List of cross-generational references

This article contains fan speculation.
There is no solid evidence for or against some parts of this article.

The nine generations of Pokémon games, taking place in the same world, have had multiple references to each other. Not only do the games reference their same-generation counterparts (with the player's default name being the version played and the rival's being the counterpart version in the first two generations), but games released later in the series typically will feature references to events of past generations.

This does not include Pokémon. While Pokémon released in previous generations will always appear, they are not a reference to the generation itself.

List of references

Generation II

References to Generation I

Generation III

References to Generation I

References to Generation II

Generation IV

References to Generation I

The wallpaper

References to Generation II

References to Generation III

Generation V

References to Generation I

References to Generation II

References to Generation III

References to Generation IV

Generation VI

References to Generation I

References to Generation II

References to Generation III

References to Generation IV

References to Generation V

References to Generation VII

Generation VII

References to Generation I

References to Generation II

  • Heahea City was said to be formed by people who traveled from Kanto and Johto long, long ago and came together in the Alola region.
  • Malie City was also said to be formed by people from Johto settling in Alola.
  • Malie Garden also has a lake inside of it in the shape of a Gyarados, an allusion to the Lake of Rage in Johto.
  • A Sightseer in Malie City mentions that she is from Johto and finds it odd that people in Alola don't use Fly to travel, before giving the player the TM for the move.
  • Lana mentions having reeled in a Red Gyarados once. In the end, she was just trying to trick the player into believing her.
  • A poster within the Geothermal Power Plant on Blush Mountain mentions the Kanto Power Plant and how a Machine Part being stolen from there once put the entire plant out of operation, referencing the post-game events of the Johto games.
  • On Mount Lanakila, Professor Kukui mentions facing the Indigo League and how tough the battle with Lance was. Lance was the Champion of the Indigo League in the Generation II games and their remakes.
  • The player is able to obtain one Apricorn Ball each per game. These are the special Poké Balls that Kurt makes by hand in the Johto region. In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the player can also receive one of each Apricorn Ball from a Game Freak employee in Heahea City by showing him a Pokémon from a Virtual Console version of a Generation II game.
  • A Rage Candy Bar is given to the player in Pokémon Center Cafés when buying a drink for the first time on Tuesdays.
  • When Moomoo Milk is purchased at a Pokémon Center Café, the man running the café can sometimes mention the Goldenrod City Gym Leader Whitney, saying that her Miltank supposedly produces high quality Moomoo Milk.
  • In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, Gladion travels to Kanto and Johto to train.
  • In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, a Gentleman in the Akala Ferry Terminal in Heahea City mentions Kurt and the rare GS Ball, claiming that its name stands either for the "greatest smith's ball" or "Gold-Silver Ball".
  • In Detective Pikachu, Mewtwo is mentioned to possess the Berserk Gene, which was also a Generation II-exclusive item heavily related to Mewtwo. It is used to make a drug called "R", which temporarily boosts a Pokémon's power while also causing them to go berserk, referencing the Berserk Gene's effect of boosting a Pokémon's Attack upon consumption, while also confusing it.
  • After Giovanni has been defeated at the Viridian Gym and he's left to train alone, Blue takes charge of the Gym himself, just like he had done in Generation II. In addition, when he's challenged for a rematch during the post-game, he mentions how he's planning to remodel the Gym, which he's seen to have done in Generation II.
  • After being defeated in a rematch, Sabrina mentions how she won't be facing another challenger like the player for three years, referencing the three-year gap in-between the events of the Kanto and Johto games and her future battle against the Johto player character, whose arrival she claims to have foreseen three years in advance when met in Generation II.
  • After being defeated in a rematch, Koga mentions how he has plans to join the Elite Four, which he's accomplished by the time of the Johto games. From the second rematch onward, he will also mention his daughter before the battle.
  • From the second rematch onward, Blaine mentions that the Cinnabar Volcano is being active lately in his pre-battle dialogue. In addition, a news flyer at the Cinnabar Pokémon Center warns people of the possibility of a volcanic eruption. These are references to the eruption of the Cinnabar Volcano, which occurs before the events of Generation II and devastates most of Cinnabar Island.

