Release OrderRecommended
0 / 12 playedMainline generations and Legends entries in release order.
- 1 Pokemon Red, Blue and Yellow Gen 1. Start with FireRed or Yellow today.
- 2 Pokemon Gold, Silver and Crystal Gen 2. HeartGold and SoulSilver remake it.
- 3 Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald Gen 3. Omega Ruby remakes it.
- 4 Pokemon Diamond, Pearl and Platinum Gen 4. Brilliant Diamond remakes it.
- 5 Pokemon Black, White, Black 2 and White 2 Gen 5. Includes Black 2 and White 2 sequels.
- 6 Pokemon X and Y Gen 6. Introduces Mega Evolution.
- 7 Pokemon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Gen 7. Ultra versions expand it.
- 8 Pokemon Sword and Shield Gen 8. DLC adds Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra.
- 9 Pokemon Legends: Arceus Chronological earliest. Set in ancient Hisui.
- 10 Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Gen 9. DLC adds Teal Mask and Indigo Disk.
- 11 Pokemon Legends: Z-A Set in Lumiose City. Mega Dimension DLC 2025.
- 12 Pokemon Winds and Waves Gen 10. Announced for Switch 2.
About Pokemon
Pokemon’s mainline games span nine generations from Red and Green in 1996 to Scarlet and Violet in 2022, plus the Legends line that rethinks the formula. Each generation introduces a new region and roster, and no entry requires the one before it, though mechanics build steadily.
Legends Arceus from 2022 is set in the distant past of Sinnoh, while Legends Z-A from October 2025 returns to Lumiose City five years after X and Y. A tenth generation, Winds and Waves, is announced for 2027 on Switch 2. Play in release order for the smoothest mechanical ramp.
Good to know
Release order is recommended because systems and quality-of-life features stack with each generation, even though stories barely connect. Legends Arceus is the chronological earliest but plays best after you know modern systems. Remakes like FireRed, HeartGold and Omega Ruby can substitute for their originals. Spin-offs like Champions and Pokopia sit outside this mainline list. Gen 10 is dated 2027.
