Timeline of Pokémon facts for kids

Official logo for 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, a Japanese media franchise managed by The Pokémon Company, a company founded by Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures.

The Pokémon franchise is divided into 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 2024, there are currently nine generations of main series video games.

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: Pocket Monsters, the first Japanese anime series, first aired in Japan with the release of the first episode of the 1st anime season, Pokemon, I Choose You!

1998

• March 27: Pocket Pikachu released in Japan
• April 23: Pokémon Center Co. Ltd established
• April 25: First ever Pokémon Center, Pokémon Center Tokyo, opened in Tokyo, Japan
• July 18: First ever Pokémon movie, Pokémon The First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back, first released in Japan
• August 1: Pocket Monsters Stadium (Japanese version), a spin-off game, released in Japan
• September 8: First English dub anime season, Pokémon: Indigo League, released in North America
• September 12: Pokémon Yellow, upper edition of Pocket Monsters Red & Green (1996), first released in Japan for the Game Boy & Game Boy Color
• September 28: Pokémon Red and Blue, the international version of Pocket Monsters Red & Green (1996) and the first Pokémon games released internationally, released in North America
• October 21: Game Boy Color first released in Japan
• December 12: Hey You, Pikachu!, a spin-off 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
• January 28: Pocket Monsters Episode: Orange Islands Adventures first aired in Japan
• March 21: Pokémon Snap, a spin-off photography game, first released in Japan
• April 14: Pokémon Pinball, a spin-off game, first released in Japan
• April 30: Pokémon Stadium (known in Japan as Pokémon Stadium 2), a spin-off game, first released in Japan
• July 17: Second Pokémon movie, Pokémon The Movie 2000: The Power of One, first released in Japan
• October 7: Softx changed its name to TV Tokyo MediaNet
• October 14: Pocket Monsters Episode: Gold and Silver first aired in Japan
• November 21: Pokémon Gold and Silver, primary games of Generation II, first released in Japan for the Game Boy Color
• December 4: Second English dub anime season, Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands, released in the United States

2000

• July 18: Third Pokémon movie, Pokémon 3: The Movie: Spell of the Unown first released in Japan
• October 14: Third 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: Fifth anniversary of the Pokémon video games and the Pokémon franchise
• March 21: Game Boy Advance first released in Japan
• July 7: Fourth Pokémon movie, Pokémon 4Ever Celebi: Voice of the Forest, first released in Japan
• August 18: Fourth English dub anime season, Pokémon: Johto League Champions, released in the United States
• September 14: GameCube first released in Japan
• October 3: Pokémon Mini first released in Australia
• October 20: Fifth anniversary of the Pokémon Trading Card Game
• 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 GameCube
• December 4: Pokémon Zany Cards, a spin-off for Pokémon Mini, first released in Japan

2002

• April 1: Fifth anniversary of the Pokémon anime
• July 13: Fifth Pokémon movie, Pokémon Heroes: Latios and Latias, first released in Japan
• September 14: Fifth English dub anime season, Pokémon: Master Quest, released in the United States
• 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 second Japanese anime series, first released in Japan

2003

• February 14: Game Boy Advance SP first released in Japan
• March 15: Sixth English dub anime season, Pokémon: Advanced, released in the United States
• May 30: Pokémon Box Ruby & Sapphire first released
• July 19: Sixth Pokémon movie, Jirachi Wish Maker, first released in Japan
• November 21: Pokémon Colosseum first released for 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: Seventh Pokémon movie, Destiny Deoxys, first released in Japan
• August 22: First ever Pokémon Trading Game World Championships held
• September 2: TV Tokyo MediaNet was shortened to MediaNet
• September 11: Seventh 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 spin-off game, first released in Japan for the Nintendo DS

2005

• March 18: Poképark, a theme park, opens in Japan
• July 16: Eighth Pokémon movie, Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, first released in Japan
• August 4: Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, a spin-off game, first released in Japan
• September 13: Game Boy Micro first released in Japan
• September 17: Eighth English dub anime season, Pokémon: Advanced Battle, released in the United States
• October 20: Pokémon Trozei!, a spin-off 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 spin-off Mystery Dungeon series, first released in Japan for the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS, respectively

