GameTimeline

Release & story order

Pokémon spin-off timeline

Major Pokémon spin-off games in US release order—from Pinball and Snap through New Snap—with Orre and Ranger story chains called out separately. Mainline RPGs and Mystery Dungeon have their own timelines (see the FAQ for links).

Updated July 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When each listed spin-off reached US players—photography games, Stadium battles, Orre RPGs, Ranger missions, puzzle titles, and Switch experiments. Mystery Dungeon is covered elsewhere.

  • Mainline RPGs → Scarlet/Violet, Legends, remakes (separate timeline)
  • Mystery Dungeon → Rescue Team through Super (separate timeline)
  • Photography → Snap (1999) then New Snap (2021)
  • Pokémon GO, Unite, Masters → covered in the FAQ (no fixed play order)
Story order tips

Most spin-offs stand alone. Orre (Colosseum then XD) and the Ranger trilogy are the only linked story chains; everything else can be played in any order.

  • Orre → Colosseum before XD: Gale of Darkness
  • Ranger → original Ranger → Shadows of Almia → Guardian Signs
  • Let's Go → Kanto spin-off—not a replacement for FireRed/LeafGreen
  • Snap, Stadium, Conquest, Quest → no shared plot

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Pokémon Pinball

    Pokémon Pinball

    GBCPinballGen 1 era

    Pinball tables with catch mechanics—Red and Blue table themes.

    Overview
    Early Pokémon spin-off mixing pinball with catching and evolution on Game Boy Color.
    In-game setting
    Catch Pokémon on the table to fill the Pokédex—no traditional RPG map.
    Should you play it?
    Optional retro curio—skip unless collecting 1999 spin-offs.
    Release date
    US launch: April 28, 1999 (Game Boy Color).
  2. Pokémon Snap

    Pokémon Snap

    N64PhotographyGen 1 era

    On-rails photography on Pokémon Island—Professor Oak rates your shots.

    Overview
    First-person rail photography instead of battles—items lure Pokémon into frame.
    In-game setting
    Seven courses from Beach to Rainbow Cloud; complete the Pokémon Report.
    Should you play it?
    Still fun on Wii Virtual Console; New Snap (2021) is the modern follow-up.
    Release date
    US launch: July 26, 1999 (Nintendo 64).
  3. Pokémon Stadium

    Pokémon Stadium

    N64BattleGen 1–2

    3D stadium battles—transfer teams from Red/Blue/Yellow via Transfer Pak.

    Overview
    Console 3D battles and Gym Leader Castle before home consoles ran mainline RPGs in 3D.
    In-game setting
    Mini-games and rental teams if you lack a linked Game Boy cartridge.
    Should you play it?
    Pairs with Gen 1–2 mainline games—not a story sequel.
    Release date
    US launch: March 6, 2000 (Nintendo 64).
  4. Pokémon Stadium 2

    Pokémon Stadium 2

    N64BattleGen 1–2

    Adds Johto and Generation II compatibility—Silver Cup and more mini-games.

    Overview
    Full Generation II support and Johto leaders in 3D battle arenas.
    In-game setting
    Use teams from Gold/Silver/Crystal through Transfer Pak.
    Should you play it?
    Upgrade from Stadium if you play Generation II mainline games.
    Release date
    US launch: March 26, 2001 (Nintendo 64).
  5. Pokémon Colosseum

    Pokémon Colosseum

    GCOrre RPGStory linked

    Orre region—Wes steals and purifies Shadow Pokémon.

    Overview
    Full 3D RPG on GameCube with Snag Machine mechanics and double battles.
    In-game setting
    Start of the Orre saga—continues directly in Pokémon XD.
    Should you play it?
    Play before XD for story; optional if you only want mainline regions.
    Release date
    US launch: March 22, 2004 (Nintendo GameCube).
  6. Pokémon Trozei!

    Pokémon Trozei!

    NDSPuzzle

    Match-four puzzle with Lucario mascot—precursor to Battle Trozei.

    Overview
    Falling-block link puzzle on Nintendo DS—SOL Base missions.
    In-game setting
    Separate from Panel de Pon / Puzzle League (see the Puzzle League timeline).
    Should you play it?
    Optional; Battle Trozei (2015) is the later 3DS take.
    Release date
    US launch: March 6, 2006 (Nintendo DS).
  7. Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness

    Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness

    GCOrre RPGStory linked

    Orre sequel—Michael and the Shadow Lugia plot.

    Overview
    Expanded purification, Mt. Battle, and GameCube link battles.
    In-game setting
    Direct sequel to Colosseum—same Orre setting and Shadow Pokémon lore.
    Should you play it?
    Finish Colosseum first for story context.
    Release date
    US launch: September 7, 2005 (Nintendo GameCube).
  8. Pokémon Ranger

    Pokémon Ranger

    NDSRangerStory linked

    Fiore region—draw circles to capture and befriend Pokémon.

    Overview
    Stylus-driven capture without Poké Balls—Ranger Union missions.
    In-game setting
    First of three Ranger stories—introduces Go-Rock Squad.
    Should you play it?
    Start of Ranger trilogy on Story order.
    Release date
    US launch: March 23, 2006 (Nintendo DS).
  9. Pokémon Rumble series

    Pokémon Rumble series

    Wii3DSActionSeries

    Toy Pokémon brawlers—Rumble (2009), Rumble Blast (2011), Rumble World (2015).

