_edited.png)
A Step In Poké History.
- Emily Hodgson
- Mar 30, 2021
- 14 min read
Pokémon first came to the world in the form of 151 little monsters inside a Nintendo Game Boy in 1996, now they live in the hearts of many fans across the globe. With development in graphics, new features, new regions and many new Pokémon. Let’s take a look back at the many main games from the Pokémon franchise.
Generation I (Kanto region)
Pokémon Red & Green
Release Date: 27 February 1996.
Playable On: Nintendo Game Boy.
Total In Game Pokémon: 151.
Cover Pokémon: Charizard (Red) and Venusaur (Green).
Starter Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle.
Pokémon Blue
Release Date: 15 October 1996 (for subscribers of CoroCoro), public release on 10 October 1999, re-released on Nintendo 3DS on 12 November 2015.
Playable On: Nintendo Game Boy, Nintendo Super Game Boy, and Nintendo Super Game Boy 2.
Total In Game Pokémon: 148.
Cover Pokémon: Blastoise.
Starter Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle.
Changes from Pokémon Red & Green:
Cerulean Cave layout changed.
All Pokémon have new front sprites.
Pokémon have new Pokédex entries.
Game Corner prizes and icons changed.
Areas to obtain specific Pokémon changed e.g. Jynx was obtained in trade in Red/ Green, it is now obtained via the wild.
Pokémon Yellow
Release Date: 12 September 1998 on Nintendo Game Boy, then released on Nintendo 3DS on 27 February 2016.
Playable On: Nintendo Game Boy, Nintendo Super Game Boy, and Nintendo 3Ds.
Total In Game Pokémon: 151.
Cover Pokémon: Pikachu.
Starter Pokémon: Pikachu.
Changes from Pokémon Red & Green and Blue:
Front spirits updated to resemble Ken Sugimori artwork at the time.
Giovanni uses a Persian during the Viridian Gym battle, referring to the characters Persian in the anime.
All Police were recast into Officer Jenny and all Pokémon Centre Nurses into Nurse Joy.
The starter Pikachu travels alongside the user outside the Pokéball and it cannot be evolved or released.
Rival has Eevee as a starter Pokémon which evolves into an Eeveelution based upon your first 2 battle results with the rival, Jolteon (if win both battles), Flareon (if win at the lab, but not at Route 22), and Vaporeon (if lose both battles).
Jessie and James from Team Rocket appear more for battles replacing Team Rocket Grunts battles.
The following Pokémon are only obtainable from previous Generation I games:
Weedle
Kakuna
Beedrill
Ekans
Arbok
Raichu
Meowth
Persian
Koffing
Weezing
Jynx
Electabuzz
Magmar
Generation II (Johto region)
Pokémon Gold & Silver
Release Date: 21 November 1999 for Nintendo Game Boy and rereleased on 22 September 2017 for Nintendo 3Ds.
Playable On: Nintendo Game Boy, Nintendo Super Game Boy, Nintendo Super Game Boy 2, Nintendo Game Boy Color, and Nintendo 3Ds.
Total In Game Pokémon: 251.
Cover Pokémon: Lugia (Silver) and Ho-Oh (Gold).
Starter Pokémon: Chikorita, Cyndaquil and Totodile.
Changes from Pokémon Yellow:
100 new Pokémon into the game, including the original 151 Pokémon from Generation I.
The split of Special stat into Special Attack and Special Defence stats.
Sperate compartments in the bag for Poké Balls, healing items, and key items.
Introduction of held items on Pokémon.
The Time System implemented making certain Pokémon only available at set times of the day, allowed for the introduction of Johto’s National Park’s Bug-Catching Contests on set days of the week.
Majority of Pokémon given genders of either Male or Female, along with set Pokémon being genderless.
Introduction of breeding.
Introduction of shiny Pokémon.
Introduction of Pokérus (the Poké Virus).
Steel and Dark types are introduced to the franchise.
Battle screens now show how exp is required to get to the next level.
The colour palettes of sprites do not change when changing between areas.
The music played while on a bicycle moving between area, changes as entering the new area.
