Editing Pokémon (universe)

|caption = [[File:PokemonSymbol.svg|50px|class=invert]]

|publisher = [[Nintendo]]<br>The Pokémon Company

|genres = Role-playing<br>Adventure<br>Puzzle

|latestinstallment = ''{{iw|bulbapedia|Pokémon Scarlet and Violet}}'' (2022)

In the various incarnations of the ''Pokémon'' universe, the world of ''Pokémon'' is an Earth-like world inhabited by many species of the eponymous Pokémon creatures which coexist with humans. The Pokémon are colorful, sentient, sometimes sapient creatures possessing the abilities to perform amazing talents of seemingly every conceivable sort, examples of which are breathing fire, expulsing poisonous smog, summoning rainfall, performing martial arts, using illusion to split up into multiple copies of itself, employing psychokinesis, unleashing paralysis-inducing electricity, etc. Many Pokémon live as wild animals both as predators and prey, while other individual Pokémon are immensely powerful beings that the world's human denizens superstitiously attach a variety of creation myths to, and others still are man-made. Unlike the main RPG series itself, where all Pokémon make animal-like grunts and vocalizations (except for a few cases, such as Pikachu in Yellow and the sixth generation onwards) most Pokémon in the anime freely communicate with each other in an exclusive language that consists entirely of them reciting their own species names, but some can communicate in human tongue through telepathy (e.g. [[Mewtwo]]), and in extremely rare cases a Pokémon can master the ability to speak the physical human tongue (e.g. Team Rocket's [[Meowth]]). This is retained in various spinoff games, such as the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series itself and ''{{iw|bulbapedia|Detective Pikachu|game}}'', as well as other media such as the ''{{iw|bulbapedia|Detective Pikachu|movie}}'' live-action film. As of the present "eighth generation", there are 900 recognized species of Pokémon, a fair portion of which are known to have multiple, distinctive forms.

The concepts of the ''Pokémon'' setting, in whatever incarnation it takes or what kind of media it is depicted in, stem from the hobby of insect collecting, which was a popular pastime which ''Pokémon'' executive director Satoshi Tajiri had enjoyed as a child. In most depictions of ''Pokémon'', humans of varying interests seek out and capture various and multiple species of Pokémon using specially designed mass-producible tools called [[Poké Ball]]s. In most cases, a Pokémon caught from the wild by a human willingly joins up with the human and obeys his or her spoken commands. Some catch and own Pokémon as friendly pets and lifelong companions and do not participate in any competitive activities with them. Others of a less savory nature, such as members of Pokémon crime syndicates such as Team Rocket, capture Pokémon and use them as living tools to advance their evil agendas. Most humans, however, including players of the ''Pokémon'' RPGs, take on the occupation of Pokémon training; they catch and collect Pokémon to train them and battle the Pokémon of other trainers in officially sponsored competitive Pokémon matches. There are never any lasting, bloody wounds or deaths incurred by the creatures involved, and seemingly never any hard feelings between winners and losers.

The two-stage object of most ''Pokémon'' RPGs is to collect all of the available Pokémon species in the region where that RPG takes place in, and from them train a winning team of powerful combat Pokémon to defeat the professionally trained Pokémon teams of that region's strongest trainers. The player's quest always takes him or her across the region to battle eight specialists in Pokémon training, that region's "gym leaders", and once eight commemorative badges have been gathered, the player may then go to the region's Pokémon League and battle an elite group of trainers - that region's Elite Four - and then battle the regional Champion to take the title. These five trainers, which must be battled one-after-the-other with little rest in between, are almost always the game's equivalent to any other RPG's "final boss" challenge. Pokémon captured from the wild with Poké Balls accumulate experience and learn new combat moves by battling many wild Pokémon and challenging other trainer's Pokémon to Pokémon matches, and whenever a Pokémon falls in battle ("knocked out"), it is easy to quickly and completely restore it to health, free of charge, by visiting one of many Pokémon Centers located throughout a region. Many species of Pokémon, when they gain enough experience and regardless of whether they are in the wild or under a trainer's ownership, undergo a metamorphosis and "evolve" into a similar, but larger and more powerful, species of Pokémon. Many of the 900 species belong to such lineages, and therefore many of the species of Pokémon are effectively different stages of what can be said to be several hundred "families" of Pokémon.

