All Pokemon Games In Complete Order

If you’re a new fan of the franchise or just a returning trainer, knowing the complete order of the Pokemon games is important. In total, there have been 22 Pokemon (Main Series) Games since the birth of the franchise’s games. Among these 22 games, the first one was released exclusively in Japan. At the same time, the rest were released for the world most specifically NA, EU, and AUS.

All Pokemon Games In The Correct Order To Play

The first Pokemon game that was released worldwide tracks all the way back to 1998 and was only playable on the Game Boy. Years have passed, and technology has advanced greatly which has now allowed players to play all the Pokemon games using different Nintendo emulators and consoles.

We will cover each of these games along with a brief explanation that helps you understand the generation of Pokemon each title has.

Here are the rest of the 21 Pokemon Games in complete order based on their release date.

Pokemon Red And Blue

• Release Date: 1998.
• Platform: Game Boy.

The Pokemon Red and Blue are technically considered the first Pokemon games that were released outside Japan. The game takes place in the Kanto region and features the 1st Generation of Pokemon. Players take the role of a young trainer from Pallet Town. You get to choose your starter between Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur.

The complete Pokedex in Pokemon Red and Blue features up to 151 Pokemon. In the story, the player is tasked to defeat the Gym Leaders and the Elite Four to become the Champion of the Kanto region. The cover art of these games shows Charizard and Blastoise.

Pokemon Yellow

• Release Date: 1999.
• Platform: Game Boy.

The Pokemon Yellow is quite similar to Red and Blue games for the most part. The story is almost the same, however, there are a few changes here and there. For example, the player does not get the option to choose between the three starters. Instead Professor Oak hands the player a Pikachu. Pokemon Yellow also features 151 Pokemon and is based in the Kanto Region. The Cover art of this game showcases a Pikachu.

Pokemon Gold And Silver

• Release Date: 2000.
• Platform: Game Boy Color.

Next up, we have Pokemon Gold and Silver, which introduced an all-new Johto region for the players. Not only that, but the title also kicked off the Second Generation of Pokemon. In the second generation, 100 new Pokemon were introduced, apart from the 151 Pokemon from the first generation.

The player begins their story from New Bark Town and has the option to choose Chikorita, Cyndaquil, or Totodile as their Starter Pokemon. The story follows the same trend of beating the Gym Leaders and the Elite Four to become the Johto Champion. The cover art features the Legendary Pokemon Ho-Oh and Lugia.

Pokemon Crystal

• Release Date: 2001.
• Platform: Game Boy Color.

The Pokemon Crystal was released as a solitary version of Pokemon Gold and Silver. There were a few minor, but notable changes. Although the story and the starters (Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile), along with the Pokedex remained the same.

In Pokemon Crystal, players have the choice to play as a girl. They can even travel to the Kanto region after progressing their story in the Johto region. The cover art of Pokemon Crystal features the Legendary Beast Suicune.

Pokemon Ruby And Sapphire

• Release Date: 2002.
• Platform: Game Boy Advance.

The Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire were the first pair of Pokemon games released for the Game Boy Advance. It introduced the Third Generation and an all-new region called Hoenn. In the 3rd generation, 135 new Pokemon were launched. Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire have a total of 202 Pokemon in their Pokedex.

The player starts off their journey at Littleroot Town. Professor Birch gives the option to the player to choose their starter pokemon between Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip. Just like the previous games, the main goal in Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire is to defeat all the Gym Leaders and the Elite Four League to become the Champion. The cover art of Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire features the Legendary Pokemon Groudon and Kyogre.

Pokemon FireRed And LeafGreen

• Release Date: 2004.
• Platform: Game Boy Advance.

Following up, Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen were released for Game Boy Advance and were poised as the remake of the original Pokemon Red and Green. The game recreated the storyline from the 1998 game and implemented the third generation into it. Hence, giving a much more advanced experience holding tons of Pokemon.

The storyline is the same as the game which was released for the first generation. The player starts their story in Pallet Town and is offered either Squirtle, Charmander, or Bulbasaur as the starter Pokemon. In FireRed and LeafGreen you get to complete a Pokedex of the initial 151 Pokemon in the Kanto region.

However, after completing the game, players can also acquire Pokemon from the Hoenn and Johto regions. The cover art of Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen features Charizard and Venasaur.

Pokemon Emerald

• Release Date: 2005.
• Platform: Game Boy Advance.

The Pokemon Emerald was the final game released with the Third Generation of Pokemon. The game was similar to Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire for the most part. Although, in Emerald, players were able to catch both Groudon and Kyogre.

The story was untouched, as a trainer, players get to start their journey from the Littleroot Town in the Hoenn Region. The starter Pokemon features Torchic, Mudkip, and Treecko. The cover art of Pokemon Emerald features none other than the Legendary Pokemon called Rayquaza.

Pokemon Diamond And Pearl

• Release Date: 2007.
• Platform: Nintendo DS.

