Core series: Difference between revisions

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(→‎Fan speculation: No longer true. The 3DS is the latest handheld console but Gen V shares the DS with Gen IV.)
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In addition to the five [[generation]]s currently revealed, fans have come to expect '''future generations''' of the Pokémon franchise, extending the series and bringing about new concepts, new areas to explore, and most importantly, new Pokémon. Despite over 600 Pokémon currently being known to the public, it has been indicated both in-universe and by the creators of the series that not every Pokémon has yet been discovered and not every region has been explored.
{{move|Main series}}
[[File:Red Title.png|frame|right|The title screen of {{game3|Red and Blue|Pokémon Red Version|s}}]]
A '''version''' of the Pokémon games is a {{pkmn|games|game}}, up to present, always released on a [[Nintendo]] handheld system and developed by [[Game Freak]], which follows the now-standard model of a {{player}}'s journey through a specific [[region]] to collect all of the species of Pokémon there. Collectively, the twenty-one games in Japan (twenty in most other countries) released with the suffix "version" are known by fans as the '''main series''' (Japanese: '''ポケットモンスターシリーズ''' ''Pocket Monsters Series'') of Pokémon games.


==Fan speculation==
==Version formula==
{{fan speculation}}
What makes a Pokémon game a "version", aside from the label on the box and game media, is the standard plot which is shared by all of them. The player begins the game in a small town, having no {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} of their own. Through a course of events, he or she will come into contact with their region's native [[Pokémon professor]], who will then allow them to keep a [[starter Pokémon]] of their choice. The starter Pokémon is always one of a group of three, a {{type|Grass}}, {{type|Fire}}, or {{type|Water}}, and the character who will become the {{player}}'s [[rival]] will choose or already have the Pokémon whose [[type]] is [[super effective]] against that of the player's choice. The exceptions to this are {{game|Yellow}}, in which the player starts with {{p|Pikachu}} and the rival starts with {{p|Eevee}}, and {{game|Black and White|s}}, where one of the player's rivals ([[Bianca]]) starts with the Pokémon whose type is [[not very effective]] against the player's.
The five currently released generations have established and maintained a series of patterns that hint towards what a new generation may entail. Naturally, a new region, new set of Pokémon, new set of moves, and new characters will be introduced. To some extents, these may encompass new concepts, but the standards set down over the past fifteen years will provide the backbone of the game.


===General===
It is at this point where the storyline of all twenty-one diverge. The player is allowed to journey across the entire region, capturing any [[wild Pokémon]] he or she chooses to, and using a [[party]] he or she assembles to take on the eight [[Gym Leader]]s of the region. Alongside encounters with both other {{pkmn|Trainer}}s and repeated interactions with their rival, a [[villainous team]] will arrive to cause trouble early on in the player's quest, touting plans to seriously affect the world detrimentally and sometimes to capture [[legendary Pokémon]] to do their bidding.
The player will start his or her journey with one of three [[starter Pokémon]], which will be of the {{t|Grass}}, {{t|Fire}}, or {{type|Water}}s. Eight [[Gym]]s must be challenged before the player can take on the [[Pokémon League]]; a villainous team must be stopped along the way. After the League has been defeated, a range of special areas will become accessible.


It can be assumed that the games will be released initially as a pair, with a [[third version]] following a couple of years later. The third version will expand on the plot. [[Remake]]s of previous games may follow, to be released around significant anniversaries. Just as {{game|Red and Blue|s}} were remade in Generation III, and {{game|Gold and Silver|s}} in Generation IV, it is possible that {{v|Ruby and Sapphire|s}} will be remade in Generation V.
After all eight Gym Leaders have been defeated, by showing the [[Badge]]s to a guard or many guards, the player can enter the [[Pokémon League]], where the [[Elite Four]] and {{pkmn|Champion}} await challengers.


The games will be accompanied by new [[Pokémon manga]], {{pkmn|anime}} episodes, and [[Pokémon Trading Card Game|TCG cards]].
Though the game can be considered over as soon as the player has defeated the Champion, the player's other task of completing the [[Pokédex]] remains. After this has been done, the player will receive a [[diploma]] for completing the [[regional Pokédex]] and another for completing the [[National Pokédex]] (only one diploma is awarded in games with only one Pokédex). Starting in Generation III, a new task is added in order to fully complete the game: obtaining all {{ga|Trainer card}} [[Trainer stars|stars]].