2006

• February 27: Tenth anniversary of the Pokémon video games and the Pokémon franchise
• March 2: Nintendo DS Lite first released in Japan
• March 23: Pokémon Ranger, the first game in the spin-off Ranger series, first released in Japan for the Nintendo DS
• July 15: Ninth Pokémon movie, Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea, first released in Japan
• August 28: Pokémon Korea Inc. established
• September 8: Ninth English dub anime season, Pokémon: Battle Frontier, released in the United States
• 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
• October 20: Tenth anniversary of the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
• November 19: Nintendo Wii first released in North America
• December 14: Pokémon Battle Revolution, a spin-off game, first released in Japan for the Wii

2007

• April 1: Tenth anniversary of the Pokémon anime
• April 20: Tenth English dub anime season, Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl, released in the United States
• July 14: Tenth 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 spin-off game, first released in Japan for the Nintendo DS

2008

• January 31: Super Smash Bros. Brawl, crossover game, first released in Japan for the Wii
• March 20: Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia, spin-off game and 2nd game in the Ranger series, first released in Japan
• March 25: My Pokémon Ranch, a spin-off game, first released in Japan for the Wii
• April 12: Eleventh English dub anime season, Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl: Battle Dimension, released in the United States
• June 16: Pokémon Rumble, a spin-off game, first released for the Wii
• June 30: Shogakukan Productions changed its name to ShoPro
• July 19: Eleventh 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 as a WiiWare title for the 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: Twelfth English dub anime season, Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl: Galactic Battles, released in the United States
• July 18: Twelfth 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 spin-off game, first released in Japan for the Wii

2010

• March 6: Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs, a spin-off game and third and most recent game in the Ranger series, first released in Japan for the Nintendo DS
• June 5: Thirteenth English dub anime season, Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl: Sinnoh League Victors, released in the United States
• July 10: Thirteenth Pokémon movie, Zoroark: Master of Illusions, first released in Japan
• 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 and fourth Japanese anime series, first released in Japan
• October 13: Pokémon Global Link, an online portal, established (went offline, discontinued in 2020)

2011

• February 12: Fourteenth English dub anime season, Pokémon: Black & White, released in the United States
• February 26: Nintendo 3DS first released in Japan
• February 27: Fifteenth anniversary of the Pokémon video games and the Pokémon franchise
• April 21: Learn with Pokémon: Typing Adventure, spin-off 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: Fourteenth movie, Pokémon the Movie: Black—Victini and Reshiram and White—Victini and Zekrom, the first dual Pokemon movies, first released in Japan
• October 20: Fifteenth anniversary of the Pokémon Trading Card Game
• November 12: PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond first released in Japan for the Wii

2012

• February 18: Fifteenth English dub anime season, Pokémon: Black & White: Rival Destinies, released in the United States
• March 17: Pokémon Conquest, a spin-off game, first released in Japan for the Nintendo DS
• April 1: Fifteenth anniversary of the Pokémon anime
• 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, a sequel to Pokémon Black and White (2010), the first-ever sequel game and the final main game 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: Fifteenth Pokémon movie, Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice, first released in Japan
• July 28: Nintendo 3DS XL first released in Japan & Europe
• November 18: Wii U first released in North America
• November 23: Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Gates to Infinity, a spin-off 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: Sixteenth 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: Sixteenth Pokémon movie, Genesect and the Legend Awakened, first released in Japan
• July 27: Sixteenth 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
• 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: XY, fifth anime series, first released in Japan
• October 19: Seventeenth 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: Seventeenth 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 twelfth 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: Eighteenth 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: Eighteenth Pokémon movie, Hoopa and the Clash of Ages, first released in Japan
• September 9: Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon, a spin-off 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 spin-off game, first released in Japan for the Nintendo 3DS

2016

• February 7: Pokémon twentieth anniversary commercial airs during Super Bowl 50
• February 20: Nineteenth English dub anime season, Pokémon the Series: XYZ, released in the United States
• February 27: Twentieth anniversary of the Pokémon video games and 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 Wii U
• April 12: Pokémon Duel, a spin-off mobile game, first released in Japan for Android (shut down on October 31, 2019)
• July 6: Pokémon GO, geolocation-based mobile game, first released in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States for iOS and Android
• July 16: Nineteenth 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
• October 20: Twentieth anniversary of the Pokémon Trading Card Game
• November 17: Pokémon Sun and Moon, sixth anime series, first released in Japan
• November 18: Pokémon Sun and Moon, primary games of Generation VII, released worldwide for the Nintendo 3DS
• December 5: Twentieth 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
• April 1: Twentieth anniversary of the Pokémon anime
• June 15: New Nintendo 2DS XL first released in Australia
• July 15: Twentieth 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, a spin-off game first released for Nintendo 3DS
• March 28: Twenty-first 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 spin-off game, released for mobile
• July 13: Twenty-first Pokémon movie, The Power of Us, first released in Japan
• September 25: A mini-series The Two Professors was released
• 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 Twentieth anniversary of Pokémon Yellow (1998)
• December 7: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, crossover game, released for the Nintendo Switch

