played every pokemon game reddit marathon binge Marathoning through every Pokémon game is no small feat. For fans, it’s a lifelong dream, a true test of dedication, and an unforgettable adventure rolled into one. This concept has been gaining traction on platforms like Reddit, where players share their journeys, strategies, and hilarious mishaps.
Inspired by these shared experiences, I decided to take on this ambitious challenge and play every mainline Pokémon game, from Red and Blue to Scarlet and Violet. While the marathon was tough, it was also incredibly rewarding (and totally worth the sleepless nights). Here’s an inside look at how I pulled it off, what I learned, and how the Reddit community played a crucial role in keeping me going.
Preparation Is Key (And How I Got Started)
Before you even pick up your Poké Balls, tackling a Pokémon marathon requires careful preparation to avoid burning out halfway through. Here’s how I got ready:
Time Management
Marathon gaming is no joke, especially with a series as extensive as Pokémon. To give you context, playing through all the mainline games—from Red and Blue to more recent titles like Sword and Shield or Scarlet and Violet—takes upward of 300 hours. That’s if you’re not shiny hunting, completing the Pokédex, or getting sidetracked by side quests.
I broke it down into manageable chunks, dedicating weekends and evenings while making sure to include breaks (key to avoiding gamer fatigue). For those wanting to attempt this, I highly recommend mapping out a timeline. Spoiler alert: playing Pokémon non-stop may sound dreamy until Day 3 rolls around!
Hardware Setup
The Pokémon universe spans multiple handheld and console generations, meaning you’ll need a variety of devices and software to handle the challenge:
- Game Boy/Game Boy Color for Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver, and Crystal.
- Game Boy Advance for Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, and LeafGreen.
- Nintendo DS for Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Black, and White.
- Nintendo 3DS for X, Y, Sun, Moon, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire.
- Nintendo Switch for Sword, Shield, Scarlet, and Violet.
I made my life easier by setting everything up in advance, organizing chargers, cartridges, and emulators for smooth transitions. Trust me, you don’t want to delay your marathon because of lost cables or cartridges.
Game Selection
While I focused on the mainline series, you could expand your marathon to include spin-offs like Mystery Dungeon or Pokémon Ranger. Reddit users recommended I stick to the core games to keep the experience streamlined.
Game-by-Game Adventures and Highlights
Every Pokémon game has its own vibe, challenges, and standout moments. Here’s a quick highlight reel of my experience:
Gen 1 (Red, Blue, Yellow) played every pokemon game reddit marathon binge
It all started with Gen 1, and somehow, the nostalgia hit harder than expected. These games still have their charm despite the brutal grinding mechanics and absence of modern features like the EXP Share. Beating Lance’s Dragonite with under-leveled Pokémon made me feel like a true Pokémon Master again.
Gen 2 (Gold, Silver, Crystal)
Johto remains unmatched in charm, and revisiting the Kanto region post-game was an incredible nostalgia trip. But switching back and forth between Day/Night cycles to evolve my Eevee into Umbreon? Not as fun as I remembered.
Gen 3 to 5 (Ruby to Black & White 2)
These were arguably my favorite installments during the marathon! The Battle Frontier in Emerald ate up hours of my time, while the innovative story in Black and White felt surprisingly fresh years later.
Modern Gens (X/Y onward) played every pokemon game reddit marathon binge
The newer games’ quality-of-life improvements, open-world elements, and graphics were a welcome break after hours of retro gameplay. But honestly, I missed the challenge of the older titles. Beating Leon in Sword/Shield was rewarding, but the battle lacked the edge of facing Blue as Champion.
How Reddit Kept Me Going
One of the best parts of the marathon was the support and interaction from the Reddit gaming community. There’s no better platform for Pokémon enthusiasts to unite and keep each other motivated.
Tips and Tricks played every pokemon game reddit marathon binge
Reddit threads saved me from quite a few pitfalls, like what TMs to save for Gen 1, how to exploit breeding mechanics in Gen 3, and how to prepare for Ultra Necrozma in Ultra Sun and Moon.
Sharing Experiences
Posting progress updates on r/Pokemon and r/PatientGamers turned out to be surprisingly motivating. Comments poured in with encouragement, advice, and light-hearted jokes. Some users even shared their own marathon stories, which gave me fresh ideas on how to enhance my playthroughs (like doing themed Nuzlocke runs!).
Pro Tips from Reddit Threads played every pokemon game reddit marathon binge
- Use Speed-Up Tools (when replaying older titles): Many users emphasized boosting game speeds during repetitive grinding sections in emulated Gen 1 and 2 games. Total game-changer.
- Set Personal Side Challenges: Redditors encouraged me to complete mini-goals, like beating gym leaders with type disadvantages. This made the marathon even more rewarding.
Challenges Faced During the Marathon played every pokemon game reddit marathon binge
While the marathon was an incredible ride, it definitely wasn’t smooth sailing. Here are the biggest obstacles I faced:
- Fatigue: Long gaming sessions meant moments of burnout. Rotating between retro and modern games helped to keep things exciting.
- Technical Glitches: Playing older games on emulators brought occasional crashes (thank Arceus for auto-save features in newer games).
- Maintaining Momentum: Some games felt slower-paced than others (cough Diamond and Pearl cough).
Lessons Learned From Bingeing Pokémon
By the end of the marathon, I came away with a few key takeaways:
- Organization is Everything – Proper planning, preparation, and pacing are non-negotiable for a smooth playthrough.
- Community is Key – The Pokémon community (especially Reddit) added so much depth, support, and fun to the experience.
- Old is Gold – Gen 1 and 2, with all their imperfections, still hold a special place for Pokémon fans.
Wrapping It Up With a Poké Ball (And Why You Should Try This Too)
Playing every Pokémon game in a marathon was both a test of endurance and a celebration of one of gaming’s most iconic franchises. It reminded me why I fell in love with Pokémon in the first place and gave me a deeper sense of connection with other fans online.
Thinking about trying your own Pokémon marathon? I’d say go for it—but don’t forget to bring the snacks, plan your breaks, and get advice from the amazing community on Reddit. After all, becoming a Marathon Pokémon Master is something every fan can be proud of.
