Generation

If you were looking for the TCG expansion released to commemorate the 20th Anniversary, see Generations (TCG).
If you were looking for the animated miniseries, see Pokémon Generations.

A generation (Japanese: 世代 generation) is a grouping of the Pokémon games that separates them based on the Pokémon they include. In each generation, a new region and set of Pokémon that did not exist in the previous generation are introduced. A generation may introduce remakes of games from a previous generation. There are currently nine generations.

Terminology

The word "generation" has been sometimes mentioned officially without a specific generation number:

  • "Pokémon X and Pokémon Y presents a new generation of Pokémon and introduces players to an exciting new adventure in a breathtaking 3D world."[1]
  • "These fascinating Alola region characters and Pokémon will appear in the latest generation of Pokémon video games that will launch in North America on November 18."[2]
  • "Catch up with a new generation in the Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield expansion!"[3]
  • "Defeat powerful legacy Trainers from various generations. [4]

Certain promotional materials, such as a 2007 trailer for Pokémon Diamond and Pearl and an official announcement for Pokémon Black and White, advertised the games as a "new generation of Pokémon"; moreover, Pokémon Sun and Moon were referred to as the "newest generation" in press releases.

While specific generations are not usually discussed officially, they have been mentioned occasionally in official sources and by Pokémon staff.

Core series games

Within the core series games, generations are typically indicative of compatibility. Usually, Pokémon can freely be moved between games within a single generation, and can be sent forward to the next generation (but then can never return). Until Generation VII, games of the same generation could also link battle with each other, but cross-generation link battles have never been possible.

List

Gen New Pokémon Total Pokémon Core games (JP/US) Side games (JP/US) Spin-off games (JP/US) Anime (Japanese series upper,
English series and seasons lower)
Movies TCG
I 151 151 Red and Green (1996/—)
Blue (1996/—)
Red and Blue (—/1998)
Yellow (1998/1999)
Stadium (Japanese) (1998/—)
Stadium (English) (1999/2000)
Trading Card Game (1998/2000)
Pinball (1999)
Snap (1999)
Puzzle League (—/2000)
Pocket Monsters
Pocket Monsters
Pocket Monsters: Episode Orange Islands
Mewtwo Strikes Back
The Power of One
Base Set
Jungle
Fossil
Base Set 2
Team Rocket
Gym Heroes
Gym Challenge
Pokémon the Series: The Beginning
Pokémon: Indigo League
Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands
II 100 251 Gold and Silver (1999/2000)
Crystal (2000/2001)
Stadium 2 (2000/2001) Puzzle Challenge
(2000)
Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR!
(2001/—)
Pocket Monsters
Pocket Monsters: Episode Gold & Silver
Spell of the Unown: Entei
Celebi: The Voice of the Forest
Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias
Neo Genesis
Neo Discovery
Neo Revelation
Neo Destiny
Legendary Collection
Expedition
Aquapolis
Skyridge
Pokémon the Series: Gold and Silver
Pokémon: The Johto Journeys
Pokémon: Johto League Champions
Pokémon: Master Quest
III 135 386 Ruby and Sapphire (2002/2003)
FireRed and LeafGreen (2004)
Emerald (2004/2005)
Colosseum (2003/2004)
Box RS (2003/2004)
XD (2005)
Pinball R&S (2003)
Dash (2004/2005)
Trozei! (2005/2006)
Mystery Dungeon Red/Blue (2005/2006)
Ranger (2006)
Pocket Monsters Advanced Generation Jirachi: Wish Maker
Destiny Deoxys
Lucario and the Mystery of Mew
Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea
EX Ruby & Sapphire
EX Sandstorm
EX Dragon
EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua
EX Hidden Legends
EX FireRed & LeafGreen
EX Team Rocket Returns
EX Deoxys
EX Emerald
EX Unseen Forces
EX Delta Species
EX Legend Maker
EX Holon Phantoms
EX Crystal Guardians
EX Dragon Frontiers
EX Power Keepers
Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire
Pokémon: Advanced
Pokémon: Advanced Challenge
Pokémon: Advanced Battle
Pokémon: Battle Frontier
IV 107 493 Diamond and Pearl (2006/2007)
Platinum (2008/2009)
HeartGold and SoulSilver (2009/2010)
Battle Revolution (2006/2007)
Ranch (2008)
Mystery Dungeon Time/Darkness (2007/2008)
Ranger 2 (2008)
Mystery Dungeon Sky (2009)
Rumble (2009)
Mystery Dungeon Blazing/Stormy/Light (2009/—)
PokéPark Wii (2009/2010)
Ranger 3 (2010)
Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl The Rise of Darkrai
Giratina and the Sky Warrior
Arceus and the Jewel of Life
Zoroark: Master of Illusions
Diamond & Pearl
Mysterious Treasures
Secret Wonders
Great Encounters
Majestic Dawn
Legends Awakened
Stormfront
Platinum
Rising Rivals
Supreme Victors
Arceus
HeartGold & SoulSilver
Unleashed
Undaunted
Triumphant
Call of Legends
Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl
Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl
Pokémon Battle Dimension
Pokémon Galactic Battles
Pokémon Sinnoh League Victors
V 156 649 Black and White (2010/2011)
Black 2 and White 2 (2012)
Dream Radar (2012) Rumble Blast (2011)
Learn with Pokémon: Typing Adventure (2011/2012)
PokéPark 2 (2011/2012)
Conquest (2012)
Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity (2012/2013)
Rumble U (2013)
Pocket Monsters Best Wishes!
Best Wishes!
Best Wishes! Season 2
Best Wishes! Season 2: Episode N
Best Wishes! Season 2: Decolora Adventure!
White—Victini and Zekrom
Black—Victini and Reshiram

Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice
Genesect and the Legend Awakened
Black & White
Emerging Powers
Noble Victories
Next Destinies
Dark Explorers
Dragons Exalted
Dragon Vault
Boundaries Crossed
Plasma Storm
Plasma Freeze
Plasma Blast
Legendary Treasures
Pokémon the Series: Black & White
Pokémon: Black & White
Pokémon Black & White: Rival Destinies
Pokémon Black & White: Adventures in Unova and Beyond
VI 72 721 X and Y (2013)
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (2014)
Bank (2013/2014) Battle Trozei (2014)
Art Academy (2014)
Shuffle (2015)
Rumble World (2015)
Super Mystery Dungeon (2015)
Picross (2015)
Pokkén Tournament (2015/2016)
Detective Pikachu – Birth of a New Duo (2016/—)
GO (2016)
Duel (2016/2017)
Pocket Monsters XY
Pocket Monsters XY
Pocket Monsters XY&Z
Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction
Hoopa and the Clash of Ages
Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel
Kalos Starter Set
XY
Flashfire
Furious Fists
Phantom Forces
Primal Clash
Double Crisis
Roaring Skies
Ancient Origins
BREAKthrough
BREAKpoint
Generations
Fates Collide
Steam Siege
Evolutions
Pokémon the Series: XY
Pokémon the Series: XY
Pokémon the Series: XY Kalos Quest
Pokémon the Series: XYZ
VII 88 809 Sun and Moon (2016)
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon (2017)
Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! (2018)
Bank (Version 1.4) (2017) Magikarp Jump (2017)
Pokkén Tournament DX (2017)
Detective Pikachu (2018)
Quest (2018)
Rumble Rush (2019)
Masters (2019)
Pocket Monsters Sun & Moon I Choose You!
The Power of Us
Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution



POKÉMON Detective Pikachu
Sun & Moon
Guardians Rising
Burning Shadows
Shining Legends
Crimson Invasion
Ultra Prism
Forbidden Light
Celestial Storm
Dragon Majesty
Lost Thunder
Team Up
Unbroken Bonds
Unified Minds
Hidden Fates
Cosmic Eclipse
Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon
Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon
Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon—Ultra Adventures
Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon—Ultra Legends
VIII 96 905 Sword and Shield (2019)
Sword and Shield Expansion Pass (2020)
Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (2021)
Legends: Arceus (2022)
HOME (2020) Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX (2020)
Smile (2020)
Masters EX (2020)
Café Mix (2020)
New Pokémon Snap (2021)
UNITE (2021)
Café ReMix (2021)
Pocket Monsters (2019)
Pocket Monsters
Pocket Monsters: Aim to Be a Pokémon Master
Secrets of the Jungle Sword & Shield
Rebel Clash
Darkness Ablaze
Vivid Voltage
Shining Fates
Battle Styles
Chilling Reign
Evolving Skies
Fusion Strike
Brilliant Stars
Astral Radiance
Lost Origin
Silver Tempest
Pokémon Journeys: The Series
Pokémon Journeys: The Series
Pokémon Master Journeys: The Series
Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series
IX 120 1025 Scarlet and Violet (2022)
The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero (2023)
Legends: Z-A (2025)
HOME (Version 3.0) (2023) Sleep (2023)
Detective Pikachu Returns (2023)
Pocket Monsters (2023)
Pocket Monsters: Liko and Roy's Departure
Pocket Monsters: The Sparkling of Terapagos
Pocket Monsters: Terastal Debut
Scarlet & Violet
Paldea Evolved
Obsidian Flames
151
Paradox Rift
Paldean Fates
Temporal Forces
Pokémon Horizons: The Series
Pokémon Horizons: The Series

References