How Each Pokémon Generation Changed The Entire Franchise (2024)

The Pokémon franchise was conceived from the youthful experiences of Game Freak's president, Satoshi Tajiri. He enjoyed discovering and collecting various bugs and other small creatures within the fields and ponds surrounding his hometown of Machida, Tokyo. Those childhood experiences would become the foundation for Pokémon's conception — trading and collecting. The compact size of the original Game Boy allowed Tajiri to create the feeling of an insect aficionado traveling the world and trading bugs from their hometown for bugs native to other countries.

Today, Pokémon is so much more than a collector's hobby. It remains the third best-selling video game franchise after nine generations and nearly 30 years of history. Much of this success is due to how the Pokémon formula is shaken up every few years as a new generation. These changes include new Pokémon to catch, new mechanics to learn, and a new world to explore. In short, the series practices what it preaches — it evolves.

10 The First Generation Started It All

Pokémon Red, Blue, & Yellow — 151 Pokémon

Most of Pokémon's trends began at the beginning — a choice between a Grass, Fire, or Water-type starter Pokémon, a rival who always picks the starter with the type advantage over the player's, a Pokédex that compiles every caught Pokémon, eight Gym Badges to collect, and a villainous team to undermine, all within a sprawling world to explore. All of this culminates in a final series of five battles in the Pokémon League — the Elite Four and the reigning Pokémon Champion.

Each generation came in a pair of colored versions, followed by a third color with additional features. In this case, Pokémon Red & Blue, followed by Pokémon Yellow. The colored pair has Pokémon only obtainable in one of the two games, while the third color is missing Pokémon obtainable in either game of the pair. This makes it mandatory for players to trade with other players who own a different version to complete the Pokédex. Japanese players started with Pokémon Red & Green, followed by Pokémon Blue.

9 The Second Generation Expanded Upon the First

Pokémon Gold, Silver, & Crystal — 100 Pokémon

• ¹ = non-Japanese cartridges, ² = Japanese cartridges

The second generation refined everything from the first to set a shining standard for the franchise. It split the Special stat into separate Special Attack and Special Defense stats, organized the player's inventory into four different types of items, introduced held items for Pokémon to use mid-battle, gave NPCs names, introduced the date and time system, allowed players to trade doubles of their exclusive Pokémon through breeding, introduced specialized Apricorn Poke Balls, and implemented Steel and Dark-types to balance out Psychic-types, all with a fully colored palette if played on the Game Boy Color.

The second generation is also famous for allowing players to explore the Kanto region, the first generation's overworld, as post-game content. This feature didn't carry over to future generations. Finally, it also introduced one seldom-seen but highly-sought feature: Shiny Pokémon — Pokémon that have different colors than their species normally would. Aside from the guaranteed Red Gyarados at the Lake of Rage, the odds of finding a Shiny Pokémon are 1 in 8192.

8 The Third Generation Set the Foundation for Modern-Say Pokémon

Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, & LeafGreen — 135 Pokémon

The third generation is described as a reset of the series, as each game is incompatible with the first and second generations. This is because the Pokémon data structure was overhauled — each Pokémon now has a personality value that dictates its gender, whether it is Shiny or not. It also determines two new features that carry over to future generations: abilities that Pokémon can utilize in or out of battle, and natures that potentially increase one of a Pokémon's non-HP stats by 10% at the cost of another.

As a result, Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire were criticized upon release, as only 184 of the previous 251 Pokémon were available. Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen, remakes of the first generation, were created to address this. The third generation also introduced Pokémon Contests, which are special non-battling competitions, and Double Battles, in which players command two Pokémon at a time. Since 2009, the annual Pokémon Video Game Championships have used the double battle format for all events.

7 The Fourth Generation Balanced Offensive Threats With the Physical/Special Split

Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, & SoulSilver — 107 Pokémon

The fourth generation follows a parallel with the second generation in that it's compatible with the previous one. It also re-implemented the date and time system, which was greatly simplified in the third generation. Since this generation is made with the Nintendo DS in mind, it marks the point when the series started rendering the overworld in three dimensions, instead of sprites. Like Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen, that address how certain Pokémon aren't available in Pokémon Diamond & Pearl.

The most important feature that carried over from the fourth generation is the Physical/Special Split: a system that designates whether moves are physical or special attacks based on the move itself, instead of the move's type. All moves that don't directly inflict damage are deemed status moves. It was also the first generation in which Pokémon battles and trades could be conducted over the Internet.

Pokémon Black, White, Black 2, & White 2 — 156 Pokémon

The fifth generation broke the formula that the first generation established. The Unova region is based on the New York City metropolitan area, and all future generations would base their regions on other non-Japanese locations. It also introduced dual sequels with a different story entirely, instead of a third updated version. Pokémon Black & White in particular prevents any Pokémon that originated in a previous generation from being caught until the post-game. This puts older and newer players on the same level with a brand-new roster of Pokémon to choose from.

Triple Battles and Rotation Battles are introduced in the fifth generation and are included in the sixth. Both are similar to Double Battles, except that players command three Pokémon at a time. Triple Battles, however, emphasize the importance of placement — a Pokémon on the left side of the field can't target one on the right, and vice versa. Rotation Battles only allow one Pokémon to participate at a time, but players can rotate their field freely without using up a turn.

