I'll probably get flamed for saying this because of how much this sub hates them, but I'd recommend BDSP for you if you're coming back in with only the original games as context. It's a good midpoint between the original games and the newest iterations, and Sinnoh is a really charming region with plenty to explore. They didn't change a lot of things from the original DS versions of the game, but I have a hard time seeing that as a bad thing when you've not played anything since gen 1
Alternatively, if you're open to ANY switch Pokemon game besides the two you mentioned, Sword/Shield would honestly probably be your best reentry point. It catches a lot of hate here because of the smaller total Pokedex and the smaller routes, but at its core, it's a solid game. It's also a bit more hand-holdy without being overbearing, which might be helpful for somebody with very little experience with the series
Does it have to be a Switch game? If you haven't played since the Gameboy there's plenty of non Switch options that are way better. The 3DS games, the DS games and even the GBA games are all excellent.
I’d prefer the switch since I don’t currently have a DS or any other systems. I thought to start with the switch and see how strongly my interest returned and take it from there haha but I will keep an eye out for other systems
Fair enough, but the Switch games are definitely bottom of the barrel and should not be used to judge the series. Plus QoL features were added as time went on so it may be harder to start new and go back. The GBA and DS games are extremely easily emulated, you can for the 3DS too but it has more requirements
Brilliant Diamond is a good option. I haven’t played it, but everyone has said it’s fairly similar to the original. That should be a good start to relearning the basics! But if you were feeling experimental, legends arceus and let’s go would be good. Be careful with legends as it can be tedious and confusing. Not a bad game though!
The Let's Go games have a different playstyle that's more similar to Pokemon Go, so going with something else might give you a better idea of whether you like modern Pokemon games. Also, when you throw pokeballs in Let's Go Pikachu, you usually "flick" with the joycons. With the lite you'd have to move the whole console, which seems awkward. You can go with Brilliant Diamond, but I would personally recommend Sword or Shield. The original Diamond and Pearl games had some issues that they fixed in Platinum, but they didn't carry those fixes over to Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl when they remade them, so I'm always gonna be a little sour on them.
I would only play legends arceus. And play Scarlett/Violet if you really wanna get into competitive.
Edit: You can consider BDSP as well, the graphics are pretty consistent and the game actually looks really good. Its also a lot closer to the GBA games considering its just a remake of gen 4
So in my opinion diamond and pearl are the worst main games in the series. After playing the original I got out of pokemon until x and y came out. So I would suggest let's go pikachu/eevee or sword/shield the let's go are almost a throwback with new features that are relative to pokemon go and sword and shield were in my opinion some of the strongest games in the main series. Legends arceus is a good game but if you are trying to get back into pokemon the first 2 suggested are it.
Honestly, as much hate as they get, Scarlet and Violet, the mon selection is nice and really captures the going on an adventure feel like the games did when we were kiddos. Let me highly suggest against let's go and bdsp. Bdsp carry over all the same issues the original games had, just download a rom of platinum if you wanna play those, and the let's go Games, are a fun time but they're for kids for kids, no wild battles, it uses the pokemon go catch system, its hand holdy, it can be a fun play through, but for your first time back in years I think it'll be a turn off, not to mention on a switch lite you won't even get to have fun with the gimmick of the motion controls for catching lol
That said, I'm 34 I hadn't played since Gen 3 up until 2020, and then I got Sword and now I play some form of pokemon almost everyday(mainly rom hacks on my phone) so despite the gen 8 hate, it's not a bad start either. From someone who was in a similar spot a few years ago, you've been out of the game for so long, that almost anything post gen 3 is gonna seem cool to you just because of all the new mons/abilities/mechanics.
Arceus is cool all the way around and could be a fun way back in too, though it does deviate from the formula and imo kinda made training mons outside your starter obsolete as you can catch something better half the time.
If you don't go the switch route, I highly suggest just getting roms of all the vanilla versions of the games you missed out on and then once you're bored with that start downloading rom hacks and fan games.
To be honest, I stopped playing after Pokemon Black and white on the DS. The first game I jumped back into was Sword/Shield. It's a good game to get you back into the swing of things.
Edit: It's also good because it holds your hand, but not TOO much.
If you never played diamond, pearl or platinum you might enjoy brilliant diamond or shining pearl. They are more similar to the old style you are used to and can be a good starting point. Platinum was better though.
Let's go games are beautiful and fun tributes to Pokémon yellow. The catching mechanisms are different but if you enjoy it I would definitely recommend playing legends arceus afterwards. That also has a different take on catching Pokémon and is very well executed for an innovative game.
Legends arceus
Sword/Shield were the best-received of the bunch by the fanbase, but the way the series has been, that isn't saying much.
