Timeline of Pokémon facts for kids

The official logo of Pokémon for its international release; "Pokémon" is short for the original Japanese title of "Pocket Monsters".

The following article is a broad timeline of the 'Pokémon franchise, also known as Pocket Monsters in Japan, Japanese media franchise managed by The Pokémon Company, a company founded by Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures.

The Pokémon franchise is divided into as generations. In each new generation, a new set of Pokémon and a new region are introduced for the first time. The first generation began in Japan with the release of Pocket Monsters Red and Green on February 27, 1996. As of 2021, there are currently eight generations of main series video games.

Generation I (1996-1999)

1996

• February 27: Pocket Monsters Red & Green, the first ever Pokémon games and the primary games of Generation I, first released in Japan for the Game Boy
• June 23: Nintendo 64 first released in Japan
• October 15: Pocket Monsters Blue, upper edition of Pocket Monsters Red & Green, first released in Japan for the Game Boy
• October 20: Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) first released

1997

• March: Pokémon Adventures manga first released in Japan
• April 1: Pokémon anime first aired in Japan with the release of the first episode of the 1st anime season, Pokemon, I Choose You! (Kanto anime saga of the original series begins)

1998

• March 27: Pocket Pikachu released in Japan
• April 23: Pokémon Center Co. Ltd established
• April 25: 1st ever Pokémon Center, Pokémon Center Tokyo, opened in Tokyo, Japan
• July 18: 1st ever Pokémon movie, Pokémon The First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back, first released in Japan
• August 1: Pocket Monsters Stadium (Japanese version), a spinoff game, released in Japan
• September 8: 1st English dub anime season, Pokémon: Indigo League, released in the United States
• September 12: Pokémon Yellow, upper edition of Pocket Monsters Red & Green (1996), first released in Japan for the Game Boy & Game Boy Color
• September 18: Pokémon Red and Blue, the international version of Pocket Monsters Red & Green (1996) and the first Pokémon games released internationally, released in the United States
• October 21: Game Boy Color first released in Japan
• December 12: Hey You, Pikachu!, a spinoff game, released in Japan for Nintendo 64
• December 18: Pokémon Trading Card Game for Game Boy released

1999

• January 21: Super Smash Bros. 64, crossover game, first released in Japan for Nintendo 64
• March 21: Pokémon Snap, a spinoff photography game, first released in Japan
• April 14: Pokémon Pinball, a spinoff game, first released in Japan
• April 30: Pokémon Stadium (known in Japan as Pokémon Stadium 2), a spinoff game, first released in Japan
• July 17: 2nd Pokémon movie, Pokémon The Movie 2000: The Power of Us, first released in Japan
• October 14: Pocket Monsters Gold and Silver (Johto anime saga of the original series) first aired in Japan
• December 4: 2nd English dub anime season, Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands, released in the United States

Generation II (1999-2002)

1999

• November 21: Pokémon Gold and Silver, primary games of Generation II, first released in Japan for the Game Boy Color

2000

• July 18: 3rd Pokémon movie, Pokémon 3: The Movie: Spell of the Unown first released in Japan
• October 14: 3rd English dub anime season, Pokémon: The Johto Journeys, released in the United States
• December 14: Pokémon Crystal, upper edition of Pokémon Gold and Silver (1999), first released in Japan as the final main games for the Game Boy Color
• December 14: Pokémon Stadium 2 (known in Japan as Pokémon Stadium Gold and Silver) released in Japan

2001

• February: Pokémon USA established
• February 27: 5th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise
• March 21: Game Boy Advance first released in Japan
• July 7: 4th Pokémon movie, Pokémon 4Ever Celebi: Voice of the Forest, first released in Japan
• August 18: 4th English dub anime season, Pokémon: Johto League Champions, released in the United States
• September 14: Nintendo GameCube first released in Japan
• October 3: Pokémon Mini first released in Australia
• November 16: Pokemon Center New York opened in New York City
• November 16: Pokémon Puzzle Collection first released in Japan
• November 21: Super Smash Bros. Melee released for the Nintendo GameCube
• December 4: Pokémon Zany Cards, a spinoff for Pokémon Mini, first released in Japan

