Pokémon (universe): Difference between revisions

*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 addition to the main series games, there also exists a multitude of spin-off games. The gameplay of these games can be similar or drastically different compared to the main series games, and can also have different goals of the game. These games are: