Pokémon (universe): Difference between revisions
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*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 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. All of these changes were lauded by critics and fans who felt that the franchise was finally taking strides into the current video game landscape after years of stagnation. 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 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. All of these changes were lauded by critics and fans who felt that the franchise was finally taking strides into the current video game landscape after years of stagnation. 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 traditional "Pokémon League" plot structure was reintroduced. A new mechanic to Pokémon battles is the ability to turn your 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, the oft-derided catching 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. ''Ultimate'' incorporates some minor pieces of content from this generation, primarily Spirits based on a handful of the more notable Pokémon and an online tourney event to commemorate the games' launch. | *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 traditional "Pokémon League" plot structure was reintroduced. A new mechanic to Pokémon battles is the ability to turn your 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, the oft-derided catching 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. However, the games were criticized by critics and fans for their relatively safe approach to a new core generation compared to other Nintendo franchises, underwhelming graphical and technical performance, reuse of animations from the Nintendo 3DS titles (despite the developers claiming otherwise), and most notably the absence of the National Pokédex, making ''Sword'' and ''Shield'' the first generation of Pokémon titles where it is physically impossible to collect every single known Pokémon in the National Pokédex. ''Ultimate'' incorporates some minor pieces of content from this generation, primarily Spirits based on a handful of the more notable Pokémon and an online tourney event to commemorate the games' launch. | ||
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: | 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: | ||