On Feb. 27, 2026, Pokémon celebrated their 30th anniversary. In 1996, Pokémon released Red and Green in Japan; this was the start of one of the highest-grossing franchises of all time, and they are still growing more every day. Pokémon was released worldwide a couple of years later, in August of 1998, Pokémon was released in the United States.
These were the fundamental games, and they started an entire franchise. It is so popular that there is even a TV show that began on April 1, 1997. The original generation of Pokémon was called Kanto; this is based on Honshu, Japan. Pokémon released generation two, Pokémon Gold and Silver, on Nov. 21, 1999. Pokémon Crystal, a spinoff game, was released on Dec. 14, 2000- the last for generation two for some time.
The Pokémon Crystal version introduced Pokémon animations. Pokémon Generation Two, Joto, was based on the Kansai region in Japan. However, the Pokémon Dex for this generation is not as big as the first one, only containing 100 Pokémon. There was not much leading up to Pokémon’s tenth anniversary, except for the release of Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire.
These games, the first in color, were fundamental to the series. They also introduced abilities and natures to Pokémon, having effects on the Pokémon in game. Pokémon Emerald followed in September of 2004. The third generation of Pokémon was based on the Kyushu region in Japan. The first Pokémon remakes were made too, Pokémon Fire Red and Leaf Green, the last games released in the Game Boy era of Pokémon.
Pokémon had its tenth anniversary on Feb. 27, 2006. At the time, this was the biggest year for Pokémon. For instance, there was an amusement park dedicated to Pokémon in 2005. The Pokémon Company also began its “Journey Across America.” This was a tour that lasted five months and went to over 20 cities across America. Pokémon also released Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, based on the new Nintendo DS system.
The fourth generation of Pokémon is based on Hokkaido in Japan. Pokémon Ranger was also released on the DS for their tenth anniversary. Ranger had a different mechanic; rather than catching Pokémon the traditional way, you would use the DS Stylist to draw a circle to capture the Pokémon. There was also another set of remakes for generation four: Pokémon Heart Gold and Soul Silver, remasters of the second generation.
Even after the tenth anniversary, Pokémon still thrived and made millions. The fifth generation of Pokémon was a reset for the series. Pokémon Generation Five has the largest number of Pokémon in the Pokedex, with 156 Pokémon. These games introduced many new aspects to the series: moving Pokémon in battle and rotation battles.
Pokémon Black and White were released on Sept.18, 2010, in Japan and on Sept. 11 in North America. There were other Pokémon games released for generation five as well, and these games were an entirely new story. Even though they had the same concept, Pokémon Black 2 and Pokémon White 2 had a different story. These Pokémon games were the last in the DS era of Pokémon. The fifth generation is also the first generation to be based in New York City.
The next era and set of games are a complete 180 for Pokémon. The Nintendo 3DS allowed Pokémon to be in 3D in the New Pokémon X & Y. There were mixed reviews about this switch, but it showed the evolution of the company and pushed Pokémon to the max. The region was called Kalos, and it was based on Paris.
The switch to 3D allowed for every Pokémon released prior to the generation six Dex to get a 3D model for the game. Even if they were not in the game, they still could be transported, and the 3D model would be set in place for that specific Pokémon. Pokémon X & Y also introduced the new fairy type Pokemon- the first new type in over 15 years.
Pokémon X & Y introduced mega evolution, giving a set amount of Pokémon an evolution that made them stronger in battle. There was a set of remakes, Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. The games were remakes of the third generation, and the storyline was completely new. Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire were released in November 2014 worldwide.
After Pokémon X & Y and Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Pokémon celebrated their 20th anniversary. All the mythical Pokémon up to that point got distributed, marking the start of older Pokémon games getting re-released. Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow all got re-released on the 3DS shop, available to purchase.
The biggest event to come out of the 20th anniversary of Pokémon is the release of generation seven and the release of Pokémon Go. The games were Pokémon Sun and Moon. They are based in Hawaii, and they were released on Nov.18, 2016. These games also introduced a new gimmick to the game, that being “Z” moves. These were used once per battle, and it was an extra powerful move.
The seventh generation of Pokémon also had a sequel of games, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. There is not much other than new Z moves. These were also the last games on the 3DS and handheld systems for Nintendo as a whole. After Pokémon’s 20th anniversary, the Nintendo Switch was released, and as of today, all current Pokémon games are on it. The first Pokémon games to get released on the Switch were Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee.
They are remakes of the first generation while also implementing aspects of Pokémon Go. As for the seventh generation, the “Let’s Go” games wrapped up the generation. The eighth Pokémon region is the Pokémon’s first time having a full flagship game on the Switch. The Pokémon games were very controversial because no mega or Z moves were in the game. At the same time, there was a limited amount of Pokémon in the Dexes, and as of today pokemon still does this. The games are based on the United Kingdom, and the region was called Gellar.
Released on Nov. 15, 2019, was Pokémon Sword and Shield. These were the first Pokémon games to have paid downloadable content. Pokémon celebrated its 25th anniversary shortly thereafter. This brings us to current-day Pokémon, as Pokémon just celebrated their 30th anniversary. Some notable key aspects where Pokémon Generation 10 was introduced, and at the time of writing this, they have a set release date in 2027.
Also, another Legion’s game was released too, that being Pokémon Legions Z-A, a game based on the sixth generation of Pokémon. There were a lot of ups and downs throughout Pokémon’s life, but the company is still going strong after 30 years.
