Generation VIII

JA
 Pokémon

he **eighth generation** (Japanese: **第八世代** *eighth generation*) of Pokémon games is the eighth installment of the Pokémon video game series. The eighth generation began with Pokémon Sword and Shield and then continued with the Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass DLC packs, followed by Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, and concluded with Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

Released after the Let's Go remakes of Pokémon Yellow, Generation VIII is the first generation not to include every previously available Pokémon to obtain, the first generation to include paid DLC instead of an additional game, and the first to be released entirely on a home console system, the Nintendo Switch.

## History

The eighth generation of Pokémon was announced with the reveal of Pokémon Sword and Shield on February 27, 2019. These games were released worldwide on November 15, 2019.

Since February 11, 2020, players have been able to store their Pokémon and trade with other players in the cloud-based application Pokémon HOME.

On January 9, 2020, the Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass was announced, paid DLC for Pokémon Sword and Shield introducing new content to the games. Its first part, The Isle of Armor, was released on June 17, 2020, while its second part, The Crown Tundra, was released on October 22, 2020. Physical bundles of each game with its expansion pass were announced on September 29, 2020 and released on November 6, 2020.

In Pokémon Presents on February 26, 2021, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, remakes of the Generation IV games Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, were announced, and they were released on November 19, 2021 worldwide. Pokémon Legends: Arceus was also announced during the same Pokémon Presents, and was released on January 28, 2022 worldwide.

## Connectivity

Regarding connectivity with previous generations, users of Pokémon HOME can carry forward their Pokémon from Pokémon Bank, Let's Go, Pikachu!, Let's Go, Eevee!, and GO to the application, allowing for a transfer of Pokémon that originate in core series games as early as Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, as well as the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console releases of the Generation I and II games.

## Advances in gameplay

* The addition of 81 new Pokémon, bringing the total to 890.
* The addition of 54 new moves, bringing the total to 796.
* The addition of 25 new Abilities, bringing the total to 258.
* A new region to explore, the Galar region, based on the United Kingdom.
* A new open area with several landmarks and Pokémon, and connecting several towns, known as the Wild Area.
* The addition of the Y-Comm, which allows trainers to battle and trade Pokémon locally or online with Nintendo Switch Online.
* A new villainous team, Team Yell.
* The introductions of the Rotom Phone, which functions as a menu, and the Rotom Bike, an upgraded version of traditional bikes that can grant a speed boost and move on water.
* Nineteen new regional forms (including two for two different forms of a Pokémon), now including Pokémon from Generations II, III, and V as bases, and being the first generation to have forms from multiple generations.
	+ In addition, the introduction of cross-generational evolutions exclusive to regional forms.
* Many animations for characters and Pokémon are refined and expanded to be more expressive.
* Eight new Gyms, two of which have different type specialties depending on which version the Template:Player has, as well as introducing the first Gym that specializes in Dark-type Pokémon.
* Ten new Gym Leaders, including the first Dark-type leader.
* A new battle mechanic, Dynamax, which increases the size of a Pokémon and allows them to use Max Moves for three turns. Gigantamax expands on this mechanic by also changing a Pokémon's form and turning moves of a certain type into G-Max Moves.
* The introduction of downloadable content in the form of the Sword and Shield Expansion Pass.
* The introduction of cosmetic marks and titles.
* The introduction of save data bonuses.