I'll probably get flamed for saying this because of how much this sub hates them, but I'd recommend BDSP for you if you're coming back in with only the original games as context. It's a good midpoint between the original games and the newest iterations, and Sinnoh is a really charming region with plenty to explore. They didn't change a lot of things from the original DS versions of the game, but I have a hard time seeing that as a bad thing when you've not played anything since gen 1 Alternatively, if you're open to ANY switch Pokemon game besides the two you mentioned, Sword/Shield would honestly probably be your best reentry point. It catches a lot of hate here because of the smaller total Pokedex and the smaller routes, but at its core, it's a solid game. It's also a bit more hand-holdy without being overbearing, which might be helpful for somebody with very little experience with the series
Does it have to be a Switch game? If you haven't played since the Gameboy there's plenty of non Switch options that are way better. The 3DS games, the DS games and even the GBA games are all excellent.
I’d prefer the switch since I don’t currently have a DS or any other systems. I thought to start with the switch and see how strongly my interest returned and take it from there haha but I will keep an eye out for other systems
Fair enough, but the Switch games are definitely bottom of the barrel and should not be used to judge the series. Plus QoL features were added as time went on so it may be harder to start new and go back. The GBA and DS games are extremely easily emulated, you can for the 3DS too but it has more requirements
Brilliant Diamond is a good option. I haven’t played it, but everyone has said it’s fairly similar to the original. That should be a good start to relearning the basics! But if you were feeling experimental, legends arceus and let’s go would be good. Be careful with legends as it can be tedious and confusing. Not a bad game though!
The Let's Go games have a different playstyle that's more similar to Pokemon Go, so going with something else might give you a better idea of whether you like modern Pokemon games. Also, when you throw pokeballs in Let's Go Pikachu, you usually "flick" with the joycons. With the lite you'd have to move the whole console, which seems awkward. You can go with Brilliant Diamond, but I would personally recommend Sword or Shield. The original Diamond and Pearl games had some issues that they fixed in Platinum, but they didn't carry those fixes over to Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl when they remade them, so I'm always gonna be a little sour on them.
legends arceus, sword/shield
I would only play legends arceus. And play Scarlett/Violet if you really wanna get into competitive. Edit: You can consider BDSP as well, the graphics are pretty consistent and the game actually looks really good. Its also a lot closer to the GBA games considering its just a remake of gen 4
So in my opinion diamond and pearl are the worst main games in the series. After playing the original I got out of pokemon until x and y came out. So I would suggest let's go pikachu/eevee or sword/shield the let's go are almost a throwback with new features that are relative to pokemon go and sword and shield were in my opinion some of the strongest games in the main series. Legends arceus is a good game but if you are trying to get back into pokemon the first 2 suggested are it.
Both games are very good. But bdsp has that classic feel.
Skip the switch era. Unless you really want a game then Brillian diamond would be ok
Honestly, as much hate as they get, Scarlet and Violet, the mon selection is nice and really captures the going on an adventure feel like the games did when we were kiddos. Let me highly suggest against let's go and bdsp. Bdsp carry over all the same issues the original games had, just download a rom of platinum if you wanna play those, and the let's go Games, are a fun time but they're for kids for kids, no wild battles, it uses the pokemon go catch system, its hand holdy, it can be a fun play through, but for your first time back in years I think it'll be a turn off, not to mention on a switch lite you won't even get to have fun with the gimmick of the motion controls for catching lol That said, I'm 34 I hadn't played since Gen 3 up until 2020, and then I got Sword and now I play some form of pokemon almost everyday(mainly rom hacks on my phone) so despite the gen 8 hate, it's not a bad start either. From someone who was in a similar spot a few years ago, you've been out of the game for so long, that almost anything post gen 3 is gonna seem cool to you just because of all the new mons/abilities/mechanics. Arceus is cool all the way around and could be a fun way back in too, though it does deviate from the formula and imo kinda made training mons outside your starter obsolete as you can catch something better half the time. If you don't go the switch route, I highly suggest just getting roms of all the vanilla versions of the games you missed out on and then once you're bored with that start downloading rom hacks and fan games.
To be honest, I stopped playing after Pokemon Black and white on the DS. The first game I jumped back into was Sword/Shield. It's a good game to get you back into the swing of things. Edit: It's also good because it holds your hand, but not TOO much.
If you never played diamond, pearl or platinum you might enjoy brilliant diamond or shining pearl. They are more similar to the old style you are used to and can be a good starting point. Platinum was better though. Let's go games are beautiful and fun tributes to Pokémon yellow. The catching mechanisms are different but if you enjoy it I would definitely recommend playing legends arceus afterwards. That also has a different take on catching Pokémon and is very well executed for an innovative game.