GameTimeline

Release & story order

Pokémon timeline

Pokémon mainline RPGs in US release order and story order — from ancient Hisui to Lumiose City, with early regions side by side and clear notes where Nintendo never pinned down exact timing.

Updated June 2026

Start with:

Release order Story order

Release order

When each mainline game shipped in the US. Remakes and Legends titles have their own rows so you can see launch dates side by side.

  • New to the series → Scarlet/Violet or Legends: Z-A on Switch, or a remake on your console (Brilliant Diamond, FireRed, etc.)
  • Retro marathon → Red/Blue → Gold/Silver → Ruby/Sapphire → … by US launch date on this list
  • Remakes replace the original for play — pick one version per generation (see FAQ)
  • Spin-offs (Mystery Dungeon, Ranger, Unite, GO…) are not on this page — mainline RPGs only
Story order tips

Story order by region — not one continuous plot. Red/Blue and Ruby/Sapphire are treated as the same broad era; Gold/Silver comes three years later. Later regions mostly follow one after another. Colored sections mark where you should not count "years later" across regions.

  • Colored sections = overlapping regions — do not count "years later" from one section to the next
  • Confirmed gaps inside a section: Gold/Silver three years after Red/Blue; Black 2/White 2 two years after Black/White
  • Legends: Arceus is a Sinnoh prequel; Legends: Z-A ties to Kalos — Scarlet/Violet vs Z-A order is unknown (see FAQ)

When each game was released. Tap a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

  1. Pokémon Red / Blue

    Pokémon Red / Blue

    Game BoyMainlineGen 1

    Generation I debut — Kanto League, 151 Pokémon, and the franchise formula.

    Overview
    Satoshi Tajiri and Game Freak paired turn-based monster catching with link-cable trading — a portable RPG built around collection and version-exclusive species.
    In-game setting
    Become Champion in Kanto; Team Rocket and Mewtwo cap the adventure. Red and Blue differ mainly by exclusive Pokémon (Version exclusives drive trading).
    Should you play it?
    Historic but dated — FireRed/LeafGreen or Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee are easier entry points for Kanto (Let's Go is a separate spin-off line, not listed here).
    Release date
    US launch: September 30, 1998 (Game Boy). Japan: Red/Green February 1996; Blue (JP) October 1996 — this page uses US dates on Release order.
  2. Pokémon Yellow

    Pokémon Yellow

    Game BoyMainlineGen 1

    Pikachu follows you — an anime-flavored Kanto revisit, not a new region.

    Overview
    Partner Pikachu walks behind the player and reacts to friendship — a preview of mechanics that later defined HeartGold/SoulSilver.
    In-game setting
    Same Kanto map as Red/Blue with adjusted gyms and story beats closer to the animated series.
    Should you play it?
    Optional nostalgia — skip if you already played Red/Blue or a Kanto remake.
    Release date
    US launch: October 18, 1999 (Game Boy).
  3. Pokémon Gold / Silver

    Pokémon Gold / Silver

    Game Boy ColorMainlineGen 2

    Johto plus a post-game Kanto return — the first direct regional sequel.

    Overview
    Real-time clock, day/night wild encounters, breeding, held items, and a full second region after the Elite Four.
    In-game setting
    Johto League and roaming Legendary beasts; after becoming Champion you revisit Kanto with updated gyms — story-wise set about three years after Red/Blue.
    Should you play it?
    HeartGold/SoulSilver replace this for most players — same story, modern controls.
    Release date
    US launch: October 15, 2000 (Game Boy Color).
  4. Pokémon Crystal

    Pokémon Crystal

    Game Boy ColorMainlineGen 2

    Enhanced Gold/Silver — animated sprites, Battle Tower, and Suicune-focused story additions.

    Overview
    First Pokémon title where the player picks their gender; Battle Tower and mobile adapter support in Japan.
    In-game setting
    Same Johto/Kanto arc as Gold/Silver with Crystal-only Eusine and Suicune scenes.
    Should you play it?
    Pick Crystal or Gold/Silver — not both unless you are a completionist. HeartGold/SoulSilver covers the story once.
    Release date
    US launch: July 29, 2001 (Game Boy Color).
  5. Pokémon Ruby / Sapphire

    Pokémon Ruby / Sapphire

    Game Boy AdvanceMainlineGen 3

    Hoenn reboot — new region, abilities, and double battles.

