Generation VII

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Generation VII
Ultra MoonTitle.png
Title screen of Pokémon Ultra Moon
Debut EN November 18, 2016
JA November 18, 2016
Pokémon 802 (81 new)SM
807 (5 new)USUM
809 (2 new; 153 available)PE
Main games Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon
Region(s) introduced Alola
Other RPGs Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
Contains remakes of Generation I
Storage games Bank (Version 1.4+)SMUSUM, HOMEPE
Side games GO (Versions 0.47.1—0.161.0), Magikarp Jump, Pokkén Tournament DX, Detective Pikachu, Quest, Rumble Rush, Masters
End EN November 15, 2019 (1092 days)
JA November 15, 2019 (1092 days)

The seventh generation (Japanese: 第七世代 seventh generation) of Pokémon games, commonly referred to by fans as Generation VII (Japanese: 世代VII Generation VII), is the seventh installment of the Pokémon video game series starting with Pokémon Sun and Moon, continuing with Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, and ending with Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!. Unlike previous generations, the core series games of the seventh generation were released on two different Nintendo platforms, with the Alola-based games released on the Nintendo 3DS and the Kanto-based games released on the Nintendo Switch. It is the last generation released on the 3DS and the first one on the Switch.

History

The seventh generation of Pokémon was announced with the reveal of Pokémon Sun and Moon on February 27, 2016, the Pokémon 20th Anniversary. These are the first pair of games in the generation and were released worldwide on November 18, 2016, except in Europe where they were released on November 23, 2016.

The second pair of games in this generation, Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, were revealed in a Pokémon Direct held on June 6, 2017. The games take place in Alola once again, but with a new story and includes Pokémon that cannot be found in Sun and Moon. The games were released worldwide on November 17, 2017.

The third and final pair of games, Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, were revealed at the Pokémon 2018 Video Game Press Conference held on May 29, 2018. The games take place in Kanto and are inspired by Pokémon Yellow. The games were released worldwide on November 16, 2018.

Connectivity

Pokémon Sun and Moon and Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon can communicate with the application Pokémon Bank, via which Pokémon from the Generation VI games can be received. By way of Poké Transporter, Pokémon Bank can also receive Pokémon from the Generation V games and the Virtual Console releases of the Generation II and Generation I games, from which they can be moved to Generation VII games. Combined with other inter-generational transfer methods, this makes the seventh generation the first generation since Generation II able to communicate with all previous games.

Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! can communicate with the mobile app Pokémon GO and is able to receive Pokémon that originate from the app. It cannot communicate with other Generation VII games.

In-game continuity

Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.

Pokémon Sun and Moon occurs two years after the events of Black 2 and White 2 and X and Y. Various characters from previous generations such as: Sina, Dexio, Looker, Anabel, Colress, Red, and Blue make appearances, with many of them looking significantly older than in previous games.

During the postgame missions in Sun and Moon, it is revealed that Anabel fell into an Ultra Wormhole prior to the events of Sun and Moon and became a Faller, which are individuals who have passed through Ultra Wormholes, and is hinted to be the same Anabel that appeared in Pokémon Emerald's Battle Tower, however, she suffers from retrograde amnesia. Professor Burnet who originated from the side game, Pokémon Dream Radar, is revealed to be living in Alola and is researching the phenomena surrounding Ultra Wormholes.

Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are set in an alternate universe similar, but slightly different, to Sun and Moon. The events of Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon follow those of the first games, but slightly diverge in its details. Some of the worlds that the player may visit through the Ultra Warp Ride are hinted at being alternate versions of Alola, such as: the Ultra Space Wilds, and the Ultra Ruin, the latter being a world that is thoroughly hinted at being a destroyed Hau'oli City from an alternate dimension. In Episode RR, Team Rainbow Rocket takes over the Festival Plaza and Aether Paradise in hopes of taking over other worlds using the Ultra Wormhole technology developed by the Aether Foundation. Team Rainbow Rocket is later revealed to be composed of the villainous team leaders from previous generations, with Team Aqua and Team Magma's leaders, Archie and Maxie, appearing as they did in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. It is also revealed that each of the villainous team leaders are from alternate universes where they were able to successfully achieve their plans; further cementing the concept of alternate universes. Colress plays a major role in Episode RR by sending all of the villainous leaders back to their original dimensions; when Ghetsis is being confronted, he and Colress recognize each other, despite being from alternate dimensions, showing that Colress had involvements with Team Plasma in both universes.

Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! seems to take place in an alternate universe from Pokémon Red and Blue and Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen as Team Rocket was never disbanded, and Red and Blue have already defeated the Indigo League and are now renowned Pokémon Trainers. Because of this, the player characters are now composed of Chase and Elaine with Blue's role as rival being replaced by Trace.

Since Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! are remakes of Pokémon Yellow, characters from the anime like Jessie and James make appearances and similar events from the anime occur. The games seem to occur less than five years before Sun and Moon, as Mina, albeit slightly younger, makes an appearance in Vermilion City. Despite this, the overall continuity between these games and those that precede them is not clear.

