Pokémon Pokopia is officially the highest-rated Pokémon game on Metacritic right now, and it hasn’t even released yet. Ahead of its 5 March 2026 launch, early critic reviews have pushed the Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive to the top of the franchise rankings.
At the time of writing, Pokémon Pokopia sits at an 89 on Metacritic based on 50 critic reviews. That score places it above every other Pokémon title in the series’ 30-year history, at least for now.
Pokémon Pokopia Metacritic Score Explained
According to figures highlighted by GameRant, Pokémon Pokopia’s 89 Metacritic average is enough to edge past the previous top-rated entry, Pokémon Y, which holds an 88.
Here’s how the current top of the rankings looks:
- Pokémon Pokopia – 89
- Pokémon Y – 88
- Pokémon HeartGold – 87
- Pokémon X – 87
- Pokémon Black – 87
- Pokémon White – 87
- Pokémon Sun – 87
- Pokémon Moon – 87
- Pokémon SoulSilver – 87
- Pokémon Pearl – 85
What makes this particularly notable is that Pokopia is a spin-off life simulation game. Every other title in the top 10 is either a mainline RPG or a remake. That makes Pokopia not just the highest-rated Pokémon game overall, but also by far the best-reviewed spin-off in the franchise.
It is also currently the best-rated game of 2026 so far, narrowly ahead of Resident Evil Requiem, which sits at 88.
How Significant Is This For The Series?
Pokémon is the highest-grossing media franchise of all time, with three decades of games across multiple console generations. For a new spin-off to top that list, even temporarily, is no small achievement.
Before Pokopia’s rise, Pokémon Y held the highest Metacritic average. X and Y were praised at the time for their expansive Pokédex and hundreds of hours of content, which makes Pokopia’s climb all the more impressive given it shifts genres entirely.
It’s also worth noting that Pokopia is the first Pokémon title of the 2020s to break into the franchise’s Metacritic top 10.
At the other end of the scale, GameRant points out that Pokémon Rumble Rush holds one of the lowest recorded critic averages in the series at 42. Several other lesser-known titles lack a Metascore entirely due to insufficient reviews, making direct comparisons difficult.
Critic Scores Versus Player Reception
The current 89 average is based purely on critic reviews. User scores are often a different story, especially with a franchise as passionate and divided as Pokémon.
Scores are also subject to change. As more reviews are published post-launch, the Metacritic average could shift slightly up or down. There is also plenty of 2026 left for another game to claim the top spot overall.
Still, even briefly reaching number one across a franchise with 30 years of releases is a milestone few spin-offs could realistically hope to achieve.
Release Date And Early Reviews
Pokémon Pokopia launches worldwide on 5 March 2026 as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. It is the first Pokémon title not available on the original Switch hardware.
Early reviews from major outlets have helped drive its Metacritic score. IGN awarded the game a 9 out of 10 and an Editors’ Choice badge, calling it “an enjoyable, personality-packed building simulator set in a surprisingly deep world.” Game Informer also gave it a 9 out of 10 and labelled it a “GI Must Play,” praising its cosy simulation loop and focus on revitalising a post-apocalyptic region.
Pokopia has drawn comparisons to Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley for its relaxed life-sim structure, and earlier reports noted that a leaked screenshot suggested the game features at least 300 Pokédex entries, potentially more than 2025’s Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
With just days to go before launch, the real test will be how players respond once servers go live and user reviews begin rolling in. For now, though, Pokémon Pokopia can claim a rare title in franchise history, the highest-rated Pokémon game on Metacritic.