    Overview
    Abilities, natures, double battles, and Secret Bases on the GBA — a mechanical reset that did not require playing Gen 1–2 first.
    In-game setting
    Team Magma vs Team Aqua and the Groudon/Kyogre conflict. Ruby and Sapphire differ by which Legendary and villain team is emphasized.
    Should you play it?
    Standalone story. Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire replace it on 3DS.
    Release date
    US launch: March 18, 2003 (Game Boy Advance).
  6. Pokémon FireRed / LeafGreen

    Pokémon FireRed / LeafGreen

    Game Boy AdvanceRemakeGen 1

    Kanto remade on GBA — same story as Red/Blue with Gen 3 mechanics and Sevii Islands.

    Overview
    Brought Kanto up to Gen 3 engines — abilities, natures, and wireless trading on compatible hardware.
    In-game setting
    Same Kanto League arc as the originals plus post-game Sevii Islands.
    Should you play it?
    Play this OR Red/Blue/Yellow for Kanto — not all three.
    Release date
    US launch: September 9, 2004 (Game Boy Advance).
  7. Pokémon Emerald

    Pokémon Emerald

    Game Boy AdvanceMainlineGen 3

    Definitive Hoenn — both teams, Rayquaza, and Battle Frontier.

    Overview
    Combined Ruby/Sapphire plots and added the Battle Frontier — still the fan-favorite Hoenn package on GBA.
    In-game setting
    You intervene between Magma and Aqua before Rayquaza quells the crisis.
    Should you play it?
    If you play one Hoenn game on GBA, Emerald is the usual pick. ORAS replaces the trio on 3DS.
    Release date
    US launch: May 1, 2005 (Game Boy Advance).
  8. Pokémon Diamond / Pearl

    Pokémon Diamond / Pearl

    Nintendo DSMainlineGen 4

    Sinnoh debut — physical/special split and online Global Trade.

    Overview
    DS touch screen for Pokétch and underground mining; Wi-Fi trading went mainstream for the series.
    In-game setting
    Galactic Team and Dialga/Palkia. Diamond and Pearl differ by which Legendary anchors the version.
    Should you play it?
    Play after Legends: Arceus if you want historical Sinnoh context first — or jump to Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl.
    Release date
    US launch: April 22, 2007 (Nintendo DS).
  9. Pokémon Platinum

    Pokémon Platinum

    Nintendo DSMainlineGen 4

    Expanded Sinnoh — Distortion World, Giratina, and the Battle Frontier return.

    Overview
    Revised Galactic plot and the Distortion World — the usual definitive Gen 4 Sinnoh package on DS.
    In-game setting
    Cyrus's plan escalates with Giratina's realm; Battle Frontier post-game.
    Should you play it?
    One Sinnoh story — Platinum OR Diamond/Pearl OR BDSP OR Legends: Arceus for tone (see FAQ).
    Release date
    US launch: March 22, 2009 (Nintendo DS).
  10. Pokémon HeartGold / SoulSilver

    Pokémon HeartGold / SoulSilver

    Nintendo DSRemakeGen 2

    Johto/Kanto remade — partner Pokémon follows you again.

    Overview
    Walking Pokémon return with Gen 4 mechanics, Pokéwalker accessory bundled at launch, and the Battle Frontier.
    In-game setting
    Same Johto-then-Kanto structure as Gold/Silver/Crystal — still the sequel to Kanto's first adventure.
    Should you play it?
    Best way to experience Gen 2 today if you have a DS family console.
    Release date
    US launch: March 14, 2010 (Nintendo DS).
  11. Pokémon Black / White

    Pokémon Black / White

    Nintendo DSMainlineGen 5

    Unova — seasonal cities, no old Pokémon in the main dex until post-game.

    Overview
    Fully new regional Pokédex until the National Dex unlocks; triple battles and Rotation battles debut.
    In-game setting
    N's arc and Team Plasma's liberation philosophy — among the most story-forward mainline entries.
    Should you play it?
    Required before Black 2/White 2 — the only numbered direct sequel within one generation (Gold/Silver is a cross-generation sequel to Kanto).
    Release date
    US launch: March 6, 2011 (Nintendo DS).
  12. Pokémon Black 2 / White 2

    Pokémon Black 2 / White 2

    Nintendo DSMainlineGen 5

    Unova sequel — first numbered follow-up in the same generation.