### Alterations from Generation VII

* Pokémon that are not programmed into a game's current patch cannot be transferred into it.
* Moves from earlier games that are not programmed into a game's current patch cannot be used in Sword and Shield.
* The Town Map is now a part of the menu, and once the player progresses to a certain point, they can use the replacement for Poké Ride Charizard Glide, the Flying Taxi, directly from the Town Map.
* The abandonment of the following elements:
	+ The Moss Rock, Ice Rock, and special magnetic field.
		- Due to this, the evolution methods of certain Pokémon are changed; Eevee now evolves into Leafeon or Glaceon via evolutionary stone, and Pokémon that evolved via special magnetic field now evolve via Thunder Stone.
	+ Trial Captains
	+ Totem Pokémon
	+ Island kahunas
	+ Battle Royals
	+ SOS Battles
	+ Mega Evolution, Primal Reversion, Z-Moves, and Ultra Burst
	+ Rotom Powers
	+ Berry growth
	+ Island Scan
	+ Master Trainers
* The island challenge has been replaced by the Gym Challenge.
* The Elite Four is replaced by the Champion Cup.
* PC is replaced by Rotomi.
* Poké Pelago is replaced by Poké Jobs.
* Pokémon Refresh is replaced by Pokémon Camp.
* The Festival Plaza is replaced by the Y-Comm and Victory Station.
	+ Wonder Trade is replaced by Surprise Trade.
	+ The GTS is no longer present in-game and is instead part of a mobile application.
	+ Battle Spot is replaced by Battle Stadium
* Trainer Cards are replaced by League Cards.
* 12 Pokémon from the previous generations receive new Egg Groups, in addition to the Egg Groups they already had.
* 2 Pokémon receive new Abilities.
* Repels no longer prevent symbol encounters from appearing.
* The nickname of an outsider Pokémon can now be changed if the Pokémon does not already have a nickname, though it still cannot be changed otherwise.
* Wild Pokémon in the overworld can no longer appear Shiny.
* Foreign language Pokémon now retain their original language game's name when evolving.
* Badges are now required to catch Pokémon of a certain level.
* Affection has merged into friendship.
	+ Due to this, Eevee now evolves into Sylveon when leveled up knowing a Fairy-type move and with high friendship. Additionally, all bonuses tied to the affection now apply to the friendship mechanic.
* Held items are now returned to the player's bag when a Pokémon holding it is released.

### Further additions in Sword and Shield updates

#### The Isle of Armor (Version 1.2.0)

* The addition of:
	+ Three new Pokémon (the Legendary Pokémon Kubfu, Urshifu and the Mythical Pokémon Zarude), bringing the total to 893.
	+ A new area to explore, the Isle of Armor based on the Isle of Man.
	+ 22 new moves, some available exclusively as tutor moves, bringing the total to 818.
	+ Two new Abilities, Quick Draw and Unseen Fist, bringing the total to 260.
	+ Seven new Gigantamax forms, bringing the total to 32.
	+ Max Soup, which allows the player to add or remove the Gigantamax Factor to Pokémon they own.
	+ A former Champion who was previously a Fighting-type Gym Leader.
* The introduction of the regional form for Slowbro.
* The return of:
	+ 102 previously unavailable Pokémon, bringing the overall total to 540.
	+ Apricorns, which can be used to make Poké Balls.
	+ 13 previously unavailable and unusable moves.
	+ Walking Pokémon, allowing the player's lead Pokémon to follow them around the Isle of Armor after completing a certain objective.

#### The Crown Tundra (Version 1.3.0)

* The addition of:
	+ Five new Legendary Pokémon (Calyrex, Regieleki, Regidrago, Glastrier and Spectrier), bringing the total to 898.
	+ A new area to explore, the Crown Tundra, based on Scotland.
	+ Eight new moves (Thunder Cage, Dragon Energy, Freezing Glare, Fiery Wrath, Thunderous Kick, Glacial Lance, Astral Barrage, and Eerie Spell) bringing the total to 826.
	+ Seven new Abilities (Curious Medicine, Transistor, Dragon's Maw, Chilling Neigh, Grim Neigh, and As One (which is two different abilities)) bringing the total to 267.
* The introduction of the regional forms for Slowking, Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres.
* The introduction of Dynamax Adventures.
* The introduction of the Galarian Star Tournament.
* The return of:
	+ 119 previously unavailable Pokémon, bringing the overall total to 664.
	+ 26 previously unavailable and unusable moves.

### Further additions in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl

* The reintroduction of Pokémon Super Contests and Ball Capsules.
* The reintroduction of the Underground, now known as the Grand Underground.
* The reintroduction of the Union Room as a hub for communication.
* Pokémon obtained from a previous or later game that enters a new game now have their moves reset.

