History of Pokémon Games (Mainline Series)

From humble beginnings on the GameBoy with Pokemon Red, Blue, and Green, to 3D entries like Pokemon Sword and Shield, we’ve been addicted to catching, battling, breeding, and caring for Pokémon for more than 25 years. With the launch of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, we decided to go back and chart the history of the mainline Pokémon games.

In this video, we chart the history of the mainline Pokémon games, starting back in the 90s to explore where its creator Satoshi Tajiri got the idea for pocket monsters, to the small team that brought them to life on the GameBoy. The games exploded in popularity because trade between the two versions was required to catch 'em all, and after the trading card game and TV show, Pokémon became the juggernaut we know today.

With multiple mainline entries, from 2D to 3D titles, spin-offs, mobile games like Pokémon Go, and now the latest game, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, these cute monsters show no sign of slowing down.

00:19 - 1996: Pokémon Red, Green, and Blue
04:00 - 1998: Pokémon Yellow
04:47 - 1999: Pokémon Gold and Silver
06:09 - 2000: Pokémon Crystal
06:43 - 2002: Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire
07:57 - 2004: Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen
08:26 - 2004: Pokémon Emerald
08:54 - 2006: Pokémon Diamond and Pearl
09:34 - 2008: Pokémon Platinum
09:50 - 2009: Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
10:21 - 2010: Pokémon Black and White
11:02 - 2012: Pokémon Black 2 and White 2
11:43 - 2013: Pokémon X & Y
13:04 - 2014: Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
13:36 - 2016: Pokémon Sun and Moon
14:03 - 2017: Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
14:29 - 2018: Pokémon Let’s Go, Pikachu! And Let’s Go, Eevee!
15:21 - 2019: Pokémon Sword and Shield
16:23 - 2021: Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
16:41 - 2022: Pokémon Legends: Arceus

[Aubue]

I love Gold and Silver because it contain two full regions.

[bannanateam]

Nothing beats the surprise of gen 2 when beating the regular elite 4 to find out that you could go to Kanto. For this reason alone and Lugia Gen 2 will forever reign supreme

[smally]

Being a 90's kid I had yellow, gold and crystal. I remember we set up a Pokemon league at school during lunch in the library where we would have a Pokemon league style tournament. Good memories.

[pedromonteiro]

As a Pokémon player since Red/Blue in 1999 the series has a special place in my heart!

My favorite experience were the all new RGBY Pokémania when the series explode worldwide and I have the best memories of my childhood.

But to tell the truth the best overall Pokémon experience I ever had was in XY when I come back to the franchise. In Kalos you have a pretty fun game with an great regional Pokédex, a fast pace gameplay and many features that make de game unique and fresh like Poké Amie, Super training and wonder trade.

Besides, XY gave to us the best feature in all Pokémon games: The Mega Evolutions! All the concept of your Pokémon evolve even beyond to get is maximum battle potential is amazing.

The games still having a great competitive metagame and the best online system BY FAR.

The good old days of my 3ds and my Pokémon X... too many Pokémon caught, too many online battles, too many trades, too many Shinys hunts, too many friends made....

[Tarxzn]

Seems like the game finally is starting to age with us gen1-ers

[erickreyes]

When the anime JINGLE kicks in I cried... 90s kids we have come a long way... we survived for 20 years...

[ChristianoMDSilva]

Silver is still the best game out there. Thinking you've completed the game by beating the Elite Four and Champion only to discover Kanto was the best feeling ever

[BleakBeek]

Here I am in 2022 5 hours in Pokemon Pikachu and loving it, so much nostalgia. First Pokemon game I had was Red on the GBC, then Gold. Then for lack of having the next Nintendo handhelds I missed all games. Then I discovered emulation and played Emerald almost to the end. Now here I am 34 years old plus 2 kids and still playing Pokemon like when I was back in 97. Definitely one of the best fantasy worlds ever created. Plus Lucy James makes Gamespot a way better place.

[flurishart]

I remember being like 7 or 8, walking into a walmart with my parents near my birthday, and getting to pick a pokemon game for my gameboy (black and white). I remember seeing blue and red there, and chose red. I don't remember how I knew about this game, but I remember I wanted it really bad, and then the next few years of my childhood were spent on this. I would keep restarting the game everytime my batteries died which was every few days (idk why I didn't just keep playing the same one). Great memories.

[paulmccreery]

I'm about to be 30yo, and Pokémon was everything to me growing up. I was all in the second I discovered it. I am so happy the franchise is still going strong, because I get to share it with my children. They are Pokémaniacs just like me, and I adore every moment we get to spend together because of it.

[trapez]

Satoshi Tajiri transcends what it means to be a human being

[Emily-lhem]

Pokemon x & y had the best and most functional online system. Wondertrade was fun but it was really easy to trade and battle. Unfortunately they didn't keep it 😕 and restyled it in Pokemon sword.

[BlockheadJiujitsu]

Thanks for this great history! After I got Blue version as a kid travelling through Mexico with my mum, I played it obsessively. After that I haven't finished any others but played most of them so the version breakdown was fun to learn about. Arceus sounds like it might be different enough to hold my interest but I doubt it. Still, the series is one of my first loves!

[asvpfern]

Very excited about Arceus and in the future to play OG Pokémon games that I missed the opportunity to play

[foxowl]

Gotta love the hacked pokemon showcase for gen 6's GTS

[MazDanRX]

14:03 Though they were indeed in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, Ultra Beasts were introduced in Sun and Moon.

[calvinmatthews]

Pokemon was in it's Golden Age during 2008-2012. You won't convince me otherwise.

[QuintusAntonious]

I've always been a Pokemon fan since I first played Red back in 4th grade. But, the last game I played all the way through was Platinum. After that point, I found it all the new mechanics and side stuff a bit too complex and overwhelming. I'm glad the series has survived though and that people still enjoy it.

[vengefulhero]

That gen 1 gym leader and elite four themes are just … chef kiss

[DesignerSlashGamerPlays]

Excellent! Thoroughly enjoyable and well researched! 😍