Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver are examples of generation games
Generation refers to the Pokémon game series. It is a group of games that were released at or around the same time. It also means that games in the same generation are compatible with the others, containing the same Pokémon and the number of moves there are to be learned. For example "Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen", though set in the same time period and region as "Pokémon Red and Blue", are not considered to be Generation I games. This is because they were released years after the original and have many new features and differences, which makes them incompatible with the original. Since they have the same features as "Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire" and were released around the same time, they are considered Generation III games. A Generation has lasted three-four years (from the release of one new region to the next) throughout all of Pokémon's history.
Along with this, games in different generations have different features and/or game mechanics.
Themes
Throughout each generation, there is usually a theme to the region introduced in a specific generation. As a result, each region and generation have several key features, such as important Pokémon and places, that place emphasis on those themes. In particular, the very last Pokémon introduced in that region and in that generation embody that generation's theme in some way. Here is the list of themes that are associated with the generations and regions:
Generation I (Kanto): Science: The starters of the Kanto region, Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle, are all based on animals that existed on Earth thousands of years ago (mammalian reptiles, salamanders, and turtles respectively). Eevee (the Evolution Pokémon) and its first three Evolutions were introduced here. There is a museum in Pewter City where fossil Pokémon may be revived. Porygon, the Virtual Pokémon, is introduced in this generation. Mewtwo is a genetics experiment gone wrong in a similar vein as Frankenstein. The generation's final two Pokémon, Mewtwo and Mew, embody the two main aspects of science that are covered in that region: technology and genetics respectively.
Generation II (Johto): Cultural Traditions:
Generation III (Hoenn): The Environment: The teams of the Hoenn Region believe that the environment is in danger and that the awakening of their chosen Legendary Pokémon (Groudon for Team Magma in Ruby, Kyogre for Team Aqua in Sapphire) will save it (by either droughting the sea and expanding the land, or flooding the earth and expanding the ocean respectively). A focus is also placed on the sky as a balancing force between land and sea in the form of Rayquaza, a Pokémon that can stop feuds between Kyogre and Groudon. The counterpart to Rayquaza is Deoxys, a Pokémon from space that came to the Pokémon earth born on a meteorite which was eaten by Rayquaza. Deoxys represents the environment on other worlds as well as the adaptations of living on other planets. The Legendary Giants represent the ages of humanity and the change of the planet's environment with them, with Regice symbolizing the Ice Age, Regirock the Stone Age, and Registeel the Iron Age.
Generation IV (Sinnoh): Mythology:
Generation V (Unova): Conflict: Reshiram and Zekrom represent two sides of a conflict that happened many years before the events of Black and White. Kyurem represents neutrality, as well as the remainder of the world when there are two sides to fight on. Furthermore, the fusion of Kyurem with either Zekrom or Reshiram shows these neutral forces joining on one side of a battle to gain a somewhat unfair advantage. The original dragon from whence the Tao Trio came symbolized how easily sentient nature can divide and devolve from peace into conflict. The names of the games themselves, along with the colors of their respective Legendary Pokémon, show that the two are mutually exclusive and opposed forces. Victini represents the elusiveness of victory, something that only a mythical force joining one side of a conflict can bring, if those forces are perfectly matched. The Swords of Justice represent tales of legendary war heroes and veterans of sieges. Genesect symbolizes genetic modification of creatures for use in battle.
Generation VI (Kalos): Life, Death and the Ecosystem:
Generation VII (Alola): Day and Night Cycle, Eclipse, Space and exoticity:
Generation VIII (Galar): England and its culture:
Generations
- Generation I (1996–1999): Red (Japan), Green (Japan), Blue (Japan), Red (International), Blue (International) and Yellow (International)
- Generation II (1999–2002): Gold, Silver and Crystal
- Generation III (2002–2006): Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed and LeafGreen
- Generation IV (2006–2010): Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold and SoulSilver
- Generation V (2010–2013): Black, White, Black 2 and White 2
- Generation VI (2013–2016): X, Y, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
- Generation VII (2016–2019): Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon, Let's Go: Pikachu! and Let's Go: Eevee!
- Generation VIII (2019–present): Sword, Shield, Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl, and Pokémon Legends: Arceus
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