A spin-off that absorbs the solid part of the original fandom by storm, Pokemon Mystery Dungeon offers a much more relaxing experience than the main game, showing trainers the very friendly lives of Pokemon. From rescuing Poke-pals to strategically moving on the battle board, the series brings new dynamics with the same classic characters players know and love. (Well, besides all humans. But who needs them?)
From the soundtrack to the setting, Mystery Dungeon focuses much more on atmosphere than the main title. Instead of building strategic, combatable teams, players have more freedom to recruit Pokémon. That’s not to say that statistics and typing don’t exist. It’s just that you have the greater generosity and can pick your favourite, without that old familiar, but “Can Bidoof really beat the Elite Four?” regret.
By Doruk Kaptan on April 12, 2023: Pokemon is a franchise with many spin-offs and games in different genres, but few can match the popularity and critical acclaim of the Mystery Dungeon games. While this series gets an item every few years, the last one being Rescue Team DX, fans haven’t forgotten this series ever since.
Giving players more of a story-driven game with their heart in it seems like a perfect fit for the wonderful world of Pokemon. This is probably why there are multiple collections of content creators crying over the scenes in these games. Not all games are created equal, as some of the Mystery Dungeon games are incredibly revered.
7 Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Gates To Infinity
One of Mystery Dungeon’s less-preferred versions, Gates to Infinity makes everything a little worse with its over-expanding and detached perspective from the experience. Criticized for being a “waterdown” game with massive dialogue that ranges from passable to meager, Gates to Infinity also famously locks most of its best features behind dozens of hours of play.
There are slightly fewer fans of the genre than in the previous games, but they can still like it. Even the much-requested extra difficulty amounts to a poorly implemented roller coaster ride, baffling players from slow standard fare to radical spikes.
6 Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Adventure Squad
Most international fans probably haven’t seen any of the Adventure Squad titles since they’ve never been released in Japan. Although it was released in 2009, an English patch was not applied overseas until April 2020. Furthermore, the game was made for the home console, the Wii, but was relegated to WiiWare rather than an official release. What this means, to recap for those unfamiliar, is that Adventure Squad was cheaply made and ended up being rather lackluster.
The formula doesn’t stray far enough from Mystery Dungeon’s conventional approach to justify the hoops of finding fan patches, and the cast isn’t particularly endearing either. The game also doesn’t come close to the other entry levels in terms of story and characters. Adventure Squad isn’t officially available, and the hassle of finding a copy is unfortunately not worth it.
5 Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon
Super Mystery Dungeon, the largest in the Mystery Dungeon series, features 720 Pokémon. This is not a 720 Pokemon Pokedex. It’s not just about meeting them, catching them, and picking a few of your favorites to build your team with. PSMD, as is often abbreviated, actively invites you to give battle vortexes to any creature you can catch.
As is common with Mystery Dungeon games, Western reviewers were more satisfied with the story and atmosphere and were more critical of the gameplay loop. Unfortunately, Super Mystery Dungeon takes the cake for the most boring and repetitive overall presentation. There really isn’t much that doesn’t wear out illusions quickly. Grind, even within the grind-filled series chokes, so it lands at the center of our list. Nonetheless, the game captures the essence of the series and offers heartfelt characters.
4 Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team & Red Rescue Team
The origins of the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon series, Blue Rescue Team & Red Rescue Team laid the groundwork for what would become one of Pokemon’s more popular spin-off sensations. It’s a bit unsettling, as the developers are clearly figuring out how to apply the decades-old Mystery Dungeon formula to their brand name.
Its charm comes from a smaller world, away from all quests to be the best and bringing a more relaxed and warm atmosphere. Enough heads have been tilted to justify the creation of everything else on the list, so you can forgive the rescue team for feeling like they’re breaking at the seams at times. It’s contemporary, but unquestionably a classic.
three Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Rescue Team DX
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX is actually the first console binding item to appear partially. An enhanced remake of the game that started it all, Blue Rescue Team for Game Boy Advance and Red Rescue Team for DS, Rescue Team DX bids goodbye to the exclusive content you’ll find in each and delivers it all on a pretty platter 15 years later. .
And truly, the proverbial platter is pretty. Developer Spike Chunsoft eschewed the idea of ​​more realistic graphic aiming and preferred sublime animations and watercolor effects that moved sublimely. We can’t dare argue with fans who prefer the original version of this classic game, but we can’t even encourage new users to track down copies of the GBA and DS when a single remake exists that integrates on modern hardware and looks great to play.
2 Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time & Explorers of Darkness
Both Time and Darkness run in the same vein, the only difference being Pokémon selection. Once the player has completed the personality test and placed on their body, the partner Pokemon will soon enter the narrative.
Now it’s your responsibility to help both characters through their dungeon adventure. What makes this game amazing is undoubtedly the story and characters. You will find yourself in tears at certain scenes. Mechanics have also been improved from the Rescue Team era, so the game is not clunky at all. However, there is one better version of this game…
One Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky
Released two years later, Explorers of Sky is effectively the “platinum” to Time and Darkness’ “Diamond & Pearl.” More dungeons, more cutscenes, more customization features, you know the drill. Explorers of Sky isn’t just more, it’s better in every way, perfecting an already well-made game.
If you’re interested in checking out the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon game for the first time, go with Explorers of Sky. In fact, there is little reason to choose otherwise. And enjoy the post-game episode. Darkrai is a righteous fool. For many fans, this is the pinnacle. If Spike Chunsoft tries their luck again with the PMD remake, and the studio is likely to do so, the Explorers trilogy is a mark to beat. But don’t forget to keep a tissue nearby. Hearing the story will surely make fun of you.