9 Best Nintendo Spin-Off Video Games - Ranked

9. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon is a series of puzzle maze games that in many ways reflects the franchise it spun off from, especially in its turn-based combat and environments.

The premise for every game is generally the same; the player character is a human who is somehow transformed into a Pokemon, they find a timid best friend in the Pocket Monster that first discovers them, and proceed to plunder a series of dungeons. Dungeons are the mazes that players must navigate to proceed with the plot, often leading to boss battles or a slightly different layout.

The environments, foes, and helpful items found in the dungeons are randomly generated in multiple layers, creating unique playing experiences with each go. They're fine games, but weighed down by a repetitious story. While most Pokemon games thrive off of the framework set up in the originals, playing any Pokemon Mystery Dungeon means you've already had a taste of the rest.