The Pokemon Diamond and Pearl were the first games that contained the 4th Generation of Pokemon. Not only that it was also the first Pokemon game released on Nintendo DS. In the game, a new region, called Sinnoh, was introduced.

Moreover, in the new 4th generation 107 new Pokemon were added, which meant players were able to start their Diamond and Pearl journey with any one of the following starters; Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup. As for challenges, the player is also tasked to deal with the notorious Team Galactic. Other than that, the objective of the game is to defeat the Gym Leaders and Elite Four.

The cover art of the Pokemon Diamond and Pearl features Legendary Pokemon Dialga and Palkia. 

Pokemon Platinum

• Release Date: 2009.
• Platform: Nintendo DS.

Next up in our list of Pokemon games in complete order is Pokemon Platinum. It was released as an enhanced variant of Pokemon Diamond and Pearl. It has the same storyline as Diamond and Pearl where the player begins the game from TwinLeaf town.

The starters remain the same (Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup). Meanwhile, the player gets to encounter Giratina (Origin Forme) in a new form while playing Pokemon Platinum and also gets access to a new place called Distortion World. The cover art of Pokemon Platinum features the Legendary Giratina.

Pokemon HeartGold And SoulSilver

• Release Date: 2010.
• Platform: Nintendo DS.

The Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver released in 2010, was the remake of Pokemon Gold and Silver (2000). The game features the exact same storyline and Pokemon but it implemented new graphics and game mechanics. Players get to relive their journey in the Johto region where they get to start their story with either Chikorita, Cyndaquil, or Totodile. Players can also trade with Diamond and Pearl games to get the 4th Generation Pokemon in the game. 

The cover art of Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver features the Legendary Pokemon; Ho-Oh and Lugia.

Pokemon Black And White

• Release Date: 2011.
• Platform: Nintendo DS.

The Pokemon Black and White were the first games based on the 5th Generation and were released back in 2011. In the 5th Gen, 156 new Pokemon were released. The game was set in the region of Unova where players started off their journey at Nuvema Town. Professor Juniper gives the option to choose from three different starter Pokemon; Snivy, Oshawott, or Tepig.

While playing Pokemon Black and White, players are tasked to collect Gym Badges and defeat the Elite Four. Not only that, but they also need to repeatedly deal with Antagonists like Team Plasma.

The cover art of Pokemon Black and White features Reshiram and Zekrom. 

Pokemon Black 2 And White 2

• Release Date: 2012.
• Platform: Nintendo DS.

Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 are the sequel of the games released with the same title back in 2011. The events of this game took place two years after Pokemon Black and White. It extended the storyline and was the first game that worked as a direct sequel to a previous Pokemon game.

Additionally, players get to explore the Unova region once again as new places and areas become accessible. In Black 2 and White 2, players also get to see the all-new forms of Kyurem called; Black Kyurem and White Kyurem. The criminal organization Neo Team Plasma is a new antagonist group that the players fight.

The cover art of Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 features Black Kyurem and White Kyurem.

Pokemon X And Y

• Release Date: 2013.
• Platform: Nintendo 3DS.

Up next, Pokemon X and Y were the first Pokemon games released on Nintendo 3DS. On top of that, it also introduced the players to the 6th Generation. The game is based in the Kalos region and features 72 new Pokemon from the sixth generation. The Story in Pokemon X and Y begins in a small place called Vaniville town.

The starter Pokemon in the games include Chespin, Froakie, and Fennekin. Most notably, Pokemon X and Y featured the Mega Evolutions for the first time and players were able to customize their characters as well. Fairy-type Pokemon were introduced for the very first time in the Pokemon games in X and Y.

The objective in the game is to become the League Champion while tackling the evil organization called Team Flare. The cover art of the games X and Y features the Legendary Pokemon called Xerneas and Yveltal.

Pokemon Omega Ruby And Alpha Sapphire

• Release Date: 2014.
• Platform: Nintendo 3DS.

The Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire were released in 2014 as remakes of Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire (2002). It implemented the game mechanics of the 6th Generation and the game was fully designed in 3D. However, the storyline remained the exact same. Players began their journey from Littleroot Town in the Hoenn Region.

Professor Birch offers the player the choice of picking a Starter Pokemon between Torchic, Mudkip, or Treecko. The game also welcomes a few new characters and players can even encounter the Primal Reversion of Kyogre and Groudon. The cover art of Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire features Groudon and Kyogre.

Pokemon Sun And Moon

• Release Date: 2016.
• Platform: Nintendo 3DS.

Next up we have Pokemon Sun and Moon which are based on the 7th Generation. The game takes place in the Alola Region and was initially released on Nintendo 3DS. Pokemon Sun and Moon’s map and people are heavily inspired by Hawaiian culture. Furthermore, 81 New Pokemon were introduced in the game.

The player begins their journey in Melemele Island and is later offered the choice of Rowlet, Popplio, or Litten as a Starter Pokemon. The main objective of the game is to complete the Island challenges on every island of the Alola Region. The cover art of Pokemon Sun and Moon features the Legendary Pokemon called Solgaleo and Lunala.

