It's officially the end of an era of Pokemon

by

This article was updated by Andrea Tram on May 11, 2026 with a list of games for each generation of Pokémon. It was first published on April 30.

The development cycle of Pokemon has been predictable for years and with the upcoming release Pokemon winds and wavesit changes forever. At least depending on the final income Pokemon winds and wavesit is unlikely that Game Freak will be able to return.

In the early years Pokemonthe development cycle was a bit more tumultuous – for lack of a better term. It was a brand new IP, it was a fledgling franchise, and it grew incredibly quickly to become one of the most popular intellectual properties around the world. But very clearly around Gen 5 (and probably earlier) Game Freak settled into a three-year release cycle, which on the one hand would probably limit some games. On the other hand, he has become an ever-present mainstay in the lives of some fans.

pokemon-winds-waves-starters-game-rant

Pokemon Winds and Waves Map Leaks Online

Basically the entire Pokémon Winds and Waves region has leaked online, and fans are putting together new Gen 10 region locations.

Pokemon development cycle (based on North American release dates)

  • Pokemon Red and Blue (Gen 1) – 1998 (released two years earlier in Japan)

    • Pokemon Yellow (Gen 1) – 1999

  • Pokemon Gold and Silver (Gen 2) – 2000

    • Pokemon Crystal (Gen 2) – 2021

  • Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire (Gen 3) – 2003

    • Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen (Gen 3) — 2004

    • Pokemon Emerald (Gen 3) – 2005

  • Pokemon Diamond and Pearl (Gen 4) – 2007

    • Pokemon Platinum (Gen 4) – 2009

    • Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver (Gen 4) — 2010

  • Pokemon Black and White (Gen 5) – 2010

    • Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 (Gen 5) — 2012

  • Pokemon X and Y (Gen 6) – 2013

    • Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (Gen 6) — 2014

  • Pokemon Sun and Moon (Gen 7) — 2016

    • Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon (Gen 7) — 2017

    • Pokemon: Let's Go Pikachu! and Eevee! (Gen 7) – 2018

  • Pokemon Sword and Shield (Gen 8) – 2019

    • Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (Gen 8) — 2021

    • Pokemon Legends: Arceus (Gen 8) — 2022

  • Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (Gen 9) – 2022

    • Pokemon Legends: ZA (Gen 9) — 2025

  • Pokemon Winds and Waves (Gen 10) — 2027

Pokemon black and white they were released in 2010, three years later Pokemon Diamond and Pearl. And this three-year cycle will carry one to Gen 9: Pokemon X and Y it was 3 years after that Black and White, Pokemon Sun and Moon it was 3 years after that X and Y, and so on. However, with the release almost officially confirmed Pokemon winds and waves at the end of 2027 (against the general year 2027), which is the first time five years passed between the main series Pokemon games.

This is a list of Pokemon spin-offs over the years:

  • Pokemon Snap – 1999

  • Pokemon Stadium – 2000

  • Pokemon Stadium 2—2001

  • Pokemon Colosseum – 2004

  • Pokemon Dash – 2005

  • Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness – 2005

  • Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Blue and Red Rescue Team — 2006

  • Pokemon Ranger – 2006

  • Pokemon Battle Revolution — 2007

  • Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Darkness — 2008

  • My Pokemon Ranch – 2008

  • Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia – 2008

  • Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky — 2009

  • Pokemon Rumble – 2009

  • Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Sings – 2010

  • Pokemon Rumble Blast – 2011

  • Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity — 2013

  • Pokemon Rumble U – 2013

  • Pokemon Rumble World — 2015

  • Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon – 2015

  • Pokken Tournament – 2016

  • Pokken Tournament DX – 2017

  • Detective Pikachu – 2018

  • Pokemon Rumble Rush – 2019

  • Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX—2020

  • Pokemon Unite – 2021

  • New Pokemon Snap – 2021

  • Detective Pikachu Returns – 2023

  • Pokemon Pokopia – 2026

  • Pokemon Champions – 2026

GameRant Quiz

GameRant Quiz

Easy (15s) Medium (10s) Hard (5s) Permadeath (5s)

To be fair, the pattern has become even more predictable over the years. Fans could typically predict with semi-accurate when a new generation would start, when a remake would be released, and when a spin-off would happen. The biggest surprise, at least as far as news is concerned, has been the introduction of news in recent years Pokemon legends main lines and the fact that we didn't make it Pokemon black and white remodels.

And of course it's worth noting that a release cadence of three years doesn't mean three years of development time – each game is worked on in stages, at different stages of development, with reports suggesting Pokemon Legends 3 in full production and Pokemon Gen 11 it is in pre-production as of this writing. However, this means that three years has become something of an important marker for fans.

Who is that character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.




Who is that character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Easy (7.5s) Medium (5.0s) Hard (2.5s) Permadeath (2.5s)

Some hope that the extended length between releases will lead to better and more polished Pokémon, no doubt due to the criticism of the last few games. Sword and shield they were criticized for not using the likes of Switch and Dexit Pokemon Scarlet and Violet'The visual side was a big controversy. Even Pokemon Legends: ZA angered fans because of its budget and how it was reflected in the game. But to play devil's advocate, each game was for the fans, brought fan-favorite new Pokémon and entertained millions despite those flaws. Now if 5 years becomes the norm (because game development has only gotten longer) then there will only be 4 new gens over the next 20 years versus ~7. Whether this actually leads to better games remains to be seen, but the end of the 3 years between releases is over.

Leave a Comment