15 Longest Pokémon Games, Ranked By Average Story Playtime (2024)

With the digital age making researching game lengths more convenient, players can look into how long their usual Pokémon experience will take. The flagship series, which takes on a more classic JRPG approach, is the go-to title for many fans and varies slightly in runtime.

The mainline games have only recently transitioned to a home console, with the Let's Go games, Sword and Shield, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, and Scarlet and Violet released on the Switch. Traditional Pokémon games have typically moderate runtimes, making them a great fit for handhelds. Many a long car ride has surely been spent catching and training Pokémon.

Updated on May 28, 2024, by Guillermo Kurten: The lucrative Pokémon franchise has built on its legacy since the debut of Red, Green, and Blue in the '90s. With mainline installments adding new Generations' worth of unique species, new stories, and new regions, the runtimes of these games can fluctuate slightly. They're mostly consistent, but the recent entries' streamlined approach has made for tighter experiences. This list has been updated to condense the stats on each game and add new entries.

15 Sword & Shield Streamlined the Main Series Runtime

With the modern Pokémon games becoming notably tighter in playtime as Game Freak attempts to broaden appeal, Sword and Shield are moderately shorter across the board. The debut Gen VIII games introduce players to the Galar region as they battle to become its Pokémon Champion.

The main story, Pokémon Sword and Shield, is shorter than the DS and 3DS generations, clocking in around 25-26 hours. There's also not as much post-game content as earlier installments, only taking the total runtime up to around 44-45 hours. Completionists can still expect a substantive enough experience, with a little over 100 hours to be expected. Sword and Shield received generally positive reviews, but some criticisms were aimed at its extremely linear progression, hand-holding gameplay, and lack of innovation.

Pokémon Sword

Pokémon Sword is yet another victim of high expectations. Don’t get the wrong idea; the game is a fantastic addition to the Pokémon franchise. However the anticipation that built surrounding the first ever mainline Pokémon game to be released on a home console was always going to overshadow the game itself. The eighth generation got a lot of things right. For example the open world introduced as the Wild Area was a great addition and something fans had been craving for years. Catching a variety of Pokémon no longer seemed like a daunting task. Well that would be true if Game Freak decided to include a variety of Pokémon.

Sword and Shield drew immense controversy leading up to its release. Contrary to past Pokémon games, Game Freak decided to significantly cut the Pokedex down to a select few. Furthermore the ability to transfer Pokémon into the game via traditional channels would not work as it usually did. Pokémon fans thought they were finally getting a massive experience with eight generations of Pokémon on a home console. Instead, they got a tiny version of that. Furthermore, the graphics and animation were extremely disappointing. Game Freak had been exposed for using art and animation from generation 7’s Sun and Moon. Meanwhile, the new battle feature, titled "Dynamax," was seen as nothing more than a cheap gimmick. Previous generations introduced fan favorites like Mega Evolutions and Z-moves. Version exclusive gym leaders turned out to be a nice touch that debuted in Sword and Shield.

Luckily for Nintendo, Pokémon Sword and Shield hit the online features out of the park. Battling online is now the smoothest it’s ever been. With a ranked system in place, climbing the ladder is truly addictive. The original music is also a highlight. The Galar region is based on the United Kingdom and the music perfectly encapsulates that area. Furthermore this game in particular is incredibly accessible to newcomers. The game feels incredibly easy. Without the option to change the difficulty hardcore fans can breeze through the game with ease, which ultimately feels rather cheap. Backlash from fans across the world did not hinder sale numbers. Sword and Shield have quickly become the fourth best selling game in franchise history.

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14 Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Were Lean Remakes

In the lead-up to the release of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, ILCA developed the remakes Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. These reimaginings keep the core plot of the original Nintendo DS games while adding new sprite-inspired 3D graphics and moderate new features.

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl follow the trend of contemporary mainline games streamlining the main experience, leading to leaner runtimes. These remakes take around 25-26 hours for the main story -- and less for those playing briskly. Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl received lukewarm critical receptions for sticking too close to the original script and forgoing additions made by 2009's Platinum​​.

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl

Franchise

Pokemon

Platform(s)

Nintendo Switch

Released

November 19, 2021

Developer(s)

ILCA

Publisher(s)

The Pokemon Company , Nintendo

Genre(s)

RPG

13 FireRed & LeafGreen Significantly Fleshed Out Their Game Boy Predecessors

While it was mostly due to the Game Boy's understandably limited technical capabilities, Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen were still impressive reinterpretations of Generation I. The Game Boy Advance games were remakes of Red and Blue, featuring ageless pixel-art graphics, quality-of-life improvements, more available species, and a substantial post-game storyline.

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen significantly fleshed out the main Kanto plot, taking upwards of 29-30 hours at a casual pace. Combined with the new wild Pokémon as part of the Gen III games and the Sevii Isles story, the main story and the post-game questline can take players over 50. Meanwhile, completionists can expect well over 100 hours.

