Pokemon Video Games

The Pokemon video game series is the core of the Pokemon franchise, encompassing main series RPGs, spin-offs, and mobile games. The series has sold over 480 million units worldwide, making it one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time.

Overview

Franchise Statistics

MetricValue
Total Games100+ titles
Total Sales480+ million units
Best-SellingPokemon Red/Blue/Green (31+ million)
PlatformsGame Boy through Nintendo Switch
DeveloperGame Freak (main series)
PublisherNintendo, The Pokemon Company

Main Series Games

Generation I: Kanto

GamePlatformReleaseSales (millions)
Pokemon RedGame Boy1996 (JP), 1998 (NA)31.38 (combined)
Pokemon GreenGame Boy1996 (JP only)—
Pokemon BlueGame Boy1996 (JP), 1998 (NA)—
Pokemon YellowGame Boy1998 (JP), 1999 (NA)14.64

Generation II: Johto

GamePlatformReleaseSales (millions)
Pokemon GoldGame Boy Color1999 (JP), 2000 (NA)23.10 (combined)
Pokemon SilverGame Boy Color1999 (JP), 2000 (NA)—
Pokemon CrystalGame Boy Color2000 (JP), 2001 (NA)6.39

Generation III: Hoenn

GamePlatformReleaseSales (millions)
Pokemon RubyGame Boy Advance2002 (JP), 2003 (NA)16.22 (combined)
Pokemon SapphireGame Boy Advance2002 (JP), 2003 (NA)—
Pokemon FireRedGame Boy Advance200412.00 (combined)
Pokemon LeafGreenGame Boy Advance2004—
Pokemon EmeraldGame Boy Advance2004 (JP), 2005 (NA)7.06

Generation IV: Sinnoh

GamePlatformReleaseSales (millions)
Pokemon DiamondNintendo DS2006 (JP), 2007 (NA)17.67 (combined)
Pokemon PearlNintendo DS2006 (JP), 2007 (NA)—
Pokemon PlatinumNintendo DS2008 (JP), 2009 (NA)7.06
Pokemon HeartGoldNintendo DS2009 (JP), 2010 (NA)12.72 (combined)
Pokemon SoulSilverNintendo DS2009 (JP), 2010 (NA)—

Generation V: Unova

GamePlatformReleaseSales (millions)
Pokemon BlackNintendo DS2010 (JP), 2011 (NA)15.64 (combined)
Pokemon WhiteNintendo DS2010 (JP), 2011 (NA)—
Pokemon Black 2Nintendo DS20128.52 (combined)
Pokemon White 2Nintendo DS2012—

Generation VI: Kalos

GamePlatformReleaseSales (millions)
Pokemon XNintendo 3DS201316.67 (combined)
Pokemon YNintendo 3DS2013—
Pokemon Omega RubyNintendo 3DS201414.46 (combined)
Pokemon Alpha SapphireNintendo 3DS2014—

Generation VII: Alola

GamePlatformReleaseSales (millions)
Pokemon SunNintendo 3DS201616.28 (combined)
Pokemon MoonNintendo 3DS2016—
Pokemon Ultra SunNintendo 3DS20179.13 (combined)
Pokemon Ultra MoonNintendo 3DS2017—
Pokemon Let's Go, Pikachu!Nintendo Switch201815.07 (combined)
Pokemon Let's Go, Eevee!Nintendo Switch2018—

Generation VIII: Galar/Hisui

GamePlatformReleaseSales (millions)
Pokemon SwordNintendo Switch201926.35 (combined)
Pokemon ShieldNintendo Switch2019—
Pokemon Brilliant DiamondNintendo Switch202114.92 (combined)
Pokemon Shining PearlNintendo Switch2021—
Pokemon Legends: ArceusNintendo Switch202214.83

Generation IX: Paldea

GamePlatformReleaseSales (millions)
Pokemon ScarletNintendo Switch202225.29 (combined)
Pokemon VioletNintendo Switch2022—

Core Gameplay Elements

Standard Progression

  1. Choose Starter - Select from three Pokemon (Fire, Water, Grass)
  2. Explore Region - Travel through routes and cities
  3. Catch Pokemon - Build a team of six
  4. Battle Gyms - Defeat 8 Gym Leaders for badges
  5. Challenge League - Beat Elite Four and Champion
  6. Post-Game - Complete Pokedex, legendaries, Battle Facilities

