Version-exclusive Pokémon
Version-exclusive Pokémon are Pokémon that are only found in one or two games in a single generation, to encourage trading between multiple players. For instance, in the original Pokémon Red, Bellsprout was absent but appeared in Pokémon Green (Pokémon Blue outside Japan). Version-exclusive Pokémon usually complement each other in design, type, as well as location of appearance in the wild.
It is typical for several evolutionary families of Pokémon to be version exclusives in the first two games of a generation, and then, in the third version, some version-exclusives from the first two games will be obtainable, while others are not, and in the third version, some Pokémon will be unobtainable that were obtainable in both of the first two games. For example, the Weedle and Koffing families were obtainable in both Pokémon Red and Blue, but unobtainable in Pokémon Yellow.
Below is a list of Pokémon exclusive to games. This list does not take note of Pokémon exclusive between Generation III Kanto and Hoenn games, simply because there are too many Pokémon that are native to each individual region to list; a better indicator of those Pokémon which are missing from each region would be the Kanto Pokédex and Hoenn Pokédex. However, even this does not take Generation II Pokémon into account, since the vast majority thereof is only listed in the National Pokédex of those games. Furthermore, a list of Pokémon missing from the Generation III GameCube games, Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD, is far too long to be included in this context.
Take note that the Pokémon listed below are from that particular game, and will need to be traded from a game within the same generation that does not list them. Therefore, Pokémon obtainable in Generation II by trading with Generation I, Pokémon obtainable in Generation IV by utilizing GBA games, legendary Pokémon and starter Pokémon and Pokémon obtained from attending promotional events, are all excluded from the following list.
It is of relevant note that in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, most of the version exclusives of the Generation III games can be caught in the wild by inserting one of the GBA games into the DS. In Pokémon XD, the seven Emerald-absent Pokémon are all obtainable, thus eliminating the need in trading with either Pokémon Ruby or Pokémon Sapphire.
Generation I
Please note that the Japanese Blue Version does not have the same Pokémon distribution as the English Blue Version. The English Blue's Pokémon distribution is in fact the same as that of the Japanese Green. Listed below under the "Blue" header is the Japanese Blue.
| Pokémon | Games | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0013 | 
|
Weedle | R | G | B | Y |
| 0014 | 
|
Kakuna | R | G | B | Y |
| 0015 | 
|
Beedrill | R | G | B | Y |
| 0023 | 
|
Ekans | R | G | B | Y |
| 0024 | 
|
Arbok | R | G | B | Y |
| 0026 | 
|
Raichu | R | G | B | Y |
| 0027 | 
|
Sandshrew | R | G | B | Y |
| 0028 | 
|
Sandslash | R | G | B | Y |
| 0037 | 
|
Vulpix | R | G | B | Y |
| 0038 | 
|
Ninetales | R | G | B | Y |
| 0043 | 
|
Oddish | R | G | B | Y |
| 0044 | 
|
Gloom | R | G | B | Y |
| 0045 | 
|
Vileplume | R | G | B | Y |
| 0052 | 
|
Meowth | R | G | B | Y |
| 0053 | 
|
Persian | R | G | B | Y |
| 0056 | 
|
Mankey | R | G | B | Y |
| 0057 | 
|
Primeape | R | G | B | Y |
| 0058 | 
|
Growlithe | R | G | B | Y |
| 0059 | 
|
Arcanine | R | G | B | Y |
| 0069 | 
|
Bellsprout | R | G | B | Y |
| 0070 | 
|
Weepinbell | R | G | B | Y |
| 0071 | 
|
Victreebel | R | G | B | Y |
| 0109 | 
|
Koffing | R | G | B | Y |
| 0110 | 
|
Weezing | R | G | B | Y |
| 0123 | 
|
Scyther | R | G | B | Y |
| 0124 | 
|
Jynx | R | G | B | Y |
| 0125 | 
|
Electabuzz | R | G | B | Y |
| 0126 | 
|
Magmar | R | G | B | Y |
| 0127 | 
|
Pinsir | R | G | B | Y |
| A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in the specified game while a white background means that it cannot. | ||||||
Generation II
Please note that Phanpy, Donphan, Teddiursa, and Ursaring are available in the opposite paired version in Japan that they are internationally, with the first two in the Japanese Gold and the latter two in the Japanese Silver. However, this change does not occur in HeartGold and SoulSilver's international release.