Pokemon FireRed

For many, FireRed will forever be viewed as an afterthought of the Game Boy Advance era. Forgotten as a bonus game for fans disappointed by the release of a single generation on the platform. However, there is so much more to appreciate when it comes to FireRed. After all, it is the remake of the beloved Pokémon Red, which initiated the Pokémon craze back in 1996.

The concept of FireRed must be praised. Game Freak took a risk with their first ever remake of a previously released game. They entered new territory and found success there. Consequently, we’ve seen remakes of the first, second, and third generation all while fans grow increasingly eager to hear the news of a fourth generation remake.

In terms of lack of improvement, the trend of graphic inadequacy continues with FireRed. This theme persistently sticks with the franchise. FireRed also fails to deliver any new twists or surprises. The beloved gameplay and in game creatures keep the franchise from becoming stale. The traditional aspect of FireRed is its best selling point. Essentially, we are reliving the same story and defeating the same gyms that we fell in love with for the first time. With a new Pokémon game, the fanbase expects new Pokémon. With FireRed being a remake, fans were deprived of this. The remake factor works as a double-edged sword. Game Freak is offering the experience to relive past memories and indulge in nostalgia. However, the Pokémon are the same, the story is the same, and nothing new really happens. As such, it was mostly hardcore fans that were attracted to this title. Newcomers should probably go for a full-fledged Pokémon experience before picking up FireRed.

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12 Crystal Brought Modest Additions to Its Predecessors

Another of the "third version" Pokémon games in the core series, Crystal offers modest additions over its predecessors, Gold and Silver. Much of the main story is the same but with a twist to incorporate the mascot Legendary creature Suicune into the plot.

Like the preceding pair of games, Pokémon Crystal's core story in the Johto region and post-game in the Kanto region contribute to most of its runtime (29.5 hours main, 51 hours including the post-game). Even completionists can hypothetically get more out of Crystal due to the debut of the Battle Tower, which adds significantly more challenge after beating the Elite Four.

11 Gold & Silver Were Impressive Improvements Over Gen I

The Gen II Johto games still hold up well today as nostalgic throwbacks, but in the context of the late '90s and early '00s, Pokémon Gold and Silver were astonishing enhancements over Red and Blue. The games take place years after the Gen I titles and follow a new protagonist as they journey across Johto to stop Team Rocket's comeback, become the League champion, and venture through Kanto.

Pokémon Gold and Silver famously let players journey through Gen I's Kanto region as part of the post-game story, where the bulk of its runtime comes from. With 16 Gym Leaders across both locales and an epic final boss fight against Red, players got around 30 hours for the main story and another 35 for the post-game content. Completionists could mine the games for over 150 hours.

10 Emerald Was Complemented by Side and Post-Game Content

The final Pokémon game to be released on the Game Boy Advance, Emerald takes around 30-31 hours to finish. Despite being on the shorter side for completing the main game, the title is loaded with endgame content.

It takes around 65 hours to finish the main story and extras and 205 hours to complete everything in the game. Releasing later in the GBA's lifespan meant Emerald featured great graphics for the system. As an intriguing subplot, it also included a huge selection of Pokémon and several optional areas to explore.

9 Scarlet & Violet Bring the Series' First Seamless Open World

The most recent Pokémon games, Scarlet and Violet, have ushered in the ninth generation of this storied franchise, as the total number of species has finally surpassed 1,000. Modern Pokémon games are much more accessible than before, meaning that completionist times are much shorter than Pokémon fans may be used to.

However, Scarlet and Violet have delivered one of the best stories of the entire Pokémon series, which clocks in at a more familiar 32 hours. Scarlet and Violet also have replay value, with the competitive scene still thriving and Tera Raids encouraging players to return for more.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Franchise

Pokemon

Platform(s)

Nintendo Switch

Released

November 18, 2022

Developer(s)

Game Freak

Publisher(s)

The Pokemon Company , Nintendo

Genre(s)

RPG

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer , Online Co-Op

ESRB

E

Summary

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet mark the next entries in the mainline Pokemon series post Sword and Shield, set in the new region of Paldea, a fictional locale based on Mediterranean Spain. This next entry in the storied franchise will put a much larger emphasis on open-world exploration and give players exclusive Pokemon types that can transform into vehicles for quicker and more diverse exploration. Scarlet and Violet will also mark the first entry to approach non-linear storytelling. The game has three different storylines that can be done at any time; Pokemon Gyms may also be tackled in any order. Scarlet and Violet will also introduce the new Terastallize feature; this new feature will give Pokemon a dazzling jewel above their head and make the pokemon shine like a gemstone, unlocking new powers for each one. Finally, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will also introduce co-op play, allowing up to four players to explore the world together.

