Pokemon is among the most popular gaming and anime franchises of all time. If you are a PokeFan, there are loads of titles available for playing. However, you must know the right chronological order of all Pokemon games by release. We’ll help you with that here.
The first Pokemon games launched in 1996 and the massively popular Pocket Monsters-based franchise is still thriving with full force in 2022. There’s massive hype for the Gen 9 games- Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet coming later this year.
If you haven’t played the series or missed certain games, this chronological list will help you which game you need to play next. Here are all the Pokemon games in order from the first one to the latest ones:
1. Pokemon Red and Green
Pokémon Red and Green were practically the first ever games of the franchise. They were released exclusively in Japan and feature the first OG 151 species of Pokemon. The games featured the key mechanics of catching, training, and battling with Pokemon.
The story followed Red as the protagonist and Silver as his competitor while an evil team named Team Rocket played the antagonists. The games were set in the Kanto region from where Ash Ketchum belongs to.
- Gen: I
- Release Date: February 27, 1997
- Platforms: Nintendo Game Boy
2. Pokemon Red and Blue
Pokemon Red and Blue introduced the phenomenon of Pocket Monsters to the western world. They launched after the huge success of Red and Green in Japan and were just refined versions of them.
The success and response these games got were massive and made Pokemon a staple of the adventure RPG genre for years to come.
- Gen: I
- Release Date: September 28, 1998
- Platforms: Nintendo Game Boy
3. Pokemon Yellow
Pokemon Yellow was launched as the result of Pokemon anime’s insanely growing popularity as people fell in love with Pikachu’s shenanigans. It wasn’t much different from the original titles but featured Pikachu as your starter Pokemon.
The game also made Pikachu available as your on-screen companion that roamed with you as you explore the map, just like the anime adaptation.
- Gen: I
- Release Date: October 19, 1999
- Platforms: Nintendo Game Boy Color and Game Boy Color
4. Pokemon Gold and Silver
Pokemon Gold and Silver kicked off the next generation of the franchise as more Pokemon were added to the Pokedex. An additional 100 new Pokemon were added as the story was set in Kanto’s neighboring region, Johto.
The games followed the story of Gold and Silver as they compete against each other while collecting Gym badges and having an ambition of taking on the Pokemon League. The eventual goal is to battle Red, the protagonist of the Gen 1 Pokemon games.
- Gen: II
- Release Date: October 15, 2000
- Platforms: Nintendo Game Boy Color
5. Pokemon Crystal
Pokemon Crystal was the second game of the second generation as GameFreak started allowing players to customize their gaming experience. The story basically followed Gold and Silver’s plot but with certain refinements.
This was the first game where the players were allowed to select their gender before the adventure unfolds.
- Gen: II
- Release Date: July 19, 2001
- Platforms: Nintendo Game Boy Color
6. Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire
Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire kicked off the third generation as the franchise transitioned to the then-latest Game Boy Advance platform. The games were set in the Hoenn region and introduced 135 new Pokemon to the collection, taking the total to 386.
These games also introduced two-on-two battles and a number of other new features. Other than that, the plot design and the core mechanics remained the same.
- Gen: III
- Release Date: March 19, 2003
- Platforms: Nintendo Game Boy Advance
7. Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen
Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen were the remakes of the first-ever games for the latest consoles. The story followed the journey of Red/ Green to become the league champions after collecting eight Gym badges.
Another important thing to know about FireRed and LeafGreen is that there are a number of good fanmade remakes (Rom Hacks) for them available on the web. Hence, if you have finished the main games, you can try them out for additional entertainment.
- Gen: III (Gen I Remakes)
- Release Date: September 9, 2004
- Platforms: Nintendo Game Boy Advance
8. Pokemon Emerald
Pokemon Emerald is one of the most popular and best-selling Pokemon games. It could be considered as a DLC for the Gen III games- Ruby and Sapphire. Emerald simply followed the refined gameplay experience and added the Battle Frontier area to the story.
- Gen: III
- Release Date: May 1, 2005
- Platforms: Nintendo Game Boy Advance
9. Pokemon Diamond and Pearl
Pokemon Diamond and Pearl started the fourth generation of Pokemon games. They featured an entirely new story, new Pokemon species, and a new region- Sinnoh, and launched on the Nintendo DS. There were a total of 493 Pokemon in these games.
- Gen: IV
- Release Date: April 22, 2007
- Platforms: Nintendo DS
10. Pokemon Platinum
Pokemon Platinum was a follow-up title to Gen IV games with a refined storyline. It brought players back to Sinnoh in an alternate dimension along with certain changes in the gameplay elements. A new legendary Pokemon, Giratina, was introduced with Platinum.
- Gen: IV
- Release Date: March 22, 2009.
- Platforms: Nintendo DS
11. Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver
Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver were the remakes of Gen II’s Gold and Silver for the Nintendo DS. They were launched following the massive success of the first remakes in the franchise. These games featured a slightly refined storyline with elements of Crystal.
- Gen: IV (Gen II Remakes)
- Release Date: March 14, 2010
- Platforms: Nintendo DS
12. Pokemon Black and White
Pokemon Black and White initiated the fifth generation of the widely popular franchise. They added 156 new Pokemon to the Pokedex and were set in the new region named Unova.