====Third Version====
==Mascots==
{{main|Version mascot}}
On the boxart for each game, one Pokémon, always introduced during the [[generation]] that game is a part of, or a remake of, will appear. This Pokémon has become known by fans as a [[version mascot]], and beginning in [[Generation II]], has always (with the exception of {{2v2|FireRed|LeafGreen}}, remakes of the [[Generation I]] games) been the [[legendary Pokémon]] available in that game at the climax of the storyline.


The third version will expand on the plot, and may contain new designs for existing places, new places, new Gym Leaders and characters in general, new Pokémon forms, more Pokémon from previous generations will become available and more special features. The two mascot Pokémon of the previous pair-games will both be available, usually after the player finishes the main plot.
==Relation to one another==
When a generation of Pokémon games begins, a pair of games, seen as counterparts to one another, is always released. These paired versions feature the same exact storyline as each other, but some of the Pokémon available in either one are different. For example, one game may have the {{type|Electric}} Pokémon {{p|Electabuzz}}, while the other has {{p|Magmar}}, a {{type|Fire}}. These Pokémon, due to their usual exclusivity to one or two of the games in a generation, are typically known as [[version-exclusive Pokémon]] and must be [[trade]]d between games in order to complete the Pokédex, a feature that has encouraged collaboration among players since the series began.


===Pokémon===
A later third game, usually to conclude the generation, is later released with several minor storyline tweaks, but with the same basic plot and taking place in the same [[region]]. Like the first two games, it will always be lacking some of the Pokémon present in one or both of the other games, but will also contain some of those missing from one of the them; thus, players of this third version must link together with the original pair to complete their Pokédex as well.
Some Pokémon may evolve into or from previously released Pokémon.


[[Legendary Pokémon]] with myths specific to the region are expected. Recent games feature these Pokémon in roles important to the driving plot. These Pokémon often appear in [[Legendary duo|duos]] and [[legendary trio|trios]].
[[Generation III]] was the first generation to involve the release of ''two'' sets of paired versions: first {{game|Ruby and Sapphire|s}} and then {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}}. It was also the first generation that did not contain a third version for one of its pairs: the [[Hoenn]]-based Ruby and Sapphire were later joined by {{v2|Emerald}}, but the [[Kanto]]-based FireRed and LeafGreen did not receive a third version because they were [[remakes]] of [[Pokémon Red and Green versions]]. This was later mimicked in [[Generation IV]], except with [[Pokémon Platinum Version|the third version]] being released before [[Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver versions|the remakes]].


The remainder of the Pokémon may be encountered once the milestone of defeating the Pokémon League is accomplished.
[[Generation V]] is still currently in progress and has had [[Pokémon Black and White Versions|one set of paired versions]] released and a second set, [[Pokémon Black and White Versions 2|Pokémon Black 2 and White 2]] released which are sequels to Black and White.


