Top 10 Pokémon Games That Deserve a Remake in 2026

The Pokemon series has treated fans to several remakes over the years. FireRed and LeafGreen revived the Kanto region. HeartGold and SoulSilver became the gold standard. Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire brought Hoenn into the modern era. Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl gave Sinnoh a faithful, if somewhat dated, return.

But many incredible Pokemon games remain trapped on obsolete hardware. Some of these titles introduced mechanics never seen again. Others told stories that still resonate with fans decades later. A select few combined innovative gameplay with the Pokemon formula in ways that deserve to be experienced by new generations.

Our team grew up with these games. We spent hundreds of hours with Pokemon Colosseum’s dark storyline. We caught our first legendary in Pokemon Crystal. We shouted at Pikachu through that finicky N64 microphone. These experiences shaped what we expect from Pokemon games today.

This list covers the 10 best Pokemon games that deserve a remake. We focused on titles that offer unique experiences unavailable on modern platforms. Each entry includes what made the original special and what a modern version could improve.

The 10 Pokemon Games That Deserve a Remake in 2026

1. Pokemon Colosseum

Pokemon Colosseum launched on the Nintendo GameCube in 2003. It shattered expectations for what a console Pokemon game could deliver. Instead of the traditional gym badge journey, players explored the desolate Orre region as Wes, a former member of a criminal organization.

The game introduced Shadow Pokemon, creatures whose hearts had been closed through cruel experiments. These Pokemon couldn’t gain experience until they were purified. The storyline dealt with themes of redemption and corruption rarely seen in the main series.

What made Colosseum revolutionary was the full 3D presentation. Pokemon battles played out on a grand stage with animated attacks and dynamic camera angles. Double battles were the default format, adding strategic depth that the handheld games wouldn’t adopt for years.

A modern remake could bring the Orre region to life with HD graphics on Nintendo Switch or Switch 2. The Shadow Pokemon mechanic could integrate with modern features like Mega Evolution or Terastallization. Online multiplayer would transform the Vs. Mode into something truly special.

2. Pokemon Black and White

Released in 2010 for the Nintendo DS, Pokemon Black and White represented a creative peak for the main series. Game Freak made the bold decision to feature only new Pokemon until the postgame. This forced players to engage with fresh designs rather than relying on familiar favorites.

The story tackled complex themes about the relationship between humans and Pokemon. Team Plasma questioned whether capturing Pokemon was ethical. The legendary dragons Reshiram and Zekrom embodied different philosophies about truth versus ideals. The narrative had genuine depth that elevated it above typical Pokemon storytelling.

Technically, Black and White pushed the DS hardware to its limits. The games featured animated Pokemon sprites and dynamic camera work during battles. The Unova region was based on New York City, creating an urban atmosphere distinct from previous settings.

Despite their critical acclaim, Black and White have never received proper remakes. Following the typical 10-15 year remake cycle, these games are overdue for modern treatment. A remake could bring the full Unova Pokedex into HD with modern quality-of-life improvements like the exp. share toggle and nature mints.

3. Pokemon Stadium 2

Pokemon Stadium 2 arrived on Nintendo 64 in 2001 as the ultimate companion to the Game Boy Color games. It transformed pixelated handheld battles into fully 3D spectacles with dramatic animations and camera work. For many players, this was their first experience seeing Pokemon fully realized in three dimensions.

The Gym Leader Castle mode let players challenge all Johto and Kanto gym leaders and Elite Four members with their own teams. Each leader had custom strategies and held items, creating genuine challenges that required thoughtful preparation. The final battle against Champion Lance felt appropriately epic.

The mini-games deserve special mention. Nine different activities let players compete using their Pokemon in creative ways. Eevee’s shuffle-board, Lickitung’s sushi-eating contest, and Delibird’s present delivery provided hours of multiplayer entertainment. These games were perfect for parties and family gatherings.

The biggest barrier to enjoying Stadium 2 today is the Transfer Pak requirement. This N64 accessory allowed the game to read Pokemon data from Game Boy cartridges. Finding working Transfer Paks and compatible hardware in 2026 is increasingly difficult and expensive.

A Switch or Switch 2 remake could preserve all the mini-games while adding online multiplayer support. Pokemon Home integration would let players use their modern collections. The classic animations could be updated while maintaining the nostalgic feel that made Stadium special.

4. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky

The Pokemon Mystery Dungeon series took a radical approach by turning players into Pokemon themselves. Explorers of Sky, released in 2009 for the Nintendo DS, is widely considered to have the best storyline in any Pokemon game. Period.

