The Most Popular Pokemon Generation, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the generation you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 5, 2024 06:46
Fans of Pokemon often debate which generation stands out as the favorite. Having a clear, crowd-sourced ranking helps new players identify where to start and long-time fans to see how their personal favorites stack up against the community consensus. It's an effective way to measure the pulse of the fanbase's preferences over time.
This interactive ranking invites you to contribute your vote and see how it influences the live results. Each vote helps ensure that the ranking accurately reflects the current opinions across the community, providing a dynamic snapshot of Pokemon generation popularity. It's your chance to have a say in shaping the landscape of Pokemon fandom.
What Is the Most Popular Pokemon Generation?
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150votes
Generation I (Red/Blue/Green/Yellow)
Game FreakThis was the first generation of Pokemon games and introduced the original 151 Pokemon. It has a special place in many fans' hearts and is often considered a classic.Generation I refers to the first set of core Pokemon games released for the Game Boy handheld console. The games were titled Pokemon Red, Pokemon Blue, and in Japan, Pokemon Green. Later, Pokemon Yellow was released as a special edition. This generation introduced players to the original 151 Pokemon and the Kanto region.- Release Year: 1996 (JP), 1998 (US/EU)
- Number of Pokemon: 151
- Region: Kanto
- Main Characters: Red, Blue, Green, Yellow
- Starter Pokemon: Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle
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230votes
Generation III (Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald)
Game FreakThis generation introduced many fan-favorite Pokemon, such as Mudkip, Torchic, and Treecko. It also added new features, such as double battles and abilities.Generation III, also known as the Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald generation, is the third installment in the Pokémon video game series. It was developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Advance.- Region: Hoenn
- Release Date: November 2002 (JP), March 2003 (NA), April 2003 (EU/AU)
- Number of Pokémon: 135 new species introduced
- Game Features: Double battles, Abilities, Natures, Contests
- Legendary Pokémon: Groudon, Kyogre, Rayquaza, Regice, Registeel, Regirock, Latios, Latias
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330votes
Generation V (Black/White/Black 2/White 2)
Game FreakThis generation was a soft reboot of the series and introduced many new mechanics, such as the ability to move diagonally and fully animated battles. It also had a more mature story compared to previous generations.Generation V, also known as Black/White/Black 2/White 2, is the fifth generation of Pokémon games. It introduced 156 new Pokémon species and is set in the Unova region, inspired by New York City.- Generation Number: 5
- Release Year: 2010
- Number of New Pokémon: 156
- Region: Unova
- Main Games: Black, White, Black 2, White 2
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424votes
Generation IV (Diamond/Pearl/Platinum)
Game FreakThis generation introduced many new evolutions of existing Pokemon, such as Electivire and Magmortar. It also added many new features, such as the global trade system and the underground mini-game.Generation IV (Diamond/Pearl/Platinum) is the fourth installment of the Pokémon video game series. It was released by Game Freak and published by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo. This generation introduced several new features and improvements to the gameplay, including a revamped breeding system and online functionality. The games were set in the Sinnoh region, featuring new Pokémon species, gyms, and a captivating storyline. The Generation IV games received critical acclaim and were highly successful, contributing to the continued popularity of the Pokémon franchise.- Release Year: 2006 (Diamond/Pearl), 2008 (Platinum)
- Number of New Pokémon: 107
- Total Pokémon in Generation: 493
- Introduced Game Mechanics: Physical/Special split, online features, Global Trade System (GTS)
- Region: Sinnoh
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522votesThis generation added many new features, such as Mega Evolutions and the Player Search System. It also introduced the Fairy type, which balanced the previously overpowered Dragon type.Generation VI of Pokemon, also known as X/Y/Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire, was released in 2013 for the Nintendo 3DS. It introduced a plethora of new features and enhancements to the franchise, including a new region, new Pokemon, updated graphics, and improved gameplay mechanics.
- Release Year: 2013
- Platform: Nintendo 3DS
- Region: Kalos (X/Y) and Hoenn (Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire)
- Number of New Pokemon: 72
- Mega Evolutions: 46
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610votesThis generation introduced many new Pokemon and features, such as Z-Moves and regional variants of existing Pokemon. It also had a more story-driven campaign compared to previous generations.Generation VII refers to the seventh installment of the popular Pokémon franchise, including the games Pokémon Sun, Pokémon Moon, Pokémon Ultra Sun, and Pokémon Ultra Moon. This generation introduced new Pokémon, features, and storylines set in the Alola region, a tropical paradise inspired by Hawaii. The games also introduced new gameplay mechanics like regional variants and Z-Moves.
