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Pokémon’s core video games are commonly grouped into nine generations, from Red and Green in Japan in 1996 to Scarlet and Violet in 2022. Each generation is anchored by a main-series launch that introduces a substantial new set of Pokémon. The generations are a useful way to follow the games—not a single chronology for the anime, trading cards, mobile apps, or the wider franchise.
What does “generation” mean in Pokémon?
A Pokémon generation is a convenient grouping of the core video games. A new generation generally begins with a main-series game that introduces a large set of new Pokémon to its Pokédex. TIME has described the series in these terms, while The Pokémon Company’s broader franchise overview treats video games, trading cards, mobile apps, television, and merchandise as distinct parts of Pokémon.
That distinction matters: a remake or spin-off can revisit an older region without starting a new generation, and an anime season or trading-card release does not set the video-game generation count. The nine-generation count refers to the core games.
All nine Pokémon generations, in order
This is an orientation list of the best-known core-game anchors, not a complete inventory of remakes, sequels, or spin-offs. Release years below follow the official Pokémon timeline; where the official timeline specifies a regional launch, it is identified.
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- You will receive, at random, a Pokémon TCG: First Partner Illustration Collection—Series that will contain 3 of 9 possible Promo Cards featuring beloved first partner Pokémon from the Johto, Unova, or Galar region.
- You will get 1 Pokémon TCG booster pack containing 3 of 9 promo cards
- This also comes with 2 Pokémon TCG booster packs and a sticker sheet.
| Generation | Common anchor games | Region commonly associated with the generation | Release timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Pokémon Red and Green in Japan; Pokémon Red and Blue in the United States | Kanto | Red and Green launched in Japan in February 1996. The U.S. release of Red and Blue followed in September 1998. |
| II | Pokémon Gold and Silver | Johto | Launched in Japan in November 1999. |
| III | Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire | Hoenn | Released in 2002. |
| IV | Pokémon Diamond and Pearl | Sinnoh | Released in 2006. |
| V | Pokémon Black and White | Unova | Released in 2010. |
| VI | Pokémon X and Y | Kalos | Released worldwide simultaneously in October 2013. |
| VII | Pokémon Sun and Moon | Alola | Released in November 2016. |
| VIII | Pokémon Sword and Shield | Galar | Released in November 2019. |
| IX | Pokémon Scarlet and Violet | Paldea | Released in November 2022. |
The region names in the third column are the commonly paired settings for these generations. The official release-history timeline establishes the launch sequence and dates; the region pairings are the standard way the games are identified, rather than a claim that every game in a generation takes place only in that region.
How the nine generations progress
Generations I–III: the original foundations
The series began with Red and Green in Japan in February 1996. The original U.S. pair, Red and Blue, arrived in September 1998. The next main milestones were Gold and Silver in Japan in November 1999, then Ruby and Sapphire in 2002. These titles anchor Generations I, II, and III, respectively.
Generations IV–VI: the sequence continues
Diamond and Pearl mark Generation IV in 2006, followed by Generation V’s Black and White in 2010. Generation VI began with X and Y, which launched worldwide simultaneously in October 2013. Those dates show the core-game chronology without treating every later release in a generation as a new generation.
Generations VII–IX: the current numbered sequence
Sun and Moon arrived in November 2016 for Generation VII, and Sword and Shield followed in November 2019 for Generation VIII. Generation IX is anchored by Scarlet and Violet, released in November 2022. The Pokémon family site describes Scarlet and Violet as the first open-world entries in the video-game series.
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- Explore Pokémon Worlds: Guess and collect 148 Pokémon from Kanto to Galar. This interactive game challenges your knowledge and excitement for all legendary and mythical creatures.
- Interactive Gameplay: Experience dynamic questions and engaging interactions with the special metallic Poké Ball, designed to guide you through your Pokémon guessing adventure.
- Comprehensive Field Guide: Your go-to resource, the Field Guide includes facts about each Pokémon, helping you identify and track every catch in your electronic collection.
- Play Anytime Anywhere: Whether indoors or outdoors, enjoy this game at home, on trips, or during gatherings, providing thrilling entertainment beyond the typical board or card game.
- Ready to Play Set: Comes with a metallic Poké Ball, the Trainer Field Guide, and 3 AAA batteries included, ensuring you can embark on your journey as soon as you receive it.
What is distinctive about Scarlet and Violet?
Scarlet and Violet take place in Paldea. The official Pokémon family-site overview describes three goals within the adventure: working toward becoming a Pokémon Champion, tracking down Titan Pokémon, and battling Team Star. It also describes the Pokédex as a tool for keeping track of Pokémon a player encounters or catches, with completing it by catching one of every Pokémon in that game world among the series’ goals.
Calling these games the first open-world entries is specific to the official description of the video-game series. It does not mean the broader Pokémon franchise began in 2022, nor does it change the distinction between the core-game generations and other Pokémon media.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is Pokémon Legends: Z-A a tenth generation?
Pokémon Legends: Z-A is listed as available now on its official page, which was updated September 30, 2026. The page places the story in Lumiose City and identifies Mega Evolution as a battle feature. Those details do not establish a new numbered core-game generation, so it should not be presented as Generation X on that basis.
The same page says a bundle of the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and Mega Dimension DLC is set to release Thursday, October 29, 2026. That date is a future release detail and can change; it is separate from the game’s listed “Available Now!” status.
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- The Pokémon TCG: Pokémon Day 2026 Collection includes 1 foil promo card featuring Pikachu with a Pokémon Day stamp.
- This also comes with 1 Pokémon coin.
- You will also receive 3 Pokémon TCG booster packs.
- Booster Packs May Vary from those pictured.
Do the anime and trading cards have the same generations?
No. The nine-generation guide describes the core video games, not a unified timeline for everything Pokémon publishes. The Pokémon Trading Card Game launched in Japan later in 1996, after the video games began, and the television anime followed in 1997. The company’s franchise overview also includes mobile apps and merchandise, which have their own release histories and do not define the core-game generation boundaries.
The Pokémon Company’s India regional site says the anime reaches “over 190 countries and regions” and “over 1,000 episodes,” but the cited passage gives no as-of year. Those figures should therefore be read as undated reach claims, not as a verified current count.
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