Players awaken as a Pokemon with no memory of their human life. They form an exploration team with a partner Pokemon and gradually uncover a plot involving time travel, a collapsing world, and a desperate quest to change fate. The characters Grovyle and Celebi deliver an emotional narrative that rivals anything in the main series.

The dungeon-crawling gameplay involves procedurally generated floors filled with enemies and items. Each dungeon run offers different challenges based on the Pokemon you recruit and items you find. The job system provides endless variety with rescue missions, item deliveries, and outlaw hunts.

Explorers of Sky was an enhanced version that combined the Time and Darkness versions while adding new content. Special episodes let players experience side stories starring supporting characters. The Special Band item added new musical tracks to enhance the atmosphere.

A modern remake on Switch could preserve the touching story while adding quality-of-life improvements. Auto-mode for movement, faster text speed options, and the ability to recruit legendary Pokemon more easily would address common complaints. The touch screen controls would work perfectly on the Switch’s handheld mode.

5. Pokemon Crystal

Pokemon Crystal arrived on Game Boy Color in 2001 as the enhanced third version of Gold and Silver. It introduced several features that became series staples. The animated Pokemon sprites during battles brought creatures to life in a way static sprites couldn’t match.

For the first time in the main series, players could choose a female protagonist. This seemingly simple addition meant a lot to many players who finally saw themselves represented in the Pokemon world. Kris offered a different perspective on the Johto journey without changing the core experience.

The Battle Tower introduced legitimate postgame challenge. Players faced consecutive battles against increasingly difficult trainers with level restrictions. This tested team-building skills and strategy rather than simply grinding levels. It laid the groundwork for the Battle Frontier that would become essential in later generations.

Crystal also refined the story around the legendary beasts. Suicune became a central figure with dedicated cutscenes and a climactic battle atop Tin Tower. The legendary dog storyline felt complete rather than the scattered hunting of Gold and Silver.

Despite HeartGold and SoulSilver remaking the Johto region, Crystal itself has never received dedicated treatment. The female protagonist option was notably absent from those remakes. A Let’s Go-style remake of Crystal could preserve these unique elements while adding modern conveniences.

6. Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness

Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness served as the sequel to Colosseum on the Nintendo GameCube in 2005. The “XD” stood for “Extra Darkness,” and the game delivered on that promise with an even more mature storyline involving Shadow Pokemon and the sinister organization Cipher.

The game introduced 83 new Shadow Pokemon to purify, significantly expanding the roster from Colosseum’s 48. Players could also catch wild Pokemon in certain locations, addressing a common complaint about the limited selection in the original. The purification process became more manageable with new features like the Purify Chamber.

Shadow Lugia stands as one of the most striking Pokemon designs in franchise history. The corrupted legendary’s inverted color scheme and aura of menace made it instantly iconic. The story surrounding its creation and the battle to save it provided genuine stakes.

Protagonist Michael felt more developed than the silent Wes from Colosseum. His relationships with family members and allies gave the narrative personal investment. The Pokemon HQ Lab setting created a base of operations that felt like home.

A modern remake could bundle both Colosseum and XD together as a complete Orre region collection. Updated graphics would make Shadow Lugia even more imposing. The purification mechanics could integrate with Pokemon Home to let players keep their purified Pokemon across games.

7. Pokemon Conquest

Pokemon Conquest represented one of the most unexpected collaborations in gaming history. Released for the Nintendo DS in 2012, it combined Pokemon with Nobunaga’s Ambition, Koei Tecmo’s long-running strategy series about feudal Japan’s unification.

The game takes place in the Ransei region, where warriors form mystical bonds with Pokemon and battle for territorial control. Gameplay involves tactical movement on grids, capturing enemy kingdoms, and recruiting warriors to your cause. Each warrior has a specific Pokemon they link with best, adding RPG progression to the strategy formula.

What makes Conquest special is how seamlessly it integrates Pokemon into strategy gameplay. Type matchups matter on the battlefield. Different Pokemon have unique movement ranges and attack patterns. Evolving your warrior’s partner Pokemon requires building the relationship through battles.

The historical Japanese aesthetic creates a visual style distinct from main series Pokemon games. Warrior designs are based on historical figures, and kingdom architecture reflects feudal castles and temples. The story about unifying the 17 kingdoms of Ransei provides clear motivation.

Despite critical acclaim, Conquest never received a sequel or remake. The strategy RPG audience on Switch would welcome this unique experience. Touch screen controls would work perfectly for the grid-based movement. Additional story campaigns could extend the already substantial postgame content.

8. Pokemon Ranger

Pokemon Ranger launched on the Nintendo DS in 2006 and offered a completely different approach to interacting with Pokemon. Instead of catching creatures in balls, players used a capture stylus to draw circles around them on the touch screen. The faster and more precisely you circled, the better your capture.

