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Navigating through 25+ years of Pokemon games can overwhelm even dedicated fans. With nine generations spanning multiple Nintendo platforms, understanding the order of Pokemon games requires knowing both release order and chronological story order.
The Pokemon games can be played in two main orders: release order (starting with Red/Blue in 1996) or chronological order (starting with Legends: Arceus, then Red/Blue, then progressing through generations).
After researching every main series game and analyzing community recommendations, I’ve created this comprehensive guide to help you understand both playing orders and choose the best starting point for your journey.
Whether you’re a newcomer wanting to experience the full series or a returning player catching up on missed generations, this guide covers all main series games with release dates, platforms, and story connections.
For those wanting a quick reference, here are the main series Pokemon games in release order:
Understanding the release order helps appreciate how Pokemon evolved from simple Game Boy titles to complex 3D adventures. Each generation introduced new mechanics, Pokemon, and technologies that shaped the series.
The games that started it all on Game Boy. Released in Japan as Red and Green in 1996, with Blue coming later as an improved version. The international release in 1998 featured Red and Blue versions with improved graphics and gameplay.
Features: 151 original Pokemon, turn-based combat, trading system, and the iconic Kanto region. Despite their simplicity by today’s standards, these games established the core formula that still defines the series.
A special edition following the anime’s storyline more closely. Your starter is Pikachu who follows you outside the pokeball, and you can obtain all three original starters through special events.
Features: Improved graphics, Pikachu following mechanic, Jessie and James from Team Rocket appear, Gym Leader teams match the anime.
Set in the Johto region with 100 new Pokemon, bringing the total to 251. These games introduced breeding, day/night cycles, and the ability to return to Kanto after becoming champion.
Features: Time system affecting Pokemon encounters, breeding mechanics, held items, two regions to explore, and Pokemon that evolve differently based on time of day.
The enhanced version of Gold/Silver with several improvements. Crystal was the first Pokemon game to allow players to choose a female character and introduced animated Pokemon sprites.
Features: Animated Pokemon sprites, choice of gender, Battle Tower facility, expanded story with the Unown mystery.
Set in the Hoenn region with 135 new Pokemon, bringing the total to 386. These games introduced abilities, double battles, and contests. Ruby/Sapphire marked a significant graphical leap with the Game Boy Advance.
Features: 135 new Pokemon, abilities system, double battles, Pokemon contests, secret bases, weather effects affecting battles.
Remakes of the original Red/Blue games with updated graphics and mechanics. These games made the original 151 Pokemon available to Ruby/Sapphire players and included the Sevii Islands.
Features: Updated graphics and mechanics, wireless trading, Teachy TV for beginners, Sevii Islands post-game content, compatibility with Ruby/Sapphire.
The enhanced version of Ruby/Sapphire combining elements from both games. Emerald featured the Battle Frontier, a more challenging facility for competitive players, and an expanded storyline involving both legendary Pokemon.
Features: Battle Frontier with multiple facilities, animated Pokemon sprites, expanded storyline with both legendaries, improved AI, phone system for rematches.
Set in the Sinnoh region with 107 new Pokemon, bringing the total to 493. These games took full advantage of the Nintendo DS’s capabilities with online trading and battles through Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.
Features: Online trading and battles, 107 new Pokemon, physical/special split making moves more intuitive, Underground mining system, Super Contest shows.
The enhanced version of Diamond/Pearl with an expanded storyline featuring Giratina’s Origin Forme. Platinum improved the pacing and added more content, including the Battle Frontier.
Features: Expanded storyline with Distortion World, improved Pokemon distribution, Battle Frontier, Wi-Fi Plaza, faster surfing speed.
Remakes of Gold/Silver with updated graphics and features from Generation 4. These games are often considered among the best in the series for their perfect blend of nostalgia and innovation.
Features: Pokemon following outside pokeballs, updated graphics, touchscreen controls, Battle Frontier, Pokethlon mini-games, enhanced storyline.
Set in the Unova region with 156 entirely new Pokemon, no old ones available until post-game. These games featured a more mature storyline and improved sprite animations.
Features: 156 new Pokemon, seasonal changes affecting the environment, Triple and Rotation battles, improved sprite animations, more complex storyline.
Sequels to Black/White set two years later in the same region. These games featured expanded areas, new characters, and access to older Pokemon throughout the main story.
Features: Direct sequels with new storyline, expanded Unova region, Pokemon World Tournament, Challenge Mode, Pokemon from previous generations available.
The first fully 3D Pokemon games set in the Kalos region with 72 new Pokemon. These games introduced Mega Evolution, Fairy typing, and character customization.
Features: Full 3D graphics, 72 new Pokemon, Mega Evolution system, Fairy type, character customization, Pokemon Amie, Super Training.
Remakes of Ruby/Sapphire with updated 3D graphics and new features. These games introduced the Soar mechanic, Primal Reversion, and expanded the storyline with new cutscenes.
Features: 3D graphics, Primal Reversion, Soar mechanic, Delta Episode storyline, Secret Base improvements, Horde battles.