8 X & Y Was the Main Series' First Foray Into 3D Game Design

Overcoming the Elite Four and the Pokémon League Champion in X and Y takes an average of 31.5 hours. The first outing for Pokémon on the 3DS was well-received, earning positive reviews from fans and critics alike. With the upgrade in hardware came the ability to bring new features to the franchise, the main appeals being that the games were fully 3D and the addition of Mega Evolutions.

X and Y also became the first game in the Pokémon series where players could customize their Trainer's appearance. It took 71 hours to complete the main game and the side quests, with 206 hours needed to accomplish everything in the game.

7 Black & White Pushed the Nintendo DS' Capabilities to Their Limits

Players will take an average of 32 hours to become the Pokémon Champion in Black and White. The story takes place in the Unova region modeled after New York City. These games boasted several new features, including improved graphics, fully animated sprites during battle, and the introduction of a seasonal cycle.

Black and White's story felt edgier than previous games. Team Plasma wanted to liberate Pokémon from their Trainers, making players consider the morality of pitting Pokémon against each other. Around 61 hours were required to conquer the Pokémon League and finish all the side quests, while those who enjoyed completing the Pokédex needed 158 hours.

Pokémon Black

Pokémon games are decidedly cliché and formulaic when it comes to narrative. When Pokémon Black introduced gamers to the fifth generation of Pokémon, nobody could have predicted the captivating story it would tell. For the first time the villains were more than afterthoughts. They directly impacted the storytelling. What’s more is Black introduced heavy themes of ethics and morality. These were far from traditional additions to the Pokémon franchise. This appealed to the grown up audience while not overcomplicating things for kids who would no doubt get their hands on the game. As with every new generation, the gameplay formula remained the same. However minor changes were brought forth in order to enhance the experience. One of those changes is the introduction of seasons. Certain Pokémon were only available in the spring while others were exclusive to winter.

Although the graphics did not improve drastically from the previous generation, the season-based environments were a nice visual touch.

Black also introduced triple battles and rotation battles. Both of these new entries felt forced and lacked a smooth integration toward the battle system. It’s no surprise that this was the last time we would see both of those battle styles. Whereas the introduction of double battles in generation three became a standard feature, Game Freak knew that they failed with triple and rotation battles. Interestingly enough the Unova region was the first to be based on a geographic location outside of Japan. New York City served as inspiration for game developer Junichi Masuda. Unfortunately, the Unova region did not display the most appealing Pokémon. In terms of aesthetics, the fifth generation introduced a weak lineup of Pokémon. Ultimately, Black follows the trend of being a fantastic addition to the franchise without ever introducing drastic new elements. Game Freak’s strategy is simple, refine what works and do not change what isn’t broken.

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6 Sun & Moon Tested the Nintendo 3DS' Limits

At 33 hours, Sun and Moon take half an hour less on average to complete than the enhanced versions. Strangely, however, it takes about 1.5 hours longer to finish the main game, plus extras in the originals, compared to Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, which require around 59-60 hours.

Despite being a good entry in the Pokémon series, some criticize Sun and Moon for lack of content besides the main story. Despite the new features such as Ultra Beasts, the Ultra Warp Ride, Alolan forms, and Z-moves, it takes only 140 hours to do everything in the game.

Pokémon Sun

Innovation is not often a word associated with the Pokemon franchise. However Sun brought about a drastic change to the game’s objective. Sun marked a huge shift in how the game is supposed to be played. The seventh generation takes place in the region of Alola. The first notable change is the geographic departure of towns and cities. Traditionally, the player would move in a linear path across several towns, collecting badges along the way. Alola is comprised of five islands. Furthermore, Game Freak removed the goal of collecting gym badges. Instead, the protagonist was tasked with completing island trials. These trials essentially acted as gym badges but it was refreshing to have them presented in this new form. Sun also excelled at adding several new gameplay features. Z-moves were introduced as incredibly powerful moves able to knock out opposing Pokémon with one hit. Although this one time per battle move was incredibly useful, many criticized the animation sequence for being too long.

The new cast of Pokémon are interesting enough, but the real highlight is the large number of Legendary/Mythical Pokémon. The game featured two traditional legendary creatures but it also introduced a number of high-powered Pokémon called Ultra Beasts. These Pokémon are difficult to catch, but they perform extremely well in battle. Game Freak did not stop there; they also introduced region exclusive versions of past Pokémon for the first time. This presented a new design for fan favorite Pokémon such as Meowth and Raichu.

Finally, the cherry on top of this Pokémon-themed cake is the arrival of Poké Ride. Poké Ride allowed the player to call on specially trained Pokémon to perform tasks such as flying, surfing and moving large boulders. This eliminated the need to keep a HM oriented Pokémon on your team. Pokémon known as Bibarels across the Pokémon universe breathed a collective sigh of relief.

