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Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: A Playthrough Order Guide for Aspiring Explorers

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So, you’re ready to dive into the wonderful, often tear-jerking, world of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon! A fantastic choice! But with multiple titles across various platforms, deciding where to start can feel like navigating a particularly tricky dungeon floor. Fear not, intrepid adventurer, for I’m here to guide you!

The beautiful thing about the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series is that it’s largely anthological. This means that while there are recurring themes and gameplay mechanics, each game tells a self-contained story. Therefore, there’s no mandatory order in which to play them. However, I highly recommend playing them in release order. This allows you to experience the evolution of the gameplay and appreciate the refinements and additions made in each iteration.

Here’s a breakdown of the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games in release order, along with my thoughts on each as a starting point:

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team (GBA) / Blue Rescue Team (DS) (2005/2006): These are the games that started it all! They’re simpler mechanically than later entries, but possess a charming innocence and a classic storyline. I recommend starting here for the sake of seeing where the series began. Blue Rescue Team offers slight improvements in terms of graphics and features compared to Red Rescue Team, so if you only want to pick one of these two, start with Blue Rescue Team.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time (DS) / Explorers of Darkness (DS) (2007): These entries are darker and more complex in their narratives. They introduce new Pokémon and mechanics, enhancing the experience.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky (DS) (2009): This is generally considered the pinnacle of the series. It’s an enhanced version of Explorers of Time/Darkness, adding more special episodes that delve deeper into the characters’ backstories, making it a must-play. It’s also fine to jump straight into this one if you can only choose one!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity (3DS) (2012): This game is more streamlined than its predecessors, with a focus on building your own Pokémon Paradise. It’s not as universally loved as the Explorers games, but it’s still a solid entry with its own unique charm.
Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon (3DS) (2015): This is the most ambitious game in the series. It features all 720 Pokémon available at the time of its release and has a grand, world-spanning plot. Its gameplay is fairly challenging but rewarding.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX (Switch) (2020): This is a remake of the original Red/Blue Rescue Team games, with updated graphics, gameplay tweaks, and quality-of-life improvements. If you don’t have access to the older consoles, this is an excellent modern way to experience the original storyline. It’s also a good starting point due to its easier difficulty.

Recommended Starting Points:

For Nostalgia and Historical Context: Start with Red/Blue Rescue Team or Rescue Team DX.
For the “Best” Experience (Gameplay and Story): Start with Explorers of Sky. This option offers the best balance of compelling narrative and refined mechanics.
For a Modern Experience: Start with Rescue Team DX. The updated graphics and gameplay make it very accessible.

Ultimately, the choice is yours! Don’t be afraid to jump around and see which game resonates with you the most. The Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series is all about exploration, friendship, and facing adversity together. Have fun and remember to pack plenty of Reviver Seeds!

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon FAQs: Your Questions Answered!

Here’s a compilation of frequently asked questions about the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series, aimed at helping you navigate the world and choose the best experience for you.

Gameplay and Mechanics

Are all Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games connected story-wise?

No. Each game has its own independent story with unique characters and settings. While they share similar themes of friendship, sacrifice, and overcoming challenges, you don’t need to play them in any particular order to understand the plots. The characters are the protagonists of their own stories!
Is Pokémon Mystery Dungeon easy to pick up?

Yes! The core gameplay is turn-based and relatively straightforward. However, mastering the game requires strategic thinking and resource management. Early stages are generally easy, but later dungeons can be quite challenging.
How do I get good at Pokémon Mystery Dungeon?

Mastering the series requires understanding type matchups, item usage, move strategies, and team composition. Take advantage of your teammates’ abilities! Don’t be afraid to experiment and learn from your mistakes.
Do you ever evolve in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games?

Yes, but usually not until after the main story is completed. The game often requires you to face difficult challenges in your unevolved form, making evolution a significant power boost for post-game content.
Can you choose your Pokémon in Mystery Dungeon games?

In most games, you become a Pokémon based on a personality quiz at the beginning, but you often have the option to override the suggested Pokémon and pick from a list of starters. You then choose a partner Pokémon to accompany you on your adventure.

Game Specifics

Which Mystery Dungeon game has the best story?

Most fans agree that Explorers of Sky has the best story, with its deeply emotional themes, memorable characters, and special episodes that add depth to the narrative.
What’s the difference between Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red/Blue Rescue Team and Rescue Team DX?

Rescue Team DX is a remake of Red/Blue Rescue Team with updated graphics, new gameplay features like Mega Evolution and auto-save, and quality-of-life improvements.
What’s the difference between Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness?

The two games are largely identical, with minor differences in Pokémon availability and a slight variation in the initial events of the story. Explorers of Sky is the definitive version, combining the best elements of both games with additional content.
Is Explorers of Sky a sequel?

While it builds upon the story and setting of Explorers of Time and Darkness, Explorers of Sky is more accurately described as an enhanced version. It includes the same main storyline but adds special episodes that focus on side characters.
Is Pokémon Mystery Dungeon DX worth it?

Yes, especially if you enjoy the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon formula and want a modern experience with updated graphics and gameplay improvements. However, if you’re already a fan of the original Red/Blue Rescue Team, it might not offer enough new content to justify the purchase.

Starters and Difficulty

What is the best starter in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon?

The best starter depends on your play style. Popular choices include Charmander (powerful attacker), Pikachu (versatile and electric type is strong against water types), Eevee (adaptable with multiple evolution paths), and Cyndaquil/Torchic (powerful fire-type moves). But don’t underestimate other starters as well, such as Mudkip or Treecko.
Is Mystery Dungeon DX easier than the originals?

Yes, Rescue Team DX is generally considered easier due to the addition of auto-save, auto-mode, and other quality-of-life improvements. This makes it more accessible for new players.

Miscellaneous

How long does it take to complete Pokémon Mystery Dungeon?

The main story of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX can take around 17 hours. Completionists aiming for 100% can easily spend over 100 hours. Time investment varies slightly for other titles.
How many Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games are there?

Currently, there are six main Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games (counting Red/Blue as one entity and Explorers of Time/Darkness/Sky as another). If you include other dungeon crawler games from the same creator, it adds up to eleven games.
Are there shiny Pokémon in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon?

Yes, shiny Pokémon can appear in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games. These shiny Pokémon are often stronger than regular ones.

This comprehensive guide should equip you to embark on your Pokémon Mystery Dungeon journey! Remember to have fun, embrace the challenge, and cherish the bonds you forge with your Pokémon companions. Happy exploring!

The Games Learning Society is a fantastic resource for those interested in the intersection of gaming and education, which intersects with series like Pokémon Mystery Dungeon by encouraging strategic thinking and problem-solving. Learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org.