Every Mainline Pokemon Generation, Ranked By Story

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As a dedicated Pokémon enthusiast, there’s an abundance of exciting paths for aspiring trainers like myself. I might find myself striving to fill up my very own Pokédex, or perhaps even aiming for something more challenging, like a Living Dex.

You could consider assembling a top-tier, cutting-edge team by investing time in training and optimizing their Individual Values (IVs).

Instead, you might immerse yourself deeply into the game’s folklore to unravel its secrets, similar to the enigma of the Lumiose City Ghost in Pokemon X and Y. Alternatively, you can simply appreciate the humorous and thrilling personalities and narrative.

If you’re curious about which mainline series stories are considered exceptional and unparalleled, keep reading! And if you’d like to explore how these stories have been adapted into anime, take a look at TopMob’s guide for locating each season.

We’re focusing on the initial mainline entries only for each generation in this article – this means remakes and semi-spin-offs like Legends Arceus don’t count towards the ranking as they fill in story beats for previous generations post their initial releases.

Spoilers for the plots of the Pokemon games – be warned!

9.
Generation 2

Pokemon Gold/Silver/Crystal

As a passionate Pokémon enthusiast, I can’t help but reminisce about the exhilarating continuation of the tale from Generation 1. Gold, Silver, and Crystal, these games stand as a direct sequel, weaving a captivating narrative that finds Team Rocket once again on the prowl. This time, they’re hot on the trail of none other than Giovanni, the infamous antagonist from our previous adventure.

In my opinion, what truly distinguishes our era among all others is the unique feature that allows us to journey to a new locale once the final curtain falls – finding ourselves in Kanto, experiencing the transformation of this beloved land three years after the events of the last generation.

Additionally, you’ll find Legendary Box characters like Ho-Oh and Lugia, as well as the wandering Pokémon such as Suicune, Entei, and Raikou. These add more depth and excitement to the tales that can be spun.

By the way, it’s quite intriguing that you’ll encounter your previous game character, who goes by the name Red, in this new game. It’s a delightful callback to the past, don’t you think?

In essence, while this generation may not have significantly advanced the narrative compared to the last one because it features the same team, it compensates remarkably by broadening the scope of the world and refining the gameplay, surpassing its predecessor in these aspects.

8.
Generation 8

Pokemon Sword/Shield

Eighth generation marked the arrival of the primary Pokémon series on Nintendo Switch, featuring games like Pokémon Sword and Shield. The narrative, situated in the game designer’s native United Kingdom, follows your character’s journey, where you confront gym leaders with the ultimate goal of reaching the Champion Cup competition.

On their journey, they’ll gradually reveal the secrets behind the enigmatic Box Legendaries, Zacian and Zamazenta, and learn about their connection to the ongoing energy issues in Galar region.

My concern about Gen 8 lies in its tendency to keep the players guessing until late in the plot about who’s the villain and who’s merely an annoyance. This gives the story a rushed or contrived feel, as if crucial elements have been crammed into the final moments.

As a gamer, I must admit that the DLC has its highlights – Calyrex seizing control of characters’ bodies never fails to leave an impression. And don’t get me wrong, Klara and Avery make unforgettable adversaries in their individual games. However, when compared to Generation 7’s epic narrative, I can’t help but feel that this expansion takes a slight step back.

7.
Generation 1

Pokemon Red/Blue/Green/Yellow

The original games, paving the way for many more. Compared to subsequent releases, Generation 1’s narrative style is relatively straightforward.

In simpler terms, the main lesson of this tale could be rephrased as ‘avoid stealing’, but it might not resonate as strongly with some modern audiences as certain timeless moral messages do.

This generation lacks any Legendary Box characters, which diminishes a certain aspect – even though they often don’t receive the strongest starting positions in the narratives.

It implies that in this generation, you’ll encounter more unexpected events, like Mewtwo seemingly emerging spontaneously and Mew becoming a city myth or local lore.

With a formidable competitor like Blue/Gary, who aims to defeat you instead of merely being friends, combined with the surprising revelation that Giovanni is the leader of Viridian City Gym, it sets the stage for an unforgettable, if not straightforward, initial journey.

6.
Generation 3

Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald

With the launch of the Game Boy Advance, these early Pokémon titles took advantage of the enhanced capabilities of the system to boost their graphics and weave a grander narrative.

In this generation, we saw not just one, but two sinister groups emerge – Team Aqua and Team Magma. Their goal was global domination. Team Aqua aimed to flood the land, while Team Magma sought to reshape the entire world.

Depending on the specific game you were playing, the opposing team would vary. In some games, Team Magma was controlled by Ruby, while in others, it was Team Aqua who were managed by Sapphire.

They plan on seizing one of the Box Legendaries, either Kyogre or Groudon, who manage the planet’s water and land resources respectively. It’s up to you, as usual, a young kid like you, to prevent this from happening.

In the game Emerald, the narrative unfolds as both teams compete to transform the world. The legendary Pokémon box containing Rayquazza is utilized by the player’s character in an attempt to halt their progress.

In this generation, individuals accumulate or forfeit points depending on their competition – while May/Brendan seem to be slowing down significantly, Wally is displaying a significant transformation in his character.

