The Pokémon franchise is well known for providing players with some great post-game content. In fact, the one time Nintendo/Game Freak didn’t add much post-game content (Pokémon: Black & White) fans made their displeasure known.

Although there was some post-game content in Gen I (Red, Blue, and Yellow), it wasn’t until Gen II (Gold, Silver, and Crystal) that the traditional really began. In fact, many gamers will say Game Freak has yet to top the post-game content offered in Gen II. To make this list, the areas and/or activities must only become available after completing the main game – outside of using a device like a Game Shark.

15 Ultra Beasts – Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, & Ultra Moon

The Ultra Beasts were a strange addition to the Pokémon franchise. In a way, they were just more kind-of-Legendary Pokémon, but it’s hard to ignore that they were something different. This is partially because their stats and abilities are insane, but it’s also because there is something a little different about their overall aesthetic design. Gen VII included a lot about alternate worlds and other realities across their games (though they never reference the Distortion World of Giratina for some reason), and this is where the Ultra Beasts come from. They burst into Alola and disrupt the natural ecosystem, and it’s up to the player to beat and/or catch the Ultra Beasts to save the region.

14 Isle Of Armor – Sword & Shield

The Isle of Armor is a region off the coast of Galar that is inhabited by different Pokémon (from other regions) and a dojo run by the energetic Master Mustard. The Isle of Armor brings the adorable Kubfu, which can evolve into the powerful Urshifu once the player accomplishes a series of challenges. Between the returning Pokémon, the story of Master Mustard and his dojo, and the new Kubfu and Urshifu makes the Isle of Armor a solid addition to Sword and Shield.

13 Crown Tundra – Sword & Shield

The Crown Tundra lies south of the Galar Region as we know it. This expansion brings Sword and Shield a series of powerful Legendary Pokémon such as the Galarian forms of Articuno, Moltres, and Zapdos. Dynamax Adventures were also introduced which allow players to challenge a series of Dynamax battles, and it ends with a potential showdown against a Legendary Pokémon from a previous region. It also introduces the endearing and excitable Peony.

12 Team Rainbow Rocket – Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon

The attack of Team Rainbow Rocket was a fascinating add-on at the end of Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. It brings back not only a new-and-improved Team Rocket but also the other villainous cadres from prior generations and from alternate worlds–Team Magma, Team Aqua, Team Flare, Team Galactic, and Team Plasma. It also includes Faba of the Aether Foundation/Team Skull native to Alola. It’s an exciting and nostalgic experience, and it reiterates Team Rocket as the dominant villain group in Pokémon.

11 The Delta Episode – Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire

The Delta Episode is a full-on story addition to Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire that has the player participating in a panicked quest to stop a meteor from striking the Hoenn region. It reintroduces Rayquaza with its own Mega Evolution, an in-story return of Deoxys, and the mysterious new character of Zinnia. The Delta Episode is its own full story with stakes, danger, and a short adventure into space to face the powerful Deoxys. It’s a heck of a ride that makes Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire a genuine improvement on the originals.

10 The Unknown Dungeon – Red, Blue, & Yellow

As mentioned above, Gen I wasn’t exactly bursting at the seams with post-game content; however, the Gen I games came out at a time when post-game content was almost unheard-of. Those who continued playing after beating the Gen I games discovered a new cave near Cerulean City. Inside this cave were many rare and fully evolved Pokémon; including Pokémon exclusive to the Safari Zone. On the lowest level of this dungeon was a surprise for the player – Mewtwo. Players were finally given a chance to encounter, and catch, this legendary Pokémon.

9 Professor Oak – HeartGold & SoulSilver

Whereas Pokémon: Black & White was bereft of the usual post-game content, HeartGold and SoulSilver was so full of extra content it almost felt like a sequel was hidden in the game. One cool little extra a lot of players missed was visiting Professor Oak in Kanto. This must be done after visiting Mt. Silver and defeating a familiar character. After this fight Professor Oak will give the player their choice of one of the Gen I starter Pokémon (Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander), as well as their choice of a Gen III starter (Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip).

8 Battle Tree – Sun & Moon

A lot of players were a little disappointed with the post-game content in Pokémon: Sun & Moon; which is mostly centered around the Battle Tree. The Battle Tree is a building on the northern portion of Poni Island where the player can participate in battles. The goal is to have the highest win streak, with each loss resetting the player’s win streak total. Every victory in the Battle Tree gains the player Battle Points with which to purchase rare items. The player can also win items after a win streak reaches a certain total. The Battle Tree is also in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon.

