Summary
Just like so many other people, you might be the kind of person who absolutely loves thePokemongames and has a nostalgic soft spot for theNintendo DS. If you are, then you’re fortunate, thanks to the sheer amount of games you had available. The amount of Pokemon games on the DS stretches into the double digits, and many of them are beloved by fans.
You have access to plenty of classic Pokemon games on the system, but that’s not all you get. There are also a wide range of spin-off games for you to give a try, thanks to both the Mystery Dungeon and the Ranger series taking off.
Updated on July 31, 2025, by Kyle Chamaillard:We’ve decided to update this list to include every Pokemon game available on the Nintendo DS, including mainline entries and spin-offs.
Pokemon spin-offs have covered almost every genre imaginable, from pinball toapps that record your sleep data. Pokemon Dash was the first game in the series to appear on the DS and pits some of your favorite creatures against each other in races. It’s a neat idea, but the concept barely makes it over the finish line.
First, the only playable Pokemon in the game is Pikachu. There are so many fascinating Pokemon that could control differently and use their attacks to slow down the competition, but you’re stuck playing as the iconic yellow mouse. Pokemon Dash also relies on the touchscreen to control your character, which quickly loses its appeal after the screen misreads an input and you start running in the wrong direction.
12Learn With Pokemon: Typing Adventure
Edutainment games are still a great way to get young audiences into the world of gaming, though they don’t seem to be as common as they used to be. Even popular IPs like Pokemon struggle to break into this market, though attempts were made with titles like Learn with Pokemon: Typing Adventure.
Only ever available in Japan, Europe, and Australia, this DS game was actually bundled with a wireless keyboard peripheral that was almost twice the size of the console you were playing the game on. Your goal is to catch Pokemon by typing out their name as quickly as possible to help your typing abilities. It’s a decent idea that could teach even older trainers how to spell certain names, like Girafarig and Gyarados, but that’s the most appealing aspect of the game.
If you enjoy puzzle games like Pokemon Puzzle Challenge or Pokemon Shuffle, it might be worth your time to seek out a copy of Pokemon Trozei for the DS. With a gorgeous aesthetic and satisfying gameplay loop, it’s still a blast to play through all of these years later.
Similar to Tetris, Pokemon Trozei requires you to drop blocks to create matches and clear the board. You initially need to match four to start earning points, then you may match three for bonus points for a short burst of time. There is more strategy involved than you initially might think, and a full-fledged campaign allows you to play through a new story set in the world of Pokemon.
Almost everyone who owned a Nintendo DS practically had to get one of these Pokemon games at some point. With the classicsDiamond and Pearl, or the upgraded Pokemon Platinum, you had plenty of opportunities to explore the Sinnoh region.
The fourth generation of Pokemon may have led to a few types feeling a bit ignored (namely fire and electricity), but it provided you with a massive story to experience. The lore of the world felt even deeper than ever before, thanks to the god-like Pokemon found within.
The Fourth Generation changed the battle system immensely, with the physical/special split as well, laying the groundwork of modern Pokemon mechanics.
While not every Pokemon spin-off is an instant hit, a lot of peopleremember the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon series fondly. This is because you controlled the Pokemon directly instead of a trainer, going on missions as they grow stronger and make more friends. The heartfelt story found in these games is what tons of fans were drawn to.
Rather than the standard turn-based combat of the core series, this game sees you crawling through various dungeons and battling whatever Pokemon you come across as you have been turned into a Pokemon of your choosing. It’s a major departure from the core series but a delightful change of pace.
Red Rescue Team is only available on the GameBoy Advance, while Blue Rescue Team is available on the Nintendo DS.
The Pokemon Rangerline of spin-off gamesmight feel familiar to the core series with it’s focus on “captures”, though many of the game’s mechanics are unique. Rather than being the very best like no one ever was and catching ‘em all, you’ll be taming wild Pokemon to help you out.
The story unfolds through you taking on a series of missions as an official Pokemon Ranger. You’ll be handling tasks that have you helping those in need and the local Pokemon population. While the original entry is rather simple compared to its successors, it’s still fun to revisit.
If you love the idea of the Pokemon series branching out and trying new things, you’re going to love how bizarre Pokemon Conquest is for the series. It is a top-down turn-based strategy game that can be compared to other titles like theFire Emblemseries or evenFinal Fantasy Tactics.
That comparison should give you an idea of exactly how this strange but refreshing game functions. With a whole host of story content to experience and an immensely unique setting, the game is incredibly fresh even today.
The fifth generation of Pokemon kicked off in a big way with the release of Pokemon Black and White back in 2010. While the Fifth Generation was initially criticised harshly, especially for the Pokemon designs, people came around after a few years. Playing like any other game from the main series, the Black and White games uniquely offer one of the grandest narratives of the entire series.
Initially, your focus will be solely on becoming a Pokemon master, though you will be sidetracked in a hurry when you begin running into Team Plasma. This game also features the mysterious and enigmatic N, a character you’ll be seeing again in the sequels.
Playing similar to the other games in the series, Pokemon Ranger: Shadows Of Almia once again asks you to take on the role of a Pokemon Ranger. Rather than being yet another Pokemon RPG, the game is much more adventurous and action-focused.
You’re forced to deal with the villainous Team Dim Sum throughout this game as you complete various missions. You’ll face plenty of tough challenges on your journey across Almia, and that includes the fearsome Darkrai. While similar to the first game, this entry has a lot more to dig into and enjoy, especially for a younger audience.
Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs
Yet another action-adventure spin-off game for the Pokemon series, Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs continues the trends of the previous two games. Playing nearly identical to the others, you are a Pokemon Ranger tasked with maintaining peace and eventually saving the region.
You once again use the Capture Styler in order to tame various Pokemon, though, by the third game in the series, some people were hoping for a bit more from this entry. Regardless, the story is still a blast to play through, and those who love the spin-off series gameplay will be right at home.