*In 1996, Generation I begun the franchise with the ''Pokémon Red'' and ''Pokémon Green'' versions in Japan and ''Pokémon Red'' and ''Pokémon Blue'' versions internationally both for the Game Boy, with the first 151 Pokémon species and the first-known region of the Pokémon world, the Kanto region. Generation I can be well considered for setting the standards for every future generations to come, including a storyline, a professor, a villainous team with world dominating goals, and choosing between three starter Pokémon. Only this generation was in effect when ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' was developed and released in 1999, so Pokémon, locations, and properties from the first generation are featured in the game.  

*In 1999, Generation II began with the release of the ''Pokémon Gold'' and ''Pokémon Silver'' sequel versions for Game Boy Color, which added 100 new Pokémon to make for a total of 251, along with the new Johto region. In addition to addressing some of the technical issues that plagued Generation I, it would introduce many innovations that would go on to become series staples, such as breeding and having legendary Pokémon more involved with the plot of games. In 2001, ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' was developed and released during this generation, so the game features content based on both existing generations at the time.  

*In 2002, Generation III took effect with the release of the ''Pokémon Ruby'' and ''Pokémon Sapphire'' versions for Game Boy Advance, set in the Hoenn region, which added 135 more new Pokémon and raised the total to 386. In 2004, ''Pokémon FireRed'' and ''Pokémon LeafGreen'', the remakes of ''Pokémon Red'' and ''Blue'', were also released. With the complete technical overhaul from Generation II, the third generation had no backwards compatibility with Generations I and II, but the generation also made a large number of gameplay and mechanical advancements, such as introducing double battles, a simplified EV and IV system, natures, and abilities for Pokémon.

*In 2006, Generation IV was ushered in by the ''Pokémon Diamond'' and ''Pokémon Pearl'' versions for Nintendo DS, set in the Sinnoh region. It added 107 more new Pokémon, bringing the total to 493 species. In addition to various enhancements, Generation IV introduced the "physical-special split", making it so that attacking moves are now individually programmed as physical or special instead of being set by their type (previously, all moves of one type were one of either physical or special whenever or not they made physical contact), and although this has since been discontinued, online battling and trading via [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection]] became possible. In 2009, the generation also released Generation II remakes, ''Pokémon HeartGold'' and ''Pokémon SoulSilver''. ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' drew content from all Pokémon games released up to ''Diamond'' and ''Pearl''.

*In 2010, Generation V began with the release of ''Pokémon Black'' and ''Pokémon White'', also for Nintendo DS. Set in the Unova region, it brought in 156 species, the most of any individual Generation to the game and raised the total to 649. This generation also includes a sequel, ''Pokémon Black 2'' and ''Pokémon White 2'', instead of a remake. Generation V was designed and marketed as a "new beginning" for the franchise; while its mechanical advancements from Generation IV were minimal, other changes were introduced such as older protagonists, a greater focus on story and characters, the first region based on a non-Japanese country (the New York-inspired Unova region), and (in ''Black'' and ''White'') having a regional Pokédex purely consisting of new Pokémon.

*In 2013, Generation VI began with the series' first-ever simultaneous worldwide release, ''Pokémon X'' and ''Pokémon Y'' for the [[Nintendo 3DS]] - the games that marked the series' transition from 2D sprites to full 3D graphics and models. Set in the Kalos region, 72 new Pokémon were introduced, the fewest of any individual Generation, bringing the grand total to 721 recognized Pokémon species - but a brand new "Mega Evolution" mechanic also introduces dozens of all-new, temporary "super-forms" that Pokémon from previous generations may assume during battle. The generation also includes the Generation III remakes ''Pokémon Omega Ruby'' and ''Pokémon Alpha Sapphire''. Generation VI brought the series to true 3D (Generations IV and V only used 3D for their maps) and streamlined features such as competitive play, team preparation, and Pokémon catching and collecting. ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'' draws content from all six generations of ''Pokémon'' released at the time.