Advances in gameplay

Alterations from Generation VI

Further additions in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon

Further additions in Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!

  • Doors now open automatically again.
  • Two new Mythical Pokémon are introduced, Meltan and Melmetal, bringing the total to 809.
  • The introduction of Partner Pokémon forms for the first partner Pokémon Pikachu and Eevee. These are stronger than their regular counterparts, cannot evolve, and can be customized with clothes and accessories.
    • Partner Eevee has a new gender difference, with the female having a heart pattern on her tail.
  • The addition of 14 new moves: Partner Pikachu's Zippy Zap, Splishy Splash, Floaty Fall, and Pika Papow; Partner Eevee's Bouncy Bubble, Buzzy Buzz, Sizzly Slide, Glitzy Glow, Baddy Bad, Sappy Seed, Freezy Frost, Sparkly Swirl, Veevee Volley; and Melmetal's Double Iron Bash, bringing the total to 724. Double Iron Bash is not exclusive to Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!.
  • The removal of wild battles, which are replaced by catching Pokémon similar to Pokémon GO.
  • Wild Pokémon now appear in the overworld.
    • By catching multiple Pokémon of the same species and a row, the game will start a Catch Combo, which gives more items and experience, as well as having a higher chance of finding rarer Pokémon and shinies.
  • The implementation of motion controls. The Joy-Con is used to throw Poké Balls. In handheld mode, wild Pokémon are caught by aiming the Poké Ball with motion controls.
  • The introduction of two-player simultaneous multiplayer.
  • The return of Walking Pokémon, working as replacements for Ride Pokémon.
  • Secret Techniques are implemented as replacements for HMs.
  • Nicknames can be changed at any time.
  • The implementation of the Pokémon Box, a replacement for the Pokémon Storage System that is accessible from the player's bag.
  • The Exp. Share no longer exists as an item, but its effects are now present from the start of the game and can no longer be turned off.

Region

 
Alola

Alola

Main article: Alola

The Alola region was introduced in Pokémon Sun and Moon. This island region is made up of four main islands and one artificial island.

First partner Pokémon

The first partner Pokémon of the seventh generation follow the traditional Grass/Fire/Water trio setup. At the beginning of the game, the player must choose between the Grass and Flying-type Rowlet, the Fire-type Litten and the Water-type Popplio.

 
Rowlet
 
Litten
 
Popplio
Grass Flying Fire Water
  Dartrix   Torracat   Brionne
Grass Flying Fire Water
  Decidueye   Incineroar   Primarina
Grass Ghost Fire Dark Water Fairy

Trial Captains and Totem Pokémon

In Sun and Moon, there are seven Trial Captains and eight Totem Pokémon, Pokémon which are bigger than the rest of their species and have "auras" that increase one of their stats at the beginning of battle. Upon a Totem Pokémon's defeat, the player will get the corresponding Z-Crystal of the same type of the trial.

In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, all of the trials are altered in some way. In addition, the final Trial Captain, Mina has a trial for the player to complete.

Trials
Generation VII Region: Alola
Trial Captain
Japanese
Location
Japanese
Type Totem Pokémon Ally Pokémon
 
Ilima
イリマ Ilima
Verdant Cavern
茂みの洞窟
Verdant Cavern
 
Normal
 
GumshoosSUS
 
YungoosSUS
 
RaticateMUM
 
RattataMUM
 
Lana
スイレン Suiren
Brooklet Hill
せせらぎの丘
Brooklet Hill
 
Water
 
Wishiwashi
(School Form)SM
 
WishiwashiSM
 
AlomomolaSM
 
AraquanidUSUM
 
DewpiderUSUM
 
MasquerainUSUM
 
Kiawe
カキ Kaki
Wela Volcano Park
ヴェラ火山公園
Wela Volcano Park
 
Fire
 
SalazzleSM
 
SalanditSM
 
Alolan MarowakUSUM
 
SalazzleUSUM
 
Mallow
マオ Mao
Lush Jungle
シェードジャングル
Shade Jungle
 
Grass
 
Lurantis
 
TrumbeakSM
 
CastformSM
 
ComfeyUSUM
 
KecleonUSUM
 
Sophocles
マーマネ Mamane
Hokulani Observatory
ホクラニ天文台
Hōkūlani Observatory
 
Electric
 
VikavoltSM
 
CharjabugSM
 
CharjabugSM
 
TogedemaruUSUM
 
SkarmoryUSUM
 
DedenneUSUM
 
Acerola
アセロラ Acerola
Thrifty Megamart (Abandoned Site)
スーパー・メガやす 跡地
Supermarket Megacheap (Abandoned Site)
 
Ghost
 
Mimikyu
 
HaunterSM
 
GengarSM
 
BanetteUSUM
 
Jellicent*USUM
None Vast Poni Canyon
ポニの大峡谷
Great Canyon of Poni
 
Dragon
 
Kommo-o
 
Hakamo-oSM
 
ScizorSM
 
NoivernUSUM
 
ScizorUSUM
 
Mina
マツリカ Matsurika
NoneSM  
Fairy
NoneSM NoneSM
Seafolk Village
海の民の村
Seafolk Village
USUM
 
RibombeeUSUM
 
BlisseyUSUM
 
PelipperUSUM

Grand trials

After the player completes all the trials on an island, they must battle the kahuna of the island.