Pokémon Crystal
Release Date: 14 December 2000 on Nintendo Game Boy Color then rereleased on 26 January 2018 for Nintendo 3DS.
Playable On: Nintendo Game Boy Color and Nintendo 3DS.
Total In Game Pokémon: 223.
Cover Pokémon: Suicune.
Starter Pokémon: Chikorita, Cyndaquil and Totodile.
Changes from Pokémon Gold & Silver:
Female playable character ‘Kris’ introduced, allowing to choose gender of the player.
When entering an area the location name is displayed on the screen.
Short animation when at the start of a battle introduced on all Pokémon.
First main game for legendary Pokémon to have their own battle music.
Ho-Oh and Lugia only attainable upon game completion and going to Kanto.
Pokémon’s friendship can increase more when training in the location of its capture or hatching.
Generation III (Hoenn region)
Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire
Release Date: 21 November 2002.
Playable On: Nintendo Game Boy Advance.
Total In Game Pokémon: 386.
Cover Pokémon: Groudon (Ruby) and Kyogre (Sapphire).
Starter Pokémon: Treecko, Torchic and Mudkip.
Changes from Pokémon Crystal:
Introduction of Premier Ball, Repeat Ball, Timer Ball, Nest Ball, Net Ball, Dive Ball and Luxury Ball.
Introduction of weather.
Introduction of a Pokémon’s nature.
Introduction of Double Battles.
Introduction of Pokémon Contests for categories: Cool, Cute, Beauty, Smart and Tough. Additionally, introduction of ribbons when won a Pokémon Contest.
Removal of the Time System.
Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen
Release Date: 29 January 2004.
Playable On: Nintendo Game Boy Advance.
Total In Game Pokémon: 386.
Cover Pokémon: Charizard (FireRed) and Venusaur (Leaf Green).
Starter Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle.
Changes from Pokémon Red & Green:
Dialogue from non-playable characters (NPCs) is differentiated by the text colour corresponding to the NPC’s gender. Males have blue text; females have pink text.
Generation II and III are available to be added to the Pokédex upon completion of the Kanto region, where the player can go back to Sevii Islands to find the later Generation Pokémon.
The music within Kanto region are remixes from the Pokémon Red and Green game and music in Sevii Islands are remixes of music from the Johto region.
A resume feature was added, this allows the player to look back at the 4 most notable things they did in their last play session.
Introduction of the Help System.
Using the Vs. Seeker, the player can rebattle trainers that are located outside.
Professor Oak has three new aides who give the player items from Generation II and III, then a returning aide to give the player the Exp. Share.
Pokémon Emerald
Release Date: 16 September 2004.
Playable On: Nintendo Game Boy Advance.
Total In Game Pokémon: 386.
Cover Pokémon: Rayquaza.
Starter Pokémon: Treecko, Torchic and Mudkip.
Changes from Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire:
Multi-battles available via the link-cable battling.
Double battles are more frequent against trainers.
Gym leaders can be re-battled using different Pokémon in their teams.
The Generation II starter Pokémon can be acquired from Professor Birch after completing the Hoenn Pokédex.
When faced with the villain team, they now have their own encounter theme music and battle animation.
Both Team Aqua and Team Magna play the villain team, causing both Groudon and Kyogre to awaken and Rayquaza to awaken to stop the woken Pokémon from rampaging.
The Champion’s Room is recoloured to blue from Purple.
To acquire the National Pokédex to trade between Pokémon Emerald and Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen.
Generation IV (Sinnoh region)
Pokémon Diamond & Pearl
Release Date: 28 September 2006.
Playable On: Nintendo DS.
Total In Game Pokémon: 493.
Cover Pokémon: Dialga (Diamond) and Palkia (Pearl).
Starter Pokémon: Turtwig, Chimchar and Piplup.
Changes from Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire and Emerald:
Introduction to the Pokétch (a multifunctional Poké watch).
The Nintendo DS’s Wi-Fi support allowed for players to trade, battle and communicate using voice chat online.
Introduction of the Global Trade System (GTS).