2002

• March 15: Pokémon Tetris, a spinoff for Pokémon Mini, first released in Japan
• July 12: 5th Pokémon movie, Pokémon Heroes Latios and Latias, first released in Japan
• September 14: 5th English dub anime season, Pokémon: Master Quest, released in the United States

Generation III (2002-2006)

2002

• November 21: Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, primary games of Generation III and first main games for the Game Boy Advance, first released in Japan for the Game Boy Advance
• November 21: Pokémon Advanced Generation, the Hoenn anime saga & 2nd Japanese anime series, first released in Japan

2003

• February 14: Game Boy Advance SP first released in Japan
• March 15: 6th English dub anime season, Pokémon: Advanced, released in the United States
• May 30: Pokémon Box Ruby & Sapphire first released
• July 19: 6th Pokémon movie, Jirachi Wish Maker, first released in Japan
• November 21: Pokémon Colosseum first released for Nintendo GameCube

2004

• January 29: Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, remakes of Pocket Monsters Red and Green (1996) for the Game Boy and first ever remakes, first released in Japan for the Game Boy Advance
• July 17: 7th Pokémon movie, Destiny Deoxys, first released in Japan
• August 22: 1st ever Pokémon Trading Game World Championships held
• September 11: 7th English dub anime season, Pokémon: Advanced Challenge, released in the United States
• September 16: Pokémon Emerald, upper edition of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire (2002) and final main games for the Game Boy Advance, first released in Japan for the Game Boy Advance
• November 21: Nintendo DS first released in North America
• December 2: Pokémon Dash, a spinoff game, first released in Japan for the Nintendo DS

2005

• March 18: Poképark, a theme park, opens in Japan
• July 16: 8th Pokémon movie, Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, first released in Japan
• August 4: Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, a spinoff game, 1st released in Japan
• September 13: Game Boy Micro first released in Japan
• September 17: 8th English dub anime season, Pokémon: Advanced Battle, released in the United States
• October 20: Pokémon Trozei!, a spinoff game, first released in Japan for the Nintendo DS
• November 17; Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team and Red Rescue Team, first games in the spinoff Mystery Dungeon series, first released in Japan for the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS, respectively

2006

• February 27: 10th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise
• March 2: Nintendo DS Lite first released in Japan
• March 23: Pokémon Ranger, first game in the spinoff Ranger series, first released in Japan for the Nintendo DS
• July 15: 9th Pokémon movie, Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea, first released in Japan
• August 28: Pokémon Korea Inc. established
• September 8: 9th English dub anime season, Pokémon: Battle Frontier, released in the United States

Generation IV (2006-2010)

2006

• September 28: Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, primary games of Generation IV and first main games for the Nintendo DS, first released in Japan for the Nintendo DS
• September 28: Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, the Sinnoh anime saga & 3rd Japanese anime series, first released in Japan
• November 19: Nintendo Wii first released in North America
• December 14: Pokémon Battle Revolution, a spinoff game, first released in Japan for the Nintendo Wii

2007

• April 20: 10th English dub anime season, Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl, released in the United States
• July 14: 10th Pokémon movie, The Rise of Darkrai, 1st movie in the Diamond and Pearl movie trilogy, first released in Japan
• September 13: Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness, a spinoff game, first released in Japan for the Nintendo DS

2008

• January 31: Super Smash Bros. Brawl, crossover game, first released in Japan for the Nintendo Wii
• March 20: Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia, spinoff game and 2nd game in the Ranger series, first released in Japan
• March 25: My Pokémon Ranch, a spinoff game, first released in Japan for the Nintendo Wii
• April 12: 11th English dub anime season, Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl: Battle Dimension, released in the United States
• June 16: Pokémon Rumble, a spinoff game, first released for the Nintendo Wii
• July 19: 11th Pokémon movie, Giratina and the Sky Warrior, 2nd movie in the Diamond and Pearl movie trilogy, first released in Japan
• August 4: Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Keep Going! Blazing Adventure Squad, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Let's Go! Stormy Adventure Squad, and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Go For It! Light Adventure Squad released exclusively in Japan for the WiiWare on the Nintendo Wii
• August 14: Pokémon World Championships first held
• September 13: Pokémon Platinum, upper edition of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl (2006), first released in Japan for the Nintendo DS
• November 1: Nintendo DSi first released in Japan

