As Pokémon has become one of Nintendo's dominant franchises, it has made appearances across various platforms in a variety of non-Pokémon specific games. Most notably Pokémon has appeared within the Smash Bros series, which is covered on this site, but Pokémon has also appeared in a variety of official Nintendo games. This page is to detail all of its appearances

Splatoon 3

Console: Nintendo Switch
Release Date: September 9th 2022

Splatoon 3 is the third iteration of Nintendo's hit third person shooting game where you play as Inklings and have to face off against eachother in various modes to see who can cover the most course in ink. From time to time, Splatfests are held which have players select between three teams and compete to show which team is the best. Pokémon appears via these Splatfests

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Tetris 99

Console: Nintendo Switch
Worldwide Release Date February 13th 2019
Event Duration: November 8th - 12th 2019

Tetris 99 is a Battle Royale version of the Tetris game and puts you against 98 other players worldwide for matches. Your task is to clear lines using the various puzzle pieces and doing combos in order to send garbage lines to other players so that you become the victor.

In March of 2019, the game introduced Maximus Cups, a special competition where, for the weekend, players would face off against eachother in order to earn points. First this was for a reward of My Nintendo Gold Points but, in April 2019, customisation was added and themes started to exist

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Animal Crossing Pocket Camp

Console: iOS/Android
Australia Release Date: October 25th 2017
Worldwide Release Date November 22nd 2017
Event Duration: October 12th 2018 - October 23rd 2018

Ahead of the launch of Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! & Let's Go, Eevee!, a collaboration went live in the mobile game, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp. This game is a mobile version of Animal Crossing where, instead of joining a town, you make a campsite where you can encounter various villagers and gather materials while doing various quests.

One of the event styles is a special Scavenger Hunt where you collect various special Gyroids and use them to craft various items. On October 12th 2018, a special Poké Ball Scavenger Hunt began. This has you hunt down various Poké Balls rather than Gyroids which can then be utilised to pay for the special items. Once the items are obtained, they can forever be in your game.

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Swapdoodle

Console: Nintendo 3DS
Japan Release Date: November 22nd 2016
EU Release Date November 17th 2016
US Release Date November 17th 2016

Swapdoodle is the successor to Swapnote and allows for you to handwrite various messages to send to other Nintendo 3DS owners on your friend list. It soon got functionality to tie in with Nintendo Badge Arcade and, as of October 18th 2017 allows for the Pokémon badges obtained within that game to be used to decorate your messages. You can use up to 4 badges on each message.

Nintendo Badge Arcade

Console: Nintendo 3DS
Japan Release Date: December 17th 2014
EU Release Date November 13th 2015
US Release Date November 11th 2015

Nintendo Badge Arcade (Collectible Badge Center in Japan) is a free piece of downloadable software that lets you use a crane machine style game to collect various badges. These badges can then be used to decorate your home menu and often provide home menu themes to fit it. You get free attempts each day to get badges, or you can pay to get more attempts at 90¥/Ł0.90/€1.00/$1.00 for 5 attempts. Most Nintendo franchises have had a variety of panels introduced and on September 17th 2015, Pokémon had the first panels introduced

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Splatoon

Console: Nintendo Wii U
Japan Release Date: May 28th 2015
EU Release Date May 29th 2015
US Release Date May 29th 2015

Splatoon is Nintendo's hit third person shooting game where you play as Inklings and have to face off against eachother in various modes to see who can cover the most course in ink. From time to time, there are various special events called SplatFests and in these Splatfests, you pick between two teams and face off against to see who is the best. Pokémon appears via these Splatfests

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Super Mario Maker

Console: Nintendo Wii U
Japan Release Date: September 10th 2015
US/European Release Date: September 11th 2015
amiibo Support?: Yes

In Super Mario Maker, you can get various costumes to access through the Mystery Mushroom in the Super Mario Bros. style. These costumes can be of a variety of characters from many Nintendo franchises, and this includes Pokémon. To get the costumes, you either have to scan the appropriate amiibo or complete the 100 Mario Challenge where you will receive a random costume for doing so. There are 9 different Pokémon costumes in this game, each with different animations but they lack additional Pokémon related sound effects.