2019

• March 23: Twenty-second 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 app Pokémon Sleep, the Pokémon GO Plus + device, and the spin-off game Pokémon Masters for mobile devices
• July 12: Twenty-second 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 spin-off game released
• September 20: Nintendo Switch Lite released worldwide
• October 31: Pokémon Duel permanently shuts down
• November 15: Pokémon Sword and Shield, primary games of Generation VIII, 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, spin-off and remake of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team and Red Rescue Team (2005), released worldwide for the Nintendo Switch
• May 9: Twenty-third English dub anime season, Pokémon Journeys: The Series, first released in Canada
• June 5: A mini-series Pokétoon was released
• June 12: Twenty-third English dub anime season 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 spin-off mobile game, released worldwide
• June 24: Pokémon Café Mix, a spin-off mobile game, released worldwide
• August 29: Pokémon Masters, a spin-off 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: Twenty-third Pokémon movie, Secrets of the Jungle, first released in Japan; originally scheduled for July 12 but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan

2021

• February 27: Twenty-fifth anniversary of the Pokémon video games and the Pokémon franchise; Pokémon25 Virtual Concert with Post Malone
• April 30: New Pokémon Snap, a spin-off game, released worldwide for the Nintendo Switch
• May 14: "Electric" by American pop singer Katy Perry, the lead single of the Pokémon 25 music album, is released
• June 12: Twenty-fourth English dub anime season, Pokémon Master Journeys: The Series, season premiere in Canada
• July 6: Fifth anniversary of Pokémon GO, mobile game
• July 21: Pokémon Unite, a spin-off MOBA mobile game, released for Nintendo Switch
• September 9: Pokémon Evolutions, a special mini web anime series celebrating the 25th anniversary, first airs
• September 10: Twenty-fourth English dub anime season premieres on Netflix with the Netflix release of Pokémon Master Journeys: The Series in the United States
• September 22: Pokémon Unite, a spin-off MOBA mobile game, mobile release for iOS and Android
• October 8: Nintendo Switch OLED model worldwide release
• October 15: Release of Pokémon 25: The Album, featuring Katy Perry, Post Malone, J Balvin, Lil Yachty, Tierra Whack, Vince Staples, Zhu & more
• October 20: Twenty-fifth anniversary of the Pokémon Trading Card Game
• October 28: Pokémon Cafe Mix renamed Pokémon Café ReMix
• November 19: Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, remakes of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl (2006) for the Nintendo DS, worldwide release for the Nintendo Switch in celebration of the 15th anniversary of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl (2006)

2022

• January 28: Pokémon Legends: Arceus, interquel of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (2021), worldwide release for the Nintendo Switch
• April 1: Twenty-fifth anniversary of the Pokémon anime in Japan
• May 18: Pokémon: Hisuian Snow, a special mini web anime series, first airs
• May 28: Twenty-fifth English dub anime season, Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series, first released in Canada
• October 21: Twenty-fifth English dub anime season premieres on Netflix with the Netflix release of Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series in the United States
• November 18: Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, primary games of Generation IX, released worldwide for the Nintendo Switch

2023

• January 13: Pocket Monsters: Aim to Be a Pokémon Master anime airs in Japan
• April 8: A mini-series Cube-Shaped Pokémon on Cubie Island?! was released
• April 14: Pocket Monsters: Liko and Roy's Departure airs in Japan.
• July 17: Pokémon Sleep, a spin-off mobile game that tracks the amount of time a user sleeps
• August 11: A mini-series Pokémon: Path to the Peak was released
• September 6: A mini-series Pokémon: Paldean Winds was released
• October 6: Detective Pikachu Returns
• October 27: Pocket Monsters: The Sparkling of Terapagos airs in Japan.
• December 28: Pokémon Concierge aired on Netflix

Upcoming

• Untitled Detective Pikachu film sequel
• Pokémon Legends: Z-A