History of the Pokémon games

The originals. Red/Green launched in Japan (Feb 1996); Blue was a Japanese special edition later used as Red's Western pair.

Anime-inspired refresh; Pikachu follows you around.

Day/night cycle, breeding, held items; two regions (Johto + Kanto).

First game with animated sprites and a selectable female protagonist.

Introduced Abilities, Natures and double battles.

The definitive Hoenn version; added the Battle Frontier.

GBA remakes of Red/Green.

First DS game; physical/special split, online trading over Wi-Fi.

Expanded Sinnoh version featuring the Distortion World.

Gold/Silver remakes; your Pokémon walks behind you. Came with the Pokéwalker.

156 new Pokémon; no older species until the postgame. Animated battle sprites.

Direct sequels (not remakes), two years after B/W.

First fully 3D mainline games; Mega Evolution and the Fairy type. Simultaneous worldwide launch.

3D remakes of Ruby/Sapphire with Mega Evolutions and Primal Reversion.

Replaced gyms with Island Trials; Alolan regional forms and Z-Moves.

Expanded versions of Sun/Moon; the last mainline games on 3DS.

A reimagining of Yellow with Pokémon GO-style catching; first mainline-style game on Switch.

First traditional mainline game on Switch; Dynamax/Gigantamax and the Wild Area. Expansion Pass.

Faithful chibi-style remakes of Diamond/Pearl (ILCA).

Open-zone action RPG; new mechanics and Hisuian forms. Standalone.

First fully open-world mainline games; Terastal mechanic. Area Zero DLC.

Legends-style entry set in Lumiose City; the focus returns to Mega Evolution. Released October 2025.