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StreetPass Plaza - Puzzle Swap

Console: Nintendo 3DS
Worldwide Release Date: February 26th 2011

Puzzle Swap is a part of the built-in application on the Nintendo 3DS called StreetPass Plaza. As you StreetPass other players, you'll be able to receive puzzle pieces from them, or spend 2 Play Coins to get a puzzle piece. Various panels get sent through SpotPass to celebrate a variety of games and when the puzzle is complete, then you can watch a special animation. Pokémon is one of the many franchises which has had representation in this piece of software

Image Name Description Release
Pokémon X & Y The animation shows Xerneas and Yveltal statically with close ups moving between the Pokémon as they do an animation October 2013
Swapnote / Nintendo Letterbox

Console: Nintendo 3DS
Worldwide Release Date: December 22nd 2011

Swapnote, known in Europe as Nintendo Letterbox, is a piece of free download software available on the Nintendo 3DS eShop. This game allows you to send various messages to other players across the world but, after writing 20 messages, you get the ability to save and use new stationery. This stationery has specific themes and numerous Pokémon themed stationery has been released. This stationery typically requires you to have a game played on the 3DS. The stationery is as follows

Image Name Method Release
Pokémon Black 2 & White 2 - Kyurem Have Pokémon Black 2 or White 2
North America distribution
November 1st 2012
Pokémon Black 2 & White 2 - Genesect Have Pokémon Black 2
North America distribution
November 1st 2012
Pokémon Black 2 & White 2 - Genesect Have Pokémon White 2
North America distribution
November 1st 2012
Pokédex 3D Pro - Genesect Have Pokédex 3D Pro
North America distribution
January 30th 2013
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity Have Pokémon Black 2
North America distribution
March 15th 2013
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity Have Pokémon White 2
North America distribution
March 15th 2013
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity Have Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity
North America distribution
April 18th 2013
Pokémon X & Y Have any Pokémon game
North America & Europe distribution
June 11th 2013
Pokémon X & Y Have any Pokémon game
North America & Europe distribution
June 11th 2013
HarmoKnight

Console: Nintendo 3DS
Jp. Release Date: September 5th 2012
US Release Date: March 28th 2013
EU Release Date: March 28th 2013

HarmoKnight is a platform game developed by the developer of the main series Pokémon games, GameFreak. This game has you play as Tempo as he travels through the stages hitting enemies and jumping to the tune of the music. This game has five stages which feature Pokémon music and backgrounds. The five levels feature the following music

  • Pokémon Unova Trainer Music
  • Pokémon Bicycle Music
  • Pokémon Gym Music
  • Pokémon Route 27 Music
  • Pokémon Kanto Champion Music
Mario Artist: Paint Studio

Console: Nintendo 64 DD
Jp. Release Date: December 1st 1999

This Japanese-only Nintendo 64 DD game is the sequel to Mario Paint and allowed for you to draw various art designs using a special mouse that came with the game. As with the original Mario Paint, you can add various stickers onto your art, and with the power of the Nintendo 64, it allowed for you to paste in artwork of the Pokémon from Bulbasaur to Mew

GameBoy Camera

Console: GameBoy
Jp. Release Date: February 21st 1998
US Release Date: June 1st 1998

The special GameBoy Camera peripheral for the GameBoy and GameBoy Color came out within 1998 and within it, like with Mario Artist, came a variety of Pokémon stamps. These stamps can be placed upon your photographs and feature Pokémon sprites from Pokémon Red & Blue of Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle and Pikachu across all verisons, Rattata, Nidoran, Clefairy, Cubone, Poliwhirl & Eevee in the Japanese version and Mew and Meowth in the International version. Several pictures were pre-loaded onto the game including various other Pokémon such as Mewtwo. Finally, the Japanese version has several borders which can be printed out. These featured Red on a bicycle, Blastoise and Pikachu & Clefairy.

In addition to this, a special Pokémon themed printer was released for use with the GameBoy Camera, and it even had some features within Pokémon Yellow, Gold, Silver & Crystal

Picross NP Vol. 1

Console: Super Nintendo
Jp. Release Date: February 1st 1999

Following the cancellation of the once mentioned Pokémon Picross, Pokémon appeared in a Picross style on the Japanese only Picross NP Vol. 1. In this game, there was a variety of Pokémon Puzzles, specifically focusing on Meowth, Mr. Mime, Psyduck, Clefairy, Togepi, Electrode, Gloom, Pikachu, Zapdos, Rapidash, Poliwag & Snorlax, each with advancing difficulty.

Musical Inclusions

Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival!

