Trading has been a core mechanic in the Pokemon video games since the very beginning. It’s how we complete the Pokedex or evolve certain Pokemon. But let’s face it, not everyone has a friend who owns the other version or is willing to spend their hard-earned money for Nintendo handheld or consoles.
Sometimes you’re the lone trainer and when that happens, in-game trades become extremely memorable or helpful parts of your journey. These are trades with in-game characters who offer an exchange, often giving you something surprisingly strong or rare in return.
Like Fresh Water in the Unova Relic Desert, these trades can be game changing so let's talk about the best of them.
What Are The Best In-Game Trades In Pokémon Video Games?
Excellent question. Some in-game trades are just practical while others feel like a developer wink for solo gamers.
How about a trading an Abra for a battle-ready Mr. Mime in Generation 1? Or an adorable Emolga for a rock-tank Gigalith in Generation 5? Maybe you prefer a buffed-up Machamp from Pokemon Yellow without ever touching a link cable. These trades are some of the most epic barters in Pokemon video game. Keep reading to see the best of the best.
Your Abra for A Mr. Mime
In Generation 1, if you caught an Abra, you were either lucky or had a a massive patience on you before finally landing that elusive teleporting Pokemon.
But once you catch it, a guy on Route 2 would offer to trade it for a Mr. Mime. It may not seem like much until you realize Alakazam is only obtainable via trading a Kadabra. And if you were playing solo, this Mr. Mime was your psychic powerhouse substitute.
Early in the game, Mr. Mime tears through most Pokemon trainers and doesn’t even need evolution to help you win.
Petilil for Cottonee (vice-versa)
Pokemon Black and White's version exclusives were some of the best diversities in the video game series, but they also meant missing out on some if you didn’t have the opposite version.
Good thing we have the Petilil-Cottonee trade in Nacrene City. If you had Black and caught a Petilil, an NPC would swap you a Cottonee from White and vice versa. Getting your hands on the opposing version’s Grass-type line very early was awesome, especially with its evolutionary item, Sun Stone, is available fairly soon.
Your Bellsprout for An Onix
Generation 2 Pokemon games weren’t playing around when it came to in-game trade practicality. In Violet City, right before challenging the Flying-type Gym Leader Falkner, you could trade a Bellsprout, which is as common as Pidgey poop on the route before, for an Onix.
Now Onix isn’t winning any awards for best stat distribution but early game? Onix can tank hits and deal relative damage to Flying-type Pokemon without breaking a sweat or chipping any of the stones in its body.
And you know what else? It can eat Whitney's dreaded Miltank for breakfast without taking any damage. What a trade!
Your Emolga for A Gigalith
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the epic sequels, Pokemon Black 2 and White 2, for giving solo players something incredible. On Route 7, a hiker will is willing to trade you a fully-evolved Gigalith for your Emolga.
That's right, Gigalith, a fully evolved tanky rock-beast that normally requires a trade to reach its maximum form. It has a ridiculous Defense stat and can carry you through some tough fights.
If you’re not a fan of trading with other people but still want those trade evolutions, this trade will make you happy.
Your Spearow for A Hawlucha
The early routes in Pokemon games usually give you rodents, dogs, and birds. Lots of birds. But in Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, you can upgrade your Spearow to a high-flying Hawlucha.
Just go to Route 2’s Pokemon Center and find the Lass offering the trade. Hawlucha is fast, strong, and comes with excellent dual typing in Fighting and Flying.
It’s the kind of trade that makes you feel like Game Freak helps you cheat the game.
Your Kantonian Grimer for An Alolan Grimer
Cinnabar Island might be isolated, hot, and filled with fossils, but it's also home to one of the most strategic trades in Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu. Inside the Pokemon Center, you’ll find a trainer willing to trade their tropical Alolan Grimer for your Kantonian one.
Now why does it matter? Because Alolan Muk is Dark/Poison and it absolutely wrecks Sabrina’s Psychic types and Agatha’s Ghost spectre team. Dominating Kanto with a foreigner!
Your Toxel for A Togepi
There’s something poetic about trading an egg Pokemon for another egg Pokemon. In Sword and Shield's Hammerlocke, you’re offered a Togepi for your toxic baby, Toxel.
The best part? You can get a free Toxel egg from a lady in Route 5 Day Care, so the cost is practically none. And that Togepi? It’ll eventually become a Togekiss with Serene Grace, a broken ability that makes moves like Air Slash and Flamethrower deal way too many flinches or burns.
Your Pincurchin for A Haunter (That Actually Evolves!)
Oh Mindy, the eternal bane of in-game trades. We all remember the trauma of trading for a Haunter that doesn’t evolve because of that intentional Everstone. But in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, redemption is here.
In Levincia’s battle court, a trainer offers you a trade. Your Pincurchin for their Haunter. But plot twist, this one does evolve! No Everstone and just a glorious Gengar ready to dish out Shadow Balls with a grin and power. It’s the apology we never thought we’d get.
Your Cubone for Machoke (That Also Evolves!)
Another generational slap to Mindy comes from Pokemon Yellow, where a man in Route 5’s underground tunnel trades you a Machoke for a tragic Cubone. Sounds good, right? It gets better!
This Machoke evolves into Machamp right after the trade. Machamp isn’t just strong but it’s also one of the coolest looking original Pokemon. You basically skip two evolutionary steps and walk out with a humungous brawler.
Your Luvdisc for A Steelix
Sometimes a trade is so generous, it feels like the NPC is trolling with you. Enter the Luvdisc for Steelix trade in Pokemon X and Y. You give them a literal heart-shaped fish with straighy-up horrible stats and in return get a hulking steel serpent.
Steelix has an absurd Defense stat and can take physical hits like it's nothing. This trade just made Pokemon X and Y as easiest as it can be.
In-game trades may not have the addictive mystery of Wonder Trades but their value can be undeniably massive. They help solo players have access to trade evolutions, acquire version exclusives, or boast powerful Pokemon early in the game.
So next time you boot up a Pokemon game, don’t overlook those trade offers. Your next MVP (Most Valuable Pokemon) might just be waiting behind a casual “Hey! Want to trade?”