Pokémon Contests are now called Pokémon Super Contests and had other changes such as:
Pokéblocks made with berries are now called Poffins and are made from berry-flavoured muffins. The stylus allows players to stir the mixture when making the Poffins.
Round 1 of the contests is a Visual competition where the Pokémon are dressed up using accessories.
Round 2 is a Dance competition where the player uses buttons on the screen to copy the lead Pokémon’s dance and create their own dance when they are lead Pokémon
Round 3 is an Appeal competition to three judges where you can get more points is only one judge is appealed.
107 new Pokémon introduced.
Re-introduction of the Time System.
Pokémon Platinum
Release Date: 13 September 2008.
Playable On: Nintendo DS.
Total In Game Pokémon: 493. Cover Pokémon: Giratina (Origin forme).
Starter Pokémon: Turtwig, Chimchar and Piplup.
Changes from Pokémon Diamond & Pearl:
The Wi-Fi area been updated to support 20 people at a time and renamed Wi-Fi Plaza.
Introduction of the Vs. Recorded (a key item that records battles in the Battle Frontier).
The GTS sends notifications via email when a trade has been completed.
Trainers can be battled within certain Pokémon Centres.
Multiple Pokémon have new formes such as Giratina (origin and Altered forme), Shaymin (Sky forme), Rotom (has 5 new formes).
Cynthia give the layer a Pokémon Egg of Togepi after defeating Team Galactic in the Team Galactic Eterna Building.
As the Sinnoh region temperature has changed, Lucas, Dawn and Barry outfits changed to suit colder weather.
Pokémon Gyms now only use Pokémon of the Gyms type.
Giratina’s cry is played at the title screen when press the Start or A button.
Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver
Release Date: 12 September 2009
Playable On: Nintendo DS
Total In Game Pokémon: 493.
Cover Pokémon: Ho-Oh (HeartGold) and Lugia (SoulSilver).
Starter Pokémon: Chikorita, Cyndaquil and Totodile.
Changes from Pokémon Gold & Silver and Crystal:
All Pokémon are able to walk alongside the player similar to Pikachu in Pokémon Yellow.
In Pokémon Gold & Silver, it was optional to encounter Ho-Oh and Lugia. However, in Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver it is mandatory to progress in the game story.
Legendary Pokémon from other regions can be caught in game, after following specific conditions for each legendary.
Introduction of the Pokéathlon (a 10 mini-games of athletic skills of Pokémon).
A bonus item is included in the purchase of the game, the Pokéwalker, this links to Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver and store a Pokémon within it. The Pokémon gains friendship and exp as the wearer walks. Additionally, the Pokéwalker can catch exclusive Pokémon when in Pokéwalker-only areas.
When breeding, if one of the parents Pokémon hold the item ‘Power item’, one the parents 3 IVs will be inherited to the child Pokémon.
Professor Elm’s lab has a upper floor where he resides, whereas in previous games the Professor lived in a separate building.
The male player character is redesigned and now called Ethan and the female player character does not change design but is renames Lyra.
All former Berry trees are changed to Apricorn trees. Berrys are only obtainable from jugglers in Violet City.
Generation V (Unova region)
Pokémon Black & White
Release Date: 18 September 2010.
Playable On: Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi.
Total In Game Pokémon: 649.
Cover Pokémon: Reshiram (Black) and Zekrom (White).
Starter Pokémon: Snivy, Tepig and Oshawott.
Changes from Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver:
The feature of Pokémon following the player were removed.
Speech balloons appear over NPCs heads when talking to the NPCs.
Introduction of the C-Gear, it requires Wi-Fi to operate, can be used to show the time and talk to other players on the Xtransceiver.
Pokémon Global Link allows players to battle other players using Wi-Fi at the Pokémon Centres and access the Pokémon Dream World where exclusive content can be downloaded.
Introduction of Seasons and seasonal exclusive Pokémon formes, such as Deerling’s and Sawsbuck’s forme changes each season. There are 3 seasons in game, and the season changes each month.
The music played during battles will change dependant on the situation, such as when a Pokémon has maximum 20% of its maximum HP left the music will change to be remixed with the warning sound.
