was Apparently A Ninja In The DS Remakes
Hyaaah!
Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver are widely considered to be one of the greatest entries in the long-running franchise, but did you know that the games' male protagonist was actually altered to look more like a ninja for the DS remakes? That's according to a magazine translation discovered as part of DidYouKnowGaming's comprehensive dive...
Thursday2nd Nov 2023
News Pokémon Scarlet & Violet DLC The Indigo Disk Gets December Release Date
A blue winter
In a bit of a low-key announcement, The Pokémon Company has announced that part two of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet's The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero, The Indigo Disk, is launching on 14th December — just in time for the Holiday season, then!' The story of The Indigo Disk will take place at The Blueberry Academy, where you'll...
Sunday29th Oct 2023
Soapbox Lavender Town Isn’t Pokémon’s Scariest Location, It’s Someplace Far More Sinister
Trainers beware, you’re in for a scare
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Ethan chateaus himself in the creepiest place in the Pokémon world... Ah, Lavender Town — the place where the journeys of old Pokémon end and the...
Thursday12th Oct 2023
Soapbox Pokémon X & Y - The Series' Greatest Paradoxes
You can’t be groundbreaking without leaving a few cracks
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Andy looks back at a pivotal juncture in the Pocket Monster series which hinted at the path it would take over the following decade...
Thursday7th Sep 2023
News New Limited-Time Pokémon Scarlet And Violet Distribution Is Now Available
Celebrate Paldean Winds Ep 1 with a free Cetitan
In case you missed it, the first episode of the new Pokémon web series Paldean Winds is now officially live. As part of this, The Pokémon Company is giving away a free Cetitan in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. As highlighted by Serebii.net, the code you'll need for this one is L1KEAFLUTE, and you...
Wednesday6th Sep 2023
News Pokémon: Paldean Winds Episode One Is Available Now On YouTube
Deep breath...
The first episode of the Pokémon web series Paldean Winds is available to watch now on The Official Pokémon YouTube channel. The new miniseries was announced during the August 2023 Pokémon Presents and has been produced by Studio WIT, the same talent behind last year's Pokémon: Hisuian Snow. Set in the Paldea region — the home...
Tuesday22nd Aug 2023
News Pokémon Scarlet & Violet DLC Brews Up Brand New Pokémon Poltchageist
A matcha made in heaven?
Update: The official page for Poltchageist has now been uploaded onto the Pokémon Scarlet & Violet website. New details reveal that the matcha Pokémon can come with a brand new ability, Hospitality. This ability is really helpful for double battles as if Poltchageist is brought out during the fight, it will heal a...
Wednesday9th Aug 2023
Poll What Do You Think Of Raging Bolt In Pokémon Scarlet & Violet?
Paradox Raikou has fans debating
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet's Paradox Pokémon are an undoubted highlight of Gen 9. Depending on what version of the game you're playing, you'll be able to encounter Ancient or Future Pokémon — Pokémon that look like ones you've encountered in previous games, but are either distant past or future versions of...
News Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Builds Up To Mewtwo With Next Tera Raid Event
A trio of Pokémon to help against #150
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet's next big 7-Star Tera Raid Event isn't happening for a few more weeks just yet, but in anticipation of Mewtwo's arrival, we've got a different set of Pokémon to tackle thanks to the Terastal phenomenon in Paldea (thanks, Serebii.). From today until 17th August — and then...
Tuesday8th Aug 2023
Guide Pokémon Presents August 2023: Every Announcement, Full Livestream
Scarvi DLC date! NSO drops! Detective Pikachu drinks more coffee!
The Pokémon Presents August 2023 showcase has come and gone, bringing with it 35 minutes of updates on the world of Pokémon and announcements for new and upcoming PokéProjects, including fresh details on the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet DLC, The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero. It...
News Brand New Pokémon Dipplin Is The Best Thing About Scarlet & Violet's DLC
Three other newcomers also revealed
Everyone's favourite apple dragon has got a brand new evolution thanks to Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. Revealed during today's Pokémon Presents August 2023 showcase, Dipplin is a new evolution for Applin that looks a bit like a candy apple — it's adorable, it's perfect, it was the best thing we saw during the...
News Mewtwo Will Star In The Next Pokémon Scarlet & Violet 7-Star Tera Raid Battle Event
Imagine me and Mew, I do
Update [Tue 8th Aug, 2023 15:00 BST]: Well, Trainers, after being rumoured yesterday, today's Pokémon Presents showcase revealed that the Mewtwo Tera Raid Battle is indeed a thing and it will be coming to Pokémon Scarlet and Violet next month from 1st - 17th September. The legendary Pokémon appearing during this special...
News Pokémon Scarlet & Violet DLC The Teal Mask Launches This September
Part one of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero
The first part of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet's DLC finally has a release date. The Teal Mask, which is just one half of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero, will be launching on 13th September 2023. Set in the land of Kitakami beyond the borders of Paldea, you're on a school trip along with your partner...
News Pokémon Stadium 2 And Pokémon Trading Card Game Available On NSO Today
Game Boy Color and N64 favourites
Two new Pokémon games are coming to Nintendo Switch Online later today. Announced during the Pokémon Presents August 2023 presentation, Pokémon Trading Card Game is coming to Game Boy on NSO, while Pokémon Stadium 2 will be dropping on N64 via the NSO + Expansion Pack. Both of these games have been previously...
Monday7th Aug 2023
Soapbox Pokémon Scarlet & Violet DLC Is A Chance To Win Back Disenchanted Fans
Mask off
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Ahead of tomorrow's Pokémon Presents, Alana is hoping that The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero is a real treasure for Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. Pokémon Scarlet & Violet’s DLC, The...
Friday4th Aug 2023
News Pokémon Presents Announced For 8th August 2023
Time for some Hidden Treasure?
The next Pokémon Presents showcase has been announced by The Pokémon Company, and it's coming early next week. On Tuesday 8th August at 9am EST / 2pm BST / 11pm AEST, we'll be getting a 35-minute presentation on the latest Pokémon news over on the official Pokémon YouTube channel. What exactly that news will be,...
Tuesday25th Jul 2023
Feature How Summer Holidays And Childhood Nostalgia Revolutionised Pokémon
20 years of Ruby & Sapphire
In 2003, Pokémon was at a bit of a crossroads. The first two sets of entries in its canon — Game Boy debuts Red and Blue, followed by sequels Gold and Silver — had cemented the series as one of the biggest of all time in gaming, defining millennial pop culture. With the arrival of Nintendo’s new handheld, the Game...