Console: Nintendo Switch
Jp. Release Date: September 22nd 2022
US/EU Release Date: 2022

Continuing on the tradition of Pokémon anime music inclusion in the Taiko no Tatsujin series, the 20th anniversary game features not only 70 songs as standard but a music pass containing over 500 more songs

Song Title Origin Method
Aim To Be A Pokémon Master ~20th Anniversary~ (めざせポケモンマスター ‐20th Anniversary) Pokémon I Choose You Theme Beginning
Halo Pokémon (2023) Opening Theme Music Pass
Thrilling Diary Pokémon (2023) Opening Theme Music Pass
1 2 3 Pokémon (2019) Opening Theme Music Pass
Future Connection Pokémon Sun & Moon Opening Theme 2 Music Pass
Alola!! (アローラ!) Pokémon Sun & Moon Opening Theme 1 Music Pass
X Y & Z Pokémon XY & Z Opening Theme Music Pass
Mad-Paced Getter Pokémon X & Y Opening Theme Music Pass
V (Volt) Pokémon X & Y Opening Theme Music Pass
Be an Arrow Pokémon Best Wishes Series 2 Music Pass
Best Wish Pokémon Best Wishes Music Pass
Together Pokémon Diamond & Pearl Opening Theme 1 Music Pass
Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum 'n' Fun!

Console: Nintendo Switch
Jp. Release Date: July 13th 2018
US/EU Release Date: November 2nd 2018

Continuing on the tradition of Pokémon anime music inclusion in the Taiko no Tatsujin series, the Nintendo Switch version includes over 70 songs, including 1 Pokémon song. This was the same globally.
In February 2019, DLC was released including further Pokémon tracks
A fifth track was added via DLC in August 2020

Song Title Origin Method
Alola!! (アローラ!) Pokémon Sun & Moon Opening Theme 1 Beginning
Aim To Be A Pokémon Master ~20th Anniversary~ (めざせポケモンマスター ‐20th Anniversary) Pokémon I Choose You Theme Pokémon Track Pack DLC
Future Connection (未来コネクション) Pokémon Sun & Moon Opening Theme 2 Pokémon Track Pack DLC
Pokémon Let's Go, Pikachu! & Let's Go, Eevee! Pokémon Let's Go, Pikachu! & Let's Go, Eevee! Pokémon Track Pack DLC
1-2-3 Pokémon Journeys Japanese Opening Theme 1 DLC
Donkey Konga

Console: Nintendo Gamecube
Jp. Release Date: December 18th 2003
US Release Date: September 27th 2004

Donkey Konga is a drum based game with various Pokémon themes within them.

Song Title Origin Region
Advance Adventures Pokémon Advance Generation Opening Theme 1 Japan
Pokémon Main Theme Pokémon North America
Donkey Konga 2

Console: Nintendo Gamecube
Jp. Release Date: July 1st 2004
US Release Date: May 9th 2005

Donkey Konga is a drum based game with various Pokémon themes within them.

Song Title Origin Region
Challenger Pokémon Advance Generation Opening Theme 2 Japan
Pokémon Main Theme Pokémon Stadium stage in Super Smash Bros. Melee Europe
Donkey Konga 3

Console: Nintendo Gamecube
Jp. Release Date: March 17th 2005

Donkey Konga is a drum based game with various Pokémon themes within them.

Song Title Origin Region
Mezase Pokémon Master Pokémon Opening Theme 1 Japan
Just Dance Wii U

Console: Nintendo Wii U
Jp. Release Date: April 3rd 2014

In the Japan only version of Just Dance, the ending theme for the Pokémon Best Wishes Season 2 Anime was included.

Song Title Origin
Mite Mike☆Kotchitchi Pokémon Best Wishes Season 2 Ending Theme 1
Taiko no Tatsujin: Dokodon! Mystery Adventure

Console: Nintendo 3DS
Jp. Release Date: June 16th 2016

Continuing on the tradition of Pokémon anime music inclusion in the Taiko no Tatsujin series, the Nintendo 3DS version includes over 70 songs, including 1 Pokémon song and was used in the various campaigns in the game.

Song Title Origin
X Y & Z Pokémon XY & Z Opening Theme
Taiko no Tatsujin: Collection☆Battle of the Friends

Console: Nintendo Wii U
Jp. Release Date: November 15th 2015

Continuing on the tradition of Pokémon anime music inclusion in the Taiko no Tatsujin series, the third Wii U version includes over 70 songs, including 1 Pokémon song.

Song Title Origin
Mad-Paced Getter Pokémon X&Y Opening Theme 3
Taiko no Tatsujin: Tokumori

Console: Nintendo Wii U
Jp. Release Date: November 20th 2014

Continuing on the tradition of Pokémon anime music inclusion in the Taiko no Tatsujin series, the second Wii U version includes over 70 songs, including 1 Pokémon song.

