Do you want to begin your Pokémon journey with the hardest Pokémon game series there is? Well, in that case, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll be sharing a top 6 list of the hardest Pokémon games in the market as of now.
Pokémon games, usually, don’t have the reputation for their difficulty. Designed as a fun and classic means of entertainment, the Nintendo-run games from the popular media franchise, Pokémon, aims for casual playing without the need for any hardcore gaming efforts.
However, contrary to popular belief that these games are rather easy to play, there are moments in the game when you’ll feel stuck in a battle such as Platinum’s infamous Cynthia battle, and the final boss fight in the Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver versions.
Oftentimes, developers tweak the AI and certain other aspects of the game that make it feel impossible to pass a certain level. Read along with the article as we disclose the hardest Pokémon game that you need to try if you’re up for the challenge.
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Hardest Pokémon Game | Top 6 Picks
These games give a sudden shift of what used to feel like a breeze now seems like a tough task to accomplish. Without further ado, here is a ‘strictly personal’ ranking of the 6 hardest Pokémon games.
1. Pokémon Platinum
Starting off the list with the 2008 RPG version of the game, Pokémon Platinum. The game, developed by Game Freak, performed quite well in the market with a score of about 83.14% on the review platform of GameRankings.
Along with featuring a new Battle Frontier and a more balanced Pokedex to stronger Gym Leaders and a much stronger Elite 4, Pokémon Platinum follows the story arc leading up to the ultimate showdown with Cynthia, the most powerful and difficult champion in Pokémon.
Though it’s not impossible to beat Cynthia, you need to watch out for her Garchomp and its Stab Dragon move that will definitely kill you. Garchomp even has a Sitrus Berry that restores its health back making the game out-and-out the hardest Pokémon Game.
2. Pokémon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Making its way as the hardest Pokémon game on the list, we have the returning version of the first Alola game with the Pokémon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Received as ‘full of smart improvements’ by IGN, the 2017 RPG is indeed the enhanced version of the Pokémon Sun & Moon.
With a higher degree of challenge than the original Alola games, you’ll encounter Totem Pokémons with their later-than-usual level evolutions that may make the video game seem a bit more unfair than challenging.
Apart from that, the legendary Ultra Necrozma form that boasts off-the-chart offensive powers and the perfect IV and EV score Pokémon of Rainbow Rocket Leaders in the bonus post-game content will definitely be some of the hardest AI opponents that you’ll come across in any Pokémon game.
3. Pokémon Black and White 2
Next up, we have got the sequel versions to the Pokémon Black and White video games respectively. Having been released in 2012 for the Nintendo DS, the Pokémon Black and White 2 video games came out with two new forms of the Kyurem Pokémon, a black Kyurem for the Black 2 and a white one for the White 2 version.
Even though this version of the game limits gym battles to just 3 Pokémons, instead of a full team of 6, it doesn’t really matter since you’ll be faced with some of the toughest challenges in the game. The leader of Team Plasma, Ghetsis, turns out to be the biggest challenge in the playthrough on behalf of his legendary dragon Pokémon, Kyurem.
What makes the version the hardest Pokémon game is the fact that you can opt for the hard settings of the game in order to make it more difficult. Displayed as the Challenge Mode, both of these Unova sequels bring greater sets of challenges with the expanded Pokédex, including new Pokémons and higher AI of opponents.
4. Pokémon Colosseum
The Pokémon Colosseum might just be the coolest and hardest Pokémon game ever. Branded as a traditional RPG and developed by Genius Sonority, the video game was released worldwide in 2004. Instead of random encounters with Pokémon, the game features something called ‘Snag’ with which you can steal other trainers’ Pokémon.
Featuring a 2 vs 2 Pokémon fight, every battle the game is a double battle. With a severely limited Pokédex pool, you’ll be left with some of the weakest stat Gen 2 Pokémons. Add this to the ridiculously long double battles, and you’ll feel stuck in time prison.
Furthermore, as the Pokémons start out as their shadow selves, they’ll need to be purified as well. Believe me, you don’t want a wild Pokémon completely ignoring your commands or even attacking you and your teammates while in a fight against your opponent. The game itself is not hard to beat but all this grinding certainly makes Colosseum difficult to play.
5. Pokémon Emerald
Coming in at number five, we’ve Pokémon Emerald, an enhanced version of the original Hoenn games – Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. Developed by Game Freak, the Emerald version was released internationally in 2005 as the final 3rd Gen game of the Pokémon video game series.
As mentioned above, Emerald is the enhanced version of Ruby and Sapphire with greater team diversity and tougher opponents making it the most challenging game of the three as well. And the inclusion of the Battle Frontier creates insanely difficult gym battles.
Along with that, you’ll be facing a much stronger Elite 4 which can be fairly challenging due to their Fire, Water, and Dark-type Pokémons. In addition, you’ll have to go against the former champion, Steven, in a post-game fight giving it the tag of the hardest Pokémon game from the Hoenn series.
6. Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver
The 2009 remakes of the Gen 2 Pokémon Gold and Silver video games make it into the list as among the hardest Pokémon games. Developed by Game Freak, the Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver were released as part of the fourth generation video game series from Pokémon.
With significant improvements to Trainer AI, these renewed versions come with real challenging behavior as the trainers use a combination of good power moves to actively defeat you in a fight. The challenge curve is also steeper as compared to the original Gold and Silver versions.
You’ll need to grind and train continuously so as to keep up the pace and not be out-leveled as you try to take on each Gym leader. After you somehow defeat the Elite 4 and the Champion that are about 10-20 levels above you, the real challenge comes with the fight against the game’s final boss, Red, which makes this Gen 4 version the hardest Pokémon game.
Wrapping Up
This brings us to the end of our article on the hardest Pokémon game. From all the major remakes with improvements in their competitive AI to the most difficult playthroughs, we covered it all. We hope that the list resonated with your personal ranking of the games. If we missed your favorite pick, let us know in the comment box below.
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