5 The Sixth Generation Mega Evolved Old Favorites With New Potential

Pokémon X, Y, Omega Ruby, & Alpha Sapphire — 72 Pokémon

The sixth generation put the series in full 3D from that point onward, thanks to the Nintendo 3DS's technological prowess. This was important to Pokémon X & Y, as the Kalos region is based on France, which needs a complete 3D environment to show off its many landmarks. It also meant Pokémon were depicted as 3D models, instead of sprites, which made Mega Evolved Pokémon stand out more than their regular counterparts.

Mega Evolution raised the competitive bar for Pokémon to meet since every Mega Evolution increases a Pokémon's stat totals and ability along with their form. Player characters can be customized with a variety of outfits, haircuts, colors, and accessories to truly stand out among others. The Fairy-type was implemented as a counter to the many Dragon-types used in competitive play. Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire are remakes of the original third generation but include most of these features and the new Delta Episode, which makes Deoxys officially obtainable.

4 The Seventh Generation Let Any Pokémon Shine With Z-Moves

Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, & Ultra Moon — 88 Pokémon

The seventh generation expands on the sixth with refined character models in the overworld and the Alola region, which is based on Hawaii. It also introduces the concept of regional forms: older Pokémon that have different forms, type combinations, and moves than their original counterparts. All 18 Alolan forms are based on Pokémon from the first generation, as a means to attract older players.

The most prominent mechanic in the seventh generation is Z-Moves: powerful moves that replace any Pokémon's standard move if they hold the appropriate Z-Crystal. Like Mega Evolutions, Z-Moves can only be used once per battle. Most moves have standard Z-Move counterparts, but certain Pokémon and move combinations evoke unique Z-Moves not available anywhere else. Lastly, Hyper Training is a new feature that has carried over to future generations. It allows players to maximize a Pokémon's IVs by spending Bottle Caps, thus removing the need to use cheating devices or exploits to obtain Pokémon with perfect stats to use in competitive battles.

3 The Eighth Generation Brought Pokémon to New Heights With Dynamax

Pokémon Sword, Shield, Brilliant Diamond, & Shining Pearl — 89 Pokémon

The eighth generation began the franchise's transition to open-world gameplay with the Wild Area and rendered all wild Pokémon fully visible to the player before encountering them. The Galar region, where takes place, is based on the United Kingdom. It also includes 19 Galarian forms, which are regional forms that use second, third, and fifth generation Pokémon as bases. Pokémon Sword & Shield started the trend of Expansion Pack DLC, which replaced dual sequels.

The Dynamax mechanic replaces both Mega Evolution and Z-Moves. It was inspired by the Nintendo Switch's ability to switch between handheld and TV modes. Any Pokémon can essentially grow into a giant, which increases their HP up to double its original amount and allows them to use Max Moves — powerful moves with secondary effects that replace all of a Pokémon's regular moves. Some Pokémon even have Gigantimax Forms, a special kind of Dynamax that changes a Pokémon's form and replaces one type of Max Move with a unique G-Max Move.

2 Pokémon Legends: Arceus Showed How Dangerous Wild Pokémon Are

Pokémon Legends: Arceus — 7 Pokémon

Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a unique Pokémon game that was announced on the 25th anniversary of the franchise. It stands out, even from other eighth-generation games, in many ways. It's the only game in the series that allows players to catch Pokémon in real-time, usually by stealth, since wild Pokémon will often attack the player character. It also takes place in the distant past instead of a futuristic setting, so there's an emphasis on players crafting items as they explore.

There's no multiplayer or trading in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, so players can complete the Pokédex without additional copies of the game. Battling is far less prominent than before, but it utilizes the Action Order speed and Style mechanics. Action Order drastically alters how turns work, so quicker actions can allow a Pokémon to move twice in a row. Each move can be affected by a Strong or Agile Style, which renders the move stronger but slower, and vice versa, respectively.

1 The Ninth Generation Let Pokémon Change Their Type With Terastallization

Pokémon Scarlet & Violet — 120 Pokémon as of Now

have perfected the open-world mechanics that the last generation started — players can go anywhere and complete any task in whatever order they wish. Each area in the Paldea region, based on Spain, is seamlessly connected. Players can also connect with up to three others and travel through the game's areas together. The ninth generation also introduces Paradox Pokémon: ancient and futuristic relatives of existing Pokémon that cannot evolve or breed.

The last generation's Dynamax mechanic is replaced by Terastallization, which allows players to change their Pokémon's type into any other type they wish. Terastallization provides so much strategic depth since a Pokémon's Tera Type can change its weaknesses and resistances, while also giving a 1.5x power boost to moves whose type matches the Tera Type. Even Pokémon with the same Tera Type as their current type get a bonus simply because moves of that type receive a 2x power boost instead. Like with previous mechanics, Terastallization can only be used once per battle.

Pokemon

Expanding across a multitude of media, including TCGs, video games, manga, live-action movies and anime, the Pokémon franchise is set in a shared world of humans and creatures with a wide variety of special abilities.

Created by

Satoshi Tajiri

First Film

Pokemon: The First Movie

Latest Film

Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle

First TV Show

Pokémon (1997)

Latest TV Show

Pokémon Horizons (2023)

First Episode Air Date

April 1, 1997

Video Game(s)

Pokémon GO , Pokemon X and Y , Pokémon Legends: Arceus , Pokémon Scarlet and Violet , Pokémon Sword and Shield , Pokémon Diamond & Pearl , Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl , Pokemon Red and Blue , Detective Pikachu , Detective Pikachu Returns , Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! , Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!