Before the release of Generations II, III, IV, and V, new Pokémon have been used to promote the new games through the anime. {{p|Ho-Oh}}, {{p|Togepi}}, {{p|Snubbull}}, {{p|Marill}}, {{p|Donphan}}, {{p|Kecleon}}, {{p|Blaziken}}, {{p|Munchlax}}, {{p|Electivire}}, {{p|Chatot}}, [[Buizel]], {{p|Bonsly}}, {{p|Mime Jr.}}, {{p|Lucario}}, {{p|Weavile}}, {{p|Manaphy}}, {{p|Zoroark}} and {{p|Zorua}} are a few of the Pokémon that debuted before their generation.
==List of versions==
{| class="roundy" align="center" style="background: #a0a0c4; border: 3px solid #ccf;" width="80%"
|-
!
! colspan="2" width="60%" height="30px" style="background: #ddf; {{roundytl|5px}}" | Paired versions
! width="30%" height="30px" style="background: #ddf; {{roundytr|5px}}" | Third version
|-
! rowspan="5" style="background: #{{kanto color}}; {{roundytl|5px}}" | {{color2|{{kanto color dark}}|Generation I|Generation I}}
! colspan="3" style="background: #{{kanto color light}}" | {{color|{{kanto color dark}}|Japan}}
|- align="center"
| rowspan="2" style="background: #{{red color light}};" width="30%" | {{colorswatch|{{red color}}|{{color2|{{red color dark}}|Pokémon Red and Green Versions|Red}}}}
| rowspan="2" style="background: #{{green color light}};" width="30%" | {{colorswatch|{{green color}}|{{color2|{{green color dark}}|Pokémon Red and Green Versions|Green}}}}
| style="background: #{{blue color light}};" width="30%" | {{colorswatch|{{blue color}}|{{color2|{{blue color dark}}|Pokémon Blue Version (Japanese)|Blue}}}}
|- align="center"
| style="background: #{{yellow color light}};" width="30%" | {{colorswatch|{{yellow color}}|{{color2|{{yellow color dark}}|Pokémon Yellow Version|Yellow}}}}
|-
! colspan="3" style="background: #{{kanto color light}}" | {{color|{{kanto color dark}}|North America, Europe, and Australia}}
|- align="center"
| style="background: #{{red color light}};" width="30%" | {{colorswatch|{{red color}}|{{color2|{{red color dark}}|Pokémon Red and Blue Versions|Red}}}}
| style="background: #{{blue color light}};" width="30%" | {{colorswatch|{{blue color}}|{{color2|{{blue color dark}}|Pokémon Red and Blue Versions|Blue}}}}
| style="background: #{{yellow color light}};" width="30%" | {{colorswatch|{{yellow color}}|{{color2|{{yellow color dark}}|Pokémon Yellow Version|Yellow}}}}
|- align="center"
! style="background: #{{johto color}}; padding:5px;" | {{color2|{{johto color dark}}|Generation II|Generation II}}
| style="background: #{{gold color light}};" width="30%" | {{colorswatch|{{gold color}}|{{color2|{{gold color dark}}|Pokémon Gold and Silver Versions|Gold}}}}
| style="background: #{{silver color light}};" width="30%" | {{colorswatch|{{silver color}}|{{color2|{{silver color dark}}|Pokémon Gold and Silver Versions|Silver}}}}
| style="background: #{{crystal color light}};" width="30%" | {{colorswatch|{{crystal color}}|{{color2|{{crystal color dark}}|Pokémon Crystal Version|Crystal}}}}
|- align="center"
! rowspan="2" style="background: #{{hoenn color}}; padding:5px;" | {{color2|{{hoenn color dark}}|Generation III|Generation III}}
| style="background: #{{ruby color light}};" width="30%" | {{colorswatch|{{ruby color}}|{{color2|{{ruby color dark}}|Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Versions|Ruby}}}}
| style="background: #{{sapphire color light}};" width="30%" | {{colorswatch|{{sapphire color}}|{{color2|{{sapphire color dark}}|Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Versions|Sapphire}}}}
| style="background: #{{emerald color light}};" width="30%" | {{colorswatch|{{emerald color}}|{{color2|{{emerald color dark}}|Pokémon Emerald Version|Emerald}}}}
|- align="center"
| style="background: #{{firered color light}};" width="30%" | {{colorswatch|{{firered color}}|{{color2|{{firered color dark}}|Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Versions|FireRed}}}}
| style="background: #{{leafgreen color light}};" width="30%" | {{colorswatch|{{leafgreen color}}|{{color2|{{leafgreen color dark}}|Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Versions|LeafGreen}}}}
| style="background: transparent;" |  
|- align="center"
! rowspan="2" style="background: #{{sinnoh color}}; padding:5px;" | {{color2|{{sinnoh color dark}}|Generation IV|Generation IV}}
| style="background: #{{diamond color light}};" width="30%" | {{colorswatch|{{diamond color}}|{{color2|{{diamond color dark}}|Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Versions|Diamond}}}}
| style="background: #{{pearl color light}};" width="30%" | {{colorswatch|{{pearl color}}|{{color2|{{pearl color dark}}|Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Versions|Pearl}}}}
| style="background: #{{platinum color light}};" width="30%" | {{colorswatch|{{platinum color}}|{{color2|{{platinum color dark}}|Pokémon Platinum Version|Platinum}}}}
|- align="center"
| style="background: #{{heartgold color light}};" width="30%" | {{colorswatch|{{heartgold color}}|{{color2|{{heartgold color dark}}|Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions|HeartGold}}}}
| style="background: #{{soulsilver color light}};" width="30%" | {{colorswatch|{{soulsilver color}}|{{color2|{{soulsilver color dark}}|Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions|SoulSilver}}}}
| style="background: transparent;" |  
|- align="center"
! rowspan="2" style="background: #{{unova color}}; {{roundybl|5px}} padding:5px;" | {{color2|{{unova color dark}}|Generation V|Generation V}}
| style="background: #{{black color light}};" width="30%" | {{colorswatch|{{black color}}|{{color2|{{black color dark}}|Pokémon Black and White Versions|Black}}}}
| style="background: #{{white color light}};" width="30%" | {{colorswatch|{{white color}}|{{color2|{{white color dark}}|Pokémon Black and White Versions |White}}}}
| style="background: transparent;" |  
|- align="center"
| style="background: #{{black 2 color light}};" width="30%" | {{colorswatch|{{black 2 color}}|{{color2|{{black 2 color dark}}|Pokémon Black and White Versions 2|Black 2}}}}
| style="background: #{{white 2 color light}};" width="30%" | {{colorswatch|{{white 2 color}}|{{color2|{{white 2 color dark}}|Pokémon Black and White Versions 2|White 2}}}}
| style="background: transparent;" |  
|}


