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HeartgoldSoulsilverBox

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver are examples of generation games

Generation refers to the Pokémon game series. It is a group of games that were released at or around the same time. It also means that games in the same generation are compatible with the others, containing the same Pokémon and the number of moves there are to be learned. For example "Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version", though set in the same time period and region as "Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Blue Version", are not considered to be Generation I games. This is because they were released years after the original and have many new features and differences, which makes them incompatible with the original. Since they have the same features as "Pokémon Ruby Version and Pokémon Sapphire Version" and were released around the same time, they are considered Generation III games. A Generation has lasted 3-4 years (from the release of one new region to the next) throughout all of Pokémon's history.

Along with this, games in different generations have different features and/or game mechanics.

Themes[]

Throughout each generation, there is usually a theme to the region introduced in a specific generation. As a result, each region and generation have several key features, such as important Pokémon and places, that place emphasis on those themes. In particular, the very last Pokémon introduced in that region and in that generation embody that generation's theme in some way. Here is the list of themes that are associated with the generations and regions:

Generation I (Kanto): Science[]

The starters of the Kanto region, Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle, are all based on animals that existed on Earth thousands of years ago (mammalian reptiles, salamanders, and turtles respectively). Eevee (the Evolution Pokémon) and its first three Evolutions were introduced here. There is a museum in Pewter City where fossil Pokémon may be revived. Porygon, the Virtual Pokémon, is introduced in this generation. Mewtwo is a genetics experiment gone wrong in a similar vein as Frankenstein. The generation's final two Pokémon, Mewtwo and Mew, embody the two main aspects of science that are covered in that region: technology and genetics respectively.

Generation II (Johto): Cultural Traditions[]

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Generation III (Hoenn): The Environment[]

The teams of the Hoenn Region believe that the environment is in danger and that the awakening of their chosen Legendary Pokémon (Groudon for Team Magma in Ruby, Kyogre for Team Aqua in Sapphire) will save it (by either droughting the sea and expanding the land, or flooding the earth and expanding the ocean respectively). A focus is also placed on the sky as a balancing force between land and sea in the form of Rayquaza, a Pokémon that can stop feuds between Kyogre and Groudon. The counterpart to Rayquaza is Deoxys, a Pokémon from space that came to the Pokémon earth born on a meteorite which was eaten by Rayquaza. Deoxys represents the environment on other worlds as well as the adaptations of living on other planets. The Legendary Giants represent the ages of humanity and the change of the planet's environment with them, with Regice symbolizing the Ice Age, Regirock the Stone Age, and Registeel the Iron Age.

Generation IV (Sinnoh): Time and Space[]

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Generation V (Unova): Truth and Ideals[]

Reshiram and Zekrom represent two sides of a conflict that happened many years before the events of Black and White. Kyurem represents neutrality, as well as the remainder of the world when there are two sides to fight on. Furthermore, the fusion of Kyurem with either Zekrom or Reshiram shows these neutral forces joining on one side of a battle to gain a somewhat unfair advantage. The original dragon from whence the Tao Trio came symbolized how easily sentient nature can divide and devolve from peace into conflict. The names of the games themselves, along with the colors of their respective Legendary Pokémon, show that the two are mutually exclusive and opposed forces. Victini represents the elusiveness of victory, something that only a mythical force joining one side of a conflict can bring, if those forces are perfectly matched. The Swords of Justice represent tales of legendary war heroes and veterans of sieges. Genesect symbolizes genetic modification of creatures for use in battle.

Generation VI (Kalos): Life, Death and the Ecosystem[]

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Generation VII (Alola): Day and Night[]

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Generation VIII (Galar): England and Its Culture[]

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Generation IX (Paldea): Past vs. the Future[]

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Generations[]

Gen. New Pokémon Total Pokémon Core games (JP/EN) Side games (JP/EN) Spin-off games (JP/EN) Anime (Japanese series upper, English series and seasons lower) Movies TCG
I 151 151
II 100 251 Pokémon Stadium 2 (2000/2001)
III 135 386 Pocket Monsters: Advanced Generation/Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire
  • EX Ruby & Sapphire
  • EX Sandstorm
  • EX Dragon
  • EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua
  • EX Hidden Legends
  • EX FireRed & LeafGreen
  • EX Team Rocket Returns
  • EX Deoxys
  • EX Emerald
  • EX Unseen Forces
  • EX Delta Species
  • EX Legend Maker
  • EX Holon Phantoms
  • EX Crystal Guardians
  • EX Dragon Frontiers
  • EX Power Keepers
IV 107 493 Pocket Monsters: Diamond & Pearl/Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl
  • Diamond & Pearl
  • Mysterious Treasures
  • Secret Wonders
  • Great Encounters
  • Majestic Dawn
  • Legends Awakened
  • Stormfront
  • Platinum
  • Rising Rivals
  • Supreme Victors
  • Arceus
  • HeartGold & SoulSilver
  • Unleashed
  • Undaunted
  • Triumphant
  • Call of Legends
V 156 649 Pokémon Dream Radar (2012)
  • Black & White
  • Emerging Powers
  • Noble Victories
  • Next Destinies
  • Dark Explorers
  • Dragons Exalted
  • Dragon Vault
  • Boundaries Crossed
  • Plasma Storm
  • Plasma Freeze
  • Plasma Blast
  • Legendary Treasures
VI 72 721
VII 88 809 Pokémon Bank (Version 1.4) (2017) Pocket Monsters: Sun & Moon
  • Sun & Moon
  • Guardians Rising
  • Burning Shadows
  • Shining Legends
  • Crimson Invasion
  • Ultra Prism
  • Forbidden Light
  • Celestial Storm
  • Dragon Majesty
  • Lost Thunder
  • Team Up
  • Unbroken Bonds
  • Unified Minds
  • Hidden Fates
  • Cosmic Eclipse
Detective Pikachu
VIII 96 905 Pokémon HOME (2020) Pocket Monsters (2019) Secrets of the Jungle
IX 105 1010 Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet (2022) Pokémon HOME (2023) Pokémon Sleep (2023)
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