2009

• April 9: Pokémon Company International is established through the merger of Pokémon USA and Pokémon UK
• April 18: Pokémon Explorers of Sky, upper edition of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness, first released in Japan
• May 9: 12th English dub anime season, Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl: Galactic Battles, released in the United States
• July 18: 12th Pokémon movie, Arceus and the Jewel of Life, 3rd movie in the Diamond and Pearl movie trilogy, first released in Japan
• September 12: Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, remakes of Pokémon Gold and Silver (1999) for the Game Boy Color, first released in Japan for the Nintendo DS (in celebration of the 10th anniversary of Pokémon Gold and Silver)
• November 21: Nintendo DSi XL first released in Japan
• December 5: PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure, a spinoff game, first released in Japan for the Nintendo Wii

2010

• March 6: Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs, a spinoff game and 3rd & most recent game in the Ranger series, first released in Japan for the Nintendo DS
• June 5: 13th English dub anime season, Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl: Sinnoh League Victors, released in the United States
• July 10: 13th Pokémon movie, Zoroark: Master of Illusions, first released in Japan

Generation V (2010-2013)

2010

• September 18: Pokémon Black and White, primary games of Generation V, first released in Japan for the Nintendo DS
• September 23: Pokémon: Best Wishes!, the Unova anime saga & 4th Japanese anime series, first released in Japan
• October 13: Pokémon Global Link, an online portal, established (went offline in 2020)

2011

• February 12: 14th English dub anime season, Pokémon: Black and White!, released in the United States
• February 26: Nintendo 3DS first released in Japan
• February 27: 15th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise
• April 21: Learn with Pokémon: Typing Adventure, spinoff educational game, first released in Japan for the Nintendo DS (only released in Japan, Europe & Australia)
• June 6: Pokédex 3D released for the Nintendo 3DS
• July 16: 14th movie, Pokémon the Movie: Black—Victini and Reshiram and White—Victini and Zekrom, the first dual Pokemon movies, first released in Japan
• November 12: PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond first released in Japan for the Nintendo WIi

2012

• February 18: 15th English dub anime season, Pokémon: Black & White: Rival Destinies, released in the United States
• March 17: Pokémon Conquest, a spinoff game, first released in Japan for the Nintendo DS
• June 21: Pokémon Best Wishes Season 2, subseries of the Best Wishes! series, first released in Japan
• June 23: Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, sequel to Pokémon Black and White (2010), first ever sequel games and the final main games for the Nintendo DS, first released in Japan for the Nintendo DS
• June 23: Pokémon Dream Radar first released in Japan for the Nintendo DS
• July 14: 15th Pokémon movie, Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice, first released in Japan
• July 28: Nintendo 3DS XL first released in Japan & Europe
• November 18: Nintendo Wii U first released in North America
• November 23: Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Gates to Infinity, a spinoff game, first released in Japan for the Nintendo 3DS

2013

• January 17: Pokémon Best Wishes Season 2 Episode N, a subseries of Pokémon Best Wishes!, first released in Japan
• February 2: 16th English dub anime season part 1 of 2, Pokémon: Black & White: Adventures in Unova, released in the United States
• February 8: Pokémon TV app first released
• April 24: Pokémon Rumble U first released
• April 25: Pokémon Best Wishes Season 2 Decolore Adventure first released
• July 13: 16th Pokémon movie, Genesect and the Legend Awakened, first released in Japan
• July 27: 16th English dub anime season part 2 of 2, Pokémon: Black & White: Adventures in Unova and Beyond, released in the United States
• October 2: Pokémon Origins, a special mini anime series, first released

