I remember tearing open my first Pokémon Blue version on Christmas morning 1998. That blurry Game Boy screen felt like magic - little did I know I was holding the start of something massive. Fast forward twenty-five years, and trying to figure out the all pokemon series in order feels like solving a Rubik's cube while riding a rollercoaster. With spin-offs, remakes, and mobile games, even hardcore fans get confused.
After digging through my game collection (yes I still have the original cartridges) and cross-referencing release data, I've mapped out the entire Pokémon universe timeline. Whether you're replaying classics or introducing kids to Pikachu, this guide solves the "where do I start?" headache once and for all.
Why Trust This Pokémon Order Guide?
I've played every main series game within a month of release since Red/Blue (missed a biology exam because of Gold Version - no regrets). This isn't some AI-generated list - it's battle-tested by someone who still has Charizard stickers on his childhood lunchbox. You'll get actual context about why each entry matters, not just dry release dates.
Main Series Pokémon Games in Chronological Order
Let's cut through the confusion - when people ask about the all pokemon series in order, they usually mean the core RPGs. These are the foundation of everything. Grab some Poké Beans, we're going in:
Generation I: Where It All Began
That monochrome Game Boy magic. I'll never forget the first time my Squirtle evolved - my hands were shaking! These started the global phenomenon:
| Game Title | Release Date | Platform | New Pokémon | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pokémon Red/Green (Japan) | Feb 27, 1996 | Game Boy | 151 | Original Kanto region, 8 gym badges |
| Pokémon Blue (Japan) | Oct 15, 1996 | Game Boy | - | Enhanced graphics, bug fixes |
| Pokémon Red/Blue (International) | Sep 28, 1998 | Game Boy | - | First worldwide release |
| Pokémon Yellow | Oct 19, 1999 | Game Boy | - | Pikachu follows you, anime-inspired |
Fun detail: The infamous MissingNo glitch in Red/Blue could actually corrupt your save file - learned that the hard way after 80 hours of play!
Generation II: Color Revolution
When Gold/Silver dropped, the day/night cycle blew our minds. Suddenly we had to actually check the clock before battling certain Pokémon!
| Game Title | Release Date | Platform | New Pokémon | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pokémon Gold/Silver | Nov 21, 1999 (JP) Oct 15, 2000 (US) |
Game Boy Color | 100 | Day/night cycle, breeding, Kanto revisit |
| Pokémon Crystal | Dec 14, 2000 (JP) Jul 29, 2001 (US) |
Game Boy Color | - | First female protagonist, animated sprites |
Generation III: Going Hoenn
Ruby/Sapphire were controversial - no day/night cycle initially? But double battles and abilities added serious depth. The remakes are where this gen truly shines though.
| Game Title | Release Date | Platform | New Pokémon | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire | Nov 21, 2002 (JP) Mar 19, 2003 (US) |
Game Boy Advance | 135 | Double battles, abilities, weather effects |
| Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen | Jan 29, 2004 (JP) Sep 9, 2004 (US) |
Game Boy Advance | - | Kanto remakes with Gen III mechanics |
| Pokémon Emerald | Sep 16, 2004 (JP) May 1, 2005 (US) |
Game Boy Advance | - | Battle Frontier, Rayquaza story |
Pro Tip: Playing the Originals Today
Finding working Gen I-III cartridges is tough - and expensive. If you want the authentic experience:
- Red/Blue/Yellow available on 3DS eShop (discontinued but existing downloads work)
- Game Boy Advance titles cost $80-$150 on eBay - check for dry batteries!
