Pokémon Games In Order: Complete list of main Pokémon games

Pokémon is a popular video game series developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo. The first Pokémon game was released back in 1996 on February 27. The first Pokémon games were released for the Game Boy in Japan. Since then, there have been several successors, and each game brought something new to keep gamers engaged with the game. This is a role-playing game (RPG) where you will be a budding Trainer with an aim of making a team of Pokémon characters by battling and capturing wild Pokémon. Even after several different Pokémon games in the past 24 years, the core idea remains the same.

As per sales data, Pokémon is the second best-selling video game franchise in the world. It is also the world’s largest media franchise, with games, anime series, movies, and merchandise.

This game series is ruling for more than 2 decades, and people are still crazy about this game. If you are interested in Pokémon games and want to know all the games that belong to the main Pokémon games series, here is a complete list of Pokémon games in order. There have also been several spin-offs released for PC, consoles, handheld, Arcade, and mobile phones. Since those games are not considered part of the main series, we are not including spin-offs in this list.

Pokémon Games In Order of Release Date

1. Pokémon Red & Blue (1996 – 1998)

Platform: Game Boy
Release Year: 1996 (Japan), 1998 (Worldwide)

Pokémon Red & Blue started it all. Released as Pokémon Red & Green in Japan, the games introduced 151 Pokémon and the Kanto region. Players took on the role of a Pokémon Trainer, battling through Gyms, the Elite Four, and Team Rocket to become the Champion. This is where Pikachu, Charizard, and Mewtwo became global icons.

2. Pokémon Yellow (1998 – 1999)

Platform: Game Boy
Release Year: 1998 (Japan), 1999 (Worldwide)

Pokémon Yellow was an enhanced version of Red & Blue, heavily inspired by the Pokémon anime. Instead of choosing a starter, players were given Pikachu, who followed them around. The game also featured Team Rocket’s Jessie & James and slight graphical upgrades.

3. Pokémon Gold & Silver (1999 – 2000)

Platform: Game Boy Color
Release Year: 1999 (Japan), 2000 (Worldwide)

Pokémon Gold & Silver introduced 100 new Pokémon and expanded the Pokémon world with the Johto region. Features like day-night cycles, breeding, and held items were added, making the game more immersive. The post-game included a return to Kanto, allowing players to battle Red, the strongest Trainer in the series at that time.

4. Pokémon Crystal (2000 – 2001)

Platform: Game Boy Color
Release Year: 2000 (Japan), 2001 (Worldwide)

Pokémon Crystal was an upgraded version of Gold & Silver. It was the first Pokémon game to feature animated Pokémon sprites and allowed players to choose a female protagonist for the first time. The story also introduced Suicune as a main focus.

5. Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire (2002 – 2003)

Platform: Game Boy Advance
Release Year: 2002 (Japan), 2003 (Worldwide)

With the Game Boy Advance, Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire brought improved graphics, double battles, and abilities. Set in the Hoenn region, the game introduced 135 new Pokémon and villainous teams Team Magma and Team Aqua.

6. Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen (2004)

Platform: Game Boy Advance
Release Year: 2004

FireRed & LeafGreen were remakes of Pokémon Red & Blue, featuring updated graphics, new locations, and wireless trading. They made the classic Kanto adventure playable for a new generation.

7. Pokémon Emerald (2004 – 2005)

Platform: Game Boy Advance
Release Year: 2004 (Japan), 2005 (Worldwide)

Emerald was an enhanced version of Ruby & Sapphire, featuring both Team Magma and Team Aqua in a larger story. It also introduced the Battle Frontier, a challenging post-game area with unique battle rules.

8. Pokémon Diamond & Pearl (2006 – 2007)

Platform: Nintendo DS
Release Year: 2006 (Japan), 2007 (Worldwide)

The fourth generation introduced the Sinnoh region, online trading and battles via Wi-Fi, and physical/special move split, which became a key mechanic in future games. Legendary Pokémon Dialga and Palkia headlined the story.

9. Pokémon Platinum (2008 – 2009)

Platform: Nintendo DS
Release Year: 2008 (Japan), 2009 (Worldwide)

Platinum was the definitive version of Diamond & Pearl, introducing Giratina’s Distortion World, improved battle mechanics, and a better story. The Sinnoh region felt more refined in this version.

10. Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver (2009 – 2010)

Platform: Nintendo DS
Release Year: 2009 (Japan), 2010 (Worldwide)

These were remakes of Pokémon Gold & Silver, featuring updated graphics, Pokémon following you, and the Pokéwalker accessory, which allowed players to train Pokémon on the go.

11. Pokémon Black & White (2010 – 2011)

Platform: Nintendo DS
Release Year: 2010 (Japan), 2011 (Worldwide)

Set in the Unova region, Pokémon Black & White featured a brand-new 156 Pokémon lineup, seasonal changes, and a more story-driven approach than previous games.

12. Pokémon Black 2 & White 2 (2012)

Platform: Nintendo DS
Release Year: 2012

The first direct sequels in Pokémon history, these games took place two years after Black & White and introduced new locations, new characters, and a stronger post-game.

13. Pokémon X & Y (2013)

Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Release Year: 2013

X & Y introduced 3D graphics for the first time and introduced Mega Evolutions. Set in Kalos, the game also brought new Pokémon like Greninja and Sylveon.

14. Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire (2014)

Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Release Year: 2014

These were remakes of Ruby & Sapphire, featuring Mega Evolutions, improved graphics, and expanded lore about Groudon and Kyogre.

15. Pokémon Sun & Moon (2016)

Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Release Year: 2016

Set in the Alola region, Pokémon Sun & Moon removed traditional Gyms and introduced Island Trials. The game also brought Z-Moves and Alolan forms of classic Pokémon.

16. Pokémon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon (2017)

Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Release Year: 2017

Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon expanded on the original Sun & Moon story, featuring new Ultra Beasts, new post-game content, and new forms for Necrozma.

17. Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu & Eevee (2018)

Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release Year: 2018

These games were remakes of Pokémon Yellow, designed to appeal to new players and Pokémon GO fans with simplified mechanics.

18. Pokémon Sword & Shield (2019)

Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release Year: 2019

The first mainline Pokémon RPGs on the Switch, these games introduced Dynamax battles, open-world areas, and online raid battles.

19. Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl (2021)

Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release Year: 2021

Remakes of Diamond & Pearl, with chibi-style graphics and quality-of-life improvements but fewer changes compared to past remakes.

20. Pokémon Legends: Arceus (2022)

Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release Year: 2022

A prequel to Diamond & Pearl, Legends: Arceus took the series into a semi-open world and introduced real-time catching and battling mechanics.

21. Pokémon Scarlet & Violet (2022)

Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release Year: 2022

Pokémon Scarlet & Violet introduced a full open-world experience, new Pokémon like Koraidon & Miraidon, and a non-linear story.