Release OrderRecommended
0 / 12 playedEvery generation in release order. Play one version per row, remakes are alternatives, not sequels.
Gen 1
- 1 Pokemon Red, Green, Blue and Yellow 1996 to 1998. Kanto.
Gen 2
- 2 Pokemon Gold, Silver and Crystal Johto, with Kanto as post-game.
Gen 3
- 3 Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald Hoenn. Plus the FireRed and LeafGreen remakes of Gen 1 (2004).
Gen 4
- 4 Pokemon Diamond, Pearl and Platinum Sinnoh. Plus the HeartGold and SoulSilver remakes of Gen 2 (2009).
Gen 5
- 5 Pokemon Black, White, Black 2 and White 2 Unova. The only direct sequels in the series.
Gen 6
- 6 Pokemon X and Y Kalos. Plus the Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire remakes of Gen 3 (2014).
Gen 7
- 7 Pokemon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Alola. Plus the Let's Go remakes of Gen 1 (2018).
Gen 8
- 8 Pokemon Sword and Shield Galar, with two DLC expansions in 2020.
- 9 Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Remakes of Gen 4.
- 10 Pokemon Legends: Arceus Prequel set in ancient Hisui.
Gen 9
- 11 Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Paldea, with two DLC expansions in 2023 and 2024.
- 12 Pokemon Legends: Z-A Latest released game, with the Mega Dimension DLC from December 2025.
About Pokemon
Pokemon mainline games release in generations, each with a new region and new creatures, from 1996's Red and Green through Scarlet and Violet. Legends: Arceus and Legends: Z-A are prequel-style side entries set in the past and during a city redevelopment.
There is no strict official timeline connecting the generations. Remakes like FireRed, HeartGold and Brilliant Diamond retell older games for newer hardware, so you can play either version of a generation, not both.
Good to know
Release order is the play order, and each generation stands alone, so newcomers can start with the latest game without missing story. The Legends games are the only ones with a fixed past setting: Arceus in ancient Hisui and Z-A during Lumiose City's redevelopment.
Generation 10, Pokemon Winds and Pokemon Waves for Switch 2, was announced in February 2026 for a 2027 release.