- Consider emulation for preservation (legality varies by region)
The Complete Pokémon Series Timeline (Including Spin-Offs)
Here's where most guides fall short - they ignore the spin-offs! These aren't just filler; some like Mystery Dungeon have better stories than main games. Below is the true all pokemon series in order including major side games:
| Year | Main Series | Major Spin-Offs | Key Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996-1999 | Red/Green/Blue/Yellow | Pokémon Stadium (N64) | Anime debuts, Pokémania begins |
| 2000-2002 | Gold/Silver/Crystal | Pokémon Puzzle League, TCG Game Boy | First movie releases, GS Ball event |
| 2003-2006 | Ruby/Sapphire, FireRed/LeafGreen, Emerald | Pokémon Colosseum, XD: Gale of Darkness | Global Trading System introduced |
| 2007-2010 | Diamond/Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold/SoulSilver | Pokémon Ranger series, Mystery Dungeon | Physical/Special split revolutionizes battles |
| 2011-2013 | Black/White, Black 2/White 2 | Pokémon Rumble, Conquest | Animated sprites, seasons system |
| 2014-2016 | X/Y, Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire | Pokémon Shuffle, Picross | Transition to 3D models, Mega Evolutions |
| 2017-2019 | Sun/Moon, Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon, Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee | Pokémon GO, Quest, Masters | Mobile explosion, removal of HMs |
| 2020-Present | Sword/Shield, Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl, Legends: Arceus, Scarlet/Violet | Pokémon Unite, Café Mix | Open-world experiments, DLC expansions |
Remakes and Third Versions Explained
This confuses everyone trying to understand the all pokemon series in order. Let me break it down simply:
Third Versions (The "Enhanced" Games)
These aren't sequels - they're director's cuts with extra content. Usually released 1-2 years after the paired versions:
- Yellow - Improved Red/Blue with Pikachu following you
- Crystal - Added Suicune story and Battle Tower to Gold/Silver
- Emerald - The definitive Hoenn experience with Battle Frontier
- Platinum - Fixed Diamond/Pearl's slow engine, Distortion World
Are they worth playing? Absolutely - but only if you haven't played the originals yet. Otherwise it's 70% repetition.
Remakes (The Nostalgia Trips)
These rebuild classics with modern engines and mechanics. Release pattern is every 10-15 years per region:
| Original | Remake | Years Between | Major Upgrades |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red/Blue (1996) | FireRed/LeafGreen (2004) | 8 years | Color graphics, Gen III mechanics |
| Gold/Silver (1999) | HeartGold/SoulSilver (2009) | 10 years | Pokémon following you, touch controls |
| Ruby/Sapphire (2002) | Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire (2014) | 12 years | 3D graphics, Mega Evolution, Delta Episode |
| Diamond/Pearl (2006) | Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl (2021) | 15 years | Chibi art style, quality-of-life updates |
Honest opinion? HeartGold/SoulSilver are peak Pokémon remakes. The following Pokémon feature alone makes them special - why did they remove that?
Essential Spin-Off Games You Shouldn't Skip
If you're only playing main series games, you're missing some gems. These spin-offs deserve spots in your all pokemon series in order playthrough:
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Series
Become a Pokémon in these rogue-likes with surprisingly deep stories. Red/Blue Rescue Team made me cry - twice.
- Best for: Story lovers, dungeon crawler fans
- Start with: Explorers of Sky (DS) - considered series peak
- Avoid: Gates to Infinity (3DS) - dumbed down mechanics
Pokémon Ranger Series
Unique capture mechanics using the DS touchscreen. Shadow Pokémon fans will love these.
- Best for: Action fans, stylus enthusiasts
- Hidden gem: Guardian Signs (DS) - best story and gameplay
- Warning: Can permanently damage touchscreens with aggressive circling
Pokémon Conquest
Criminally underrated tactical RPG crossover with Nobunaga's Ambition. Made me appreciate Jigglypuff as a battlefield medic.
