Pokemon Games In Order

Pokemon has built up a legacy that can be traced back to 1996, when the first games in the series, Red and Green, were released for the Game Boy in Japan.

Since then, the franchise has gone on to solidify its presence in both film and television while consistently releasing new mainline and spin-off games on the Nintendo platform.

In this list, we’ll explore all of the Pokemon games in order of release and provide a brief overview of their impact on the Pokemon series timeline.

Keep in mind, this list is mainly focused on “core” Pokemon games and does not include any spin-offs like Pokemon Snap or Mystery Dungeon.

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Gen 1

Released exclusively in Japan, Pokemon Red and Green are the very first games in the Pokémon series, besides an enhanced Blue version that came shortly after.

These games would introduce the capturing, training, battling, and trading mechanics the series is known for, in addition to the original 151 species of Pokemon.

Two years later, Nintendo would release revamped versions of Pokemon Red and Blue in the U.S. The original Green version was not released outside of Japan.

They would go on to become a cultural phenomenon as the Pokemon formula appealed to players of all ages, regardless of their prior experience with video games.

A year later, Pokemon Yellow was released, this time allowing trainers to explore the Kanto region with a Pikachu that appeared on-screen and followed the player outside of battles.

The game was intended to mirror the presentation of the Pokemon anime, which was quite popular at the time.

Although the Japanese version of Blue is technically the first instance of Nintendo releasing a ‘third version,’ Yellow is generally considered to be the official start of this release strategy.

Gen 2

The hardware capabilities of the Game Boy Color allowed Pokemon Gold and Silver to use a broader color palette, include more in-game collectibles, and feature more gyms than any other Pokemon game to date.

They introduced new characters, added 100 new Pokemon, and provided players with the new Johto region to explore.

After completing the main story, players were able to travel to Kanto and take on the eight original gyms, nearly doubling the playtime.

Gold and Silver also marked the first appearance of Dark and Steel-type Pokemon as well as the ability to breed Pokémon.

Pokemon Crystal stands out for being the first time players were given the option to choose their character’s gender in a Pokemon game as well as the first appearance of animated Pokemon sprites.

From then on, the feature would become a staple for new mainline games still to this day; Pokemon Crystal is also the first entry in the series to feature animated Pokemon sprites.

Gen 3

Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire signified not only a new generation of Pokemon but also a new generation of Nintendo handhelds as the first mainline games to release for the Game Boy Advance.

They introduced 135 new species and featured much more detailed environments compared to previous games.

Other highlights included new stat-based Pokemon natures, 2v2 battles, and more side activities in the form of Pokémon Contests and Secret Bases.

However, this generation is also criticized for not including every existing Pokemon species, with only 202 out of 386 making an appearance; this would become a point of contention among fans and a recurring issue in later games.

Pokemon Emerald arrived two years after Ruby and Sapphire were introduced in the Battle Frontier, a post-game area where players could battle other powerful trainers in exchange for “Battle Points,” a currency used to purchase exclusive in-game rewards.

Gen 4

Fans would have to wait four years before they were able to play Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, the longest gap between generations to date. 

This is because the game was developed for the new Nintendo DS and had to utilize the handheld’s dual-screen functionality.

Pokemon Diamond and Pearl added 107 new Pokemon and featured the most legendaries of any generation, including Arceus, a Pokemon who is thought to have created the universe in Pokemon lore.

Pokemon Platinum had players return to the Sinnoh region, this time to encounter an alternate dimension where the legendary Pokémon Giratina could be found. 

The game also added new forms to existing legendaries and included the Battle Frontier from Emerald.

Gen 5

Pokemon Black and White would introduce 156 new Pokemon, more than any other generation, along with the Unova region, where players were tasked with defeating all eight gym leaders before challenging the Elite Four.

This generation brought about new battle styles like Rotation and Triple Battles, both of which would not return in later games.

Unique to the fifth generation is the Dream World, a special area that could only be accessed via the Pokemon Global Link website and would allow players to befriend Pokémon with unique abilities that were normally not obtainable in-game.

Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 would mark the first delineation from the series’ traditional release formula, which included a third version of the most recent games.

Instead, these sequels would see players returning to the Unova region two years after the events of Black and White, exploring new areas and encountering several Pokémon that were previously unavailable.

Gen 6

Two years later, the series would transition to the newest Nintendo handheld, the 3DS, with the release of Pokemon X and Y, both set in the Kalos region. 

This generation would include more options for customizing the character’s appearance, such as different hairstyles, skin colors, and clothing.

Most notably, X and Y were the first mainline games to feature fully 3D graphics for environments, characters, and Pokemon themselves, of which 72 new ones were added.

The sixth-generation also made several changes to the battling system by introducing “Mega Evolutions” and a new Fairy-type.

Lastly, the addition of Pokemon-Amie and Super Training granted players more opportunities to interact with their Pokemon and improve their stats.

Despite expectations of a Pokemon Z release, X and Y would not receive a third version or sequels.

Gen 7

Pokemon Sun and Moon maintained the 3D visuals of the previous generation while adding 81 new species of Pokemon and the new Alola region.

Additionally, some existing Pokemon were given new “Alolan forms” that would change their appearance as well as typing.

Mega-Evolutions had returned alongside the debut of “Z-moves,” powerful moves that could be performed once per battle by Pokemon holding a special item.

A change that remains controversial among fans is Sun and Moon’s departure from the structure of previous entries, in which players would take on the eight gym leaders before battling the Elite Four.

Instead, these games required players to complete a series of “trials” before they’re able to take on an island’s “Kahuna.”

A year later, sequels Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon would be released; set in the same Hawaiian-inspired Alola region from Sun and Moon, they provided an alternate storyline and introduced new characters, Pokemon species, and Pokemon forms.

Gen 8

Pokemon Sword and Shield are the first mainline games to release on a Nintendo home console and mark the start of the eighth generation. These games are considered the most controversial and raised the most contention among fans.

Prior to and after release, issues were raised regarding the game’s graphics, performance, and most importantly, a limited roster of catchable Pokemon.

While two post-launch expansions added the remaining monsters to the PokeDex later on, the quality of these two games is still highly debated.

Controversies aside, Sword and Shield introduced some fun ideas and mechanics, namely new Dynamax evolutions that unlock new Pokemon moves and abilities.

Additionally, a brand new Wild Area allowed players to battle together online and participate in dungeon-like “Max Raid Battles.”

Remakes

Released shortly after Ruby and Sapphire, Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen are enhanced remakes of the original Red and Blue games.

They include updated sprites and visuals that are more in line with the gen’s appearance at the time.

These games also saw the return of a female playable character and benefited from new features like the Vs. Seeker.

Released between Platinum and Black and White, HeartGold and SoulSilver were content-packed remakes of the two beefiest entries in the series.

They featured the ability to have any Pokemon follow behind the player along with an alternate version of the original games’ story that incorporated elements of Crystal.

Released one year after X and Y, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire would benefit from the previous games and feature 3D visuals as well as online battling/trading.

The remakes follow the structure of the originals closely, while introducing new “Primal Reversion” forms for Groudon and Kyogre, and allowing the player to use Latios or Latias to fly around the Hoenn region.

Released nearly two decades after Yellow, Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! took the traditional formula and added many of the catching and battling mechanics found in Pokemon Go, a spin-off AR-based mobile game that skyrocketed in popularity in 2016.

Players return to the Kanto region for a familiar adventure, this time featuring fully 3D, high-definition visuals thanks to the capabilities of the Switch.

Released fifteen years after the original Diamond and Pearl, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are part of the eighth generation of Pokemon and the first main games not to be developed by Game Freak.

Just like in the originals, players make their way around the Sinnoh region battling other trainers and capturing Pokemon to add to their party.

Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl features a distinct “chibi” visual style along with a top-down isometric third-person POV.