This was the first time when only the new Pokemon were available to play with until you beat the Elite Four and the Champion of the Pokemon League. Players could catch familiar Pokemon only after completing the main story.
- Gen: V
- Release Date: March 6, 2011
- Platforms: Nintendo DS
13. Pokemon Black 2 and White 2
Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 was the first time the franchise got a direct sequel in the same generation a year apart. Black 2 and White 2 were set in the Unova region and followed the story two years after the events of Black and White.
- Gen: V
- Release Date: October 7, 2012
- Platforms: Nintendo DS
14. Pokemon X and Y
Pokemon X and Y led the franchise to the sixth generation and marked its arrival on Nintendo 3DS. These games were set in the Kalos region and brought a new story and new Pokemon to the series. They featured completely 3D graphics for environments and introduced Mega Evolutions.
Another notable feature of these games was that they introduced a number of customization options. Players can select new faces, hairstyles, clothing, and even skin color.
- Gen: VI
- Release Date: October 12, 2013
- Platforms: Nintendo 3DS
15. Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire were remakes of Gen III games for Nintendo 3DS. Just like other remakes, they were basically refined versions of the game featuring some new elements. For instance, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire featured Megas.
- Gen: VI (Gen III Remakes)
- Release Date: November 21, 2014
- Platforms: Nintendo 3DS
16. Pokemon Sun and Moon
Pokemon Sun and Moon kicked off the seventh generation of the franchise and added 81 new species to the Pokedex. They also shook up the core formula of challenging gym leaders and taking on the Elite Four.
In Pokemon Sun and Moon, players need to complete trials before they can challenge an island’s Kahuna. This came as a breath of fresh air but proved to be controversial as the major portion of the fans didn’t like the change.
- Gen: VII
- Release Date: Nintendo 3DS
- Platforms: November 18, 2016
17. Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon continued the tradition of releasing sequels to the main games that started with Gen V. The sequels were released only a year after the release of Sun and Moon.
Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon featured an alternate storyline with new characters and introduced more new species to the Pokedex. They turned out to be successful despite carrying the formula of the original games.
- Gen: Gen VII
- Release Date: November 17, 2017
- Platforms: Nintendo 3DS
18. Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu! and Let’s Go Eevee!
Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu! and Let’s Go Eevee! was the first game of the franchise on the revolutionary Nintendo Switch. The spin-off was the first game in the franchise that was a bit different from the mainline games.
It was basically a Switch remake for Pokemon Yellow, that launched all the way back in the ’90s, but carried elements inspired by Pokemon Go. Most of the graphics and core mechanics of this game were based on that.
- Gen: Gen VII (Gen I Remake)
- Release Date: November 16, 2018
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch
19. Pokemon Sword and Shield
Pokemon Sword and Shield led the franchise to Generation Eight as it transitioned to Nintendo Switch. They were the first mainline games of the series on Switch and featured stunning visuals as well as core mechanics.
Sword and Shield were set in a new region named Galar, had an original storyline, and introduced 96 new Pokemon to the Pokedex. There was also a new evil team named Team Yell that the protagonist had to take down.
The Gen VIII games also introduced Gigantamax forms which your Pokemon can achieve by activating Dynamax but only on special occasions.
- Gen: Gen VIII
- Release Date: November 15, 2019
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch
20. Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl were the remakes of Generation Four games on Switch. They essentially featured the same storyline with certain refinements and 3D visuals specifically created for Switch.
The new graphics became a talking point among the fans as many called them chibi-styled. Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl also carried the new gameplay elements introduced in Sword and Shield like Gigantamax forms.
- Gen: Gen VIII
- Release Date: November 19, 2021
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch
21. Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Pokemon Legends: Arceus which launched earlier this year turned out to be the most successful spin-off in the entire series. It took the narrative away from the mainline games as there were no Gyms, Elite Four, or Champion.
The game was set in Hisui, which is the ancient form of the Sinnoh region, and the story can be considered a prequel to Generation Four games. Legends: Arceus featured a number of new gameplay elements and pre-historic forms of certain Pokemon.
- Gen: Gen VIII
- Release Date: January 28, 2022
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch
22. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are the recently introduced games that will lead the series into Generation IX. The upcoming games will be set in the new Paldea region and will have a new storyline which is seemingly a bit different this time.
Scarlet and Violet will also introduce a number of new Pokemon, some of which have already been revealed including the legendaries Koraidon and Miraidon. Players will go on a “Treasure Hunt” while riding legendary Pokemon and will be taking on Gym leaders in the journey.
The evil team, Team Star, and the Pokemon champion Geeta have also been revealed in the recent trailers.
- Gen: IX
- Release Date: November 18, 2022
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch.
These are all the Pokemon games available to date. GameFreak and Pokemon have slowly transitioned to the yearly launch schedule while they are launching two incredible titles this year. Pokemon Fans have warmly welcomed this change.
You can now play all the Pokemon games in chronological order if you are new to the franchise, or resume if you left it somewhere. Don’t worry about hunting for older consoles as you can enjoy the older titles using emulators on your PC for free.
Feel free to use the comment box if you need any help regarding anything mentioned here.