Grand trials
Generation VII Region: Alola
Island kahuna
Japanese
Island Location
Japanese
Type
 
Hala
ハラ Hala
 
Melemele Island
Iki Town
リリィタウン
Liliʻi Town
 
Fighting
 
Olivia
ライチ Lychee
 
Akala Island
Ruins of Life
命の遺跡
Ruins of Life
 
Rock
 
Nanu
クチナシ Kuchinashi
 
Ula'ula Island
Malie City
マリエシティ
Malie City
 
Dark
 
Hapu
ハプウ Hapū
 
Poni Island
Vast Poni CanyonSM
ポニの大峡谷
Great Canyon of Poni
 
Ground
Exeggutor IslandUSUM
ナッシー・アイランド
Nassy Island

Kanto

 
Kanto
Main article: Kanto

In its fifth appearance, Kanto appeared in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! in a capacity similar to Generation I and its previous remakes, Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen.

First partner Pokémon

Unlike in other Pokémon games, the first partner Pokémon the player starts with corresponds with the game they are playing. Players of Let's Go, Pikachu! will start with Pikachu, while players of Let's Go, Eevee! will start with Eevee.

 
Partner
PikachuP
 
Partner
EeveeE
Electric Normal

Gym Leaders

For the most part, Kanto's Gym Leaders are the same as they were in Generation I, but Blue takes control of Viridian Gym after the player becomes Champion and can be challenged.

Indigo League
Generation VII Region: Kanto
Gym Leader
Japanese
Location
Japanese
Type Badge
 
Brock
タケシ Takeshi
Pewter City
ニビシティ
Nibi City
Rock  
Boulder Badge
 
Misty
カスミ Kasumi
Cerulean City
ハナダシティ
Hanada City
Water  
Cascade Badge
 
Lt. Surge
マチス Matisse
Vermilion City
クチバシティ
Kuchiba City
Electric  
Thunder Badge
 
Erika
エリカ Erika
Celadon City
タマムシシティ
Tamamushi City
Grass  
Rainbow Badge
 
Koga
キョウ Kyou
Fuchsia City
セキチクシティ
Sekichiku City
Poison  
Soul Badge
 
Sabrina
ナツメ Natsume
Saffron City
ヤマブキシティ
Yamabuki City
Psychic  
Marsh Badge
 
Blaine
カツラ Katsura
Cinnabar Island
グレンじま
Guren Island
Fire  
Volcano Badge
 
Giovanni
サカキ Sakaki
 
Blue
グリーン Green
Viridian City
トキワシティ
Tokiwa City
Ground Various  

Earth Badge


Alola thematic motif

The seventh generation focuses on themes of nature, alternate dimensions, tradition, and relationships. First and foremost, Z-Moves are said to be the physical manifestation of the bond between Trainer and Pokémon, in a similar vein to Mega Evolution. The storylines of the Alolan games also focus various characters whose motives and story arcs revolve around family- or relationship-based issues. The Aether Foundation is an organization that wishes to heal and protect Pokémon from threats such as Team Skull or predatory Pokémon like Mareanie. In fact, the Alolan Pokédex is filled with more examples of Pokémon predator-prey relationships than usual. In an interview with Junichi Masuda and Shigeru Ohmori, Sun and Moon were named with the idea of the revolutions of the sun and the moon in mind, and how they influence life on the Earth, as a way to "celebrate life" and express Pokémon as living creatures. In the same interview, they mention the revolutions of the celestial bodies as being an interesting metaphor for relationships.

Title screens

English title screens

Pokémon Sun Pokémon Moon
   
Pokémon Ultra Sun Pokémon Ultra Moon
   


Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee!
   

Japanese title screens

Pokémon Sun Pokémon Moon
   
Pokémon Ultra Sun Pokémon Ultra Moon
   


Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee!
   

Trivia

References



Generation I: Red & GreenBlue (JP)Red & BlueYellow
Generation II: Gold & SilverCrystal
Generation III: Ruby & SapphireFireRed & LeafGreenEmerald
Generation IV: Diamond & PearlPlatinumHeartGold & SoulSilver
Generation V: Black & WhiteBlack 2 & White 2
Generation VI: X & YOmega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
Generation VII: Sun & MoonUltra Sun & Ultra Moon
Let's Go, Pikachu! & Let's Go, Eevee!‎
Generation VIII: Sword & Shield (The Isle of Armor / The Crown Tundra)
Brilliant Diamond & Shining PearlLegends: Arceus
Generation IX: Scarlet & Violet (The Teal Mask / The Indigo Disk)
Legends: Z-A
Pokémon game templates


  This game-related article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.