| Pokémon | Games | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0037 |
|
Vulpix | G | S | C |
| 0038 |
|
Ninetales | G | S | C |
| 0052 |
|
Meowth | G | S | C |
| 0053 |
|
Persian | G | S | C |
| 0056 |
|
Mankey | G | S | C |
| 0057 |
|
Primeape | G | S | C |
| 0058 |
|
Growlithe | G | S | C |
| 0059 |
|
Arcanine | G | S | C |
| 0165 | 
|
Ledyba | G | S | C |
| 0166 | 
|
Ledian | G | S | C |
| 0167 | 
|
Spinarak | G | S | C |
| 0168 | 
|
Ariados | G | S | C |
| 0179 | 
|
Mareep | G | S | C |
| 0180 | 
|
Flaaffy | G | S | C |
| 0181 | 
|
Ampharos | G | S | C |
| 0203 | 
|
Girafarig | G | S | C |
| 0207 | 
|
Gligar | G | S | C |
| 0216 | 
|
Teddiursa | G | S | C |
| 0217 | 
|
Ursaring | G | S | C |
| 0223 | 
|
Remoraid | G | S | C |
| 0224 | 
|
Octillery | G | S | C |
| 0225 | 
|
Delibird | G | S | C |
| 0226 | 
|
Mantine | G | S | C |
| 0227 | 
|
Skarmory | G | S | C |
| 0231 | 
|
Phanpy | G | S | C |
| 0232 | 
|
Donphan | G | S | C |
| A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in the specified game while a white background means that it cannot. | |||||
Generation III
Hoenn
| Pokémon | Games | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0270 | 
|
Lotad | R | S | E |
| 0271 | 
|
Lombre | R | S | E |
| 0272 | 
|
Ludicolo | R | S | E |
| 0273 | 
|
Seedot | R | S | E |
| 0274 | 
|
Nuzleaf | R | S | E |
| 0275 | 
|
Shiftry | R | S | E |
| 0283 | 
|
Surskit | R | S | E |
| 0284 | 
|
Masquerain | R | S | E |
| 0302 | 
|
Sableye | R | S | E |
| 0303 | 
|
Mawile | R | S | E |
| 0307 | 
|
Meditite | R | S | E |
| 0308 | 
|
Medicham | R | S | E |
| 0315 | 
|
Roselia | R | S | E |
| 0335 | 
|
Zangoose | R | S | E |
| 0336 | 
|
Seviper | R | S | E |
| 0337 | 
|
Lunatone | R | S | E |
| 0338 | 
|
Solrock | R | S | E |
| 0382 | 
|
Kyogre | R | S | E |
| 0383 | 
|
Groudon | R | S | E |
| 0386 | 
|
Deoxys Normal Forme |
R | S | E |
| 0386 | 
|
Deoxys Speed Forme |
R | S | E |
| A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in the specified game while a white background means that it cannot. | |||||
Emerald (National Pokédex)
The following are only found in Pokémon Emerald, once the National Pokédex is obtained:
| Pokémon | Games | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0052 |
|
Meowth | R | S | E |
| 0053 |
|
Persian | R | S | E |
| 0132 | 
|
Ditto | R | S | E |
| 0163 | 
|
Hoothoot | R | S | E |
| 0164 | 
|
Noctowl | R | S | E |
| 0165 |
|
Ledyba | R | S | E |
| 0166 |
|
Ledian | R | S | E |
| 0167 |
|
Spinarak | R | S | E |
| 0168 |
|
Ariados | R | S | E |
| 0179 |
|
Mareep | R | S | E |
| 0180 |
|
Flaaffy | R | S | E |
| 0181 |
|
Ampharos | R | S | E |
| 0185 | 
|
Sudowoodo | R | S | E |
| 0190 | 
|
Aipom | R | S | E |
| 0191 | 
|
Sunkern | R | S | E |
| 0192 | 
|
Sunflora | R | S | E |
| 0194 | 
|
Wooper | R | S | E |
| 0195 | 
|
Quagsire | R | S | E |
| 0204 | 
|
Pineco | R | S | E |
| 0205 | 
|
Forretress | R | S | E |
| 0207 |
|
Gligar | R | S | E |
| 0209 | 
|
Snubbull | R | S | E |
| 0210 | 
|
Granbull | R | S | E |
| 0213 | 
|
Shuckle | R | S | E |
| 0216 |
|
Teddiursa | R | S | E |
| 0217 |
|
Ursaring | R | S | E |
| 0223 |
|
Remoraid | R | S | E |
| 0224 |
|
Octillery | R | S | E |
| 0228 | 
|
Houndour | R | S | E |
| 0229 | 
|
Houndoom | R | S | E |
| 0234 | 
|
Stantler | R | S | E |
| 0235 | 
|
Smeargle | R | S | E |
| 0241 | 
|
Miltank | R | S | E |
| A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in the specified game while a white background means that it cannot. | |||||
- Most of these Pokémon are found in the upgraded Safari Zone in Emerald, while Meowth, Ditto, Sudowoodo and Smeargle are found in other places exclusive to Emerald post-National Pokédex. Wooper and Quagsire are also exclusive to FireRed while Remoraid and Octillery are exclusive to LeafGreen. Meowth and Ditto can also be found in both versions.
