Pokémon can easily trump any other role-playing video game franchise in the world, with its established reputation and continuing popularity for over almost three decades. Since the first core Pokemon games, Pocket Monsters Red and Green, there have been a total of 40 games that were released under the franchise, not including the DLCs.
These games are divided into different generations, and each generation adds new Pokémon species, among other aspects in the story and gameplay. They are published for all the different types of Nintendo consoles that have been released over time. Whether you’re new to the franchise or would like to go down memory lane, here is a list of all the Pokémon games in the main series in order.
List of all Pokémon games, in order of release
The very first Pokémon games were Pocket Monsters: Red and Pocket Monsters: Green, both released in Japan. Not long after, Pocket Monsters: Blue was published as a special edition title that’s only made available to comics subscribers. Because of the popularity these games gained, both games were released in major markets outside of Japan as the very first Pokémon games in this list.
1. Pokémon Red Version and Blue Version (1996)
Platform: Game Boy
Generation: First
New Pokémon Introduced: 151
The third-person, top-down gameplay in Pokemon Red and Blue lets you control the main character as they travel across the made-up country of Kanto. The basic goal is to defeat every Pokemon trainer, Gym leader, and Elite Four in the area in order to win the Indigo League. Getting all 151 of the available Pokemon is a supplementary goal that will finish the Pokedex.
While they are separate from one another, both games feature the same plot. Future Pokémon games will continue this concept by requiring players to trade between the two games in order to collect all of the available Pokémon.
2. Pokémon Yellow Version (1998)
Platform: Game Boy, Game Boy Color
Generation: First
Pokémon Yellow is an improved version of the Pokémon Red and Blue games that was launched in the United States in 1999, almost a year after they were released in Japan. The game has two goals: defeating Gym Leaders and the Elite Four to become the next champion and collecting every available Pokémon. Yellow is played from an overhead perspective, just like the original Pokémon games.
Pokémon Yellow includes a number of major updates and gameplay enhancements. Pikachu being the sole starter Pokémon is one such adjustment. In the game, Pikachu is also given a distinct personality. The Pokémon initially has no opinion on the player’s character, but this progressively grows to love or hatred, depending on the player’s actions.
In 2018, Nintendo released Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!, an improved version of Pokémon Yellow. This is to commemorate Pokémon Yellow’s 20th anniversary. The plot is largely identical to Pokémon Yellow’s, but it incorporates more sophisticated gameplay elements.
3. Pokémon Gold Version and Silver Version (1999)
Platform: Game Boy Color
Generation: Second
New Pokémon Introduced: 100
The second generation of Pokémon video games began in 1999 with the release of the Pokémon Gold and Silver editions. The games included a hundred additional Pokémon species, bringing the total to 251.
Pokémon Gold and Silver take place in the fictitious territory of Johto three years after the events of the previous games. While they retained many of the core elements established in the previous generation, they also incorporated new features that had a big impact on the gameplay.
It has a time mechanism which allows for in-game time monitoring. This new system controls the availability of specific tasks and Pokémon appearances. Also, Pokémon can now carry items, one at a time, with health or cure effects. Dark-types and Steel-types were also introduced in the Gold and Silver games. Legendary Pokémon like Raikou and Entei are also included.
Both games contain the same narrative, however they may be played separately. To catch all of the available Pokémon and complete the Pokedex, players must trade between the two games and those from the prior generation.
4. Pokémon Crystal Version (2000)
Platform: Game Boy Color
Generation: Second
Pokémon Crystal is an enhanced version of the Game Boy Color games Pokémon Gold and Silver. It is the first core Pokémon game to let players select the gender of their character. The Battle Tower is an addition that stands out in the game, which is a unique venue where Pokémon trainers battle one another under a set of special rules. It also lets players battle legendary Pokémon. Losing in this location has no effect on your game progress.
5. Pokémon Ruby Version and Saphire Version (2002)
Platform: Game Boy Advance
Generation: Third
New Pokémon Introduced: 135
The third generation of Pokémon games began in November 2002 with the release of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. The gameplay is generally similar to previous releases, with the user navigating the main character from a top-down perspective.
In the game, you may do side tasks that require you to assist NPCs. The most important of them is helping put a stop to the schemes of Team Magma and Team Aqua, two Pokémon crime syndicates. Apart from the 135 new Pokémon released in the third generation, the two games received a slew of new features and adjustments.