*In between the sixth and seventh core installments in late 2013, a service was launched on the Nintendo 3DS that allowed existing users to transfer over Pokémon from previous generations though cloud storage, called Pokémon Bank. This was followed up in February 2016 by the first ever official rereleases of the first generation titles ''Pokémon Red'', ''Blue'', and ''Yellow'' on the 3DS Virtual Console to celebrate the franchise’s 20th anniversary. With these versions, the first generation games can transfer their Pokémon from Pokémon Bank into the 3DS titles, a practice which had been, up to this point, impossible for the original Game Boy versions. This was later accompanied by 3DS Virtual Console rereleases of the second generation titles ''Pokémon Gold and Silver'' in late 2017 and ''Crystal'' in early 2018.

*In 2016, Generation VII began with ''Pokémon Sun'' and ''Pokémon Moon'' for the Nintendo 3DS, set in the Alola region. 81 new Pokémon were introduced, bringing the grand total to 802 recognized Pokémon species. In addition, a new mechanic called "Z-Moves" was introduced, allowing for each Pokémon to have access to special "finishing moves" that can only be used once per battle, and some Pokémon having Z-Moves exclusive only to them once they have the proper Z-Crystal. Select Pokémon from the first generation have also received exclusive redesigns called “Alolan forms” to cement the region’s distinct climate. Like Generation V before it, ''Sun and Moon'' have a greater focus on story and worldbuilding and attempt to break from the series's conventions in several ways. Chief among these changes are that Alola is introduced with no proper Pokémon League and the player must instead clear a series of trials to complete their "Island Challenge,” and that HMs were completely removed, thus eliminating the need to switch to a particular Pokémon for a specific technique at a specific time. Before release, ''Sun and Moon'' became the most preordered games in Nintendo’s history and afterwards becoming the fastest-selling games in the Americas, selling 14.69 million copies in a mere two months<ref>http://www.polygon.com/2017/1/31/14454408/pokemon-sun-moon-sales-nintendo-3ds-future</ref> (nearly on par with the lifetime sales of previous games). ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'' incorporates content from across the series up to this generation. The next two games, ''Pokémon Ultra Sun'' and ''Pokémon Ultra Moon'', are expansions of this generation with five new Pokémon, bringing the total to 807. Following these games were remakes of ''Pokémon Yellow'' titled ''Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu!'' and ''Pokémon Let's Go Eevee!'', which were the first traditional ''Pokémon'' games for the Nintendo Switch. The game is, however, a major departure from the core-series formula, as the wild battle mechanics and random encounters had been removed in favor for a capturing system similar to the one in ''Pokémon GO''. This change in gameplay and structure was intended to serve as a bridge for players between ''Pokémon GO'' and the mainline series as well as offer a more casual experience on its own. While these games limited the amount of Pokémon to the initial 151 (not including Alolan forms), two more Pokémon were introduced, bringing the franchise total to 809.

*In 2019, Generation VIII began with ''Pokémon Sword'' and ''Pokémon Shield'' for the Nintendo Switch, now set in the Galar region. Originally teased at E3 2017, this installment is notable for being the first time ever that a new core-series Pokémon generation was developed for a home console. Galar is an expansive region containing idyllic countrysides and contemporary cities, and the people and Pokémon work closer than ever to forge a living. The traditional Gym system from games prior to ''Sun and Moon'' was brought back for this installment, and a more familiar "Pokémon League" plot structure was reintroduced. A new mechanic to Pokémon battles is the ability to turn Pokémon giant and boost their stats for a limited time, called Dynamaxing and Gigantamaxing. Special Galarian forms of previous Pokémon can be found in the wild area similar to the Alolan forms of the previous generation. For the first time in the core series, certain tutorials can be skipped and many changes and tweaks were implemented to make it easier to enter the competitive scene. The games were released worldwide on November 15, 2019 to record-shattering sales, selling a combined 6 million copies in their first week and becoming the fastest-selling games on the Nintendo Switch, beating out the previous record-holder, ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', by a considerable margin. ''Sword'' and ''Shield'' didn’t include all previous Pokémon at launch, but brought back many of them through updates. Game Freak has stated that past Pokémon will return, but it isn’t clear if all past Pokémon will appear in future games or past Pokémon that were cut will return but future games won't have all past Pokémon. ''Ultimate'' incorporates some minor pieces of content from this generation, primarily Spirits based on a handful of the more notable Pokémon and an [[Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield!|online tourney event]] to commemorate the games' launch. These were also the first core ''Pokémon'' games to feature paid DLC, known as The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra. Closing out this era are titles based on the Generation IV games. The first are the remakes ''Pokémon Brilliant Diamond'' and ''Pokemon Shining Pearl'', released late 2021. The second, released at the beginning of 2022, was ''Pokémon Legends: Arceus'', a non-competitive action installment focused more on catching and researching Pokémon and set in a previous time of Sinnoh's history, when it was originally known as the Hisui region.