Generation VI (2013-2016)

2013

• October 12: Pokémon X and Y, primary games of Generation VI and first main games for Nintendo 3DS, first released worldwide for the Nintendo 3DS; first games released simultaneously worldwide
• October 12: Nintendo 2DS first released in the West
• October 17: Pokémon: X Y, 5th anime series, first released in Japan
• October 19: 17th English dub anime season, Pokémon the Series: XY, released in the United States; Pokémon English dub anime is rebranded as "Pokémon the Series"
• December 25: Pokémon Bank released worldwide for Nintendo 3DS

2014

• July 19: 17th Pokémon movie, Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction, first released in Japan
• September 13: Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, crossover game, first released in Japan
• October 11: New Nintendo 3DS & the New Nintendo 3DS XL first released in Japan
• November 21: Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, remakes of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire (2002) for the Game Boy Advance, released worldwide (except Europe on November 28) for the Nintendo 3DS on the 12th anniversary of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire (2002)
• November 21: Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, crossover game, first released in North America

2015

• February 7: 18th English dub anime season, Pokémon the Series: XY Kalos Quest, released in the United States
• February 18: Pokémon Shuffle released worldwide for the Nintendo 3DS
• May 7: Pokémon Jukebox, a music app only for Android first released in Japan
• July 18: 18th Pokémon movie, Hoopa and the Clash of Ages, first released in Japan
• September 9: Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon, a spinoff game in the Mystery Dungeon series, first released in Japan for the Nintendo 3DS
• September 10: Pokémon GO Press Conference announces Pokémon GO for summer 2016
• October 29: Pokémon XYZ, a subseries of Pokémon XY Japanese anime series, first airs in Japan
• December 2: Pokémon Picross, a spinoff game, first released in Japan for the Nintendo 3DS

2016

• February 7: Pokémon 20th anniversary commercial airs during Super Bowl 50
• February 20: 19th English dub anime season, Pokémon the Series: XYZ, released in the United States
• February 27: 20th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise
• February 27: Pocket Monsters Red, Green, Blue, (1996) and Yellow (1998), originally released for the Game Boy, re-released worldwide for the Nintendo 3DS via Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
• March 18: Pokkén Tournament released worldwide for the Nintendo Wii U
• April 12: Pokémon Duel, a spinoff mobile game, first released in Japan for Android (shut down on October 31, 2019)
• July 6: Pokémon GO, augmented reality (AR) mobile game, first released in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States for IOS and Android
• July 16: 19th Pokémon movie, Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel, the most recent main timeline movie, first released in Japan
• September 16: Pokémon Generations, a special mini anime series, first released
• November 17: Pokémon Sun and Moon, 6th anime series, first released

Generation VII (2016-2019)

2016

• November 18: Pokémon Sun and Moon, primary games of Generation VII, released worldwide for the Nintendo 3DS
• December 5: 20th English dub anime season, Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, released in the United States
• December 9: Pokémon TCG - Sun and Moon first released

2017

• March 3: Nintendo Switch released worldwide in most regions
• June 15: New Nintendo 2DS XL first released in Australia
• July 15: 20th Pokémon movie, I Choose You!, the first alternate timeline movie, first released in Japan
• September 22: Pokémon Gold and Silver (1999), originally released for the Game Boy Color, re-released worldwide for the Nintendo 3DS via Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
• September 22: Pokken Tournament DX released worldwide for the Nintendo Switch
• November 17: Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, upper editions of Pokémon Sun and Moon (2016), released worldwide for the Nintendo 3DS

