Pokémon

**Pokémon** also known as *Pocket Monsters* in Japan, is a Japanese media franchise managed by The Pokémon Company, a company founded by Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures. The franchise was created by Satoshi Tajiri in 1995, and is centered on fictional creatures called "Pokémon", which humans, known as Pokémon Trainers, catch and train to battle each other for sport. Games, shows and other works within the franchise are set in the Pokémon universe. The English slogan for the franchise is "Gotta Catch 'Em All".

## Series Overview

### **Generation I** (1996)

Tthe first Pokémon games to be released outside of Japan, becoming available in North America on September 28, 1998, in Australia and New Zealand on October 23, 1998 and in Europe on October 5, 1999. In North America, the pair closely followed the debut of the anime's English dub, which began airing on September 8, 1998, and within a year, Pokémon was well known as a popular Nintendo franchise.

* **Versions:** *Red* & *Blue Versions*
	+ **Mascots:** Charizard & Blastoise
* **Sister game:** *Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition*
	+ **Mascot:** Pikachu
* **Remakes:** *FireRed* & *LeafGreen Versions* + *Let's Go Pikachu!* & *Let's Go Eevee!*
	+ **Mascots:** Charizard & Venusaur + Pikachu & Eevee
* **Starters:** Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle
* **Evil Team:** Team Rocket
* **Main Antagonist:** Giovanni
* **Final Boss:** Mewtwo
* **Professor:** Oak
* **Rival:** Blue
* **Champion:** Blue
* **Region:** Kanto
* **Release date:** 1998

### **Generation II** (2000)

They are 1999 role-playing video games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Color. They are the first installments in the second generation of the *Pokémon* video game series. They were released in Japan in 1999, Australia and North America in 2000, and Europe in 2001. *Pokémon Crystal*, an enhanced version, was released roughly a year later in each region. In 2009, on the 10th anniversary of *Gold* and *Silver*, remakes titled *Pokémon HeartGold* and *SoulSilver* were released for the Nintendo DS.

* **Versions:** *Gold* & *Silver Versions*
	+ **Mascots:** Ho-oh & Lugia
* **Sister game:** *Crystal Version*
	+ **Mascot:** Suicune
* **Remakes:** *Heartgold* & *Soulsilver Versions*
	+ **Mascots:** Ho-oh & Lugia
* **Starters:** Chikorita, Cyndaquill, Totodile
* **Evil Team:** Team Rocket
* **Main Antagonist:** Giovanni
* **Final Boss:** Red
* **Professor:** Elm
* **Rival:** Silver
* **Champion:** Drake
* **Region:** Johto & Kanto
* **Release date:** 1999

### **Generation III** (2002)

They are 2002 role-playing video games developed by Game Freak, published by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo for the Game Boy Advance. They are the first installments in the third generation of the *Pokémon* video game series, also known as the "advanced generation". After years of Nintendo being the sole publisher of the franchise in all regions, The Pokémon Company co-published the games for the first time since the establishment of the joint-owned company in 1998. They were first released in Japan in late 2002 and internationally in 2003. *Pokémon Emerald*, an enhanced version, was released two years later in each region. Remakes of the two games, titled *Pokémon Omega Ruby* and *Alpha Sapphire*, were released for the Nintendo 3DS worldwide in November 2014, exactly twelve years to the date of the original *Ruby* and *Sapphire* release date, with the exception of Europe, where it released a week later.

* **Versions:** *Ruby* & *Sapphire Versions*
	+ **Mascots:** Groudon & Kyogre
* **Sister game:** *Emerald Version*
	+ **Mascot:** Rayquaza
* **Remakes:** *Omega Ruby* & *Alpha Sapphire*
	+ **Mascots:** Primal Groudon & Primal Kyogre
* **Starters:** Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip
* **Evil Teams:** Team Aqua & Team Magma
* **Main Antagonist:** Archie & Maxie
* **Final Boss:** Steven Stone
* **Professor:** Birch
* **Rivals:** May, Wally
* **Champion:** Wallace/ Steven
* **Region:** Hoenn
* **Release date:** 2002

### **Generation IV** (2006)

They are 2006 role-playing video games developed by Game Freak, published by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo for the Nintendo DS. They are the first installments in the fourth generation of the *Pokémon* video game series. They were first released in Japan on September 28, 2006, and later released in North America, Australia, and Europe over the course of 2007. *Pokémon Platinum*, an updated version, was released two years later in each region. Remakes of *Diamond* and *Pearl*, *Pokémon Brilliant Diamond* and *Shining Pearl* will be released for the Nintendo Switch in late 2021. A prequel, *Pokémon Legends: Arceus*, will be released for the Switch in early 2022.