    Overview
    Same region rebuilt two years later with new routes, Pokémon World Tournament, and Challenge Mode.
    In-game setting
    Continues N and Team Plasma threads from Black/White with a new protagonist.
    Should you play it?
    Play only after finishing Black or White — not a standalone entry.
    Release date
    US launch: October 7, 2012 (Nintendo DS).
  13. Pokémon X / Y

    Pokémon X / Y

    Nintendo 3DSMainlineGen 6

    Kalos — Mega Evolution and fully 3D battles on 3DS.

    Overview
    Mega Evolution, Fairy type, and camera-controlled overworld on 3DS — the first mainline Pokémon launch worldwide on the same day (October 12, 2013).
    In-game setting
    Team Flare and the ultimate weapon; Lumiose City becomes a hub for later games.
    Should you play it?
    Standalone Kalos arc. Legends: Z-A returns to Lumiose years later (see below).
    Release date
    US launch: October 12, 2013 (Nintendo 3DS).
  14. Pokémon Omega Ruby / Alpha Sapphire

    Pokémon Omega Ruby / Alpha Sapphire

    Nintendo 3DSRemakeGen 3

    Hoenn remade with Mega Evolution and soaring on Latios/Latias.

    Overview
    Primal Groudon/Kyogre and DexNav searching — Hoenn plot with Gen 6 battle systems.
    In-game setting
    Same Magma/Aqua conflict as Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald with expanded epilogue (Delta Episode).
    Should you play it?
    Hoenn remake — pick ORAS OR original RSE/Emerald, not both for story.
    Release date
    US launch: November 21, 2014 (Nintendo 3DS).
  15. Pokémon Sun / Moon

    Pokémon Sun / Moon

    Nintendo 3DSMainlineGen 7

    Alola — island trials replace gyms; Z-Moves and regional forms.

    Overview
    No traditional gyms — Island Kahunas and trials structure the campaign; Rotom Dex and SOS battles.
    In-game setting
    Aether Foundation and Lillie's arc with Nebby; Sun/Moon differ by time offset and version Legendaries.
    Should you play it?
    Play before Ultra Sun/Moon if you want the original Alola story first.
    Release date
    US launch: November 18, 2016 (Nintendo 3DS).
  16. Pokémon Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon

    Pokémon Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon

    Nintendo 3DSMainlineGen 7

    Alternate Alola retelling — Necrozma focus and expanded Ultra Recon Squad plot.

    Overview
    Reworked story beats and Ultra Warp Ride — an enhanced version rather than a small sequel like B2W2.
    In-game setting
    Alternate timeline take on Alola with heavier Necrozma integration.
    Should you play it?
    Pick Sun/Moon OR Ultra Sun/Moon for one Alola playthrough — USUM replaces SM for many newcomers.
    Release date
    US launch: November 17, 2017 (Nintendo 3DS).
  17. Pokémon Sword / Shield

    Pokémon Sword / Shield

    Nintendo SwitchMainlineGen 8

    Galar — Wild Area open sections and Dynamax on Switch.

    Overview
    First mainline on Switch; Wild Area co-op raids and Dynamax/Gigantamax battles.
    In-game setting
    Gym Challenge and Chairman Rose's Eternatus crisis. Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra expansions shipped separately in 2020.
    Should you play it?
    Standalone Galar story. Expansions are optional post-game — not separate rows here.
    Release date
    US launch: November 15, 2019 (Nintendo Switch).
  18. Pokémon Brilliant Diamond / Shining Pearl

    Pokémon Brilliant Diamond / Shining Pearl

    Nintendo SwitchRemakeGen 4

    Sinnoh remade — chibi style, faithful Diamond/Pearl structure.

    Overview
    Faithful remake of Diamond/Pearl on Switch — Underground returns; battle style differs from Legends: Arceus.
    In-game setting
    Same modern Sinnoh League arc as 2007 originals.
    Should you play it?
    Sinnoh remake OR Legends: Arceus OR DS originals — three different takes on Sinnoh (see FAQ).
    Release date
    US launch: November 19, 2021 (Nintendo Switch).
  19. Pokémon Legends: Arceus

    Pokémon Legends: Arceus

    Nintendo SwitchMainlineLegends

    Ancient Hisui — action RPG prequel before modern Sinnoh.