Set in the Alola region based on Hawaii with 81 new Pokemon. These games removed traditional gyms in favor of Island Trials and introduced Z-Moves.
Features: Island Trials replacing gyms, 81 new Pokemon, Z-Moves, Regional variants of existing Pokemon, Poke Pelago, improved graphics.
Enhanced versions of Sun/Moon with expanded storylines, new Pokemon forms, and additional areas. These games feature the Ultra Recon Squad and Ultra Wormholes.
Features: Expanded storyline with Ultra Recon Squad, new Ultra Beast forms, additional areas, photo club, improved Pokemon distribution.
Remakes of Yellow designed for newcomers, featuring Pokemon Go-style catching mechanics. These games are set in Kanto with updated graphics and only the original 151 Pokemon plus their evolutions.
Features: Motion controls, simplified mechanics, co-op play, Pokemon Go integration, updated Kanto region, only original 151 Pokemon.
The first main series Pokemon games designed for Nintendo Switch, set in the Galar region based on the UK. These games introduced 81 new Pokemon and the Wild Area.
Features: Wild Area with free camera movement, 81 new Pokemon, Dynamax mechanic, online co-op raids, Gigantamax forms.
Faithful remakes of Diamond/Pearl with updated graphics but keeping most original mechanics. These games are known for their chibi art style and faithful recreation.
Features: Updated graphics, Grand Underground, Ramanas Park for legendaries, Union Room improvements, Pokemon following outside pokeballs.
A prequel set in the Sinnoh region’s past, introducing open-world gameplay and action-oriented battles. This game revolutionized the series formula with its innovative mechanics.
Features: Open-world exploration, action-style battles, Pokemon catching without battling, base building, research tasks system.
Set in the Paldea region based on the Iberian Peninsula, featuring true open-world gameplay and three separate storylines. These games introduced 107 new Pokemon and the Terastal phenomenon.
Features: True open-world exploration, 107 new Pokemon, Terastal phenomenon, three separate storylines, co-op multiplayer.
While release order shows how the games evolved, chronological order follows the timeline within the Pokemon universe. This order helps understand story connections and character references across games.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus (Set in the distant past of the Sinnoh region)
This game takes place centuries before any other Pokemon game, when humans and Pokemon were still learning to coexist. You play as a member of the Galaxy Team’s Survey Corps, working to complete the region’s first Pokedex.
The events of Arceus establish the foundation for the Sinnoh region’s mythology and explain the origins of many legendary Pokemon worshiped in later games.
Pokemon Red/Blue/Yellow (Set in contemporary time for their release)
The original games establish the baseline timeline where a 10-year-old begins their Pokemon journey. Team Rocket’s activities and the player’s rise to champion status set the standard for future games.
Yellow’s events overlap with Red/Blue but follow the anime timeline more closely, featuring Pikachu as the starter and encounters with Team Rocket’s Jessie and James.
Pokemon Gold/Silver/Crystal (Set three years after Red/Blue/Yellow)
These games explicitly take place three years after the original Kanto games. The player can visit Kanto and see how the region has changed, with Team Rocket having disbanded and Red having become the champion.
Crystal’s events occur concurrently with Gold/Silver but add the Unown mystery and expanded storyline elements.
Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald (Contemporary with other Generation 3 games)
These games occur around the same time as FireRed/LeafGreen but in a different region. The Team Aqua/Magma storyline happens independently of Kanto/Johto events.
FireRed/LeafGreen are retellings of the original Kanto games with updated mechanics, occurring in the same timeframe as Ruby/Sapphire.
Pokemon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum (Contemporary within their own timeline)
These games occur independently of previous regions, with Team Galactic’s activities in Sinnoh happening around the same time as other Generation 4 games.
HeartGold/SoulSilver are remakes of Gold/Silver, preserving the three-year timeline from the original Kanto games.
Pokemon Black/White (Contemporary events)
These games occur in their own timeline with Team Plasma’s activities in Unova. The story deals with complex moral questions about Pokemon ownership and training.
Black 2/White 2 (Two years after Black/White)
These direct sequels occur two years after the original Black/White events, showing how Unova has changed and dealing with new threats from Team Plasma remnants.
Pokemon X/Y (Contemporary within Generation 6)
Set in Kalos with Team Flare’s activities aiming to wipe out most of humanity. These games occur around the same time as Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire.
Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire are remakes of Ruby/Sapphire with updated storylines, occurring in the same timeframe as X/Y.
Sun/Moon and Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon (Contemporary within Generation 7)
Set in Alola with the Island Challenge system. Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon occur in an alternate timeline where Ultra Wormhole events create different outcomes.
Let’s Go Pikachu/Eevee are retellings of Yellow with adjusted timelines to accommodate new mechanics and Pokemon Go integration.
Sword/Shield and Scarlet/Violet (Contemporary within their generations)
These games occur in their respective regions with independent timelines. The events don’t directly reference previous games, allowing players to start with either.
Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl are remakes preserving the original Diamond/Pearl timeline.
Understanding Pokemon generations helps categorize games and understand the evolution of gameplay mechanics. Each generation introduced significant changes to the series formula.