7 World Tournament – Black 2 & White 2

The World Tournament in Black 2 & White 2 is similar to the Battle Tree in Sun & Moon. As the name suggests, this area allows the player to participate in tournaments – generally single-elimination tournaments of eight trainers. The players can also participate in double, triple, and rotational tournaments.

Battle Points are awarded; the amount varies on the type of tournament and the difficulty. Players can also challenge the Gym Leaders from previous games. Lastly, this location contains a few Move Tutors, a Move Deleter, and a Move Reminder. The World Tournament is located south of Driftveil City.

6 Battle Tower – Gen IV

The Battle Tower can be found as post-game content in Pokémon: Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, and SoulSilver. This is yet another area where the player can take place in tournaments for Battle Points. In Diamond and Pearl, the tower is located in the Battle Zone (specifically Battle Park). In Platinum, HeartGold and SoulSilver it is located in the Battle Frontier. As with the other post-game tournaments, the player attempts to keep their win-streak going as long as possible. Victories earn the player Battle Points; which can be used to purchase items; including scratch-off cards with which the player can win berries.

5 Battle Institute – Gen V & Gen VI

The Battle Institute is an area where a player can participate in battle gauntlets. These gauntlets are five trainers in length, and unlike other post-game tournaments, a defeat does not end the player’s participation. In Pokémon: Black 2 & White 2, the Battle Institute is located in Nimbasa City; in Pokémon: X & Y it is located in Lumiose City. The player is not only awarded a number of Battle Points depending on their performance, they are able to win vitamins as well. Players should be careful not to accidentally tell their Pokémon to “Run” during battle in these fights. Running is considered a defeat and starts the battle against the next opponent.

4 Trainer Tower – Fire Red & Leaf Green

The Trainer Tower is a really cool post-game challenge in Fire Red and Leaf Green. After making the Hall of Fame, the player can now access this tower; located in the northern area of the Sevii Islands. There are four types of battles in which the player can participate: Single Matches, Double Matches, Knockout Matches, and Mixed Matches. Knockout Matches force the player to fight opposing trainers without a pause between matches. Mixed Matches combine elements from the other three match types. These matches are judged (and Battle Points awarded) not only on winning and losing but on how fast the player can defeat the opponent.

3 Kanto – Gold, Silver, & Crystal

After beating Pokémon: Gold, Silver, or Crystal players were pleased to see they could now visit the Kanto region from the Gen I Pokémon games. At the time this was huge – players essentially got Gen I and II (Johto) of the Pokémon games on one cartridge. Somewhat.

Not every area of Kanto is accessible; the Safari Zone is closed. Players can explore the region and visit the Kanto Gyms to challenge the Gym Leaders. After acquiring all the Gym Badges from Johto and Kanto Professor Oak will allow the player to reach Mt. Silver to face even stronger trainers/Pokémon.

2 Battle Frontier – Emerald

The Battle Frontier, which resembles an amusement park, has appeared in several Pokémon games. It first appeared in Pokémon: Emerald, and this is the version upon which this entry will focus. The Battle Frontier has seven buildings that each present a different challenge for the player. Each building is led by a trainer referred to as the Frontier Brain. Players must win a certain amount of consecutive battles before being able to challenge a building’s, Frontier Brain. The player can earn Frontier Symbols (similar to badges), find rare items, earn Battle Points, and even catch Sudowoodo in the Battle Frontier.

1 Kanto & The Battle Frontier – HeartGold & SoulSilver

One of the reasons fans love HeartGold & SoulSilver so much is due to the enormous amount of post-game content. These two games basically gave the player the post-game content from Gen II and a Battle Frontier. How could this post-game content not be ranked #1 when it’s comprised of entries 2 and 3? The Battle Frontier in HeartGold and SoulSilver is in the Johto region and not the same as in Pokémon: Emerald (Hoenn). This Battle Frontier has new facilities and Frontier Brains to challenge. The Kanto content is much as it is Gen II – meaning the player can visit the Gyms and challenge the Gym Leaders.

NEXT: Pokemon: The 10 Most Disappointing Shiny Legendaries, Ranked