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List of Pokémon
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The first 150 Pokémon as they appear in Pokémon Stadium, starting with Bulbasaur in the top left corner and ending with Mewtwo in the bottom right corner

The Pokémon franchise features 1,025 fictional species of collectible creatures, each with unique designs, skills, and powers. Conceived by Satoshi Tajiri in early 1989, Pokémon (or Pocket Monsters) are fictional creatures that inhabit the fictional Pokémon World. The designs for the multitude of species can draw inspiration from anything, such as animals, plants, and legendary creatures. Many Pokémon are capable of evolving into more powerful species, while others can undergo form changes and achieve similar results. Originally, only a handful of artists, led by Ken Sugimori designed Pokémon. However, by 2013 a team of 20 artists worked together to create new species designs. Sugimori and Hironobu Yoshida lead the team and determine the final designs.

The vast array of creatures is commonly divided into "generations", with each division primarily encompassing new titles in the main video game series and often a change of handheld platform. Generation I with 151 Pokémon refers to Red, Blue, and Yellow; generation II with 100 Pokémon refers to Gold, Silver, and Crystal; generation III with 135 Pokémon refers to Ruby, Sapphire, FireRed, LeafGreen, and Emerald; generation IV with 107 Pokémon refers to Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, and SoulSilver; generation V with 156 Pokémon refers to Black, White, Black 2, and White 2; generation VI with 72 Pokémon refers to X, Y, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire; generation VII with 88 Pokémon refers to Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon, Let's Go, Pikachu!, and Let's Go, Eevee!; generation VIII with 96 Pokémon refers to Sword, Shield, Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl, and Legends: Arceus; and generation IX with 120 Pokémon refers to Scarlet, Violet, and Legends: Z-A.

Due to the large number of Pokémon, a listing of each species is divided into articles by generation. The 1025 Pokémon are organized by their number in the National Pokédex—an electronic encyclopedia that provides various information on Pokémon. The National Pokédex is subdivided into regional Pokédex series, each revolving around species introduced at the time of their respective generations along with older generations. For example, the Johto Pokédex, generation II, covers the 100 species introduced in Gold and Silver in addition to the original 151 species. The encyclopedias follow a general ordering: first partner Pokémon[1] are listed first, followed by species obtainable early in the respective games, and are concluded with Legendary and Mythical Pokémon. Generation V is the sole exception, as Victini is the first Pokémon in the Unova Pokédex.

Concept

[edit]
See also: Gameplay of Pokémon

Satoshi Tajiri—who later founded Game Freak—conceived the premise of Pokémon in general in 1989, when the Game Boy was released. The creatures that inhabit the world of Pokémon are also called Pokémon.[2] The word "Pokémon" is a romanized contraction of the Japanese brand Pocket Monsters (ポケットモンスター, Poketto Monsutā).[3] The concept of the Pokémon universe, in both the video games and the general fictional world of Pokémon, stems most notably from Tajiri's childhood hobby of insect collecting. Other influences on the concept include Ultraman, anime, and playing video games in general. Throughout his early life, Tajiri saw his rural, nature-filled hometown transform into an urban centre. The urbanization of his town drove away wildlife, and he and others living in the area were eventually unable to collect insects. Through Pokémon, Tajiri sought to bring back this outdoor pastime and share it with the world.[2] The first games in the franchise, Red and Green, were released on 27 February 1996 in Japan for the Game Boy.[4] The games were internationally released as Red and Blue in September 1998.[5] The ability to capture, battle, trade, and care for numerous creatures catapulted Pokémon to international popularity,[3] and it has become a multibillion-dollar franchise and the second-best selling video game series after the Mario franchise.[6]

At the start of a main series Pokémon game, the player character receives one of three Pokémon to become their first partner,[a] with which they can battle and catch other Pokémon. Each Pokémon has one or two "types", such as Fire, Water, or Grass. In battle, certain types are strong against other types. For example, a Fire-type attack will do more damage to a Grass-type Pokémon, rather than a Water-type attack.[7] This form of gameplay is frequently compared to that of rock-paper-scissors, though players have to strategize which Pokémon and which of their attacks to use against various opponents.[8][9]

Many species of Pokémon can evolve into a larger and more powerful creature. The change is accompanied by stat changes—generally a modest increase—and access to a wider variety of attacks. There are multiple ways to trigger an evolution, including reaching a particular level, using a special stone, or learning a specific attack. For example, at level 16, Bulbasaur can evolve into Ivysaur. Most notably, the Normal-type Eevee can evolve into eight different Pokémon: Jolteon (Electric), Flareon (Fire), Vaporeon (Water), Umbreon (Dark), Espeon (Psychic), Leafeon (Grass), Glaceon (Ice), and Sylveon (Fairy). In generation VI, the games introduced a new mechanic called Mega Evolution, as well as a subset of Mega Evolution called Primal Reversion. Unlike normal evolution, Mega Evolution and Primal Reversion last only for the duration of a battle, with the Pokémon reverting to its normal form at the end; as of Pokémon Legends Z-A, 73 Pokémon can undergo Mega Evolution or Primal Reversion. In contrast, some species such as Castform, Rotom, Unown, and Lycanroc undergo form changes, which may provide stat buffs or changes and type alterations but are not considered new species. Some Pokémon have differences in appearance due to gender. Pokémon can be male or female, male-only, female-only, or of an unknown gender.[10]

