As the Pokemon franchise continues to expand, so does the timeline. Following the release of Scarlet and Violet last year, we’re now gearing up for the launch of the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC. Set to drop on September 13, Part 1: The Teal Mask will take us to the land of Kitakami. In this region, Pokémon of the past are commemorated, which seems to tie in with the new timeline highlighted in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Here’s a rundown of all mainline Pokemon games in order of release and their place in the growing series of events to help you on your next replay .
Released exclusively in Japan, Red and Green are the first games in the series. Both titles take place in the Kanto region, where you can choose your starter, earn gym badges, and challenge the Pokémon League.
Red and Blue mark a re-release of sorts, mirroring the Japan-exclusive titles, Red and Green. They take place in the Kanto region, following the same series of events as their Japanese counterparts.
Yellow also takes place in Kanto and follows the same series of events as previous titles. This entry pairs you up with your very own Pikachu as an homage to the animated series, and allows you to catch all three Kanto starters to boot.
Gold and Silver begin a new journey in the Johto region. Following a storyline that’s directly related to previous titles, you can revisit the Kanto region after earning all eight badges to challenge even more gyms and catch more Pokémon.
Like Gold and Silver, Crystal is set in the Johto region. However, the third installment to the second generation sets itself apart with the introduction of series staples, like a female protagonist option, the day and night cycle, and animated sprites.
Ruby and Sapphire move to the Hoenn region. These entries retain previously introduced features while adding a few of their own, like base-building, diving, and Pokémon Contests.
FireRed and LeafGreen are remakes of the first entries in the series. Optimized with better graphics and a wider variety of moves to teach your Pokémon, these entries breathed new life into Kanto.
Emerald is the third title in Generation 3, taking place in Hoenn alongside Ruby and Sapphire. However, this entry famously combined the plot of the first two titles and introduced the Legendary Pokémon, Rayquaza.
Diamond and Pearl introduced the Sinnoh region, which is now known as one of the oldest regions in the series. Here, you can participate in Pokémon Contests, walk with your cutest Pokémon in Amity Square, and mine in the Underground.
Platinum is the third entry to Generation 4, mirroring the plots of Diamond and Pearl. Remaining in the Sinnoh region, the Legendary Pokémon, Giratina, is introduced alongside the Distortion World.
HeartGold and SoulSilver are the beloved remakes of Gold and Silver. Taking place in the Johto region, these entries famously allow you to walk with your Pokémon partners and revisit Kanto with improved graphics.
Taking place in the Unova region, Black and White introduced the most new Pokémon since Generation 1. This generation also added several exclusives, like seasons, rotation battles, and the WiFi-connected Dream World.
Black 2 and White 2 are the first true sequels in the Pokémon franchise. Following the events of Black and White, you’ll travel the Unova region in reverse, facing new gym leaders and a new Champion.
X and Y take us to the Kalos region. With a more streamlined plot, these entries introduced Mega Evolution for select Pokémon as well as character customization and extensive clothing options.
With new-and-improved graphics and access to Mega Evolution, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire reimagined the original games, Ruby and Sapphire. Following the same story, you can catch even more Pokémon and connect to the internet to meet other players in Secret Bases all around the world.
Set in the Alola region, Sun and Moon are the first titles to completely overhaul HMs and gyms. In their place, Ride Pokémon, Totem Pokémon, and trials were introduced. Z-moves are also an exclusive battle phenomenon here.
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon aren’t exactly sequels to Sun and Moon, but rather a reimagining of the events that took place in the previous titles. These entries featured Mantine Surfing and the Battle Agency.
Similar to Yellow Version, Pikachu and Eevee take center stage as your partner Pokémon in the Let’s Go titles. Taking place in Kanto, you can now encounter Pokémon in the overworld as you play through the story first featured in the Generation 1 games.
Sword and Shield are set in the Galar region. Featuring elements of both an open and closed world, these titles introduced the Wild Area, where you can take on Max Raids. This region is also known for the Dynamax phenomenon and its DLC packs, Crown Tundra and Isle of Armor.
Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl take us back to the Sinnoh region with a similar art style and smoother graphics. These titles combined elements of both the original games and the Let’s Go entries to create a unique gameplay experience.
While it’s frequently referred to as a spin-off, Legends: Arceus is a mainline prequel to Diamond and Pearl. It features a vastly different story, battle mechanic, and system of controls than any other entry. Taking place in Hisui, an ancient Sinnoh region, the game introduces a semi-open world as well as several evolutions of classic Pokémon and wild Alpha Pokémon.
Scarlet and Violet are the most recent entries in the series and the first to introduce a true open world. Despite their lack of level-scaling , you can take on gyms, Team Star Bases, and Titan Pokémon in any order you please. These entries also infamously snubbed extensive clothing options. The two-part Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC is set to arrive on September 13.
Remakes are generally interchangeable with their original counterparts, but the Pokémon series does follow a fixed timeline to follow when you’re looking to play all main Pokémon games in order. As the franchise continues to grow with the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero expansion coming to Scarlet and Violet, we’re sure to see this timeline expand even further.