All Pokémon Games in Order: Main Series Release Dates
October 31, 2026 · 3 min read
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The main Pokémon series began with Red and Green in Japan on 27 February 1996. Its latest release is Pokémon Legends: Z-A from October 2025, and Pokémon Winds and Waves is due in 2027 on Nintendo Switch 2. Here's the whole series by release date, using Wikipedia's list of Pokémon video games.
Pokémon main series in order
| Game | Gen | First release | North America | Console |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red and Green | 1 | 27 Feb 1996 (Japan) | As Red and Blue, 28 Sep 1998 | Game Boy |
| Yellow | 1 | 12 Sep 1998 (Japan) | 18 Oct 1999 | Game Boy |
| Gold and Silver | 2 | 21 Nov 1999 (Japan) | 15 Oct 2000 | Game Boy Color |
| Crystal | 2 | 14 Dec 2000 (Japan) | 30 Jul 2001 | Game Boy Color |
| Ruby and Sapphire | 3 | 21 Nov 2002 (Japan) | 19 Mar 2003 | Game Boy Advance |
| FireRed and LeafGreen | 3 | 29 Jan 2004 (Japan) | 9 Sep 2004 | Game Boy Advance |
| Emerald | 3 | 16 Sep 2004 (Japan) | 1 May 2005 | Game Boy Advance |
| Diamond and Pearl | 4 | 28 Sep 2006 (Japan) | 22 Apr 2007 | Nintendo DS |
| Platinum | 4 | 13 Sep 2008 (Japan) | 22 Mar 2009 | Nintendo DS |
| HeartGold and SoulSilver | 4 | 12 Sep 2009 (Japan) | 14 Mar 2010 | Nintendo DS |
| Black and White | 5 | 18 Sep 2010 (Japan) | 6 Mar 2011 | Nintendo DS |
| Black 2 and White 2 | 5 | 23 Jun 2012 (Japan) | 7 Oct 2012 | Nintendo DS |
| X and Y | 6 | 12 Oct 2013 (worldwide) | Same | Nintendo 3DS |
| Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire | 6 | 21 Nov 2014 | Same | Nintendo 3DS |
| Sun and Moon | 7 | 18 Nov 2016 | Same | Nintendo 3DS |
| Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon | 7 | 17 Nov 2017 (worldwide) | Same | Nintendo 3DS |
| Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! | 7 | 16 Nov 2018 (worldwide) | Same | Nintendo Switch |
| Sword and Shield | 8 | 15 Nov 2019 (worldwide) | Same | Nintendo Switch |
| Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl | 8 | 19 Nov 2021 (worldwide) | Same | Nintendo Switch |
| Legends: Arceus | 8 | 28 Jan 2022 (worldwide) | Same | Nintendo Switch |
| Scarlet and Violet | 9 | 18 Nov 2022 (worldwide) | Same | Nintendo Switch |
| Legends: Z-A | 9 | 16 Oct 2025 (worldwide) | Same | Switch and Switch 2 |
| Winds and Waves | 10 | 2027, no exact date yet | Same | Nintendo Switch 2 |
Several of these are remakes, including FireRed and LeafGreen, HeartGold and SoulSilver, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, and Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
Recent spin-offs and DLC
These sit outside the numbered generations:
| Release | Type | Date | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legends: Z-A: Mega Dimension | Paid DLC | 10 Dec 2025 | Switch and Switch 2 |
| Pokopia | Spin-off | 5 Mar 2026 | Nintendo Switch 2 |
| Pokémon Champions | Battle game | April 2026 | Switch, with iOS and Android also planned |
Do you need to play Pokémon games in order?
No. Each generation has its own region and story, so any game works as a starting point. A few links are worth knowing: Gold and Silver return to Kanto, and paired sequels such as Black 2 and White 2 follow directly on from the originals.
Which Pokémon game should you start with?
- Newest experience: Legends: Z-A or Scarlet and Violet, both playable on current Nintendo hardware.
- Gentlest introduction: Let's Go, Pikachu! or Let's Go, Eevee!, which are short and streamlined.
- Classic turn-based battles: Sword and Shield or Scarlet and Violet.
- A relaxed spin-off: Pokopia, if you own a Switch 2.
New to the battle system? Keep our Pokémon type chart open while you play.
FAQ
What was the first Pokémon game? Pokémon Red and Green, released in Japan on 27 February 1996. Most Western players first met the series through Red and Blue in 1998.
What is the newest Pokémon game? The newest main series game is Legends: Z-A from October 2025. Winds and Waves comes next, in 2027.
When does Pokémon Winds and Waves come out? It's set for 2027 on Nintendo Switch 2. The sources we checked list no exact date as of October 2026.
How many main series Pokémon games are there? This list has 23 entries including Winds and Waves, counting paired versions such as Sword and Shield as one.
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