Their better fighting mechanics was the most significant improvement. Pokémon trainers may now battle with two Pokemon at the same time. In multi battles, two trainers fight on opposite sides, each with one Pokemon. In Ruby and Sapphire, a Pokemon’s nature, intrinsic abilities, and present condition all play an important part in the battles.
6. Pokémon FireRed Version and LeafGreen Version (2004)
Platform: Game Boy Advance
Developer: Game Freak
Generation: Third
FireRed and LeafGreen are largely based on the first two Pokémon games, Red and Blue. Pokémon battles take place on a separate screen, where players pick the next moves or items to use, as well as swap Pokémon. When a Pokémon on either side exhausts all of its hit points and faints, the battle is over. After each successful battle, your Pokémon gets a certain number of experience points.
FireRed and LeafGreen are Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable compatible, allowing players to connect and trade Pokémon from Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire and Pokemon Colosseum.
7. Pokémon Emerald Version (2004)
Platform: Game Boy Advance
Developer: Game Freak
Generation: Third
Pokémon Emerald is an improved version of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. The plot and the majority of the gameplay in Emerald are the same as in the original games. The player’s goal is to explore the Hoenn area and defeat the eight Gym Leaders and the Elite Four to become champion. Another goal is to capture wild Pokémon using Poke Balls. To finish the Pokedex, players must connect two GameBoy Advance systems and trade with other third-generation Pokémon games, like as Ruby, Sapphire, FireRed, and LeafGreen.
Pokémon Emerald allows for two-on-two combat with two trainers on either side. The trainers might either help their teammates or fight their opponents independently. Some Pokémon moves in the game can have an effect on two or more opponents at the same time.
All of the Pokémon from the Gold and Silver games that were not included in Ruby and Sapphire are included in the game, including rare Pokémon like Lugia. With the conflict between Team Magma and Team Aqua, players also encounter legendary Pokémon such as Groudon, Kyogre, and Rayquaza. ‘Battle Frontier,’ an extended version of the Battle Tower debuted in Crystal, is also included.
8. Pokémon Diamond Version and Pearl Version (2006)
Platform: Nintendo DS
Developer: Game Freak
Generation: Fourth
With the Diamond and Pearl editions, the fourth generation of core Pokémon games began. The games, like its predecessors, demand players to travel a certain region of the Pokémon universe, which is Sinnoh, to battle and catch various Pokémon, and put an end to the wicked schemes of Team Galactic.
Diamond and Pearl is a fan favorite and one of the best-selling games in the core series. This is due in part to new gameplay enhancements. The introduction of an improved day-night cycle mechanism, which now has dawn, day, afternoon, evening, and night, as opposed to only day and night in Gold and Silver games, was perhaps the most significant modification.
The games also reclassified Pokémon moves into three new categories: attacks that make physical contact with an opponent are “physical” moves; attacks that do not need to make physical contact with an opponent to deal damage are called “special” moves; and moves that do have any damage effect are classified as “status.” The games added 107 new Pokémon.
9. Pokémon Platinum Version (2008)
Platform: Nintendo DS
Developer: Game Freak
Generation: Fourth
Two years after the introduction of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Nintendo launched an updated version of the games called Pokémon Platinum in 2008. The plot and gameplay settings of Pokémon Platinum are substantially the same as the original releases.
Platinum included various new gameplay aspects. It contains a battle recorder and the Wi-Fi Plaza, a place on the map where players may unite to play mini-games. The Battle Frontier also returned. Unlike the Diamond and Pearl games, which focused on the legendary Pokémon Palkia and Dialga, the major narrative of Platinum revolves upon Giratina, a dual-type Pokémon. It also serves as the game’s mascot.
10. Pokémon HeartGold Version and SoulSilver Version (2009)
Platform: Nintendo DS
Developer: Game Freak
Generation: Fourth
HeartGold and SoulSilver are improved recreations of the Pokémon Gold and Silver games. They are the fourth generation’s last games and they take place in the Pokémon Universe’s Johto and Kanto regions.
Although the main gameplay of HeartGold and SoulSilver is substantially the same as in the original games, additional aspects have been introduced. One of the most notable changes is that the player’s first Pokémon can now follow them across the regions. It’s comparable to the mechanic in Pokémon Yellow, when Pikachu follows the player around. Pokeathlon, a minigame, has also been included. It is a Pokémon competition that includes track and field events like hurdling and relay races.
