Pokemon DS? Too many options!

[Capn_GEECH]

Hey guys! I need your input.

Like everybody else I can't wait for the brand spanking new Pokemon title. But unlike most I have not played any versions of the franchise in over ten years! (silver was the last addition I purchased, oh the memories)

Now, being a new dad and not caring about showing my inner geek I need to satiate my thirst for catching them all. The only problem is I have no idea where to begin. This is where you come in.

What's your favorite DS title? What to you recommend to prepare a noob for X/Y? I am tempted to just go with one of the 2 newest editions. I probably only have time to play one before October seeing how I have a stack of DS/3DS titles to catch up on.

Thanks in advance.

Capn_ GEECH

[CrispyGoomba]

Here are all of the 'main' Pokemon DS games:

Pokemon Diamond & Pearl
Pokemon Platinum

Pokemon Heartgold & SoulSilver

Pokemon Black & White
Pokemon Black 2 & White 2

If you want a fresh start, go with Black or White and then play Black 2 or White 2. They continue the story line, so I wouldn't suggest starting with Black 2 or White 2. HeartGold and SoulSilver are remakes of the original Gold and Silver so this just might be the ones you want to start off with to get that nostalgic factor. As for Platinum and Diamond and Pearl, I'd hold off on buying these until you finish the others. It's not that they're bad, it's just that the others are better.

I don't really have a personal favorite, they're all good and have the same feeling in them.

So to recap:

- I suggest starting off with Black or White and then proceed to playing Black 2 or White 2.

- Or if you want to have that nostalgic feeling, play HeartGold or SoulSilver first.

- Play the games mentioned above first and then try out Platinum and Diamond and Pearl.

[Broken_Cartridge]

I personally loved Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum more then the first Black and White. So I would suggest one of those 3 first, but that's just my opinion.

[TheDreamingHawk]

For the main games, just get Black and white 2. But I STRONGLY advise you to get Pokemon mystery dungeon explorers of sky. It's a fantastic game with lots of challenge and content

[J0RdAnN]

I agree with Crispy Goomba

- I suggest starting off with Black or White and then proceed to playing Black 2 or White 2.

- Or if you want to have that nostalgic feeling, play HeartGold or SoulSilver first.

- Play the games mentioned above first and then try out Platinum.

Seriously Platinum is the definitive 4th gen experience not to mention the Distortion World is one of the coolest area's ever to be in Pokemon.

[Mirr0rR3flection]

@Capn_GEECH

Whatever @CrispyGoomba and @J0RdAnN said.

Though I'd say you should definitely start with either one of the HeartGold SoulSilver remakes. Just so you'll be in familiar territory. Once you've gotten comfortable then you'll really be ready to jump right back into Pokemon again.

[HammerGalladeBro]

Well, it's hard for me to recommend which version is the best to (re)start, but I would recommend them as this:

*If you want to start once again while still having access to Pokémon form past Gens, I'd say Diamond/Pearl/Platinum.

*If you feel nostalgic, try HeartGold/SoulSilver, you, more or less, already know what to expect, but better. And since you played Silver, you know the Johto and new-Kato regions, what to do be ready for a reintroduction to Pokémon, plus the Pokéwalker.

*If you're looking for a new and fresh beginning, go with Black/White, then go for Black2/White2. Only GenV Pokémon in Unova (B/W), then GenV+Past Pokémon (B2/W2).

[Mako]

Honestly, my favorite Pokemon title to date is Soul Silver just because it brought back everything from the originals and even more. It brought back a lot of great memories with being able to play the classic music as well.

If you want a fresh experience having to use all new Pokemon go with Black and White.

Honestly, whichever one you choose, you will have a fun time. They are all great games.

[Tacomaker53]

Soulsilver is what brought me back to the series. I had quit right after Platinum, after seeing that each 3rd game of each region has no plot, just "Oh fight Team BlahBlahBlah, get the badges, done". I was in love with the postgame story, and am Still trying to catch the legendaries xD

[belmontlegacy]

In the spirit of the games "gotta catch 'em all!", I encourage you to "gotta collect 'em all", as in the game cartridges =)

[CM30]

Well, this probably sounds insane, but if you have a 3DS you could always wait until Pokemon X and Y are released this October. That way everyone's as new to the games as each other...

But if you want one now, probably best to start with either Black or White version, since they've been designed for newcomers to the series and people who haven't played for ages and don't require any knowledge of events from past games to understand what's going on.

[Capn_GEECH]

This is all good stuff guys. I appreciate everybodies opinions. I have a feeling I will be walking out of GameStop with a copy of white or black. I work nights and have a lot of down time to sit in peace and play games. It's should be no problem to knock a few more titles out before October (so far away! :-s) if I get hooked again.

For the main games, just get Black and white 2. But I STRONGLY advise you to get Pokemon mystery dungeon explorers of sky. It's a fantastic game with lots of challenge and content

I may have to try this. I have never really considered playing one of the spin off titles other than Pokemon stadium and God aweful Hey you pikachu back in the day?

[J0RdAnN]

Look up gameplay first the Mystery Dungeon games aren't for everyone. It's also worth noting a 3DS Mystery Dungeon is coming out soon.

[TheDreamingHawk]

This is all good stuff guys. I appreciate everybodies opinions. I have a feeling I will be walking out of GameStop with a copy of white or black. I work nights and have a lot of down time to sit in peace and play games. It's should be no problem to knock a few more titles out before October (so far away! :-s) if I get hooked again.

For the main games, just get Black and white 2. But I STRONGLY advise you to get Pokemon mystery dungeon explorers of sky. It's a fantastic game with lots of challenge and content

I may have to try this. I have never really considered playing one of the spin off titles other than Pokemon stadium and God aweful Hey you pikachu back in the day?

It's way better. IMO Red rescue team is the best game ever made. Don't let the gameplay fool you though, just pick it up and complete it and then you'll see how fantastic it is.

[MegaShock100]

Go with B/W and B/W 2. They are mechanically the best in series and have lot of extra content and features like Global Link connectivity. Also they will have events that will probably do something special in X/Y.

[MoldyClay]

The logical thing is to just go for Black 2/White 2 (doesn't matter. White has better exclusives, but Black has Zekrom and White has Reshiram, so that can also be a factor) since it is the most recent and technically the best and probably one of the best games for DS or Pokemon in general.

That said, HeartGold/SoulSilver is pretty definitive for 4th gen, featuring almost everything ever up to that point and being full of nostalgia, while containing all 4 generations.

Platinum is definitive for Diamond and Pearl, but there's just so much more about HG/SS that it's like "why?" unless you're going to experience them all.

But really, if you're going to only get one, Black 2 or White 2 is probably the way to go.

As for spin-offs, I didn't really get into Mystery Dungeon. I happen to LOVE the PokePark games on Wii, but they are more or less for kids, but they're something my childhood always yearned for.

Pokemon Rumble Blast on 3DS is a lot of fun, but it can be repetitive. Even still, it's one of my favorite spin-offs and I play it with my girlfriend a lot.