are yellow/crystal/emerald/etc. "main" pokemon games?

[geozeldadude]

just wondering if people consider these to be "must-plays", or just expansions for completionists.

[noiseredux]

I personally liked Yellow way more than Red/Blue.

[GSZX1337]

I personally liked Yellow way more than Red/Blue.

Liked Picachu following you around too, huh?

[BRIK]

Pikachu follows you around in Yellow. Good enough reason for me.

[CFFJR]

Yellow was a pretty different experience from red and blue. It attempted to follow the show more, featuring Jesse and James for certain Team Rocket battles, as well as matching gym leader rosters.

The result is that the game is actually easier. Still fun though. Its different enough to warrant a round just to see the differences. At least that's how I see it.

As for Crystal, Emerald, and Platinum, they all added a lot and built up on the originals. You can think of them as definitive versions of their generations.

[geozeldadude]

As for Crystal, Emerald, and Platinum, they all added a lot and built up on the originals. You can think of them as definitive versions of their generations.

but are they worth playing if you've played the originals?

[YoshiEgg25]

As for Crystal, Emerald, and Platinum, they all added a lot and built up on the originals. You can think of them as definitive versions of their generations.

but are they worth playing if you've played the originals?

In some cases, yes. In the case of both Yellow and Platinum, enough was changed between the original games and the third version to consider getting it. Crystal, though I absolutely love it, I'm not so sure falls into that category. I can't speak for Emerald as I've never played it, but it's the definitive version of Generation III, and from everything I've seen, is worth the extra playthrough.

[Amplibax]

They are definitely part of the "main series" Pokemon games with the traditional Pokemon style gameplay. Games like Pokemon Mystery Dungeon is not a main series game. I definitely wouldn't say Yellow/Crystal/Emerald/Platinum are must plays though. They generally have only small additions and changes to the game. If you are going to go back and Pokemon only 1 Pokemon game from each gen I would probably just play the 3rd game from each gen.

[AmishSamurai]

Emerald and Platinum both fixed several issues with the other games of their gen, and would be the definitive game of their triad. Get these before Ruby/Sapphire/Diamond/Pearl

Yellow is a very different experience- a bit more difficult because of less pokemon selection and having only Pikachu in the beginning, but you DO get all three starters in the end, which is pretty damn cool. And of course Pikachu follows you throughout. I'd say it's optional.

You're most likely to find a working copy of crystal in the wild, because it was released last (GSC has battery issues because of the internal clock). I liked the Suicune/Unown Subplot, and the inclusion of the female character (which is probably the main reason to play crystal. I'm still mad Kris got dropped for Lyra in HGSS). There's a pseudo-Battle Tower, but I never played it much because of brutal unfairness. HGSS actually took more cues from crystal than it did gold in silver in my eyes. I'd consider it the main one to look for that gen.

[Erik_Twice]

The last game of the generation is the best game of it. It normally adds some small fixes, add a couple of subquests and the Battle Tower and it improves the plot of the game a bit.

Are they worth playing? Well, I don't think that playing the GB trilogy is worth it after the updated remakes on GBA and I don't think the GBA games are as good as the DS titles.

In the end, the games are "more of the same" for both good or bad. If you just want a good Pokémon game pick up Heart Gold or Soul Silver. Being polished remakes of the most polished game in the series (Crystal), with all the updates introduced in modern generations creates a very good experience.

Black and White is good but they barely have puzzles, making them worse as RPG IMHO. I would stick to HGSS and get BTW later if you still want more Pokémon.

You're most likely to find a working copy of crystal in the wild, because it was released last (GSC has battery issues because of the internal clock).

In my experience Crystal is far more flaky. All my friends and I lost our Crystal save while GS still load and play fine. Nothing a new battery can't fix tough