Pokemon Ultra Sun And Ultra Moon

• Release Date: 2017.
• Platform: Nintendo 3DS.

The Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon were released in 2017 and are based on an alternate storyline to the Pokemon Sun and Moon. Other than that most of the things are almost similar. Players begin their story in the Alola Region and are given the options of Litten, Rowlet, or Popplio as Starter Pokemon.

However, the game features Dusk Mane and Dawn Wings variants of the Legendary Pokemon Necrozma. On top of that, the game also features new beaches and locations that the player can explore.

The cover art of Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon features the Dusk Mane Necrozma and Dawn Wings Necrozma.

Let’s Go, Pikachu! And Let’s Go, Eevee!

• Release Date: 2018.
• Platform: Nintendo Switch.

Moving on, “Let’s Go, Pikachu” and “Let’s Go, Eevee” are remakes of the original Pokemon Yellow game which was released all the way back in 1999. The game takes the player back to the Kanto region to give them a nostalgic feeling (if they have played Pokemon Yellow). Of course, the games feature a much more advanced graphics style.

The game is fully 3D and is full of life. Players can also customize their character. As for the Starter Pokemon, there are no choices this time around as was the case with the original game. Players will get to start their game with Pikachu in “Let’s Go, Pikachu” and Eevee in “Let’s Go, Eevee”.

“Let’s Go, Pikachu” and “Let’s Go, Eevee” cover art features Pikachu and Eevee.

Pokemon Sword And Shield

• Release Date: 2019.
• Platform: Nintendo Switch.

The Pokemon Sword and Shield are the recent installments in the Pokemon main game series. It features the 8th Generation of Pokemon, and the game takes place in the Galar Region. The story begins in Postwick town where the protagonist lives with their mother.

As a young trainer, the player is tasked to take down the League Champion Leon along with other Gym Leaders. Pokemon Sword and Shield also feature a new ability where certain Pokemon can increase their physical size by Dynamaxing.

The player also has to face the evil section of the League called Team Yell. When you start the game you get the choice of Grookey, Scorbunny, or Sobble as your starter Pokemon. The cover arts of these games feature Zacian and Zamazenta. Later on, two DLCs called “The Isle of Armor” and “The Crown of Tundra” were released for Pokemon Sword and Shield.

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond And Shining Pearl

• Release Date: 2021.
• Platform: Nintendo Switch.

The Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are remakes of Pokemon Diamond and Pearl (2007). The game is almost identical as far as the storyline is concerned. However, the graphics and game mechanics are similar to the 8th Generation Pokemon games. Apart from that, there have also been a few changes in various locations in the Sinnoh region. Just like Diamond and Pearl, players get the option to choose Turtwig, Chimchar, or Piplup as their Starter Pokemon.

The game’s cover art features Dialga and Palkia, similar to the 2007 edition of the game.

Pokemon Legends: Arceus

• Release Date: 2022.
• Platform: Nintendo Switch.

The Pokemon Legends: Arceus was a huge leap into whole new gameplay by Nintendo. Unlike the previous games which featured Gym Leaders and the League, this game had none of that. Instead, the main task in this game is to complete the Pokedex while working for the Survey Corps.

Pokemon Legends is set in the Hisui region, the story begins as the player is sent back in time to the medieval era. Players are allowed to roam freely across the open world and collect data regarding different Pokemon in the Hisui region.

The game also features 7 new Pokemon which were added to the 8th Generation. In the Hisui region, players can also come across a new type of Pokemon known as “Alpha“. 

Pokemon Scarlet And Violet

• Release Date: 2022.
• Platform: Nintendo Switch.

The Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is the latest game from the Pokemon franchise. Scarlet and Violet’s games belong to the 9th Generation, which has introduced 103 new Pokemon. The game features three different stories which the players can either complete simultaneously or one by one. These storylines are titled “Victory Road”, “Path of Legends”, and “Starfall Street”.

In Victory Road, players go through the original objective of every Pokemon game which lets them travel to different Gyms to defeat the leaders. In the Path of Legends, players must collect a rare ingredient called Herba Mystica with Arven by defeating the Titan Pokemon.

Whereas in Starfall Street, players will need to defeat Team Star and their leaders. The main story begins in the Paldea region, where the player joins the Naranja/Uva Academy. During the early parts of the game, the player gets the choice to choose Sprigatito, Fuecoco, or Quaxly as their Starter Pokemon. Apart from all that, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet also feature a 4-player Co-op mode.

The cover art of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet features mountable Pokemon called Koraidon and Miraidon.

So there you have it. The complete list of all the Main Series Pokemon Games released in chronological order. These games are exclusively released on Nintendo consoles. The main series has released tons of games and the progress from game to game has been quite evident. The first game featured 2D characters and was fully black and white. Now the games are 3D, vibrant, and offer open worlds to free roam.

We hope that you found our guide helpful. For more valuable takes on many other games, make sure to stick to eXputer.