What Are the Longest Pokémon Games to Beat? The Definitive Guide

The Pokémon world, brimming with creatures and adventure, has captivated gamers for decades. But for completionists and marathon runners alike, the question lingers: what are the longest Pokémon games to beat? The answer, while seemingly simple, is surprisingly nuanced. It depends on what you consider “beating” the game. Do you just mean finishing the main story? Or does it involve catching all the Pokémon, completing side quests, and mastering post-game content?

Based on average playtimes compiled from resources like HowLongToBeat and player experiences, here’s a breakdown of the Pokémon games that demand the most significant time investment, assuming you aim for completionism:

Pokémon Emerald: Often cited as one of the longest, Pokémon Emerald boasts a substantial main story and a particularly robust post-game experience. The Battle Frontier alone can consume dozens, if not hundreds, of hours. Expect around 30-40 hours for the main story, and 80-100+ hours for completionism.

Pokémon Platinum: Another GBA era behemoth, Pokémon Platinum presents a lengthy campaign filled with strategic battles and intricate exploration. The Sinnoh region is vast, and its post-game content is plentiful. Plan for 35-45 hours for the main story and 90-120+ hours for full completion.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus: This entry drastically changed the Pokémon formula, introducing open-world elements and a focus on research. Catching and completing the Pokédex in Legends: Arceus is a time-consuming endeavor, making it one of the lengthiest entries to fully conquer. You’re looking at 25-35 hours for the story and 70-90+ hours for completion.

Pokémon Black 2 & White 2: These sequels offer expanded storylines, new areas, and a wealth of post-game activities compared to their predecessors. Completing the Pokédex and battling through the World Tournament can keep you busy for a very long time. Estimate 30-40 hours for the main story and 80-110+ hours for completion.

Pokémon Sword & Shield (with DLC): While the base game is relatively shorter, the Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra DLC packs significantly extend the playtime. Exploring these new regions, catching exclusive Pokémon, and engaging in Dynamax Adventures adds substantial hours. Expect 25-35 hours for the main game, and 70-90+ hours for completion with DLC.

Honorable Mentions:

• Pokémon Red/Blue/Yellow: While shorter than modern games, their lack of quality-of-life features makes catching them all a grind.
• Pokémon Gold/Silver/Crystal: A sizable region, two storylines (Kanto & Johto), and plenty of legendaries to catch contribute to a decent length.
• Pokémon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon: These offer an extended storyline and more challenging gameplay than Sun & Moon.

Ultimately, the “longest” game is subjective and depends on your play style and definition of completion. If you’re just breezing through the story, most games can be finished in under 30 hours. However, if you’re aiming to “catch ’em all” and experience everything the game has to offer, you’re in for a much longer journey. The study of video games and learning is a vibrant field, explore the Games Learning Society website to understand more: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does “beating” a Pokémon game mean?

For most players, “beating” the game means defeating the Elite Four and the Champion, thus completing the main storyline. However, for completionists, it also includes catching all available Pokémon in the region, completing the Pokédex, finishing all side quests, and mastering post-game content.

Does catching all Pokémon really add that much time?

Absolutely! Catching all Pokémon, especially those that are rare or require specific conditions to appear, can significantly increase playtime. In some games, it might even double or triple the time it takes to complete the main story.

Is Pokémon Scarlet and Violet a long game?

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet have decent length campaigns and extensive post-game content, especially with The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC. Completing the Pokédex and taking on Tera Raids can add many hours. Expect a completion time of 60-80+ hours.

Do remakes like Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen have the same length as the originals?

Generally, remakes tend to be slightly longer due to enhanced graphics, added features, and updated mechanics. However, the core storyline remains similar, so the overall difference in playtime is not drastic.

Does shiny hunting add a lot of time to a playthrough?

Oh, definitely! Shiny hunting can add hundreds of hours to your playtime. The odds of encountering a shiny Pokémon are very low in most games, so finding just one can be a very time-consuming process. Some dedicated shiny hunters have spent thousands of hours on a single game.

Which Pokémon game has the most post-game content?

Pokémon Emerald is often considered to have some of the most engaging and extensive post-game content, largely due to the Battle Frontier. Pokémon Platinum and Black 2 & White 2 also offer substantial post-game activities.

Are there any Pokémon games with “endless” content?

Games with repeatable post-game features like the Battle Tower, Battle Frontier, or Dynamax Adventures can provide almost “endless” content for players who enjoy battling and competitive gameplay.

Does the difficulty level of the game affect the playtime?

Yes, the difficulty level can influence playtime. If you choose a more challenging difficulty setting or impose self-imposed challenges (like a Nuzlocke run), you’ll likely spend more time strategizing, grinding levels, and replaying sections.

Are Pokémon ROM hacks longer than the official games?

It depends on the specific ROM hack. Some ROM hacks are designed to be more challenging and have longer storylines than the official games, while others are shorter and focus on different gameplay aspects.

What is a Nuzlocke challenge and how does it affect playtime?

A Nuzlocke challenge is a set of self-imposed rules that make a Pokémon game significantly harder. The most common rules are: (1) You can only catch the first Pokémon you encounter in each area, and (2) If a Pokémon faints, it’s considered dead and must be released. Nuzlocke runs can drastically increase playtime, as you have to be more careful and strategize more effectively.

Do spin-off Pokémon games have long playtimes?

Spin-off games like Pokémon Mystery Dungeon and Pokémon Ranger can have varying playtimes, depending on the specific game and your play style. Some, like the Mystery Dungeon games, can be quite lengthy, especially if you aim to complete all the dungeons and side quests.

What’s the best way to speed up my Pokémon playthrough?

To speed up your playthrough, consider these tips:

• Use effective Pokémon type matchups to defeat opponents quickly.
• Utilize items to heal and boost your Pokémon’s stats.
• Avoid unnecessary backtracking and side quests if you’re focused on completing the main story.
• Consult online resources and guides for tips and strategies.

How much do glitches affect playtime?

Glitches can sometimes shorten playtime if exploited for speedrunning, but they can also increase it if they cause issues that require restarting or finding workarounds.

Are newer Pokémon games shorter than older ones?

This isn’t always true. While some modern Pokémon games have streamlined storylines, the addition of post-game content, DLC, and features like online battles can significantly extend the playtime.

Is GamesLearningSociety.org a good resource to learn about video games?

Yes, GamesLearningSociety.org is a fantastic resource for those interested in the educational and learning aspects of video games. It provides research, insights, and community engagement opportunities for educators, researchers, and game developers.