Song Title Origin
V Volt Pokémon X&Y Opening Theme 1
Taiko no Tatsujin: Donto's Space-Time Adventure

Console: Nintendo 3DS
Jp. Release Date: June 26th 2014

Continuing on the tradition of Pokémon anime music inclusion in the Taiko no Tatsujin series, the second 3DS version includes over 60 songs, including 1 Pokémon song.

Song Title Origin
V Volt Pokémon X&Y Opening Theme 1
Taiko no Tatsujin Plus

Console: iOS & Android
Jp. Release Date: May 28th 2014

The Taiko no Tatsujin Plus game on smart devices included various Pokémon music added in through add-on content.

Song Title Origin
Mad-Paced Getter Pokémon X&Y Opening Theme 3
V Volt Pokémon X&Y Opening Theme 1
Taiko no Tatsujin: Wii U Version

Console: Nintendo Wii U
Jp. Release Date: November 21st 2013

Deviating from the trend of including Pokémon anime music, Taiko no Tatsujin: Wii U Version included some Pokémon game music.

Song Title Origin Method
Wild Pokémon Battle Medley Pokémon X & Y Standard
Trainer Battle Medley Pokémon X & Y DLC
Taiko no Tatsujin: Wii Ultra Edition

Console: Nintendo Wii
Jp. Release Date: 29th November 2012

Continuing on the tradition of Pokémon anime music inclusion in the Taiko no Tatsujin series, the fifth Wii version includes over 60 songs, including 1 Pokémon song.

Song Title Origin
Be An Arrow Pokémon Best Wishes Season 2
Taiko no Tatsujin: Baby Dragon & the Magical Orb

Console: Nintendo 3DS
Jp. Release Date: July 14th 2012

Continuing on the tradition of Pokémon anime music inclusion in the Taiko no Tatsujin series, the first 3DS version includes over 60 songs, including 1 Pokémon song.

Song Title Origin
Best Wish Pokémon Best Wishes
Taiko no Tatsujin: Wii Definitive Edition

Console: Nintendo Wii
Jp. Release Date: 23rd November 2011

Continuing on the tradition of Pokémon anime music inclusion in the Taiko no Tatsujin series, the fourth Wii version includes over 60 songs, including 1 Pokémon song.

Song Title Origin
Can You Name All the Pokémon? BW Pokémon Best Wishes Ending Theme 1
Best Wish Pokémon Best Wishes
Taiko no Tatsujin: Wii Party With Everyone 3rd Generation

Console: Nintendo Wii
Jp. Release Date: 2nd December 2010

Continuing on the tradition of Pokémon anime music inclusion in the Taiko no Tatsujin series, the fourth Wii version includes over 60 songs, including 1 Pokémon song.

Song Title Origin
The Greatest Everyday Pokémon Diamond & Pearl Opening Theme 5
Taiko no Tatsujin DS Yokai Battle

Console: Nintendo Wii
Jp. Release Date: July 1st 2010

Continuing on the tradition of Pokémon anime music inclusion in the Taiko no Tatsujin series, the third DS version includes over 60 songs, including 1 Pokémon song.

Song Title Origin
The Greatest Everyday Pokémon Diamond & Pearl Opening Theme 5
Taiko no Tatsujin: Dodon & the 2nd Generation

Console: Nintendo Wii
Jp. Release Date: November 19th 2009

Continuing on the tradition of Pokémon anime music inclusion in the Taiko no Tatsujin series, the second Wii version includes over 60 songs, including 1 Pokémon song.

Song Title Origin
High Touch Pokémon Diamond & Pearl Opening Theme 3
Taiko no Tatsujin Wii

Console: Nintendo Wii
Jp. Release Date: December 11th 2008

Continuing on the tradition of Pokémon anime music inclusion in the Taiko no Tatsujin series, the first Wii version includes over 60 songs, including 1 Pokémon song.

Song Title Origin
Together Pokémon Diamond & Pearl Opening Theme 1
Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum Anime Festival

Console: Sony Playstation 2
Jp. Release Date: December 18th 2003

The Taiko no Tatsujin game on the Playstation 2 started the tradition of Pokémon anime music inclusion in the Taiko no Tatsujin series, including 1 Pokémon song.

Song Title Origin
Advance Adventures Pokémon Advance Generation Opening Theme 1