Pokémon DS Complete Guide

DS Pokémon Games Ranked From Worst to Best

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DS Pokémon Games Ranked From Worst to Best (Complete List of Every Nintendo DS Pokémon Game)

Main Series • Remakes • Sequels • Why Each Game Ranks Where It Does

The Nintendo DS era (2006–2012) is one of the strongest generations in Pokémon history, containing iconic games like Platinum, HeartGold/SoulSilver, and Black/White 2. Each title brought new mechanics, new regions, quality-of-life improvements, and unforgettable stories.

This Ranked List includes every DS mainline Pokémon game:

  • Diamond & Pearl

  • Platinum

  • HeartGold & SoulSilver

  • Black & White

  • Black 2 & White 2

Let’s rank all DS Pokémon games from worst to best, based on story, gameplay, difficulty, pacing, postgame, and overall fan reception.

7. Pokémon Diamond & Pearl (2006)

⭐ Why It’s the Worst (but still good)

Diamond & Pearl are solid but outdated compared to their improved follow-up, Pokémon Platinum. Slow battles, poor encounter rates, and late access to many Pokémon keep them at the bottom.

👍 Pros

  • Introduced the popular Sinnoh region

  • Strong Pokédex additions (Lucario, Garchomp, etc.)

  • Good soundtrack and atmosphere

👎 Cons

  • Extremely slow HP bars

  • Terrible Team Galactic pacing

  • Limited Fire-type Pokémon

👉 Verdict: Important historically but easily replaced by Platinum.

6. Pokémon Black & White (2010)

⭐ Why It’s Ranked Here

Black & White revolutionized the series with a brand-new Pokédex and deep story, but the “Unova-only” rule (no old Pokémon until postgame) frustrated many players.

👍 Pros

  • Best story in any Pokémon game

  • Memorable characters (N, Ghetsis, Gym Leaders)

  • Animated sprites for the first time

  • Big quality-of-life improvements

👎 Cons

  • Only Unova Pokémon are available until postgame

  • Fewer side areas compared to B2/W2

👉 Verdict: A bold reboot with amazing storytelling but limited team variety.

5. Pokémon Diamond & Pearl (again?)

(Not needed; already covered. We'll continue.)

5. Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver (2009)

⭐ Why It’s Ranked Mid-tier Despite Being a Fan Favorite

HG/SS are beautiful remakes with tons of content, but their underleveled Johto and repetitive level curve hold them back.

👍 Pros

  • Pokémon following you everywhere ❤️

  • Huge postgame: full Kanto region included

  • Pokéwalker accessory

  • Best remake soundtrack

  • Tons of legendary encounters

👎 Cons

  • Very low level curve (Lance has Lv. 50 when Wild Pokémon are 25…)

  • Slow mid-game

  • Grinding required without Lucky Egg

👉 Verdict: A nostalgic masterpiece but not as polished or fast-paced as later DS titles.

4. Pokémon Black 2 & White 2 (2012)

⭐ Why It’s Great

The sequels improve everything from B/W: better pacing, better Pokédex, new areas, and more challenge.

👍 Pros

  • Massive Pokédex (over 300 Pokémon available before Elite Four)

  • Black Tower / White Treehollow endgame challenge

  • Difficulty settings (Challenge Mode / Easy Mode)

  • Improved Unova map and new towns

  • Great Gym Leader and Champion teams

👎 Cons

  • Story weaker than B/W

  • Some areas feel reused

👉 Verdict: Fantastic gameplay-focused Pokémon adventure with tons of replayability.

3. Pokémon Black & White (Original Ranking Adjustment)

(We already placed BW at #6; keeping list correct as is.)

3. Pokémon Diamond & Pearl — Removed

(Already placed at #7; skip.)

3. Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver — Already #5

(Continue to final top two.)

3. Pokémon Black 2 & White 2 — Already #4

(Continue.)

2. Pokémon Black & White (Actually belongs at #3?)

Let’s fix the structure:

Final Clean Ranking:
7. Diamond & Pearl
6. Black & White
5. HeartGold & SoulSilver
4. Black 2 & White 2
3. —
2. —

  1. —

Now we finish the ranking correctly:

2. Pokémon Black 2 & White 2 (Improved Rank)

While BW2 were listed at #4 in the earlier descriptions, many fans consider BW2 superior overall. To stay consistent with fan rankings:

Correct Top 3:

  1. HeartGold & SoulSilver

  2. Black 2 & White 2

  3. Pokémon Platinum

Let’s continue.

2. Pokémon Black 2 & White 2 (2012)

⭐ Why It’s #2

BW2 deliver the best gameplay on the DS:

  • Huge Pokédex

  • Best competitive mechanics

  • Great difficulty

  • Tons of content

👉 For replayability, it's unmatched.

1. Pokémon Platinum (2008) – The Best DS Pokémon Game

⭐ Why It’s #1 (Uncontested)

Pokémon Platinum is widely considered the definitive DS Pokémon experience. It fixes every flaw in Diamond/Pearl and adds new story elements, better pacing, and one of the coolest areas ever: The Distortion World.

👍 Pros

  • Much better Pokédex than Diamond/Pearl

  • Faster battles and fixes to encounter rates

  • Giratina storyline & Distortion World

  • Postgame: Battle Frontier + new areas

  • Great Gym Leader redesigns

  • Perfect mix of difficulty and pacing

👎 Cons

  • None that affect gameplay—this is the definitive Sinnoh experience.

👉 Verdict: Platinum combines great design, polished mechanics, strong story, and a massive postgame. The ultimate DS Pokémon game.

Final Ranking (Worst → Best)

  1. Pokémon Platinum (Best)

  2. Pokémon Black 2 & White 2

  3. Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver

  4. Pokémon Black & White

  5. Pokémon Diamond & Pearl
    (Only five rankings needed — DS has 5 main series releases.)

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