Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Legends: Arceus is the game that made Pokémon click for me, so Pokémon Legends: Z-A was an easy yes. Lumiose City is one dense place rather than a wide region, and the real-time battles keep fights moving. It missed the top ten for two reasons. Pokopia already covers the Pokémon slot here, and I did not want one franchise taking two seats. The single-city setting also gives you less room to roam than I wanted. Still, if you want a proper Pokémon adventure with a start and an ending, this is the one to buy first.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A came out in 2025 and sits right at the edge of the top ten. Lumiose City is more open-zone than sprawling open world, which is what kept it out of the main list. But the exploration loop is a real step forward for the franchise and the accessibility is hard to argue with. I have a soft spot for open Pokémon games after Arceus clicked for me, and Z-A continues that direction. If you are a Pokémon fan specifically looking for the freer, more curious version of the series, this is the most current answer on Switch.