- After mixing records with a player from a different game, Lotad, Seedot and Surskit can be found swarming somewhere in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald respectively. This event will not occur until it is announced on TV.
Kanto
Orre
This only includes Pokémon normally unobtainable in the handheld versions:
| Pokémon | Games | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 196 | 
|
Espeon | Colo | XD |
| 197 | 
|
Umbreon | Colo | XD |
| 249 | 
|
Lugia | Colo | XD |
| 249 |
|
Shadow Lugia | Colo | XD |
| 250 | 
|
Ho-Oh | Colo | XD |
| 251 | 
|
Celebi | Colo | XD |
| 438 | 
|
Bonsly | Colo | XD |
| A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in the specified game while a white background means that it cannot. | ||||
- While Espeon and Umbreon are most easily obtainable in the Gamecube games, they are also obtainable in the handheld games by trading an Eevee from FireRed & LeafGreen into Ruby, Sapphire or Emerald, and evolving them from there. This is due to the presence of an in-game clock in those games.
- While Ho-Oh and Lugia are only obtainable in Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness respectively, they can also be obtained at Navel Rock in Emerald, FireRed & LeafGreen, through a Nintendo event.
- Celebi is only obtainable in Colosseum with the use of the Japanese bonus disc.
- While Bonsly is not legally obtainable in XD, it is fully programmed in the game, and is essentially the 387th Pokémon. Both it and Shadow Lugia can be considered to be literal version-exclusives.
Generation IV
Sinnoh
Johto
| Pokémon | Games | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0037 |
|
Vulpix | HG | SS |
| 0038 |
|
Ninetales | HG | SS |
| 0052 |
|
Meowth | HG | SS |
| 0053 |
|
Persian | HG | SS |
| 0056 |
|
Mankey | HG | SS |
| 0057 |
|
Primeape | HG | SS |
| 0058 |
|
Growlithe | HG | SS |
| 0059 |
|
Arcanine | HG | SS |
| 0138 | 
|
Omanyte | HG | SS |
| 0139 | 
|
Omastar | HG | SS |
| 0140 | 
|
Kabuto | HG | SS |
| 0141 | 
|
Kabutops | HG | SS |
| 0165 |
|
Ledyba | HG | SS |
| 0166 |
|
Ledian | HG | SS |
| 0167 |
|
Spinarak | HG | SS |
| 0168 |
|
Ariados | HG | SS |
| 0207 |
|
Gligar | HG | SS |
| 0216 |
|
Teddiursa | HG | SS |
| 0217 |
|
Ursaring | HG | SS |
| 0225 |
|
Delibird | HG | SS |
| 0226 |
|
Mantine | HG | SS |
| 0227 |
|
Skarmory | HG | SS |
| 0231 |
|
Phanpy | HG | SS |
| 0232 |
|
Donphan | HG | SS |
| 0302 |
|
Sableye | HG | SS |
| 0303 |
|
Mawile | HG | SS |
| 0316 | 
|
Gulpin | HG | SS |
| 0317 | 
|
Swalot | HG | SS |
| 0343 | 
|
Baltoy | HG | SS |
| 0344 | 
|
Claydol | HG | SS |
| 0345 | 
|
Lileep | HG | SS |
| 0346 | 
|
Cradily | HG | SS |
| 0347 | 
|
Anorith | HG | SS |
| 0348 | 
|
Armaldo | HG | SS |
| 0382 |
|
Kyogre | HG | SS |
| 0383 |
|
Groudon | HG | SS |
| 0458 | 
|
Mantyke | HG | SS |
| 0472 | 
|
Gliscor | HG | SS |
| A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in the specified game while a white background means that it cannot. | ||||
Generation V
| Pokémon | Games | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0010 | 
|
Caterpie | B | W |
| 0011 | 
|
Metapod | B | W |
| 0012 | 
|
Butterfree | B | W |
| 0013 |
|
Weedle | B | W |
| 0014 |
|
Kakuna | B | W |
| 0015 |
|
Beedrill | B | W |
| 0046 | 
|
Paras | B | W |
| 0047 | 
|
Parasect | B | W |
| 0198 | 
|
Murkrow | B | W |
| 0200 | 
|
Misdreavus | B | W |
| 0228 |
|
Houndour | B | W |
| 0229 |
|
Houndoom | B | W |
| 0261 | 
|
Poochyena | B | W |
| 0262 | 
|
Mightyena | B | W |
| 0285 | 
|
Shroomish | B | W |
| 0286 | 
|
Breloom | B | W |
| 0311 | 
|
Plusle | B | W |
| 0312 | 
|
Minun | B | W |
| 0429 | 
|
Mismagius | B | W |
| 0430 | 
|
Honchkrow | B | W |
| 0574 | 
|
Gothita | B | W |
| 0575 | 
|
Gothorita | B | W |
| 0576 | 
|
Gothitelle | B | W |
| 0577 | 
|
Solosis | B | W |
| 0578 | 