Quick Summary: Nine generations spanning 1996 to present, each introducing new Pokemon, regions, and gameplay mechanics that shaped the series’ evolution.
151 Pokemon, Kanto region, introduced the core formula of catching, training, and battling. Established the turn-based battle system and type effectiveness chart that still defines the series today.
100 new Pokemon (251 total), Johto region, introduced breeding, day/night cycles, and held items. First games to allow players to return to a previous region.
135 new Pokemon (386 total), Hoenn region, introduced abilities, double battles, and weather effects. Marked the transition to more complex battle mechanics.
107 new Pokemon (493 total), Sinnoh region, introduced the physical/special split making moves more intuitive, and online trading through Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.
156 new Pokemon (649 total), Unova region, featured entirely new Pokemon until post-game, introduced seasonal changes and improved animations.
72 new Pokemon (721 total), Kalos region, first fully 3D games, introduced Mega Evolution, Fairy type, and character customization.
81 new Pokemon (802 total), Alola region, removed traditional gyms for Island Trials, introduced Z-Moves and Regional variants.
89 new Pokemon (898 total), Galar and Hisui regions, introduced open-world elements, Dynamaxing, and action-style catching in Legends: Arceus.
107 new Pokemon (1008 total), Paldea region, features true open-world exploration, Terastal phenomenon, and three separate storylines.
Choosing your first Pokemon game depends on your preferences, available platforms, and what you want from the experience. Here are recommendations based on different player types:
Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu/Eevee is the most accessible starting point. The simplified mechanics, motion controls, and connection to Pokemon Go make it perfect for newcomers. The game features only the original 151 Pokemon, making it less overwhelming.
If you prefer traditional gameplay, Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver offers the perfect balance of classic mechanics with modern improvements. The Pokemon following feature and two regions to explore provide excellent value.
Pokemon Scarlet/Violet offers the most modern experience with true open-world exploration and impressive freedom. The three separate storylines and co-op multiplayer make it ideal for players accustomed to contemporary gaming.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus revolutionized the formula with its action-oriented gameplay and research-based progression. It’s perfect for players wanting something different from traditional Pokemon games.
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl faithfully recreates the Diamond/Pearl experience with updated graphics. They’re perfect for players wanting to revisit Generation 4 with modern quality-of-life improvements.
FireRed/LeafGreen modernizes the original Kanto experience while preserving the classic gameplay. They’re ideal for players wanting to experience where it all began without the limitations of the original games.
If you only have a Nintendo Switch, your options include Let’s Go, Sword/Shield, Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl, Legends: Arceus, and Scarlet/Violet. For older systems, the 3DS offers X/Y, Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire, Sun/Moon, and Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon.
For players interested in technical requirements and system specs, you might want to check out our system requirements guide for understanding game performance needs.
For completionists wanting to “catch ’em all,” starting with games that have good Pokemon distribution is key. HeartGold/SoulSilver and Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire offer excellent variety.
For players focused on competitive battling, newer games like Scarlet/Violet and Sword/Shield offer more sophisticated mechanics and better online infrastructure.
If you’re new to gaming guides, you might find our beginner’s guide helpful for understanding gaming basics and terminology.
The Pokemon series continues to evolve with new announcements and releases. Here’s what’s confirmed for the near future:
Confirmed for release in 2025, Legends: Z-A will be set in the Kalos region and continue the experimental approach started by Legends: Arceus. While details are limited, the game is expected to feature the urban redevelopment of Lumiose City.
Based on the success of Arceus, expect open-world elements, action-style catching, and a focus on the historical aspects of Kalos region and its legendary Pokemon Xerneas, Yveltal, and Zygarde.
Following the pattern of previous generations, enhanced versions of Scarlet/Violet are likely, though nothing has been officially announced. The Pokemon Company has been experimenting with different formats, so future releases might continue the Legends series or introduce entirely new concepts.
The ninth generation’s success suggests continued support for Scarlet/Violet through DLC and updates, similar to how Sword/Shield received Expansion Passes.
After analyzing all main series Pokemon games and their historical significance, here are my final recommendations for different types of players:
Best Overall Experience: Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver remains the pinnacle of traditional Pokemon gameplay, offering the perfect balance of nostalgia, content, and modern improvements. The ability to explore two regions and have Pokemon follow you creates an unmatched experience.
Best for Modern Gamers: Pokemon Scarlet/Violet represents the series’ future with true open-world exploration and impressive freedom. While it has technical issues, the gameplay innovations and three separate storylines offer the most content-rich experience in recent years.
Best for Beginners: Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu/Eevee provides the most accessible entry point with simplified mechanics and motion controls. The connection to Pokemon Go makes it perfect for casual players and those new to gaming.
Most Innovative: Pokemon Legends: Arceus revolutionized the formula with its action-oriented gameplay and research-based progression. It’s a bold experiment that successfully modernized the series while maintaining its core identity.
Whichever game you choose, remember that Pokemon is fundamentally about exploration, collection, and bonding with your team. The journey of becoming a Pokemon champion has captivated players for over 25 years, and there’s never been a better time to start your adventure.
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