10 Best Pokémon Spin-Off Games You MUST Play

Pokémon Pinball released in 1999 and as such is one of the earliest Pokémon spin off games around. While the game didn’t need Pokémon in it, especially as it’s just a pinball sim, they had a lot of fun with the premise and it certainly doesn’t feel like a lazy cash grab the way other Poké puzzlers can.

The cartridge featured a unique design too, with a slot for a triple A battery to allow enough power for stronger rumble function. That particular idea didn’t take off, but increased handheld rumbling that the game tried to pioneer has been present in most portable consoles since.

There’s no storyline, but would you really expect one from a pinball game? The nearest thing to a narrative "feature" is certain high scores or landing in specific pockets unlocking certain Pokémon for your 'Dex. Because as ever, the goal is to catch ‘em all.

The pinball mechanics were solid enough, but it was this enhanced collectability feature that makes Pokémon Pinball stand out. By the time the Ruby/Sapphire sequel rolled around, there were so many spin offs on the market that it didn’t really leave a mark. This original version though, broke new ground.