* **Versions:** *Diamond* & *Pearl Versions*
	+ **Mascots:** Dialga & Palkia
* **Sister game:** *Platinum Version*
	+ **Mascot:** Giratina, Origin Form

* **Remakes:** *Brilliant Diamond* & *Shining Pearl*
	+ **Mascots:** Dialga & Palkia
* **Other:** *Pokémon Legends: Arceus*

* **Starters:** Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup (*Arceus:* Rowlet, Cyndaquill, Oshawott)
* **Evil Team:** Team Galactic
* **Main Antagonist:** Cyrus
* **Final Boss:** Palmer
* **Professor:** Rowan
* **Rival:** Barry
* **Champion:** Cynthia
* **Region:** Sinnoh
* **Release date:** 2006

### **Generation V** (2010)

They are 2010 role-playing video games developed by Game Freak, published by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo for the Nintendo DS. They are the first installments in the fifth generation of the *Pokémon* video game series. First released in Japan on 18 September 2010, they were later released in Europe on 4 March 2011, in North America on 6 March 2011, and Australia on 10 March 2011.

* **Versions:** *Black* & *White Versions* + *Black 2* & *White 2 Versions*
	+ **Mascots:** Zekrom & Reshiram + Black Kyurem & White Kyurem

* **Starters:** Snivy, Tepic, Oshawott
* **Evil Team:** Team Plazma
* **Main Antagonist:** Ghetsis
* **Final Boss:** Cynthia
* **Professor:** Juniper
* **Rivals:** Cheren, Bianca
* **Champion:** Alder + Iris
* **Region:** Unova
* **Release date:** 2010

### **Generation VI** (2013)

They are 2013 role-playing video games developed by Game Freak, published by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS. They are the first installments in the sixth generation of the main *Pokémon* video game series. First announced in January 2013 by former Nintendo president Satoru Iwata through a special Nintendo Direct, *Pokémon X* and *Pokémon Y* were released worldwide in October 2013, making them the first Nintendo-published retail games to have a simultaneous global release in all key regions.

* **Versions:** *X* & *Y*
	+ **Mascots:** Xerneas & Yveltal

* **Starters:** Chespin, Fennekin, Froakie
* **Evil Team:** Team Flare
* **Main Antagonist:** Lysander
* **Final Boss:** AZ
* **Professor:** Sycamore
* **Rivals:** Serena, Shauna, Tierno, Trevor
* **Champion:** Diantha
* **Region:** Kalos
* **Release date:** 2013

### **Generation VII** (2016)

They are role-playing video games developed by Game Freak and published by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS. They are the first installments in the seventh generation of the *Pokémon* video game series. First announced in February 2016, *Sun* and *Moon* were released worldwide on 18 November 2016, commemorating the franchise's 20th anniversary. A pair of enhanced versions, *Pokémon Ultra Sun* and *Pokémon Ultra Moon*, were released for the same consoles on 17 November 2017.

* **Versions:** *Sun* & *Moon*
	+ **Mascots:** Solgaleo & Lunala
* **Sister games:** *Ultra Sun* & *Ultra Moon*
	+ **Mascots:** Dusk Mane Necrozma & Dawn Wings Necrozma

* **Starters:** Rowlet, Litten, Popplio
* **Evil Team:** Team Skull & Aether Foundation
* **Main Antagonist:** Lusamine
* **Final Boss:** Ultra Necrozma
* **Professor:** Kukui
* **Rivals:** Hau, Lilly
* **Champion:** Kukui/ Hau
* **Region:** Alola
* **Release date:** 2016

### **Generation VIII** (2019)

They are 2019 role-playing video games developed by Game Freak and published by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. They are the first installments in the eighth generation of the *Pokémon* video game series and the second in the series, following *Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!* and *Let's Go, Eevee!*, released on a home game console. Originally teased at E3 2017 and announced in February 2019, *Pokémon Sword* and *Shield* were released in November 2019.

* **Versions:** *Sword* & *Shield*
	+ **Mascots:** Zacian & Zamazenta
* **DLC:** *Isle of Armor* & *Crown Tundra*
	+ **Mascots:** Urshifu & Calyrex

* **Starters:** Grooky, Scorbunny, Sobble
* **Evil Team:** Macro Cosmos & Team Yell
* **Main Antagonist:** Chairman Rose
* **Final Boss:** Swordward/Shieldbert
* **Professor:** Magnolia
* **Rival:** Hop
* **Champion:** Leon
* **Region:** Galar
* **Release date:** 2019

### **Generation IX (2022)**

They are 2022 role-playing video games developed by Game Freak and published by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. They are the first installments in the ninth generation of the *Pokémon* video game series, following *Pokémon Legends Arceus* released on a home game console. Originally announced in February 2022, *Pokémon Scarlet* and *Violet* released in November 2022.

* **Versions:** *Scarlet* & *Violet*
	+ **Mascots:** Koraidon & Miraidon
* **DLC:** *The Teal Mask* & *The Indigo Disk*
	+ **Mascots:** Ogerpon & Terapagos

* **Starters:** Sprigatito, Fuecoco, Quaxly
* **Evil Team:** Team Star
* **Main Antagonist:** Professor Sada or Professor Turo
* **Final Boss:** Paradise Protection Protocol
* **Professors:** Sada & Turo
* **Rival:** Nemona
* **Champion:** Geeta
* **Region:** Paldea
* **Release date:** 2022