    Overview
    Real-time toy-Pokémon action—first on Wii, then 3DS entries.
    In-game setting
    Each Rumble game is a separate toy-world story—see FAQ for sub-release dates.
    Should you play it?
    Covers the full Rumble sub-series; not required for any other spin-off plot.
    Release date
    US first entry: November 16, 2009 (Wii). Rumble Blast: October 24, 2011 (3DS). Rumble World: April 8, 2015 (3DS).
  10. Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia

    Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia

    NDSRangerStory linked

    Almia region—new Ranger and Team Dim Sun.

    Overview
    Partner Pokémon and more varied Ranger missions on DS.
    In-game setting
    Second Ranger game—sequel to the Fiore story tone, new region.
    Should you play it?
    Play after Pokémon Ranger for series continuity.
    Release date
    US launch: March 22, 2010 (Nintendo DS).
  11. Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs

    Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs

    NDSRangerStory linked

    Oblivia region—Ranger trilogy finale.

    Overview
    Capture multiple Pokémon at once and ride Pokémon in the field.
    In-game setting
    Third Ranger title—finishes the DS Ranger arc.
    Should you play it?
    End of Ranger story chain after Shadows of Almia.
    Release date
    US launch: March 6, 2012 (Nintendo DS).
  12. Pokémon Conquest

    Pokémon Conquest

    NDSStrategyStandalone

    Pokémon + Nobunaga's Ambition tactics in Ransei.

    Overview
    Turn-based kingdom strategy with Pokémon as war units—Koei Tecmo collaboration.
    In-game setting
    Standalone Ransei legend—not tied to Orre or Ranger.
    Should you play it?
    Unique genre break—one-and-done story.
    Release date
    US launch: June 19, 2012 (Nintendo DS).
  13. Pokémon Shuffle

    Pokémon Shuffle

    3DSPuzzleFree-to-play

    Match-three stages—free-to-play on 3DS eShop (service ended).

    Overview
    Stage-based puzzle battles with Mega Evolution support.
    In-game setting
    Not connected to Trozei or Puzzle League mechanics.
    Should you play it?
    Servers shut down—listed for history only; not playable as of 2026.
    Release date
    US launch: February 18, 2015 (Nintendo 3DS eShop).
  14. Pokémon Battle Trozei

    Pokémon Battle Trozei

    3DSPuzzle

    3DS follow-up to Trozei—link panel puzzles with battles.

    Overview
    Fast link puzzle combat on Nintendo 3DS eShop.
    In-game setting
    Successor to Pokémon Trozei!—different rules from Puzzle League.
    Should you play it?
    Optional puzzle spin-off after Trozei.
    Release date
    US launch: March 12, 2015 (Nintendo 3DS eShop).
  15. Pokkén Tournament

    Pokkén Tournament

    Wii USwitchFightingStandalone

    Tekken-style Pokémon fighter—DX upgrade on Switch (2017).

    Overview
    Bandai Namco fighting game with Synergy Burst mechanics.
    In-game setting
    Arcade-style battles—no RPG region plot. Pokkén Tournament DX (2017) adds fighters on Switch.
    Should you play it?
    Buy Pokkén Tournament DX on Switch today—the FAQ covers the upgrade from the Wii U original.
    Release date
    US launch: March 18, 2016 (Wii U). Pokkén Tournament DX: September 22, 2017 (Switch).
  16. Pokémon Quest

    Pokémon Quest

    SwitchMobileActionFree-to-play

    Cube-art Tumblecube Island expeditions—free-to-play.

    Overview
    Auto-battle cube Pokémon on Switch and mobile.
    In-game setting
    Standalone island—no tie to mainline regions.
    Should you play it?
    Casual optional—mobile versions may differ by region.
    Release date
    US launch: May 29, 2018 (Nintendo Switch).
  17. Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! / Let's Go, Eevee!

    Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! / Let's Go, Eevee!

    SwitchKanto variantStandalone

    Kanto remake-adjacent with GO-style catching—not Gen 8 mainline.

    Overview
    Switch Kanto journey with motion catching and partner Pikachu or Eevee.
    In-game setting
    Kanto adventure with Pokémon GO-style catching—a spin-off parallel to FireRed/LeafGreen, not a mainline generation game.
    Should you play it?
    Pick one version; optional if you already play FireRed/LeafGreen or mainline Kanto remakes.
    Release date
    US launch: November 16, 2018 (Nintendo Switch).
  18. New Pokémon Snap

    New Pokémon Snap

    SwitchPhotographyStandalone

    Lental region photography—sequel spirit to N64 Snap.

    Overview
    Illumina Pokémon and research-level scoring on Nintendo Switch.
    In-game setting
    New regions and species—not a direct continuation of Pokémon Island cast.
    Should you play it?
    Play after or instead of N64 Snap—no story requirement linking them.
    Release date
    US launch: April 30, 2021 (Nintendo Switch).

FAQ

What counts as a spin-off here, connected Orre and Ranger plots, always-online games we skip, and links to mainline Pokémon.

Play order

Story & canon

See the Pokémon games timeline for generation games, remakes, Legends, and regional story order. This page covers other spin-off games only.

See the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon timeline for Rescue Team through Super and Rescue Team DX—those games are covered on that page instead.

Orre: Pokémon Colosseum, then Pokémon XD. Ranger: three DS games in story order. Everything else here—Snap, Stadium, Conquest, Quest, Let's Go—stands alone and is separate from mainline Pokémon RPGs.

What's excluded

Optional & related

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.