Introduction of Triple Battles, where 3 Pokémon are playing at once per team.
Introduction of Rotation Battles, where the format of Triple Battles are used but the playing Pokémon rotate a 3rd of the way round in both directions in one turn.
Introduction of the Word Filter, this is a blacklist on name inputs.
156 new Pokémon introduced to the franchise.
Pokémon Black 2 & White 2
Release Date: 23 June 2012.
Playable On: Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi.
Total In Game Pokémon: 300.
Cover Pokémon: Black Kyurem (Black 2) and White Kyurem (White 2).
Starter Pokémon: Snivy, Tepig and Oshawott.
Changes from Pokémon Black & White:
Introduction of the Unova Link, this allows the player to choose to play with either Challenge Mode or Easy Mode on which will raise or lower the strength of Trainers. Additionally, has a feature called Memory Link which lets the player see the memories of the NPCs of the events of Pokémon Black and White.
Held items can be moved between Pokémon in the player’s party.
Pokémon Breeders will re-challenge the player every time the enter their line of sight.
Instead of being given 5 Poké Balls at the start of the game, the player is given 10 Poké Balls.
The cover Pokémon can only be obtained post game after meeting certain conditions.
The information bar showing the Pokémon’s level, Exp points and HP was redesigned to match the game colour, it is black in Black 2 and white in White 2.
All gym leaders and champion receive new sprites.
The background of the Unova Pokédex change colour from green to red.
Generation VI (Kalos region)
Pokémon X & Y
Release Date: 12 October 2013.
Playable On: Nintendo 3DS.
Total In Game Pokémon: 721.
Cover Pokémon: Xerneas (X) and Yveltal (Y).
Starter Pokémon: Chespin, Fennekin and Froakie.
Changes from Pokémon Black 2 & White 2:
Introduction of Mega-Evolutions, some Pokémon have 2 formes of Mega-Evolutions (1 forme from each game), such as Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y. Mega-Evolutions require a corresponding Mega Stone to the correct Pokémon.
Introduction of 3D compatible gameplay via the Nintendo 3DS’s 3D function.
Introduction of the eight-directional grid on the players character, allowing them to move diagonally.
Introduction of the Pokémon-Amie, this allows players to pet, feed and play with their party Pokémon.
Introduction of Sky Battles, this is a battle that only uses Flying type Pokémon or a Pokémon with the ability Levitate, allowing players to battle trainers far away, for example on cliffs.
Introduction of Horde Encounters, this allows the player to battle up to 5 wild Pokémon against one of the players Pokémon.
Introduction of Fairy type Pokémon.
Introduction of Trainer Customization, this allows the player to change their appearance and outfit.
72 new Pokémon are introduced to the franchise.
Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
Release Date: 21 November 2014.
Playable On: Nintendo 3DS.
Total In Game Pokémon: 721.
Cover Pokémon: Primal Groudon (Omega Ruby) and Primal Kyogre (Alpha Sapphire).
Starter Pokémon: Treecko, Torchic and Mudkip.
Changes from Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire:
Has included features from the games between Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire up to Pokémon X & Y, such as:
Mega Evolutions
Fairy types.
Pokémon-Amie.
Horde Encounter.
3D compatible gameplay.
Time Systems
Introduction of Cosplay Pikachu, this is a female Pikachu that can swap one of its moves by changing its outfit in the Pokémon Super Contests.
Groudon and Kyogre now have Primal formes, this formes are available when the Pokémon hold its designated coloured orbs.
Introduction of trainer classes of Scuba Diver and Free Diver, allowing the player to battle underwater.
Brendan and May characters had a redesign, Brendan’s hair is more visible and identifiable as brown hair with a white hat, and May has a bow instead of a bandana.
Bicycles can travel through tall grass.
Team Magna and Team Aqua have been redesigned.
Generation VII (Alola region)
Pokémon Sun & Moon
Release Date: 18 November 2016.
Playable On: Nintendo 3DS.
Total In Game Pokémon: 802.
Cover Pokémon: Solgaleo (Sun) and Lunala (Moon).
Starter Pokémon: Rowlet, Litten and Popplio.