*In 2022, Generation IX was announced to be coming out late in the year with ''Pokémon Scarlet'' and ''Pokémon Violet'' for the Nintendo Switch, set in the fully open world of the Paldea region. As part of the open world gameplay, there are three distinct plotlines that can be completed in any order with the player being able to switch between them: the "Pokémon League" challenge, fighting the leaders of Team Star, and searching for the Herba Mystica which are guarded by Titan Pokémon. The new battle mechanic exclusive to the games is Tera Types, where the Pokémon can change their elemental typing based on their internal Tera Type. Following the games' release on November 18, 2022, ''Scarlet'' and ''Violet'' sold around 10 million copies in its first week.

*The ''Puzzle'' series is based on the {{uv|Panel de Pon}} series, debuted outside of Japan as ''Tetris Attack'', referencing the name of unrelated puzzle series {{uvm3|Tetris}}. ''Pokémon Puzzle League'', released for the N64, is based on the anime (and is the only game appearance of Ash), while ''Pokémon Puzzle Challenge'', released for the Game Boy Color, is not. Both of these games were based off cancelled projects of ''Panel de Pon 64'', and ''Panel de Pon GB'' respectively with the latter being intended as a port of the original ''Panel de Pon'' for the ''Super Famicom''.

*The ''Mystery Dungeon'' series is part of the [[Mystery Dungeon|eponymous franchise]] developed by {{h2|List of companies with minor representation|Spike Chunsoft}} and based around Pokémon rather than a trainer. The player joins a team and explores dungeons recruiting talking Pokémon, completing missions, and solving the mystery of why the player turned into a Pokémon. The most recent game is a Switch remake of ''Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red/Blue Rescue Team''.  

*''Pokemon Masters'' is a smartphone game where the player teams up with and fights several Gym Leaders, Elite Four members, Champions, player characters, rivals, villainous team members, and other characters throughout the ''Pokémon'' series.  

Mewtwo was originally planned to be a playable character, but was scrapped for unknown reasons.

''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'' features three stages representing ''Pokémon'', one starter and two unlockable, and one of them is a carry-over from the previous game, ''Melee'':  

In the interim between the releases of ''Brawl'' and the Wii U and 3DS ''Smash Bros.'' games, the ''Pokémon'' franchise once again proceeded with and completed a full generation, {{iw|bulbapedia|Generation V}}, and had started {{iw|bulbapedia|Generation VI}}, which allows for content from all six ''Pokémon'' generations to be featured in the most recent ''Smash Bros.'' game. Among the introductions in Generation VI are new, temporary "Mega Evolutions" for certain Pokémon species such as [[Lucario]], [[Charizard]], and [[Mewtwo]] who returns as the first [[downloadable character]] in the ''Smash Bros.'' series.

*[[File:PikachuIcon(SSB4-U).png|50px|right|link=Pikachu (SSB4)]]'''{{SSB4|Pikachu}}''' ([[Starter character|Starter]]): the Pokémon mascot was confirmed to be a playable character in ''Super Smash Bros. 4'' at the game's initial showcase at E3 2013. The only apparent cosmetic change is that it is much more brightly colored, and its design continues the trend of gradually becoming less chubby, matching its appearances in the most recent ''Pokémon'' products. Pikachu has received a fair amount of both buffs and nerfs. Its overall moveset remains the same, including its [[Final Smash]] from ''Brawl'', [[Volt Tackle]]. {{clr}}