References to Generation III

References to Generation IV

References to Generation V

References to Generation VI

  • Dexio and Sina, Professor Sycamore's assistants from Pokémon X and Y, appear in Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon, telling the player about Zygarde and its Cells and giving the player a Zygarde Cube, which is stated to have been discovered by Professor Sycamore. When met in Heahea City, they mention being reminded of a group of five young Trainers, referring to the Kalos player character and their rivals. They later appear on Poni Island and inform the player about Mega Evolution, giving the player a Key Stone and an Alakazite. They also make an appearance at the Battle Tree.
    • When encountered, the music that plays in the cutscene is the same as the one used when encountering them in Pokémon X and Y.
  • When encountered for the first time on Route 8, Colress wonders out loud if the Z-Ring'sSM/Z-Power Ring'sUSUM power can surpass that of the Mega Ring.
  • A man on the first floor of the Dimensional Research Lab in Heahea City mentions having heard about "some rare Pokémon that can use rings to teleport itself through space", describing Hoopa.
  • A Collector on Route 11 says that there is a Pokémon in the Kalos region with bamboo leaves in its mouth, referring to Pancham and Pangoro.
  • A poster within the Geothermal Power Plant on Blush Mountain talks about the Kalos Power Plant. It mentions that it draws its energy from space with microwaves and send back to the planet's surface. The people in Kalos work with Porygon in space.
  • In Sun and Moon, Samson Oak mentions that the Rotom Pokédex was built with the help of a "young fellow" from Kalos. This is a reference to Clemont, a Kalosian Gym Leader known for his reputation as a genius inventor.
  • After becoming the Champion, Swimmer Girls Kylie and Ashlyn on Poni Breaker Coast will tell the player that they come from the Kalos region. They also talk about Trainer PR Videos and about being known in Kalos for their skills in HM-making.
  • A Lumiose Galette is given to the player in Pokémon Center Cafés when buying a drink for the first time on Mondays. A Shalour Sable can be received on Fridays under the same conditions.
  • In Hau'oli City, Ilima's mother gives the player a Lumiose Galette and explains that it's his favorite food from the Kalos region, where he went to study abroad.
  • There is a Sushi High Roller in Malie City. A Sightseer who is dining there says that he once visited the branch in Kalos.
  • During Acerola's trial at the Thrifty Megamart, a picture of Pikachu Pop Star can be seen amongst the many Pikachu pictures in Totem Mimikyu's room.
  • In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, a Team Skull Grunt in Po Town says he's from the Kalos region.
  • The bottom floor of Resolution Cave has a practically identical layout to Zygarde's chamber in Kalos's Terminus Cave. In Sun and Moon, a Zygarde Cell is found in the center of the chamber, while in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, a 50% Forme Zygarde is there instead, like it was in Terminus Cave in X and Y.
  • After becoming Champion, a mysterious man appears in Haina Desert, apparently suffering from amnesia. If the player shows him a SolrockSUS/LunatoneMUM, he will regain his memories and mention that he first encountered the Pokémon shown to him 30 years earlier, and that the "star pulses" it bestowed upon him have been passed down to "a group of wonderful men". This is likely a reference to the old guys and the O-Powers they give to the player in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, as the same sound effect used when obtaining an O-Power is used when SolrockSUS/LunatoneMUM causes the man to regain his memories.
  • The woman selling fossils in Olivia's jewelry shop in Konikoni City mentions that Olivia brought the Jaw and Sail Fossils to Alola from the Kalos region.
  • In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, a boy in the Akala Ferry Terminal in Heahea City mentions the factory in Kalos that makes Poké Balls.
  • Lysandre appears as a member of Team Rainbow Rocket, using either XerneasUS or YveltalUM to battle the player. He also mentions the ultimate weapon, forcing the player character to make a similar choice between two buttons as he did for the Kalos player character in X and Y.
  • In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, when Iwao gives the player the Shiny Charm, he says he feels like a Picker-Upper and that his Secret Base was Gold Rank.
  • When the player enters the S.S. Anne, Blue gives them a Shalour Sable.
  • One of the games at the Rocket Game Corner features a Pikachu fighting in a mask, a reference to Pikachu Libre. This could also be a reference to Pokkén Tournament, in which Pikachu Libre is a playable Pokémon.

