Summary

• Paying attention to how Pokémon games are connected helps construct a coherent timeline.
• Certain games like Legends: Arceus offer insight into the history of the Pokémon world.
• The timeline can be customized to personal preference, focusing on specific Generations.

Although the progression of the Pokémon games are all connected, it is still possible to construct a coherent timeline.

Although playing the Pokémon games in release order can give a perfectly reasonable view of the series, this way of experiencing the series is not quite the same as following the internal timeline. While the world generally progresses as the Generations do, this is not always the case, with some very notable exceptions appearing in recent years. Additionally, the prospect of playing every game is further complicated by the prevalence of dual-version releases in Pokemon, whose events are both complimentary and mutually exclusive. Similarly, remakes, which often supplant their original versions, must also be taken into

The Events Of Many Pokémon Games Are Mutually Exclusive

Arceus Is The Earliest In The Timeline

As it currently stands, Pokémon Legends: Arceus appears to be the earliest in the Pokémon game timeline. Set in the distant past, it is clear from the outset that the events unfolding in Hisui occur long before any other game in the core series. Additionally, although Legends: Arceus does retcon some Pokémon lore, the canonical existence of alternate universes can easily be used to explain such discrepancies, as well as the parallel events of other games. In any case, Legends: Arceus offers an intriguing insight into the Pokémon world’s history, setting the stage for the world seen in other titles.

After this, however, the Pokémon timeline quickly becomes very complex. If Legends: Arceus is a prequel to both the Sinnoh-based games and the series as a whole, then the Gen 1 titles are arguably still the beginning of the modern era of Pokémon, as Red sets out on his journey at the behest of Professor Oak in Pokémon Red and Blue. However, it is just as possible to place the remakes, Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen at this point in the timeline, as well as Pokémon Yellow. Playing any one of these games would preserve the series’ internal chronology.

The relationships between original games, remakes, and ‘upper’ or third versions like Pokémon Yellow can complicate the timeline considerably, as they are all effectively alternate versions of each other. On the other hand, the fact that they all follow the same general outline does mean that somebody can choose to play one or two variations that appeal the most to them personally. Although that said, considering the more drastic plot changes that can appear in third versions (including the introduction of new NPCs and Pokémon), it is arguably preferable to play these alongside one of their dual-version counterparts.

Some Pokémon Generations Actually Appear To Occur Simultaneously

It Depends On The Version

It is clear from the involvement of Team Rocket in the plot of Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal (as well as HeartGold and SoulSilver) that the Gen 2 games and their remakes are set after those of Gen 1; more specifically, three years later. However, it seems that the Gen 3 games (and, again, their remakes) may occur around the same time as Gen 1, according to a now-deleted post on Twitter (now X) from Game Freak employee Toshinobu Matsumiya (as noted by Bulbapedia). Gen 2 and Gen 4 are in a similar situation, which matches some clear in-game evidence.

As Red (or Leaf, if the player chooses the female protagonist) connects Kanto to Hoenn to enable trading in FRLG in his postgame journey to the Sevii Islands, it is reasonable to assume that his journey concludes just before Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. The Gen 3 titles always have trading with the Gen 1 remakes enabled, meaning that Red must have resolved the problems faced by the Pokémon Network system. Meanwhile, a television report can be seen in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl which covers the Red Gyarados incident of Pokémon Gold and Silver, again suggesting both game Generations are contemporary.

Some Non-Core Pokémon Games Can Also Be Considered Part Of The Main Timeline

All Part Of The Same Universe

Some non-core titles, specifically the Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon Ranger titles, are also canon to the main timeline. Pokémon Colosseum is set somewhere between Generations 1/3 and Generations 2/4, and its sequel Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness occurs five years later, and thus approximately two years after Generations 2/4. Meanwhile, the presence of Groudon, Kyogre, and Rayquaza in Fiore suggests Pokémon Ranger takes place at some point after the events of Gen 3. Its own sequels, Shadows of Almia and Guardian Signs, which are chronologically sequential, also seem to take place before Generations 2/4.

An Extra Mission for Guardian Signs, "Find Giratina's Griseous Orb!" sees the titular artifact given to Giratina as part of that mission; in Pokémon Platinum, meanwhile, the Orb is found in the Distortion World, indicating that Guardian Signs must have already occurred.

After Generations 2 and 4, Pokémon Black and White occur an uncertain amount of time later. The Unovan Elite Four member Caitlin actually first appears in Pokémon Platinum, as well as HeartGold and SoulSilver, at the Battle Castle. Moreover, Cynthia also appears in Black and White and makes reference to the events of Pokémon Platinum, including the encounter with Giratina not found in Diamond and Pearl. Subsequently, Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 obviously serve as direct sequels to the first pair of Unova-based games, with a two-year timeskip.

The Most Recent Pokémon Games Have The Simplest Timeline

Interestingly, Pokémon X and Y contain a reference to Team Plasma “making news a while back” according to a Breeder found in the Pokémon Center of Lumiose City’s Magenta Plaza. This indicates that, at the very least, X and Y are situated after Black and White, while the lack of a reference to Plasma’s resurgence implies that this hasn’t yet occurred. As a result, the Gen 6 games appear to take place around the same time as Black 2 and White 2, a conclusion ed by Matsumiya’s own previously stated timeline.

After Gen 6, the timeline is fairly straightforward, following the games in release order. Of course, Legends: Arceus is an exception to this, as are the Let’s Go games. Notably, although technically remakes of Pokémon Yellow, Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! also feature Red and Blue as NPCs who have already finished their Journeys, suggesting they exist in an independent continuity when compared to the rest of the core games; they effectively fill Gen 1’s role on the timeline, only with different protagonists. As a result, the core timeline can be understood as having the following order:

With so many different versions and remakes to consider, the Pokémon timeline can appear needlessly complex. However, aside from the occasional recurring NPC or other reference, it is important to note that most core games effectively exist independently of all others. Moreover, with so much variety to choose from in of titles, the experience of playing through the Pokémon timeline can effectively be customized to a person’s liking. As such, as long as one keeps in mind how the various Generations relate to each other on the timeline, it is entirely possible to experience Pokémon in full chronological order.

Source: Bulbapedia