11. Pokémon Black Version and White Version (2010)
Platform: Nintendo DS
Generation: Fifth
New Pokémon Introduced: 156
Both Pokémon Black and White are set in Unova, a fictitious Pokémon territory based on New York and New Jersey. The gameplay is roughly the same as in the previous releases. Nonetheless, Black and White brought the most Pokémon species of any generation, with 156 new ones.
In your quest to become the Pokémon champion, you face off against Gym leaders and other trainers. There’s also Team Plasma, whom you have to stop their evil schemes and defeat.
A season cycle that impacts the availability of specific Pokémon, as well as two new types of combat – Triple Battles and Rotation Battles – are among the most prominent changes. There’s also Combination Moves, a new battle element.
12. Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 Version (2012)
Platform: Nintendo DS
Generation: Fifth
Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, as the name suggests, are direct sequels to the Pokémon Black and White games. The games are set two years after the events of Black and White and take place in the Unova region.
Generally, when the initial pair of games in a new generation is released, they are followed by a third title that introduces elements that were not included in the original games. It is the case with Generation I, II, III, IV, VII, and VIII. However, Nintendo broke this tradition with the release of Pokémon Black 2 and White 2.
The games now allow players to transverse previously restricted locations in the region. The criminal organization Team Plasma also makes a comeback as Neo Team Plasma.
Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 introduced an element called the “Unova Link” that allows players to unlock certain items throughout the gameplay. Another notable addition is the Pokémon World Tournament, where the player can battle Gym leaders and trainers from previous games.
13. Pokémon X and Y (2013)
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Generation: Sixth
New Pokémon Introduced: 72
Pokémon X and Y are sixth-generation Pokémon games launched in 2013. This generation introduced 72 new Pokémon species, including the new Fairy-type Pokémon. The games take place in the Kalos region, where the player character must defeat other Pokémon trainers in turn-based battles.
As you win more battles, your Pokémon will gain experience, learn new moves, and may eventually evolve. Of course, you can also capture wild Pokémon using Poke Balls after wearing them out in a battle. Since only certain Pokémon are obtainable in either Pokémon X or Y, players must trade with each other to collect all available Pokémon. Some of the new Pokémon that were introduced in these games are legendary Yveltal and Xerneas.
Pokémon X and Y introduced several new features, including an upgraded battle mechanics and more enhanced character customization options that allow players to choose the gender, skin tone, and overall appearance of their Pokémon trainer. However, the most notable change is the use of fully 3D graphics instead of 2D bitmap or sprites used in previous-generation games.
Pokémon X and Y are fairly popular among devoted Pokémon fans due to their refreshing and enhanced graphics and online play.
14. Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (2014)
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Generation: Sixth
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire are advanced remakes of third-generation Pokémon games – Ruby and Sapphire. Though much of the story and gameplay settings of Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire are the same as the original games, they keep all the important changes bought in later generations. It includes triple battles, mega evolution (introduced in Pokémon X and Y), and the use of unlimited Technical Machine or TM.
The games take place in the Hoenn region, where the player character starts their Pokémon Trainer career after successfully rescuing Professor Birch from a wild Pokémon. They are then tasked with defeating the gym leaders and the Elite Four to become the new Hoenn League Champion.
As with the original Ruby and Sapphire games, the player would also encounter criminal organization – Team Magma in Omega Ruby or Team Aqua in Alpha Sapphire. There is also a bonus mission called “Delta Episode,” which requires you to catch the legendary Pokémon Rayquaza to stop an imminent meteor crashing into the planet.
15. Pokémon Sun and Moon (2016)
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Generation: Seventh
New Pokémon Introduced: 88
Pokémon Sun and Moon were released in 2016, two decades after Nintendo published the first Pokémon games. The games feature improved 3D graphics, customization options, new starter Pokémon, and several minor changes in the core gameplay. Like any other handheld Pokémon games, Sun and Moon are played from an overhead perspective.
The games are set in the Alola region, where the player character battle against powerful Pokémon trainers in a turn-based manner. Winning battles allow your Pokémon to gain experience and learn new moves. Sun and Moon introduced 81 new Pokémon species along with Alolan forms (one of the three regional forms) of certain Pokémon from the previous generation.
They also feature a special type of move called Z-Moves. It combines the energies of a Pokémon and its trainer to release a powerful attack. Z-Moves can only be performed once per battle, and it is exclusive to the seventh generation games.