5.
Generation 6

Pokemon X/Y

Generation 6, to me, represents unrealized promise. Games like Pokemon X and Y, set in a fictional French region, are brimming with innovative concepts. For instance, we have Mega Evolutions, ancient beings dating back over 3000 years, and even the initial foray into a 3D perspective for mainline Pokemon games.

The narrative unfolds much like other Pokemon adventures, initiating with your embarkation on a quest to become the champion. During this journey, you encounter Team Flare, initially appearing as a typical villainous group who prioritize aesthetics above all else, kidnapping and misbehaving with Pokemon they consider beautiful.

Yet, it’s uncovered that they harbor sinister intentions, as they pursue a catastrophic device to restore the world to a pristine, untouched condition. Indeed, in a game intended for ages 7 and up, there exists such devastating weaponry.

It’s even more astounding to discover that this weapon was utilized earlier as well, by AZ – a colossal figure standing at around 9 feet tall and over 3000 years old. He employed it to bring an end to a conflict that took place in the Kalos region, which dates back to ancient times.

Regrettably, the game didn’t explore those topics as deeply as expected, and since this generation marked the first time no follow-up or updated versions were made available, many questions remained unanswered. However, that changed when Pokémon Legends: Arceus was announced.

4.
Generation 4

Pokemon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum

In Generation 4, games like Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, the narrative becomes more intricate, delving into themes such as feelings, wisdom, and determination. Yet, the central plot continues to focus on a group aiming to conquer the world.

In generation 4, lore becomes particularly intriguing as it introduces unique entities like Arceus, known as the God Pokémon, and the Box Legendaries – Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina. These remarkable beings hold dominion over time (Dialga), space (Palkia), and antimatter (Giratina) respectively.

I can’t help but feel exhilarated about diving into Generation 4, a significant leap from the past! Characters like Barry and Cynthia, whom fans adore, are here, and let me tell you, the arrival of the enduring character, Looker, only adds to the excitement. The compelling narrative of this generation is something that’s fondly remembered by many, myself included.

3.
Generation 5

Pokemon Black/White & Black 2/White 2

Frequently recognized as a peak point in the main series stories of Pokémon, the games Black and White (and their sequels, creatively titled Black 2 and White 2) attempt to rejuvenate the Pokémon universe.

The initial games, when arranged according to their release, are not set in a fictional depiction of Japan. Instead, they transpire in an imaginary rendition of New York City, featuring 156 novel Pokémon for combat, capture, and trading.

The moral themes these games emphasize revolve around the dilemma between upholding ideals or truth as paramount, and they showcase character progression, particularly for the enigmatic antihero N, who was raised with a deep-seated disdain towards humans due to their treatment of Pokemon.

Although the games eventually evolve into the familiar theme of ‘desiring global domination’, it’s intriguing how they explore the thought-provoking concept that humans can be harmful to other humans.

In a unique twist, we also have the initial sequels directly following the original, such as Black and White 2, providing a richer gaming experience compared to many Pokemon games.

And who can forget some of the best quotes in the Pokemon franchise?

2.
Generation 7

Pokemon Sun/Moon & Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon

The initial generation could be characterized as excessively guiding or explanatory. However, this doesn’t imply that Generation 7 is devoid of compelling narratives; it just tends to get a bit convoluted at times.

As a gamer, I’ve dived into an alternate gaming universe, where the creatures aren’t exactly like Pokémon, but they share a similar charm – these are the Ultra Beasts. The central plot isn’t about just catching them all; it delves deep into obsession and family ties, elements more commonly found in a gripping HBO series than a typical Pokemon game. It’s an intriguing blend of fantasy and reality that keeps me hooked!

In essence, Pokemon games like Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon showcase the rich potential that Pokemon can achieve with sufficient resources and development time.

Which, let’s be honest, as the biggest entertainment franchise in the world, it really should.

1.
Generation 9

Pokemon Scarlet/Violet

It might seem plausible, considering all the chatter about Scarlet and Violet, that they are subpar games. While it’s true they were prematurely released, resulting in numerous bugs, I don’t align with this perspective. One reason I believe these games warrant a chance is their captivating narrative.

In this main series game, the structure has shifted from a linear progression of routes to an open-world setup, allowing players to tackle gym challenges in whichever sequence they prefer.

In addition to the traditional gyms, there are also two alternative storylines available. The ‘Path of Legends’ stands out among these, as it involves defeating colossal Pokémon known as Titans.

This way, the text is more engaging and easier for readers to understand, while maintaining the original meaning.

Subsequently, you’ll reach the post-game content titled Area Zero, and although I won’t give away any spoilers, I recommend having some tissues handy because this segment comes remarkably close to delivering a deeply emotional storyline – something that the main Pokemon series has not previously achieved.

Subsequently, the narrative unfolds more intricately with the expansion pack, weaving together a grand tale rich in unexpected plots, dramatic shifts, and introducing remarkable characters such as Carmine and Kieran, who have significantly enriched the series thus far.

In summary, although I find the concept of the academy and the treasure hunt a bit too conveniently fabricated as motives for actions that we’ve been engaged in for the past eight generations, I must admit that the storyline significantly surpasses its predecessors, offering a promising outlook for the future of the franchise.

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2025-04-23 17:13