*[[File:GreninjaIcon(SSB4-U).png|50px|right|link=Greninja (SSB4)]]'''{{SSB4|Greninja}}''' ([[Starter character|Starter]]): registered as Pokémon #658 in the games' National Pokédex listing, Greninja (''Gekkouga'' in the Japanese version) was introduced in Generation VI of Pokémon as the final evolution stage of Froakie, one of the three "starter" Pokémon the player may choose at the start of games set in the Kalos region. It is a Water/Dark dual-typed Pokémon and is regarded as one of the most viable contenders in the latest iteration of the main RPG series' competitive scenes. Greninja was confirmed as a newcomer in the April 8, 2014 Smash Bros. Direct. An amphibian warrior with a ninja-like aesthetic, Greninja's signature attack became its special move [[Water Shuriken]], a chargeable physical attack. Its [[Final Smash]] is [[Secret Ninja Attack]], where  Greninja uses its other signature attack Mat Block to send foes in front of the moon, where it then slashes opponents several times before sending a final blow downward.

The ''Pokémon'' franchise has been greatly expanded to include a substantial amount of content from the seventh generation, starting with ''Sun and Moon'', such as a new playable character, many new Poké Ball summons, many Spirits, and new music tracks. This is on top of all of the previous ''Pokémon'' fighters returning (including 3 cut veterans) and most of the summons, stages, and music tracks from the previous installments as well. This is the first title since ''Melee'' where Pikachu is the only ''Pokémon'' fighter available from the start. Also new to the franchise is the first appearance of Mii costumes in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series, with the Team Rocket outfits appearing as a downloadable content.

*19. [[File:PichuIcon(SSBU).png|50px|right|link=Pichu (SSBU)]]'''{{SSBU|Pichu}}''' ([[Unlockable character|Unlockable]]): After a two-installment absence (after its debut in ''Melee''), the Tiny Mouse Pokémon returns once more as an unlockable fighter. It's more expressive than its ''Melee'' counterpart and has even received new voice clips. It has also gained several new alternate costumes (including the female spiky-eared Pichu), a new taunt, a Final Smash that's the same as Pikachu's, and an [[on-screen appearance]]. As before, it still inflicts recoil damage on all of his electricity attacks, however the recoil damage had been reduced, and it also slowly increases Pichu's knockback thanks to [[rage]]. Overall, it's been heavily buffed compared to ''Melee'', and is far removed from its previous status as a “joke character.”{{clr}}

All ''Pokémon'' stages from past games aside from {{GameIcon|ssbm}}[[Poké Floats]] return. This is the first game with no new ''Pokémon'' stage, only retro stages.

*{{gameIcon|SSB}}'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Pokémon|Main Theme - Pokémon Red & Blue (64)}}''': A remix of the opening theme from ''{{iw|bulbapedia|Pokémon Red and Blue Versions}}''. Returns from ''Smash 64''.  

*{{gameIcon|SSBM}}'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Pokémon|Main Theme - Pokémon Red & Blue (Melee)}}''': An orchestrated arrangement of the Pokémon Main Theme, from ''Pokémon Red and Blue Versions''. Returns from ''Melee'', renamed from "Pokémon Stadium".

*{{gameIcon|SSBM}}'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Pokémon|Pokémon Red / Pokémon Blue Medley}}''': A medley of tracks from ''Pokémon Red and Blue Versions'', including "Battle! (Trainer Battle)", "Battle! (Gym Leader Battle)" and "Battle! (Wild Pokémon)". Returns from ''Melee'', renamed from "Poké Floats".

*{{gameIcon|SSBM}}'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Pokémon|Pokémon Gold / Pokémon Silver Medley}}''': A medley of tracks from ''{{iw|bulbapedia|Pokémon Gold and Silver Versions}}'', including  "Battle! (Wild Pokémon—Johto Version)", "Battle! (Gym Leader—Johto Version)", and "Battle! (Champion)". Returns from ''Melee'', renamed from "Battle Theme" in ''Melee'' and ''Brawl'', and "Pokémon Stadium 2" in ''Smash 4''.

Due to the long lasting popularity of the franchise, the ''Pokémon'' universe has received an impressive amount of representation, featuring a total of 49 games and media. The latest game represented in this universe is ''{{iw|bulbapedia|Pokémon Sword and Shield}}'', released on November 15, 2019.