Generation VIII

References to Generation I

References to Generation II

References to Generation III

References to Generation IV

References to Generation V

References to Generation VI

References to Generation VII

Generation IX

References to Generation I

References to Generation II

References to Generation III

References to Generation IV

References to Generation V

References to Generation VI

  • The Meditative Seat, Heterarchical Loop, and Paradoxical Popper Super-Secret Base decorations from Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire can be found on display at Artazon.
  • Sushi High Rollers, which originated in Kalos, can be found across Paldea.
  • Roaring Moon's Pokédex entry from Pokémon Violet states that it's speculated to have a connection to "a phenomenon that occurs in a certain region", referencing Mega Evolution.
  • Atticus can sell the player replicas of the Expansion, Magma, and Aqua Suit helmets at Porto Marinada.
  • Pokémon Legends: Z-A takes place in Lumiose City five years after the events of X and Y and features Mega Evolution.
  • Multiple characters from X and Y return or are referenced in Legends: Z-A:
    • AZ returns as the head of Hotel Z, accompanied by his Floette. His history with the ultimate weapon is mentioned multiple times, with several shots of his backstory from X and Y being reused in Z-A.
    • Emma continues her work as the head of Looker Bureau while wearing the Expansion Suit and being accompanied by her Espurr, Mimi. She has photos of her mentors, Looker and Xerosic, on display on her wall and mentions them several times.
      • Looker's status as Emma's mentor is also mentioned by some other NPC, one of whom also mentions Looker's status as an International Police agent.
    • Mable is working as the acting director of the Pokémon Research Lab, whose previous head, Professor Sycamore, is mentioned to have resigned from his director role and currently be in another region, doing research alongside Trevor. Mable's Team Flare visor is also present on her desk, and her chair and laptop bear the Team Flare logo.
    • Clemont and Bonnie are mentioned, though not by name, by a pair NPCs at Centrico Plaza, as people who hosted battles and quiz shows, respectively, inside the Prism Tower before the Lumiose Gym was closed down.
    • Tierno is mentioned to be making waves as a dancer in Unova. In the Mega Dimension DLC, he's revealed to be Lida's half-brother.
    • Lysandre returns under the new identity of L, having survived being hit by the ultimate weapon's blast while also suffering from amnesia and having gained the same kind of extremely extended life as AZ.
    • Diantha is mentioned by several NPCs as a famous actress, most notably being mentioned to be the mother of Ansha, who even makes a drawing of her mother at one point. Her newest upcoming film, "The Suffering of a Carnation", is advertised at Bleu Sector 7.
    • Korrina returns in the Mega Dimension DLC. She references her role as the Shalour City Gym Leader, her grandfather, her former Roller Skating shtick, and her "Mega Lucario vs. Mega Lucario" showdown with the X and Y player character. She had also previously given AZ one of her Lucario, which AZ leaves for the player after his death and lists Korrina as its Original Trainer.
  • Lumiose Museum retains many paintings from Pokémon X and Y, and also features some new ones with references to Kalos:
    • A painting seen at Parfum Palace in Pokémon X and Y is on display, depicting a person that reminded the X and Y player character of AZ, a resemblance that is also noted by the painting's description here, but it is now theorized to instead depict a descendant of AZ's younger brother.
    • An entire wing is devoted to paintings depicting the Tower of Mastery in Shalour City. A replica of the tower's Mega Lucario statue is also on display. One of the paintings found here depicts the silhouette of Calem's overworld model from X and Y.
  • A group of NPCs at Galerie de la Lune talks about Emma, with one of them mentioning the Lumiose Gang.
  • During Side Mission 104: "Abuzz About Bug Types", Ace Trainer Constance mentions that AZ is said to have traveled to Hoenn to study the origins of Mega Evolution, referencing Mega Rayquaza's role as the progenitor of the phenomenon, as revealed on Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. During Side Mission EX1: "Shine Bright like a Gemstone", Emma also references this, saying that AZ once witnessed "a phenomenon in Hoenn that that may have been the beginning of all Mega Evolution".