- Release Year: 2016
- Main Games: Pokémon Sun, Pokémon Moon, Pokémon Ultra Sun, Pokémon Ultra Moon
- Region: Alola
- Starter Pokemon: Rowlet, Litten, Popplio
- Number of New Pokémon: 88
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712votes
Generation II (Gold/Silver/Crystal)
Game FreakThis generation introduced many new features, such as breeding and the day/night cycle. It also had a second region to explore after beating the main story.Generation II refers to the second set of Pokemon games released by Nintendo, including Pokemon Gold, Silver, and Crystal. It was the direct sequel to the first generation games (Red, Blue, and Yellow) and introduced various new features and Pokemon species.- Release Date: November 21, 1999 (Gold and Silver), July 29, 2001 (Crystal)
- Region: Johto
- Number of New Pokemon: 100
- Day/Night Cycle: Introduced the real-time clock, affecting gameplay and encounters
- Breeding: Introduced Pokemon breeding mechanics
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85votes
Generation VIII (Sword/Shield)
Game FreakThis generation introduced many new Pokemon and features, such as Dynamaxing and the Wild Area. It also had a more open-world feel compared to previous generations.Generation VIII, also known as Sword/Shield, is the eighth generation of Pokemon video games developed by Game Freak. It was released in November 2019 for the Nintendo Switch console. This generation introduces a new region called Galar, inspired by the United Kingdom, and includes a variety of new Pokemon species as well as regional forms of existing Pokemon. Trainers embark on a journey to become the Galar region's Champion, facing off against Gym Leaders and competing in the Pokemon League.- Release Date: November 2019
- Region: Galar
- Console: Nintendo Switch
- Number of New Pokemon Species: 81
- Regional Forms: 13
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95votes
Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee
Game FreakWhile technically not a generation, these games were remakes of the first generation and introduced many new features, such as a Pokemon following the player and simplified catching mechanics.Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! are role-playing games developed by Game Freak and published by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo. They were released in November 2018 as a part of the Pokémon franchise.- Genre: Role-playing game
- Platform: Nintendo Switch
- Release Date: November 16, 2018
- Players: Single player, Multiplayer (online and local)
- Pokémon Generation: Seventh (main series)
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106votes
Pokemon Go
Niantic, Inc.Again, not technically a generation, but this mobile game introduced many people to the world of Pokemon and was a cultural phenomenon when it first released.Pokemon Go is an augmented reality mobile game that allows players to capture virtual creatures called Pokemon in the real world. It uses the player's smartphone camera and GPS to create an immersive experience where players can find, battle, and train Pokemon. The game became a global phenomenon and was widely popular upon its release.- Platform: iOS, Android
- Release Date: July 6, 2016
- Genre: Augmented Reality, Location-based
- Players: Single-player, Multiplayer
- Virtual Currency: PokeCoins
Pokemon Go in other rankings- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular mobile game in Japan
- Position 6 of 10 in Most overrated mobile game
Missing your favorite generation?
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular generation
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Game SalesThe total number of sales for the main series games released during that generation. This indicates the popularity and commercial success of the generation.
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Critical ReceptionThe overall reception of the games by critics and gamers, which can be measured through review scores, awards, and user ratings.
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Number of New PokemonThe total number of new Pokemon introduced in the generation, as each generation usually introduces new creatures that impact the overall popularity.
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Innovations and FeaturesNew gameplay mechanics, features, and improvements introduced in the generation. Examples include new types, battle styles, and quality of life improvements.
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Impact on Competitive SceneThe influence the generation has on the competitive Pokemon landscape, such as new Pokemon that become popular in tournaments or new strategies that emerge.
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Anime & MoviesThe popularity and reception of the accompanying Pokemon anime series and movies released during that generation.
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Spin-Off Games & MerchandiseThe success and popularity of spin-off games and merchandise related to the generation, such as trading cards, plush toys, and other collectibles.
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Cultural ImpactThe influence the generation has on popular culture, such as memes, internet trends, or wider media coverage.
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Nostalgia FactorHow fondly players remember the generation, especially for older generations that have a nostalgic appeal to players who grew up with them.
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Community and Fan BaseThe size, engagement, and passion of the community who love and support the particular generation. This could be measured through fan creations, such as fan art, forums, and social media discussions.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Pokemon generation. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or generation is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2394 views
- 180 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each generation once every 24 hours. The rank of each generation is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular pokemon generation
Pokemon has been a beloved franchise since its inception in 1996. Over the years, there have been eight different generations of Pokemon games, each introducing new regions, characters, and of course, Pokemon. With so many generations to choose from, it can be difficult to determine which one is the most popular. However, by analyzing data from thousands of polls on StrawPoll, we can get a better understanding of which generation holds the most favor among fans. So, what is the most popular Pokemon generation? Let's dive in and find out.
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