===Characters===
==Trivia==
The first five generations have introduced some stock characters. Two [[player character]] options (one male, one female) live in a small town with their [[mom|mother]]. A previously unknown [[Pokémon Professor]] named after a type of tree will set the player's journey in motion. Eight [[Gym Leader]]s stand in the player's way to the [[Elite Four]], as does the player's [[rival]](s).
* Each generation's third version does not use its mascot's original [[Ken Sugimori]] artwork. [[Pokémon Blue Version (Japanese)|Blastoise]] (Japanese), [[Pokémon Yellow Version|Pikachu]] (Japanese and English), [[Pokémon Crystal Version|Suicune]], [[Pokémon Emerald Version|Rayquaza]], and [[Pokémon Platinum Version|Giratina]] use specially made artwork.
** {{2v2|FireRed|LeafGreen}}, {{2v2|Gold|Silver}}, {{2v2|HeartGold|SoulSilver}} and {{2v2|Black|White|2}} also use specially made artwork.
* Generation II is the only generation which has only two main versions and one third version worldwide. Generation I has Blue as a third version and Yellow as an added fourth in Japan, Generation III has five with the remakes of Red and Green, Generation IV has five with the remakes of Gold and Silver, and Generation V, which is not yet completed, has four so far.


Many other characters will exist in various manners: [[non-player character]]s to aid the player, [[Pokémon Trainer]]s to defeat on the road, a [[villainous team]], and perhaps familiar faces.
{{Main series}}


===Geography===
[[Category:Pokémon meta]]
Within the new region, there will be at least ten cities or towns, connected by [[route]]s. Current trends show that there will be at least one [[water route]], a mountain, [[cave]]s, and a forest. The route leading up to the Pokémon League has thus far been known as [[Victory Road]].
 
In recent games, post-League areas dedicated to battling such as the [[Battle Frontier]] and [[Battle Subway]] have been introduced to provide a new challenge to the latter portion of the game.
 
===Speculation against future generations===
Naturally, there are fans who do not see future generations as a possibility, and feel that the Pokémon franchise has done its dash.
 
New generations are typically marketed and announced about every three years, although the most recent two generations have been the central focus of the franchise for closer to four years. It remains unknown whether a sixth generation will be announced following this pattern (placing its release in 2014 or 2015), or if it will be announced at all.
 
==See also==
* [[History of Pokémon]]
* [[Generation I]]
* [[Generation II]]
* [[Generation III]]
* [[Generation IV]]
* [[Generation V]]
 
{{Project Fandom notice}}
[[Category:Fandom]]
[[Category:Games]]
[[Category:Games]]


[[ja:第五世代]]
[[it:Serie principale]]

Revision as of 15:29, 6 August 2012

018Pidgeot.png It has been suggested that this article be moved to Main series.
Please discuss whether or not to move it on its talk page.