  • In Restaurant Le Nah, a customer mentions how they used to serve fish and soup there. Another customer mentions Chef Roger, whom the player can battle in X and Y, while his table companion mentions Siebold.
  • In Restaurant Le Yeah, a customer quotes one of the spiels given before a meal was served at the restaurant in X and Y.
  • Sushi High Roller's map description mentions it having previously had a "members only" policy, as it did in X and Y. In addition, several rounds of the battles at the restaurant are themed around locations in Kalos, including the Miroir Way, the Winding Woods, and the Lost Hotel. A customer in the restaurant also mentions that the fish they serve is from Azure Bay.
  • In Restaurant Le Wow, a customer mentions the restaurant's Owner, Christophe, whom the player can battle in X and Y. A Waitress at the restaurant recommends their meals being tasted only when perfectly ready, referencing how, in X and Y, the player is to aim for a specific battle length in order to earn the best possible reward afterwards.
  • Siebold, Malva, and Wikstrom of the Kalos Elite Four are mentioned by various NPCs; Siebold is revealed to have left the Elite Four to focus on improving his culinary skills, Malva is mentioned to have disappeared, and Wikstrom is mentioned in the description of a Lumiose Museum display case. Malva is also mentioned to have participated in Team Flare's operation to capture Yveltal in the past as one of the team's Admins.
  • During Side Mission 069: "A Sky Battle, for Old Times' Sake", Backpacker Volli mentions Sky Battles and how they used to be a big fad in Kalos at one point, even comparing the player to a Sky Trainer after losing to them.
  • Grisham opens the secret entrance to the Lysandre Labs with the password "Open sesame", like it was opened in X and Y.
  • The Juice Shoppe, Friseur Furfrou, and Gogoat Shuttle from X and Y are mentioned to have gone out of business.
  • Both Grisham and L mention a group of children who stopped Team Flare's plans regarding the ultimate weapon, referencing the X and Y player character and their friends.
  • An NPC mentions the parade held at the end X and Y's main game, while another one mentions the huge blackout in Lumiose City in the same games.
  • While taking photos with their Rotom Phone in Legends: Z-A, the player player can play three different music tracks from Pokémon X and Y: Battle! Friend, Friends Theme "A New Meeting", and Friends Theme "Friends Forever".
  • A man near Wild Zone 11 mentions that it used to cost $5,000,000 to join Team Flare back in the day, referencing the Team Flare membership price mentioned a couple of times in X and Y.
  • A man near Wild Zone 19 mentions Super Training and how it'd be very profitable if it was brought back.
  • An NPC in Jaune Sector 9 mentions that that O-Powers have mysteriously disappeared.
  • Gardie of the Lumiose Safety Group mentions rumors of a building in the North Boulevard being haunted by the ghost of a woman, referencing the infamous Lumiose ghost girl from X and Y.
    • The ghost girl is also referenced by a Hex Maniac participating in the Z-A Royale, wanting to know what the ghost's words of "No, you're not the one" mean.
  • A street vendor mentions Poké Puffs.
  • A poster of Valerie can be found on the side of various stalls. She is also referenced by Furisode Girl Faye during Side Mission 042: "A Fan of Fairy Types", and by Korrina when she, the player, and Ansha visit the Lumiose Museum during Mega Dimension and view a painting of Laverre City.
  • While recounting the tale of Rayquaza, Ansha mentions the Draconid people.
  • While helping an author named Crivain during Side Mission 128: "A Novel Adventure", the story he tells to the player mentions the Sea Spirit's Den.
  • During Side Mission 194: "Volcanion Unleashed", Mable mentions Team Flare having once developed a virus that allowed them to hack Poké Balls using a special virus. This same technology was also used by Essentia in the X and Y post-game to steal people's Poké Balls.
  • During Side Mission EX1: "Shine Bright like a Gemstone", Emma has a brief phonecall with Sedna of the Lumiose Gang, and mentions the other gang members, Eris and Nix, as well. Later during the same side mission, she mentions how Diancie's glimmer reminds her of the Anistar Sundial.
  • During Side Mission EX2: "Project M", Mable mentions how Team Flare captured Mewtwo in the Unknown Dungeon, where it is also found in X and Y.

References to Generation VII

References to Generation VIII

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