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5 Black 2 & White 2 Were the Rare Examples of Direct Sequels

The main story of the final Nintendo DS outing for Pokémon, Black 2 and White 2, takes 34.5 hours to beat. New content for the sequel includes a plot directly building off its predecessors, a side game, PokéStar Studios, and the Pokémon World Tournament, where players battle trainers from previous games.

After beating Black 2 and White 2, the player can unlock new areas and chambers to catch new Pokémon, such as the Regi trio. There are 300 unique creatures to capture from the beginning of the game. For those who like to complete the extras, it takes around 64 hours. For completionists, players need close to 200 hours to finish the game.

4 Platinum Was the Most Substantive Gen IV Sinnoh Game

Pokémon Platinum came out two years after Diamond and Pearl's release. It takes 35 hours to complete the main game and double that to conquer the main game, side quests, and other extras. It takes nearly 230 to complete the game, boasting the fourth-longest total completion time of all the Pokémon games.

Enhancements over Diamond and Pearl include Giratina getting a new form and area, the Distortion World. Legendaries such as Moltres, Zapdos, and Articuno were added to the game. The fan-favorite Battle Frontier from Emerald also returns, substantially padding out the challenging post-game content.

Pokémon Platinum

The third title of a new generation is often called the enhanced version. In this case Platinum is the enhanced version of generation four games Diamond and Pearl. Historically, enhanced versions have not been met with critical acclaim. The two previous iterations, titled Crystal and Emerald, failed to improve on their respective generations. These games are mainly seen as a tactical maneuver orchestrated by Game Freak in order to maximize profits. Platinum permanently changed that narrative. Platinum introduced major changes to the fourth generation.

Thanks to the Global Trade System, players could now anonymously trade online without requiring a friend code. This facilitated the process of trading and made it more appealing to catch them all. Players were no longer restricted to those in their friend list. Furthermore the Vs. Recorder introduced the function of recording online battles. This made it easier for gamers to share knowledge and battle strategies. Content creation also rose to the forefront with the release of Platinum. The ability to record online battles were great for YouTube creators looking to post battle content online. The story remained mainly the same bar the inclusion of new legendary Pokémon Giratina and The Distortion World. Giratina isn’t the only new Pokémon; Nintendo decided to include a number of Pokémon from past titles to expand on Diamond and Pearl’s Pokédex.

Platinum succeeds in providing a new and amazing experience for those who did not get to play Diamond or Pearl. However, it goes beyond that by offering value even to those who enjoyed those titles.

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3 Ruby & Sapphire Had Plenty of Content For Game Boy Advance Games

Ruby and Sapphire came out in 2002 for the Game Boy Advance and introduced the third generation of Pokémon. The games became notable for introducing double battles, a revolutionary feature for their era.

While it took the same time to finish Ruby and Sapphire as Platinum, it took slightly longer to complete the extra content in the game at 76.5 hours compared to Platinum's 70.5. For completionists, Ruby and Sapphire sit at 202 hours. The enhanced remakes for the 3DS clock in just under 10 hours shorter. Combined, the games sell more than any other GBA game.

2 HeartGold & SoulSilver Are Still Some of the Best Games in the Series

The remakes of the Gold and Silver games take about seven extra hours to complete, at around 37 hours. Released 10 years after the originals, the games introduce the feature of having the first Pokémon in the player's party follow them in the overworld.

HeartGold and SoulSilver also took advantage of the Nintendo DS hardware by using the touchscreen as the basis of a new minigame, Pokéathlon. Finishing the main game and its extras required around 72 hours, while completionists needed to spend just over 210 hours finding and catching all the Pokémon. This adds up, considering the beloved Kanto post-game story has been fleshed out with more trainers to battle, Legendary creatures to encounter, and the return of the Battle Frontier.

1 Diamond & Pearl Debuted the Main Series on Nintendo DS

The longest Pokémon game to date is the 2006 release, Diamond and Pearl for the Nintendo DS. It clocks in at 40.5 hours, with 93 hours required to beat the main game plus extras and 260 hours to complete. The Switch remakes are shorter, coming in at 26.5 hours.

Diamond and Pearl profoundly changed the mechanics of Pokémon by introducing the physical/special split. Themed around space and other dimensions, the story takes place in Sinnoh and depicts the protagonist taking on Team Galactic. With over 17 million sales, Diamond and Pearl established itself among the most successful Pokémon games. Ironically, the pair of games' long runtimes come from its infamous pacing issues. While Diamond and Pearl are landmark games, the movement, text, and dialogue speeds could significantly slow progression.

Pokemon Diamond and Pearl

Franchise

Pokemon

Platform(s)

Nintendo DS

Released

September 28, 2006

Developer(s)

Game Freak

Publisher(s)

The Pokemon Company , Nintendo

Genre(s)

RPG

ESRB

E