Best Pokemon games to play on your iPhone

Published Dec 26th, 2022 1:14PM EST

Image: The Pokémon Company International

If you don’t have a Nintendo Switch to try to catch ’em all on Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, there are a few Pokémon games you can have on your iPhone and iPad that will sure give you a lot of fun – and the best part is that they’re all free to play.

Pokémon UNITE: The first MOBA of the franchise takes players in 5×5 battles in ranked, standard, and quick matches. In its Battle Season number 13, there are a dozen monsters to choose from. You can give them holowear clothes and a makeover of your character with unique fashion. Download it here.

Pokémon GO: The 2016 epic game that brought back the Pokémania is still up and running. With over 700 monsters available to be caught, users can engage in Pokémon battles on their iPhones and use AR capabilities to pet these creatures while exploring the real world. Click here to download it.

Pokémon Masters EX: This spin-off game brings new lore to the Pokémon series right into your iPhone screen. In the distant Pasio Island, you learn more about the franchise’s beloved characters in 3×3 battles on your path to becoming the best. Download it here.

Pokémon Café Mix: Have you ever imagined owning a Café with your Eevee pal? In this puzzle game, similar to the Disney Tsum Tsum mobile experience, where a player connects icons to advance missions, you need to create new foods and drinks to lure more creatures to your Café and make it the most popular place. Download it here.

Pokémon TCG Online: While a new Pokémon TCG game is being tested, iPhone users can play the original iteration that lets you construct your deck, collect cards, and battle with your friends online.  Download it here.

There are more Pokémon games to play on your iPhone

Image source: The Pokémon Company International

While the Pokémon games above are still up and running, other options have been discontinued but are still fun to play, such as:

• Pokémon Magikarp Jump: Make your Magikarp jump out of the water as far as it can to become a Magikarp Master. Download it here.
• Pokémon Quest: In a square world, players can explore an island in a team with three Pokémon. You can build a base and lure more monsters to help you while facing opponents in real-time battles. The game is still very popular in Asia, with updates arriving now and then. Unfortunately, the West audience only has a small portion of the game. Download it here.
• Pokémon Shuffle Mobile: Launched in 2015, this Candy Crush-like game has hundreds of levels to battle. In a freemium format, the last update was in 2018 when the Mythical Pokémon Marshadow was introduced. It doesn’t seem the game will get an update in the future, but it’s still playable. Download it here.