2018

• January 26: Pokémon Crystal (2000), originally released for the Game Boy Color, re-released worldwide for the Nintendo 3DS via Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
• March 23: Detective Pikachu, spinoff game first released for Nintendo 3DS
• March 28: 21st English dub anime season, Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon – Ultra Adventures, released in the United States
• May 30: Pokémon 2018 Video Game Press Conference announces Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, untitled future core game for Nintendo Switch, spin-off game Pokémon Quest for the Nintendo Switch & mobile devices
• May 30: Pokémon Quest, a spinoff game, released for mobile
• July 13: 21st Pokémon movie, The Power of Us, first released in Japan
• November 16: Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, remakes of Pokémon Yellow (1998) for the Game Boy Color and first main Nintendo Switch games, released worldwide for the Nintendo Switch in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Pokémon Yellow (1998)
• December 7: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, crossover game, released for the Nintendo Switch

2019

• March 23: 22nd English dub anime season, Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon – Ultra Legends, released in the United States
• May 1: Pokémon Pass, a mobile app for scanning Pokémon gifts, launches exclusively in the United States
• May 3: Detective Pikachu, the first live action film, first airs in theatres in Japan
• May 10: Detective Pikachu, the first live action film, released in the West
• May 27: Pokémon 2019 Press Conference announces Detective Pikachu sequel for the Nintendo Switch, the cloud service Pokémon HOME, the mobile appPokémon Sleep, the Pokémon GO Plus + device, and the spin-off game Pokémon Masters for mobile devices
• July 12: 22nd Pokémon movie, Mewtwo Strikes Back: EVOLUTION, remake of the first Pokemon movie and first CGI, first released in Japan
• August 29: Pokémon Masters, (now called Pokemon Masters Ex since August 2020) mobile spinoff game released
• September 20: Nintendo Switch Lite released worldwide
• October 31: Pokémon Duel permanently shuts down

Generation VIII (2019-present)

2019

• November 15: Pokémon Sword and Shield, first games of Generation VIII and the most recent main games, released worldwide for the Nintendo Switch
• November 17: Pocket Monsters, the seventh anime series and first series to focus on all current regions, first aired in Japan
• December 6: Pokémon Sword and Shield TCG released

2020

• January 15: Pokémon Twilight Wings, a special mini web anime series, first airs
• February 12: Pokémon Home released worldwide for the Nintendo Switch and mobile devices
• February 27: Mewtwo Strikes Back: EVOLUTION, the 22nd Pokémon movie, released worldwide on Netflix; first movie to premiere on Netflix
• March 6: Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Rescue Team DX, spinoff and remake of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team and Red Rescue Team (2005), released worldwide for the Nintendo Switch
• May 9: 23rd English dub anime season, Pokémon Journeys: The Series, first released in Canada
• June 12: Anime premieres on Netflix for the very first time with the Netflix release of Pokémon Journeys: The Series in the United States
• June 17: Pokémon Sword and Shield: The Isle of Armor, 1st of 2 DLCs for Pokémon Sword and Shield (2019), released worldwide for the Nintendo Switch
• June 17: Pokémon Presents is held for the first time
• June 17: Pokémon Smile, a spinoff mobile game, released worldwide
• June 24: Pokémon Cafe Mix, a spinoff mobile game, released worldwide
• August 29: Pokémon Masters, a spinoff mobile game, renamed as Pokémon Masters Ex for its 1st anniversary
• October 22: Pokémon Sword and Shield: Crown Tundra, 2nd of 2 DLCs for Pokémon Sword and Shield (2019), released worldwide for the Nintendo Switch
• December 25: 23rd Pokémon movie, Secrets of the Jungle, first released in Japan; originally scheduled for July 12 but delayed to the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan

2021

• February 27: 25th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise; Pokémon25 Virtual Concert with Post Malone
• April 30: New Pokémon Snap, a spinoff game, worldwide release for the Nintendo Switch
• Late 2021: Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, remakes of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl (2006) for the Nintendo DS, worldwide release for the Nintendo Switch

2022

• Early 2022: Pokémon Legends: Arceus, premake of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl (2006), worldwide release for the Nintendo Switch

Future dates TBA

• Untitled Detective Pikachu film sequel
• Untitled Detective Pikachu (video game) sequel
• Pokémon Sleep, a spinoff mobile game that tracks the amount of time a user sleeps
• Pokémon Unite, a spinoff MOBA mobile game