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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Nintendo Australia’s official Switch catalog lists 17 Pokémon games, spanning role-playing adventures, remakes, spin-offs and free-to-download titles. Pokémon HOME is also listed, but it is a storage and connectivity service rather than a game. Availability can vary by region, so check your local Nintendo store before buying.
Pokémon games available on Nintendo Switch
The following roster is from Nintendo Australia’s official Pokémon-on-Switch catalog. It identifies games listed for Nintendo Switch; it does not guarantee that every title is sold in every country or remains in stock.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Pokemon Shining Pearl - Nintendo Switch Shining Pearl Edition | $52.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Pokémon Violet - US Version | $51.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Pokémon Legends: Arceus - US Version | $54.26 | Buy on Amazon |
| Game | What kind of game is it? |
|---|---|
| Pokémon Legends: Z-A | Role-playing adventure |
| Pokémon Scarlet | Role-playing adventure |
| Pokémon Violet | Role-playing adventure |
| Pokémon Brilliant Diamond | Role-playing remake |
| Pokémon Shining Pearl | Role-playing remake |
| Pokémon Sword | Role-playing adventure |
| Pokémon Shield | Role-playing adventure |
| Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! | Role-playing adventure |
| Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! | Role-playing adventure |
| Pokémon Legends: Arceus | Role-playing adventure |
| Detective Pikachu Returns | Adventure |
| New Pokémon Snap | Photography-focused game |
| Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX | Dungeon adventure |
| Pokkén Tournament DX | Fighting game |
| Pokémon UNITE | Team battle game |
| Pokémon Café ReMix | Puzzle game |
| Pokémon Quest | Free-to-download game |
Which type of Pokémon game should you choose?
If you want a substantial role-playing adventure, start by comparing the paired releases: Scarlet and Violet, Sword and Shield, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, or Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! Legends: Arceus and Legends: Z-A are also role-playing adventures, while the other titles offer distinct formats such as photography, puzzles, dungeon exploration, fighting and team battles. Check each game’s local product page for current price, edition and specific features.
Check paired editions and settings
Several releases come as version pairs. For example, Scarlet and Violet are set in Paldea; Nintendo describes Scarlet as an open-world adventure. The versions can differ, so consult their official product pages if a particular version or feature matters to you. The same general advice applies to Sword and Shield, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, and the two Let’s Go games.
#1 Best Overall
- Revisit the Sinnoh region from the original Pokémon Pearl Version game and set off to try and become the Champion of the Pokémon League
- The Pokémon Shining Pearl game brings new life to this remade classic with added features
- Explore the Grand Underground to dig up items and Pokémon Fossils, build a Secret Base, and more.
- Test your style and rhythm in a Super Contest Show
- A reimagined adventure, now for the Nintendo Switch system
Check the Switch or Switch 2 edition before buying
Pokémon Legends: Z-A has both a Nintendo Switch version and a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, with an upgrade-pack route also offered. Nintendo says the Switch 2 edition improves performance, resolution and frame rates. Pokémon Scarlet also has an official Nintendo Switch 2 update. Confirm the console and edition shown on the store page so you buy the version you intend to play. See Nintendo’s Legends: Z-A Switch 2 Edition page and Nintendo’s Scarlet product page.
Pokémon HOME and older Pokémon games
Pokémon HOME is a service for storing and connecting Pokémon across compatible games, not a standalone adventure. Nintendo Support says it is available on Switch and smart devices, and a Nintendo Switch Online membership is not required to use HOME. Its game compatibility is specific; check Nintendo Support’s Pokémon HOME compatibility list before assuming a particular game connects to it.
Rank #2
- Embark on a new Pokémon adventure
- Catch, battle, and train Pokémon in the Paldea Region, a vast land filled with lakes, towering peaks, wastelands, small towns, and sprawling cities.
- Choose either Sprigatito, Fuecoco, or Quaxly, to be your first partner Pokémon before setting off on your journey through Paldea.
- Embark on an independent study called the Treasure Hunt to gain new experiences, meet new people, and find your very own treasure.
For older Pokémon games, do not assume every classic title is included with Nintendo Switch. Nintendo’s catalog separates Nintendo Classics platforms, but the catalog information cited here does not provide a definitive, title-by-title Pokémon list or establish the subscription tier for each game. Check the relevant Nintendo Classics catalog and membership tier for the exact title you want.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Controls and buying details to know
Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! supports catching with Joy-Con motion controls or button controls in handheld mode. The Poké Ball Plus is sold separately and optional; it is not required to play. Nintendo’s Let’s Go, Pikachu! product page describes the accessory as sold separately.
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Rank #3
- Action meets RPG in this new take on the Pokémon series
- Study Pokémon behaviors, sneak up on them, and toss a well-aimed Poké Ball to catch them
- Unleash moves in the speedy agile style or the powerful strong style in battles
- Travel to the Hisui region—the Sinnoh of old—and build the region’s first Pokédex
- Learn about the Mythical Pokémon Arceus, the key to this mysterious tale
Physical and digital formats, prices, and stock depend on the game and your region. For example, Nintendo’s US Scarlet listing identifies a physical Nintendo Switch edition and a digital option, with a release date of November 18, 2022. Check the current listing in your region rather than relying on a price or format shown elsewhere.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