    Overview
    Real-time catching and battler hybrid in open zones — the first Legends-style mainline game.
    In-game setting
    Set long before Diamond/Pearl in the same land (Hisui → Sinnoh). Explains early Poké Ball craft and noble Pokémon.
    Should you play it?
    Play before BDSP or Diamond/Pearl if you want historical context — not required for the League plot.
    Release date
    US launch: January 28, 2022 (Nintendo Switch).
  20. Pokémon Scarlet / Violet

    Pokémon Scarlet / Violet

    Nintendo SwitchMainlineGen 9Open world

    Paldea — fully open-world mainline with three story paths and Terastallizing.

    Overview
    Open-world structure with Koraidon/Miraidon traversal; three parallel story arcs (Victory Road, Starfall Street, Path of Legends).
    In-game setting
    Academy life in Paldea; version mascots differ between Scarlet and Violet.
    Should you play it?
    Strong modern entry point. The Teal Mask and Indigo Disk DLC extend the story — see next row.
    Release date
    US launch: November 18, 2022 (Nintendo Switch).
  21. The Teal Mask & The Indigo Disk

    The Teal Mask & The Indigo Disk

    Nintendo SwitchExpansionGen 9

    Scarlet/Violet expansion pass — Kitakami and Blueberry Academy.

    Overview
    Two-part expansion: The Teal Mask (September 2023) then The Indigo Disk (December 2023) with a linked epilogue.
    In-game setting
    Continues the Scarlet/Violet protagonist's journey — play after the base game main arcs.
    Should you play it?
    Not standalone — finish Scarlet/Violet first.
    Release date
    Indigo Disk US release: December 14, 2023; requires Scarlet or Violet base game.
  22. Pokémon Legends: Z-A

    Pokémon Legends: Z-A

    Nintendo SwitchSwitch 2MainlineLegends

    Lumiose City rebuilt — real-time battles and Mega Evolution return.

    Overview
    Single-city open structure with real-time combat — a sequel in spirit to Legends: Arceus but urban and Kalos-linked.
    In-game setting
    Set in Lumiose City during a redevelopment era; Z-A Royale ranked battles at night.
    Should you play it?
    Latest mainline-style entry at time of update. Mega Dimension DLC shipped December 2025.
    Release date
    US launch: October 16, 2025 (Switch and Switch 2; upgrade pack available).
  23. Pokémon Legends: Z-A — Mega Dimension

    Pokémon Legends: Z-A — Mega Dimension

    Nintendo SwitchSwitch 2ExpansionLegends

    Paid expansion — Hoopa and new Mega Evolutions in Lumiose.

    Overview
    Adds Mega Dimension story content and additional Mega Evolutions after the base campaign.
    In-game setting
    Requires Legends: Z-A base game — epilogue-scale expansion, not a new region RPG.
    Should you play it?
    Optional after finishing Legends: Z-A.
    Release date
    US release: December 10, 2025.

FAQ

Where to start, overlapping regions, remakes, and why there is no single official story timeline.

Release order

Release order is when each game launched in the US — the order collectors and historians use. Story order groups mainline RPGs into colored region sections: Red/Blue and Ruby/Sapphire share one broad era; Gold/Silver comes three years later; Sinnoh may overlap Johto (see FAQ). Later regions mostly line up one after another (Unova → Alola → Galar → modern era). Pokémon does not have one continuous worldwide plot like Fallout or Zelda. Use Release order to buy and play; use Story order for how regions relate and for confirmed year gaps inside each section.

Story & regions

No single global timeline ties every game together. Series producer Junichi Masuda has said Game Freak does not apply a strict timeline to the Pokémon world. Most games star a new hero in a new region. Direct links exist (Gold/Silver three years after Red/Blue, Black 2/White 2 two years after Black/White, Legends: Arceus before modern Sinnoh), and early regions run in parallel. This page's Story order shows those relationships in colored sections — not an official calendar.

Overlapping regions

Most fan timelines place Pokémon Red/Blue and Ruby/Sapphire in the same broad era — separate heroes, not a sequel chain. Gold/Silver follow Kanto about three years later. Modern Sinnoh (Diamond/Pearl) may overlap that Johto window, but in-game dialogue between Jasmine and Cynthia conflicts. Hoenn and Sinnoh sit in their own colored sections so you do not read them as strictly before or after each other.

Remakes & Legends

Optional & spin-offs

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.