Critics largely praise Pokémon Sun and Moon for their overall improvements in gameplay compared to their predecessors. However, fans have mixed reactions to the games. Many have criticized the games for too many tutorials and a boring opening, strictly linear gameplay, and a bad online gameplay experience. Sun and Moon are one of the least replayable games in the franchise.
16. Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon (2017)
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Generation: Seventh
About a year after Pokémon Sun and Moon, Game Freak released their enhanced versions called Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon. The gameplay of Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon remains largely the same as the original Sun and Moon titles. However, there is an alternate storyline that now includes Ultra Recon Squad, a unique organization that investigates mysterious Ultra Wormholes and Ultra Beasts.
The games introduce several new Ultra Beast Pokémon, such as Blacephalon, Stakataka, Naganadel, and Poipole. Two new forms of legendary Pokémon Necrozma – “Dusk Mane” and “Dawn Wings” are also added. These forms can be attained by consuming Solgaleo and Lunala. Certain can also perform new Z-Moves.
The Ultra versions are well-favored by most Pokémon fans compared to the original Sun and Moon games.
17. Pokémon Sword and Shield (2019)
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Generation: Eighth
New Pokémon Introduced: 89 (96 in total)
Pokémon Sword and Shield are the first titles in the eighth generation of Pokémon games released in 2019. Along with Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!, which were released a year before, Sword and Shield are the first two games launched on the Nintendo Switch gaming console.
Although the eighth generation introduced a total of 96 Pokémon, Sword and Shield only feature 89 of them. The remaining seven species were added to the Pokémon Legends: Arceus. The games also added regional forms of several Pokémon.
As with other core Pokémon games, the main objective in both the games is to become the Pokémon champion of the Galar region after defeating Gym Leaders and other trainers in the region. During your journey, you’ll also face Team Yell and other criminal entities, who will try and disrupt your quest.
Keeping up the tradition of almost every new entry in the series, Sword and Shield introduced several changes in the gameplay. It includes; Dynamaxing and Gigantamaxing, which allow certain Pokémon to temporarily grow in size; the Wild Area, an open world for players to explore; and cooperative raids.
Pokémon Sword and Shield are complemented by two DLCs – The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra, which were launched under an “expansion pass.”
18. Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (2021)
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Developer: ICLA
Generation: Eighth
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are the only core Pokémon games that were designed by a company other than Game Freak. They were developed by ILCA, a small game developer in Japan. The games, along with Pokémon Legends: Arceus, was announced by Nintendo for the 25th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise.
Brilliant Diamond and Shinning Pearl is set in the Sinnoh region. Their gameplay is almost similar to the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl games and their remakes, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. Though, ILCA made several crucial changes in their gameplay over the original titles.
One of those changes is the use of modern Exp. share mechanic, which allows all your Pokémon to gain experience simultaneously irrespective of whether they were used in a battle or not. While this feature greatly saves time and makes the gameplay shorter, it also allows you to easily overlevel your Pokémon, making your battles against gym leaders unchallenging.
It takes between 20 and 30 hours to complete the entire gameplay of Brilliant Diamond and Shinning Pearl compared to about 40 hours in the original titles.
19. Pokémon Legends: Arceus (2022)
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Developer: Game Freak
Generation: Eighth
Pokémon Legends: Arceus was released in January 2022. Nintendo first announced the new game in February 2021 during the 25th Pokémon Anniversary event.
Legends: Arceus is a prequel to Pokémon Diamond and Pearl and is set in the ancient Sinnoh region, when it was known as Hisui. The core gameplay of Arceus remains largely the same as its predecessors. However, there are several noticeable changes.
Arceus has no Gym leaders or trainers for you to defeat; instead, there are five powerful noble Pokémon that have surfaced after a mysterious rift in spacetime. Your main objective is to complete the Pokedex by capturing all the available Pokémon in the game, including many legendary Pokémon.
Rather than being treated as companions, Pokémon in the game are regarded as wild animals. Player characters can themselves be attacked and hurt by a wild Pokémon.
20. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (2022)
This is the newest mainline Pokémon game, developed by Game Freak. It features the ninth generation of ‘mon and takes place in the Paldea region. Scarlet and Violet is one of the most popular and successful in the series thanks to its extensive gameplay options and colorful open world.