### Further additions in Legends: Arceus

* Seven new Pokémon (Wyrdeer, Kleavor, Ursaluna, Basculegion, Sneasler, Overqwil, and Enamorus), bringing the total to 905.
* A new area to explore called Hisui, which is the Sinnoh region in the bygone era.
* 24 new moves, bringing the total to 850.
* The introduction of several new forms.
	+ The introduction of the regional forms for Growlithe, Arcanine, Voltorb, Electrode, Typhlosion, Qwilfish, Sneasel, Samurott, Lilligant, Basculin, Zorua, Zoroark, Braviary, Sliggoo, Goodra, Avalugg, and Decidueye.
	+ New forms for Dialga and Palkia, which play a central role in the story of Legends: Arceus.
* A new battle mechanic, Move mastery which allows a Pokémon to use a move in either agile style or strong style.
* Doors need to be opened manually again.
* Wild Pokémon in the overworld can appear shiny again.

## Region

### Galar

Main article: Galar
The Galar region was introduced in Pokémon Sword and Shield. This region appears to be a sprawling continent with a wide range of environments.

#### Starter Pokémon

The starters of the eighth generation, like the starters of the previous seven regions, follow the Grass-Fire-Water trio, with Grookey the Grass-type, Scorbunny the Fire-type, and Sobble the Water-type.

#### Gym Leaders

In Galar, most Gym Leaders are challenged in special stadium-style Gyms built on Power Spots that facilitate the use of Dynamax.

### Sinnoh

Main article: Sinnoh
Sinnoh was featured in Generation VIII in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, which are remakes of the Generation IV games Diamond and Pearl.

#### Starter Pokémon

The starter Pokémon featured in the remakes are the same as the original Generation IV titles, following the series' usual Grass/Fire/Water setup. The player is given a choice between Turtwig, Chimchar, or Piplup.

### Hisui

Main article: Hisui
Hisui was introduced in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. It is what the Sinnoh region used to be called before gaining its current name.

#### Starter Pokémon

The starter Pokémon featured in the game follow the series' usual Grass/Fire/Water setup. The player is given a choice between Rowlet, Cyndaquil, or Oshawott.

#### Noble Pokémon

The player confronts these noble Pokémon as part of the story of Pokémon Legends: Arceus in order to quell their frenzies. Each victory is rewarded with a Plate.

## Trivia

* Generation VIII is the only generation:
	+ To introduce a non-Legendary pure Flying-type Pokémon.
	+ To not introduce a Normal/Flying-type Pokémon.
	+ To introduce a Gym Leader specializing in Dark-type Pokémon.
	+ To not introduce any Elite Four members.
	+ To feature a remake of a spin-off game, namely Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX.
	+ To introduce Fossil Pokémon that are gender unknown, cannot breed, and are not Rock-type.
	+ To include core series games that are not developed by Game Freak, namely Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
	+ To have its last core series game be released in the same calendar year as the release of the succeeding generation.
	+ In which the last Pokémon in the National Pokédex is not a Mythical Pokémon by the end of the generation.
* Generation VIII is the first generation:
	+ To have the selection of the player's appearance occur immediately upon beginning the game, rather than during the introduction.
	+ To lower the base stat total of a pre-existing Pokémon, namely Aegislash.
	+ In which Pokémon cannot lose access to moves by evolving.
	+ To change the Egg Groups of pre-existing Pokémon.
	+ To have paid DLC for its main paired releases.
	+ To introduce new members to existing Legendary trios, namely the Legendary titans and Forces of Nature.
	+ To introduce more than one core series region (although in Hisui's case, it is the past version of the Sinnoh region).
	+ To introduce regional forms for more than one region.
	+ To introduce a Bug/Psychic and a Psychic/Poison Pokémon, marking the final types to be paired with Psychic.
	+ To feature ranked battles only in its initial releases.
	+ In which Looker does not appear since his debut.
	+ To not introduce a new Mythical Pokémon at the time of its debut.
	+ To feature games in which the region's Pokémon Professor does not introduce the world of Pokémon to the Template:Player, a role instead fulfilled by Rose and Arceus.
	+ To not have any of its newly introduced Pokémon appear in the anime before the generation's start.
	+ To feature title screens in core series games that lack the game mascot.
* Generation VIII is the first even-numbered generation to not introduce an Eeveelution.
* Generation VIII has both the longest and shortest gaps between core series games in the same generation.
	+ At 735 days, the time between Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl is the longest gap between two core series games in the same generation.
	+ At 70 days, the time between Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl and Pokémon Legends: Arceus is the shortest gap between two core series games in the same generation.

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