I love the Ranger series, but really have trouble with the first one... The reason could be that I started with the second one which seems a lot easier for me considering the stylus can be lifted without a failed capture. Just got used to doing that and now when I try the first one, it's really hard! Annoys me, too.
My second option in games is the Dungeon series since it's really similar to the main games except the trainer is you as a Pokemon. Kind of cute actually.
I've tried a lot of the others, too, but those two are my favourites so far.