A version of the Pokémon games is a game, up to present, always released on a Nintendo handheld system and developed by Game Freak, which follows the now-standard model of a player's journey through a specific region to collect all of the species of Pokémon there. Collectively, the twenty-one games in Japan (twenty in most other countries) released with the suffix "version" are known by fans as the main series (Japanese: ポケットモンスターシリーズ Pocket Monsters Series) of Pokémon games.

Version formula

What makes a Pokémon game a "version", aside from the label on the box and game media, is the standard plot which is shared by all of them. The player begins the game in a small town, having no Pokémon of their own. Through a course of events, he or she will come into contact with their region's native Pokémon professor, who will then allow them to keep a starter Pokémon of their choice. The starter Pokémon is always one of a group of three, a Grass-type, Fire-type, or Water-type, and the character who will become the player's rival will choose or already have the Pokémon whose type is super effective against that of the player's choice. The exceptions to this are Pokémon Yellow, in which the player starts with Pikachu and the rival starts with Eevee, and Pokémon Black and White, where one of the player's rivals (Bianca) starts with the Pokémon whose type is not very effective against the player's.

It is at this point where the storyline of all twenty-one diverge. The player is allowed to journey across the entire region, capturing any wild Pokémon he or she chooses to, and using a party he or she assembles to take on the eight Gym Leaders of the region. Alongside encounters with both other Trainers and repeated interactions with their rival, a villainous team will arrive to cause trouble early on in the player's quest, touting plans to seriously affect the world detrimentally and sometimes to capture legendary Pokémon to do their bidding.

After all eight Gym Leaders have been defeated, by showing the Badges to a guard or many guards, the player can enter the Pokémon League, where the Elite Four and Champion await challengers.

Though the game can be considered over as soon as the player has defeated the Champion, the player's other task of completing the Pokédex remains. After this has been done, the player will receive a diploma for completing the regional Pokédex and another for completing the National Pokédex (only one diploma is awarded in games with only one Pokédex). Starting in Generation III, a new task is added in order to fully complete the game: obtaining all Trainer card stars.

Mascots

Main article: Version mascot

On the boxart for each game, one Pokémon, always introduced during the generation that game is a part of, or a remake of, will appear. This Pokémon has become known by fans as a version mascot, and beginning in Generation II, has always (with the exception of FireRed and LeafGreen, remakes of the Generation I games) been the legendary Pokémon available in that game at the climax of the storyline.

Relation to one another

When a generation of Pokémon games begins, a pair of games, seen as counterparts to one another, is always released. These paired versions feature the same exact storyline as each other, but some of the Pokémon available in either one are different. For example, one game may have the Electric-type Pokémon Electabuzz, while the other has Magmar, a Fire-type. These Pokémon, due to their usual exclusivity to one or two of the games in a generation, are typically known as version-exclusive Pokémon and must be traded between games in order to complete the Pokédex, a feature that has encouraged collaboration among players since the series began.

A later third game, usually to conclude the generation, is later released with several minor storyline tweaks, but with the same basic plot and taking place in the same region. Like the first two games, it will always be lacking some of the Pokémon present in one or both of the other games, but will also contain some of those missing from one of the them; thus, players of this third version must link together with the original pair to complete their Pokédex as well.

Generation III was the first generation to involve the release of two sets of paired versions: first Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire and then Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen. It was also the first generation that did not contain a third version for one of its pairs: the Hoenn-based Ruby and Sapphire were later joined by Emerald, but the Kanto-based FireRed and LeafGreen did not receive a third version because they were remakes of Pokémon Red and Green versions. This was later mimicked in Generation IV, except with the third version being released before the remakes.

Generation V is still currently in progress and has had one set of paired versions released and a second set, Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 released which are sequels to Black and White.

List of versions

Paired versions Third version
Generation I Japan
North America, Europe, and Australia
Generation II
Generation III
 
Generation IV
 
Generation V  
 

Trivia

  • Each generation's third version does not use its mascot's original Ken Sugimori artwork. Blastoise (Japanese), Pikachu (Japanese and English), Suicune, Rayquaza, and Giratina use specially made artwork.
  • Generation II is the only generation which has only two main versions and one third version worldwide. Generation I has Blue as a third version and Yellow as an added fourth in Japan, Generation III has five with the remakes of Red and Green, Generation IV has five with the remakes of Gold and Silver, and Generation V, which is not yet completed, has four so far.

Template:Main series