Changes from Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire:
Introduction of the Rotom Pokédex, a Rotom that lives inside the Pokédex and uses the functions of the Pokédex.
Introduction of the QR Scanner, this allows players to scan codes to register Pokémon, such as event Pokémon.
Introduction of Alolan Formes, this is the first look at regional formes with some Pokémon have both its original region forme available and the Alolan forme available for the play to obtain, such as Meowth.
Zygarde received 2 new formes, it previous had the 50% forme in Pokémon X & Y, in Pokémon Sun & Moon it received the 10% and complete forme.
Introduction of Battle Royale format battles, where 4 players battle at once in a free-for-all battle either attacking or aiding another player. The battle end when one player full party faints.
Introduction of Z Moves, this is activated with a Z-Ring and Z-Crystal corresponding to the Pokémon’s type or specific Pokémon. All Pokémon can use Z moves.
Introduction of the Island Challenge, this is a challenge which the player goes around the 4 islands of Alola and completes specific challenges. At the end of each islands trial, they get to face a Totem Pokémon. This is aimed to be named as the Island Challenge Champion. Upon completion the player can challenge Alola’s Elite Four and Professor Kukui (Professor Kukui battles last as there is no current Champion of Alola).
Introduction of Poké Rides, this is the player riding select Pokémon to access areas that would usually be inaccessible to the player.
Introduction of Hyper Training, this training is only available for Pokémon at Level 100, it lets the player maximise one or more of the Pokémon IVS in exchange for Bottle Caps.
Introduction of Poké Pelago, this allows the player’s PC Pokémon to explore a variety of Isles, raise their levels and stats and discover wild Pokémon.
Introduction of 81 new Pokémon to the franchise.
Pokémon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Release Date: 17 November 2017.
Playable On: Nintendo 3DS.
Total In Game Pokémon: 807.
Cover Pokémon: Dusk Mane Necrozma (Ultra Sun) and Dawn Wings Necrozma (Ultra Moon).
Starter Pokémon: Rowlet, Litten and Popplio.
Changes from Pokémon Sun & Moon:
5 new Pokémon added to the Pokédex including the Ultra Beasts, Poipole, Naganadel, Stakataka and Blacephalon.
The animation played when entering a battle now flashes in a rainbow colour pattern.
The Wild Pokémon music is now a remixed version.
The Trainer Battle music is remixed for regular trainers, but the original version is played for the Trial Captains only.
New Z moves been given for certain Pokémon.
The photography feature has been reintroduced under the name of the Alola Photo Club, where the player can take pictures with their party Pokémon.
Lusamine’s story changes from obsession of Ultra Beasts to wanting to save the world and every from the legendary Pokémon Necrozma, and uses Nebby to open a Ultra Wormhole to complete her new story.
Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu! & Let’s Go Eevee!
Release Date: 16 November 2018.
Playable On: Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite.
Total In Game Pokémon: 153.
Cover Pokémon: Pikachu (Let’s Go Pikachu!) and Eevee (Let’s Go Eevee!).
Starter Pokémon: Pikachu or Eevee (dependant on which game you play).
Changes from Pokémon Red & Green, Blue and Yellow:
This is a remake of the original Generation I games, but 2 new Pokémon have been introduced that are only accessible via the Pokémon Go mobile game application.
The system of capture Pokémon has changed from automatic throwing of Poké Balls to aiming with an extra external Poké Ball designed controller or flicking a on screen Poké Ball at the Pokémon, similar to the mechanisms in Pokémon Go.
The game is compatible as a 2-player game with each player having a joy-con controller each and their characters walking alongside each other.
The iconic Team Rocket trio from the Pokémon anime make an appearance battling the player in a double battle format.
The player can have a Pokémon from their party walk behind them outside their Poké Ball.
Pokémon that have Mega-Evolution formes and are from the Kanto region can use Mega Stones to evolve into these formes.
Character Customization is applicable for the player’s appearance and outfit and can be applied to their starter Pokémon where they can dress them up and be given different hairstyles.
Wild Pokémon are now visible outside the tall grass instead of unknown until battle has begun.