The story follows a rookie Ranger in the Fiore region who uncovers a plot involving the Go-Rock Squad and the legendary Pokemon Groudon and Kyogre. Rangers don’t keep Pokemon permanently; they temporarily befriend them to complete missions and help people. This creates a different relationship with the creatures compared to traditional games.

The series expanded with Shadows of Almia and Guardian Signs, forming a trilogy with connected lore. Each game refined the capture mechanics and introduced new partner Pokemon with special field abilities. Guardian Signs even allowed limited multiplayer co-op missions.

The stylus-based gameplay was perfect for the DS hardware. Drawing circles around aggressive Pokemon while avoiding their attacks created genuine tension. Different species required different strategies – some moved predictably while others teleported or attacked erratically.

A Switch remake could adapt the capture mechanics to work with both touch screen and controller options. The Ranger series’ stories about protecting nature and helping communities deserve to be experienced by modern audiences. The trilogy format offers substantial content for a collection release.

9. Hey You, Pikachu!

Hey You, Pikachu! released for the Nintendo 64 in 2000 was genuinely ahead of its time. The game included the Voice Recognition Unit, a specialized microphone that allowed players to actually talk to Pikachu using voice commands. For many children, this felt like magic.

The game simulates having Pikachu as a pet. Players wake up Pikachu, feed it, play mini-games together, and go on adventures in the Pikachu-friendly woods. The voice commands work remarkably well for a 26-year-old game – Pikachu responds to over 200 different words and phrases.

The Ochre Woods setting provides a safe, cheerful environment for activities. Players can fish together, collect items, and meet other wild Pokemon. The Pinwheel minigame tests voice recognition precision as players try to blow virtual pinwheels using their breath.

The hardware requirement makes this game nearly impossible to experience today. The VRU is rare and expensive on the secondary market. Modern emulation cannot replicate the microphone functionality accurately.

A Switch 2 remake could use the console’s microphone or connected smartphone for voice recognition. Modern voice processing would make Pikachu even more responsive. The core appeal of talking directly to Pokemon remains unique and appealing. Parents and children could enjoy this cooperative experience together.

10. Pokemon Pinball: Ruby and Sapphire

Pokemon Pinball: Ruby and Sapphire arrived on the Game Boy Advance in 2003 and perfected the concept of Pokemon-themed pinball. The original Pokemon Pinball was charming but limited. This sequel expanded the concept into a complete pinball experience worthy of dedicated play.

Two tables based on the Ruby and Sapphire versions offer distinct experiences. The Ruby table features Groudon in a volcanic setting while the Sapphire table centers on Kyogre’s aquatic theme. Each table has unique field layouts, mini-games, and bonus stages.

The core hook involves catching and evolving Pokemon through pinball mechanics. Hting certain targets activates catch mode, where the ball must hit the moving Pokemon three times. Evolution mode works similarly, requiring specific target sequences to evolve your caught Pokemon. The Pokedex fills up as you succeed.

The Game Boy Advance’s cartridge included a rumble feature that vibrated during gameplay. This provided tactile feedback when the ball hit bumpers or activated special events. The sensation enhanced the pinball experience significantly.

A modern remake on Switch could include both original tables plus new ones based on later generations. The Joy-Con HD Rumble would recreate and improve the original’s tactile feedback. Online leaderboards would add competitive motivation. The core pinball mechanics are timeless and would appeal to both Pokemon fans and pinball enthusiasts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Pokemon Remake Will Come Next?

Looking at this list, certain patterns emerge for predicting Nintendo’s next move. Pokemon Black and White remakes seem inevitable based on the established timeline. The Switch 2 launch window in 2026 or beyond provides perfect timing for bringing the Unova region to modern hardware.

The spinoff games present more interesting possibilities. Pokemon Colosseum and XD represent untapped potential that could differentiate a Pokemon release year without a main series entry. A combined collection would offer substantial content worth full retail price.

Our team believes that preserving these games matters beyond nostalgia. Each title on this list introduced someone to Pokemon in a unique way. The Shadow Pokemon storyline showed that Pokemon narratives could tackle darker themes. Mystery Dungeon proved the franchise could support genre experiments. Conquest demonstrated the versatility of the monster-catching concept.

Modern platforms have the power to realize these visions fully. Hardware limitations that constrained the original developers no longer apply. Online functionality could extend the life of mini-games and multiplayer modes indefinitely. Pokemon Home integration would let players carry their progress forward.

What Pokemon game do you believe deserves a remake most? The community consensus around Black and White is strong, but dedicated fanbases exist for every title on this list. Share your thoughts and keep hoping for announcements at the next Pokemon Presents.