|
Duosion | B | W |
| 0579 | 
|
Reuniclus | B | W |
| 0627 | 
|
Rufflet | B | W |
| 0628 | 
|
Braviary | B | W |
| 0629 | 
|
Vullaby | B | W |
| 0630 | 
|
Mandibuzz | B | W |
| 0641 | 
|
Tornadus | B | W |
| 0642 | 
|
Thundurus | B | W |
| 0643 | 
|
Reshiram | B | W |
| 0644 | 
|
Zekrom | B | W |
| A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in the specified game while a white background means that it cannot. | ||||
- When Genesect is holding a Drive, the light on its Photon Blaster changes color. The Burn and Shock Drives are exclusive to Black, while the Douse and Chill Drives are exclusive to White.
- While Cottonee and Petilil are only available in the wild in Black and White respectively, there is an in-game trade in Nacrene City for the Pokémon which is exclusive to the other game. By extension, this also allows Whimsicott and Lilligant to be obtained in the versions they are otherwise unobtainable in.
White Forest
The following Pokémon can only be found in the White Forest, or can only be obtained by breeding or evolving a Pokémon caught in the White Forest, which is exclusive to Pokémon White:
- These Pokémon's fully evolved forms can be encountered and battled in Black City, which is exclusive to Pokémon Black, but are uncatchable there. Also, each game has a limited number of Pokémon species and need to connect to other players in order to increase that number. Only the first forms are obtainable in the White Forest, and only at level five.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
As trading is not possible between these games, the listed Pokémon will appear in the wild only when a rescue mission involving the Pokémon is completed. This requires a Wonder Mail Code from the alternate version, in which the Pokémon is normally found.
Red and Blue Rescue Team
| Pokémon | Games | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0129 | 
|
Magikarp | Red | Blue |
| 0130 | 
|
Gyarados | Red | Blue |
| 0131 | 
|
Lapras | Red | Blue |
| 0137 | 
|
Porygon | Red | Blue |
| 0190 | 
|
Aipom | Red | Blue |
| 0226 | 
|
Mantine | Red | Blue |
| 0311 | 
|
Plusle | Red | Blue |
| 0312 | 
|
Minun | Red | Blue |
| 0315 | 
|
Roselia | Red | Blue |
| 0349 | 
|
Feebas | Red | Blue |
| 0350 | 
|
Milotic | Red | Blue |
| A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in the specified game while a white background means that it cannot. | ||||
Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky
| Pokémon | Games | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0150 | 
|
Mewtwo | Time | Darkness | Sky |
| 0251 | 
|
Celebi | Time | Darkness | Sky |
| 0412 | 
|
Burmy | Time | Darkness | Sky |
| 0415 | 
|
Combee | Time | Darkness | Sky |
| 0417 | 
|
Pachirisu | Time | Darkness | Sky |
| 0427 | 
|
Buneary | Time | Darkness | Sky |
| 0428 | 
|
Lopunny | Time | Darkness | Sky |
| 0447 | 
|
Riolu | Time | Darkness | Sky |
| 0448 | 
|
Lucario | Time | Darkness | Sky |
| 0479 | 
|
Rotom | Time | Darkness | Sky |
| 0487 | 
|
Giratina Origin Forme |
Time | Darkness | Sky |
| 0492 | 
|
Shaymin Land Forme |
Time | Darkness | Sky |
| 0492 | 
|
Shaymin Sky Forme |
Time | Darkness | Sky |
| A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in the specified game while a white background means that it cannot. | |||||
- All version-exclusive Pokémon in these games can be unlocked in the other game through Wonder Mail except those exclusive to Explorers of Sky. Note that Riolu and Lucario will only appear after graduating from the guild in Explorers of Sky due to Riolu being a starter Pokémon.
Trivia
- Due to a large number of wild Pokémon that can only be caught on White Forest which is an area that is exclusive only to Pokémon White, Pokémon White has the largest number of version-exclusive Pokémon of any Pokémon game to date.