Multiple features have been removed that featured in previous games such as:
Day and Night Cycle
Z-moves
Weather
Abilities
Held items
Breeding
Eggs.
Candy can be used AVs of Pokémon and can be gained by transferring Pokémon to Professor Oak.
The Pokémon PC System is now accessible by the Bag function, replacing PCs.
The Go Park has replaced the Safari Park where you can get Pokémon from Pokémon Go into your Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu! or Let’s Go Eevee!.
Instead of selecting which Pokémon holds the moves that Chop, Fly, Strength, Surf and Flash these are automatically given to your starter Pokémon as Secret Techniques.
Generation VIII (Galar region)
Pokémon Sword & Shield
Release Date: 15 November 2019.
Playable On: Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite.
Total In Game Pokémon: 400 (in main game), 507 (inc. Isle of Armor DLC), and 691 (inc. Crown Tundra DLC).
Cover Pokémon: Zacian (Sword) and Zamazenta (Shield).
Starter Pokémon: Grookey, Scorbunny and Sobble.
Changes from Pokémon Let’s God Pikachu! And Let’s Go Eevee!:
The overall total for the number of Pokémon is now 932 (including new Pokémon from both DLCs ‘Isle of Armor’ and ‘Crown Tundra’).
Pokémon are shown above the tall grass and as an unknown hidden Pokémon among the tall grass, only indicated by a notification icon).
Introduction of Galar variants of Pokémon, known as Galarian Formes.
Introduction of the Wild Area.
Introduction of Max Raid Battles and Raid Dens
Introduction of Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokémon.
Introduction of the Rotom Phone, this acts as the main menu and as the Pokédex.
Introduction of the Rotomi, this is a replacement of the PCs, it allows the player to send their Pokémon from their storage boxes to jobs to gain exp and items, to design their trainer card and enter the Loto-ID.
Introduction of the Pokémon Camp, this is a tent set up where the player can play, pet, and feed their party Pokémon. Additionally, introduced curry making to feed the Pokémon with.
This is the first Pokémon main game to have its sequel games played on the same cartridge. The Expansion Passes give the player access to the games 2 DLCS, ‘Isle of Armor’ and ‘Crown Tundra’.
All music is new composed by Gõ Ichinose and Minako Adachi.
It is the first game where the group whom name starts with ‘Team’ is not a villainous group. Team Yell was the supporter’s group for one of the player’s rivals, trainer Marnie.
Main game trailer
Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra DLC trailer
That is all the main games that have already been released but there was announcements of 2 new upcoming games to be released as part of the main games franchise. A remark of the Generation IV hits Pokémon Diamond & Pearl and a new game that takes places prior to the Generation IV games in the Sinnoh region, Pokémon Legends: Arceus. There is very little known currently about the upcoming games, but the following information is accurate to date of post. Check out their trailer videos for a glimpse into what you can expect.
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
Release Date: Late 2021.
Playable On: Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite.
Total In Game Pokémon: Unknown.
Cover Pokémon: Unknown.
Starter Pokémon: Turtwig, Chimchar and Piplup.
Changes from Pokémon Diamond & Pearl:
The sprite designs have been given a smoother and chibi like design.
The statue in Eterna City has changed to a fusion of the two legendary Pokémon Dialga and Palkia, whereas in Pokémon Diamond & Pearl it was a statue of the corresponding cover Pokémon of the game.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Release Date: Early 2022.
Playable On: Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite.
Total In Game Pokémon: Unknown.
Cover Pokémon: Unknown.
Starter Pokémon: Rowlet, Cyndaquil and Oshawott.
Changes from Pokémon Sword & Shield:
It is the first game of the main games for the starter Pokémon options to be from multiple Generations (Rowlet – Generation VII, Cyndaquil – Generation II, and Oshawott – Generation V).
It is the first game that is not a remake but a pre-make (taking place before the events of the previous Generation IV games).
25 years ago was the start of an endless adventure, and there is more to explore in the future. Where will your next journey take you in the world of Pokemon?
Author - Sakuris.
The sources of images and information are linked to the logo images of each game, click them to read more.
留言