Best Version-Exclusive Pokémon From Every Game

Every generation of Pokémon has version-exclusive species that players can only obtain in one game or the other. This includes new and past Pokémon, as well as game-specific Legendary Pokémon. Some players purchase their Pokémon game version based on the specific Pokémon available, as some are worth more than others to players. However, it can be difficult if each version has a species that a player wants on their team, leaving players hoping to trade for the Pokémon they missed out on.

It may seem frustrating that the games would split certain Pokémon between versions for each region of the series. It could be an attempt to get players to purchase both versions of the Pokémon game, a theory backed by the fact that modern Pokémon games usually have the option to be bought in a bundle. The other possibility is that the game developers wanted to encourage players to trade between friends to finish their Pokédex.

Some species of game-specific Pokémon are more sought after than others. Below is a list of the best Pokémon added new in each generation, excluding the Legendary Pokémon, to help players decide which version of a game they may want to pick up and play. This can be especially helpful for players who have purchased the earlier games that were ported to the 3DS, like Pokémon Red & Blue, to provide an idea of what popular Pokémon they should keep an eye out for while they journey through the region.

Best Version-Exclusive Pokémon: Red & Blue

• Pokémon Red – The best version-exclusive in Kanto Region’s Red is a fan-favorite for fire Pokémon. Arcanine, the evolution of Growlithe, is a great reason to grab a copy of Pokémon Red.
• Pokémon Blue – While Pokémon Red has the best fire puppy, Pokémon Blue‘s best version-exclusive Pokémon happens to be the nine-tailed fire-fox, Ninetails. While both versions have a powerful fire-type, picking the right game simply comes down to preference.

Best Version-Exclusive Pokémon: Gold & Silver

• Pokémon Gold – Johto introduced some new Pokémon for players to catch, and for those who wanted a powerful Normal type, the Gold-exclusive bear Urasring may have been a good fit. With powerful attacks, and the adorable pre-evolution Teddiursa, Ursaring is a fun Pokémon for a player’s team.
• Pokémon Silver – Generation II introduced new types to Pokémon, and if players wanted a Steel/Flying type, Pokémon Silver’s Skarmory was the perfect pick if they had the right game. It was definitely frustrating that one of the better bird Pokémon was locked to one game however, limiting how many players got to catch it.

Best Version-Exclusive Pokémon: Ruby & Sapphire

• Pokémon Ruby – The Hoenn region didn’t add a lot of region-exclusive Pokémon, but Mawile was one that players may have wanted to try out. In the original Ruby version, Mawile was a Steel type only, and looked very different from other heavily armored and intense Steel type designs.
• Pokémon Sapphire – Fans looking for a powerful type combo may have been sad to miss out on Sableye if they happened to pick Ruby over Sapphire. The Dark/Ghost type Pokémon has a creepy design and a powerful move-set, with attacks like Foul Play and Shadow Ball.

Best Version-Exclusive Pokémon: Diamond & Pearl

• Pokémon Diamond – The best new Pokémon that was added to Pokémon Diamond was the version-exclusive fossil Pokémon Rampardos. The Rock type offered fans of Pokémon inspired by dinosaurs another option to add to their team. Rampardos is the superior design of the fossil Pokémon between the two versions as well.

• Pokémon Pearl – For fans of the adorable Dark/Ghost Pokémon Misdreavus from generation two, Pokémon Pearl offers players a chance to catch and evolve it into Mismagius. While it loses it’s Dark typing, the witchy design for this Ghost Pokémon makes it a fun addition for a Ghost-lover’s team.

Best Version-Exclusive Pokémon: Black & White

• Pokémon Black – Generation V was a rough time for Pokémon designs, with a mess of uninspiring species added to the Unova region. However, it was a particularly competitive Pokémon generation for Grass-type fans. Whimsicott, the evolved form of Cottonee, is an adorable grass-type that seams to be modeled off a ball of fluff and a ram.
• Pokémon White – Version-exclusives gave grass trainers a difficult choice however, as Pokémon Pearl challenged Black’s Whimsicott with the beautiful grass Pokémon Lilligant. Both Pokémon offer much needed power to the available grass-types, and give players a hard choice when picking versions.

Best Version-Exclusive Pokémon: X & Y

• Pokémon X – The Kalos region saw the introduction of a new type for the series. Thanks to this, the Fairy-type Pokémon Slurpuff was added to Pokémon X. While it is not the cutest Fairy-type around, it has a balanced moveset, with the ability to learn many Grass-type moves and a Dark-type move without the help of HM’s. This makes it a well-rounded choice for a player’s team.
• Pokémon Y – Players who picked up a copy of Pokémon Y got a treat when they came across Skrelp, the algea like Water/Poison version of Horsea. However, the real surprise comes when Skrelp evolves into the Poison/Dragon-type Dragalge. It is a real frustration that this powerful type combo is limited to one version of the game, making it a Pokémon many wanted to trade for.

Best Version-Exclusive Pokémon: Sun & Moon

• Pokémon Sun – The Alola Region saw the addition of Pokémon with region0based design variants. Fans playing Pokémon Sun were able to find a frosty version of Vulpix, and this Alolan Vulpix evolves into the Ice/Fairy-type Alolan Ninetails. This beautiful Alola form is definitely worth trading between version to snag.
• Pokémon Moon – Fans of Dragon-type Pokémon had a chance to catch Drampa, the Normal/Dragon type, in Pokémon Moon. It is the only dragon Pokémon with the Normal/Dragon typing in any of the games, making it an interesting addition to a team for those who enjoy raising different Dragon-type Pokémon.

Best Version-Exclusive Pokémon: Sword & Shield

• Pokémon Sword – The Galar region added many new Pokémon to the Pokédex for fans, however the most frustrating version-exclusive Pokémon designs for Sword & Shield are the adorable apple dragons Flapple and Appletun. Players can only get Flapple, the evolution of Applin, using the Tart Apple in Pokémon Sword. The Tart Apple is a rare item that can be found in the Wild Area.
• Pokémon Shield – The other evolutionary form of Applin is Appletun. This apple pie dragon is restricted to Pokémon Shield, where players can find the Sweet Apple in the Wild Area. Like other Pokémon whose evolutionary branches are restricted due to the items in each version of a game, players will have to find a friend to swap apples with during a trade to have both in one game.

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