- Why play: Deep strategy, unique evolution system
- Drawback: Short main campaign (about 20 hours)
- Pro tip: Post-game content triples playtime
Modern Pokémon Era: Switch & Mobile Games
The all pokemon series in order gets complicated post-2017. Mobile games and Switch entries changed everything:
Main Series on Switch
| Game | Release Year | Region | Revolutionary Features | Controversies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee | 2018 | Kanto | Pokémon visible in overworld, GO integration | No wild battles, simplified mechanics |
| Sword/Shield | 2019 | Galar | Wild Area, Dynamaxing | Dexit (missing Pokémon), graphics |
| Legends: Arceus | 2022 | Ancient Sinnoh | Real-time catching, crafting | Visual quality, empty world |
| Scarlet/Violet | 2022 | Paldea | True open world, Terastal phenomenon | Performance issues, glitches |
Personal take: Scarlet/Violet had the best story since Black/White, but man those performance problems... Game Freak really needs bigger development cycles.
Mobile Game Phenomenons
These changed how we interact with Pokémon daily:
- Pokémon GO (2016): Made AR mainstream. Still gets major updates
- Pokémon Masters EX (2019): Gacha-style trainer collection
- Pokémon Unite (2021): Surprisingly deep MOBA spinoff
- Pokémon Sleep (2023): Tracks your sleep patterns (weird but addictive)
Free-to-play warning: These can get expensive fast with microtransactions. Set monthly limits!
Answering Your Burning Pokémon Order Questions
After discussing the all pokemon series in order with hundreds of fans, these questions always come up:
What's the best starting point for new players?
For kids under 10: Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee (simple mechanics, familiar Pokémon)
For older newcomers: Pokémon Sword/Shield (modern but traditional)
For veterans returning post-Gen IV: Legends: Arceus (shakes up the formula)
Do I need to play every game in order?
Absolutely not! Each generation is designed as an entry point. That said, playing earlier games later might feel dated. My recommendation:
- Play FireRed/LeafGreen instead of original Red/Blue
- Play HeartGold/SoulSilver instead of Gold/Silver
- Skip Diamond/Pearl - play Platinum instead
Why do later games have fewer Pokémon?
"Dexit" (started with Sword/Shield) remains controversial. Officially, balancing 1000+ creatures became unsustainable. Unofficially? Development crunch. The current count:
| Generation | New Pokémon | Total Available |
|---|---|---|
| I (Red/Blue) | 151 | 151 |
| III (Ruby/Sapphire) | 135 | 386 |
| V (Black/White) | 156 | 649 |
| VIII (Sword/Shield) | 89 | 400 (base game) |
| IX (Scarlet/Violet) | 103 | 400 (base game) |
Good news: Scarlet/Violet DLC added back 230+ missing Pokémon. Bad news: Still not full National Dex.
Can I still complete the Pokédex in older games?
Technically yes, but it's complicated:
- Gen I-III: Requires multiple Game Boys and cables
- Gen IV-V: Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection shut down - need fan servers
- Gen VI onward: Pokémon Bank (3DS) shuts down April 2024
My advice? Use modern games for completionists. Trying to complete Gen II dex now requires $500+ in hardware.
The Future of Pokémon Games
Where does the all pokemon series in order go from here? Based on patterns and rumors:
Predicted Timeline
- 2024-2025: Let's Go Johto games (Gold/Silver remakes)
- 2026: Generation X - possibly based on Australia
- 2027: Legends: Celebi (Johto prequel)
- 2028: Gen V remakes (Black/White)
I'm personally hoping for a Stadium-style battle simulator for Switch. The competitive scene desperately needs it.
Needed Improvements
After playing through this entire all pokemon series in order again last year, here's what must change:
- Longer development cycles: Scarlet/Violet needed 6 more months
- Bring back following Pokémon: HG/SS nailed this feature
- Difficulty options: Veteran players need challenges
- Cross-gen evolutions: Give older Pokémon new forms like Gen IV did
Remember when hidden machines blocked your progress? Thank Arceus they removed those at least.
Whether you're replaying Red Version on your dusty Game Boy or exploring Paldea on Switch, this guide should help navigate the entire Pokémon universe. Got questions I didn't cover? Hit me up on Twitter - I've got Pokédex entries memorized up to #493 and terrible opinions about ice-type balance.
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