Pokemon games have always been about catching 'em all, battling your way to the league, and deepening bonds with your Poke-crew but what makes the experience even better is when Game Freak takes an already good game and gives it the deluxe treatment.
Whether it’s a fresh coat of paint, new post-game content, or massive mechanical fixes, these deluxe versions make revisiting familiar regions feel new.
What Are Pokemon Deluxe Versions and What Are the Best Pokemon Deluxe Versions?
Deluxe versions are enhanced re-releases of mainline Pokemon games that add improvements, fixes, and sometimes entirely new content. Pokemon Crystal added sprite animations, a Suicune storyline, and the option to play as female which is a first for the series. Then there’s Emerald that combined the best parts of Ruby and Sapphire into one of the most beloved games of all time. Let's dive deeper into what makes these versions the best way to experience their respective generations.
Pokemon Crystal
As the deluxe version of Gold and Silver, Pokemon Crystal set the bar for what an enhanced version could be. It was the first mainline game to let you play as female, a step forward for inclusivity. The legendary beast Suicune took the spotlight, giving the story more structure and direction.
While it didn’t add massive gameplay changes, it was visually refreshing with animated sprites that gave each Pokemon a bit more personality. Oh, this was many fans’ first experience hunting Shiny Pokemon. Crystal laid the groundwork for future deluxe editions.
Pokemon Platinum
If Diamond and Pearl were diamonds in the rough, Pokemon Platinum was the king's jewel. The first thing fans noticed was the speed. Platinum fixed the dreadfully slow HP bar animations and sped up overall gameplay. The Sinnoh Pokedex was expanded to make team building more fun and experimental.
But the real highlight was the story of Giratina and the Distortion World. One of the creepiest and most unique areas in the entire series, turning the story into something bold and unforgettable.
Pokemon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
At first glance, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon didn’t seem all that different from their base Alola games. The early story parts were nearly identical but stick around and the differences come in. New Ultra Beasts invaded the regional Pokedex in unexpected ways. The final battle with Ultra Necrozma is brutal and one of the most intense boss fights in any Pokemon game.
There’s also the post-game Rainbow Rocket arc, a crossover event bringing together villainous teams from every generation. It’s pure fan service, and we love it for that!
Pokemon Emerald
Emerald is peak green, deluxe edition energy. While Ruby and Sapphire each had exclusive content, Emerald combined the best of both and added more. You get to deal with both Team Aqua and Team Magma, and Rayquaza’s role in the story takes center stage.
The Battle Frontier, a post-game tournament of diverse and challenging Pokemon battle formats, remains one of the series’ most beloved features. The inclusion of Battle Tents as mini-challenges along the way was also a great distraction.
Pokemon Yellow
Way before we had Ultra forms and terrifying dimensions, Pokemon Yellow proved that deluxe versions could elevate a game’s legacy. Inspired by the anime, Yellow lets you start with Pikachu a that followed you around and had its own personality. You could battle Jessie and James, and you got access to all three original Kanto starters for free.
The sprite work was a noticeable improvement over Red and Blue, giving Pokemon more charm and identity. For fans of the anime or anyone looking for the most complete Generation 1 experience, Yellow is the OG masterpiece.
Special Mention
Though not a mainline title, Pokemon Explorers of Sky deserves major props as one of the most meaningful enhanced versions of a spin-off in Pokemon history. As the deluxe edition of Explorers of Time and Darkness, it added new starter options, expanded lore through special chapters, and improved the emotional storytelling that the Mystery Dungeon series is known for.
It deepened the already powerful narrative surrounding many Pokemon, added new dungeons, and brought quality-of-life updates that made dungeon crawling feel smoother. If you want a spin-off that strikes you in the heart, Explorers of Sky is as good as it gets.
Deluxe versions of Pokemon are refined, enhanced, and often definitive editions that improve on nearly every aspect of the original. Whether it’s a quality-of-life fix like Platinum, a story boost like Emerald, or a nostalgic walk like Yellow, these games prove that Pokemon always has room to grow.
These fan-favorite tites are love letters to their base games and crafted for fans who want to experience the best version of a region they've already fallen in love with. If you're planning a replay, consider going deluxe as it’s the ultimate way to travel the world of Pokemon.
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