Key Mechanics

MechanicDescription
Turn-Based BattlesStrategic combat system
Type Matchups18-type effectiveness system
EvolutionPokemon transform at certain levels
TradingExchange Pokemon with others
BreedingCreate Pokemon with inherited traits
EV/IV TrainingHidden stat optimization

Spin-Off Games

Stadium/Battle Series

GamePlatformYear
Pokemon StadiumNintendo 641998/2000
Pokemon Stadium 2Nintendo 642000/2001
Pokemon ColosseumGameCube2003
Pokemon XD: Gale of DarknessGameCube2005
Pokemon Battle RevolutionWii2006/2007

Mystery Dungeon Series

GamePlatformYear
Red/Blue Rescue TeamGBA/DS2005
Explorers of Time/Darkness/SkyDS2007-2009
Gates to Infinity3DS2012
Super Mystery Dungeon3DS2015
Rescue Team DXSwitch2020

Ranger Series

GamePlatformYear
Pokemon RangerDS2006
Shadows of AlmiaDS2008
Guardian SignsDS2010

Other Notable Spin-Offs

GamePlatformYearGenre
Pokemon SnapN641999Photography
Pokemon PinballGBC1999Pinball
Pokemon Puzzle LeagueN642000Puzzle
Pokemon ConquestDS2012Strategy
Pokken TournamentWii U/Switch2015/2017Fighting
Detective Pikachu3DS/Switch2016/2019Adventure
New Pokemon SnapSwitch2021Photography
Pokemon UniteSwitch/Mobile2021MOBA

Mobile Games

Pokemon GO

AttributeDetails
ReleaseJuly 2016
Downloads1+ billion
Revenue$6+ billion lifetime
DeveloperNiantic
FeaturesAR catching, raids, PvP

Pokemon Masters EX

AttributeDetails
ReleaseAugust 2019
DeveloperDeNA
FeaturesGacha, trainer battles, story

Pokemon HOME

AttributeDetails
ReleaseFebruary 2020
PurposeCloud storage and transfer
PlatformsSwitch, iOS, Android

Other Mobile Games

GameYearStatus
Pokemon Shuffle2015Available
Pokemon Quest2018Available
Pokemon Cafe ReMix2020Available
Pokemon Sleep2023Available

Trading Card Game Video Games

GamePlatformYear
Pokemon TCGGame Boy2000
Pokemon TCG 2Game Boy2001 (JP)
Pokemon TCG OnlinePC/Mobile2011
Pokemon TCG LivePC/Mobile2022
Pokemon TCG PocketMobile2024

Development

Game Freak

AspectDetails
Founded1989
RolePrimary developer
Key FiguresSatoshi Tajiri, Junichi Masuda
HeadquartersTokyo, Japan

Development Cycle

PhaseTypical Duration
Concept6-12 months
Development2-3 years
Localization6-12 months
Release GapJapan → International

Version Exclusives

Each paired release features version-exclusive Pokemon:

Version PairNotable Exclusives
Red/BlueEkans/Sandshrew, Growlithe/Vulpix
Gold/SilverHo-Oh/Lugia (initially)
Ruby/SapphireGroudon/Kyogre
Diamond/PearlDialga/Palkia
Black/WhiteReshiram/Zekrom
Sword/ShieldZacian/Zamazenta
Scarlet/VioletKoraidon/Miraidon

Critical Reception

Highest Rated (Metacritic)

GameScore
Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver87
Pokemon Black/White87
Pokemon Emerald76
Pokemon X/Y87
Pokemon Legends: Arceus83

Controversies

GameControversy
Sword/Shield"Dexit" - National Dex removal
Brilliant Diamond/Shining PearlFaithful remake criticism
Scarlet/VioletTechnical performance issues

See Also

References

  1. ^Pokemon Sales Data — Nintendo Co., Ltd. (1996-2024)
  2. ^Pokemon Game Series — Game Freak / Nintendo (1996-2024)
  3. ^Official Pokemon Website — The Pokemon Company (2024)
  4. ^Pokemon Sales Database — VGChartz (2024)
  5. ^Pokemon Game Reviews — Metacritic (2024)