The Pokémon franchise is primarily intended for younger players. However, each Pokémon has various complex attributes such as natures, characteristic traits, Individual Values (IVs) and Effort Values (EVs). These are intended for people "who enjoy battling and want to go more in depth", according to Game Freak Board Director Junichi Masuda. These individual statistics were also included, because the basic concept of the franchise is to train one's Pokémon. Designer Takeshi Kawachimaru stated that IVs and EVs "help to make each Pokémon in the game individual", as it adds unique aspects to them.[11] Each Pokémon game introduces a few "Legendary" and "Mythical" Pokémon that are powerful, rare, and hard to catch.[12] Pokémon Sun and Moon introduced "Ultra Beasts", which are described as "beings from another dimension" that appeared in the Alola region, and are similarly powerful and rare.[13]

Design and development

[edit]
The evolution mechanic is most prominently displayed through Eevee (center) and its eight evolutions. Each one requires a different method to evolve.[14]

Throughout development of Red and Green, all Pokémon were designed by Ken Sugimori who was a long-time friend of Tajiri, and by a team of fewer than ten people,[15] including Atsuko Nishida who is credited as the designer of Pikachu.[16][17] By 2013, a team of 20 artists worked together to create new species designs. A committee of five people determine which designs are incorporated into the games, with Sugimori and Hironobu Yoshida finalizing the look of each creature.[15][18] Sugimori is also responsible for the "Box Art" Legendary Pokémon and all of the official artwork for the games.[15][19] According to Yoshida, the number of rejected Pokémon designs is five to ten times more than the number that are finalized in each game.[18] In rare cases, rejected designs are brought back and released in a later generation.[20] Shigeru Ohmori, director of Sun and Moon, admitted that creating new Pokémon has become a difficult task with the sheer number of creatures designed over the franchise's 20-year history.[21] Each iteration of the series has brought both praise and criticism over the numerous creatures.[22]

The designs for Pokémon are often highly analogous to real-life creatures but also encompass inanimate objects.[22] Director Junichi Masuda and graphic designer Takao Unno have stated that inspiration for Pokémon designs can come from anything. The variety of animals and culture around the world provide the basis for having countless ideas incorporated into the franchise.[23] The environment that a Pokémon would live in is taken into account when they are designed.[24] The lei-like Comfey fits appropriately in the Hawaii-inspired Alola region of Sun and Moon.[21] Masuda has stated that each element of a design has a functioning reason.[24] In some cases, the design team creates a footprint that a Pokémon could make and designs a creature around that.[25] Some designers look to game mechanics for inspiration and see where particular typing combinations could be interesting.[21] Typing assignment varies during the design process; sometimes a Pokémon receives a type after it is created and other times they are designed around a particular type.[26] Each Pokémon has a specific height and weight.[27]

The simpler roots of designs in generation I prompted greater complexity in later games.[22] Designs in general have become increasingly complex and thematic in newer games.[19] Sneasel, for example, draws inspiration from the Japanese yōkai kamaitachi, mythical creatures with fast, razor-sharp claws that hunt in packs. These elements are all found in Sneasel's design and characteristics.[28] New Pokémon introduced in generation VI, for example, are heavily influenced by the culture and fauna of Europe (namely France).[19] However, by the release of X and Y in 2013, Sugimori stated that he wishes for Pokémon design to return to the simpler roots of the franchise.[29]

Masuda considers the first partner Pokémon among the most important in the franchise. Yoshida goes further and calls them "the face of that generation" and says that "they're the ones that should be on the packaging".[18] The three Pokémon players start out with in each generation are always Grass-, Water-, and Fire-types, a trio that Masuda considers the easiest to understand for new players.[26] Their designs are based on recognizable animals and made to stand out from pre-existing Pokémon. Each are also given distinct personalities to further define them.[30] In an interview with GamesRadar in 2009, Masuda stated that simple Pokémon take around six months to design and develop, and that Pokémon that play a more important part in the games may take over a year. Masuda added, "We also want the designer to have as much freedom as possible; we don't want to narrow their imagination by saying, 'We want this kind of Pokemon.' When we talk to the designer we always stress that they shouldn't think of Pokemon necessarily, but should instead just be as creative as they can." After the Pokémon is designed, it is sent to the "Battle Producer", who decides which moves and stats the Pokémon should have.[11]

List of Pokémon

[edit]
List of Pokémon generations
Generation Years Region Titles Platforms Number of Pokémon
New in games New in generation Total
I 1996–1999 Kanto Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow Game Boy, Nintendo 3DS[b] 151
II 1999–2002 Johto, Kanto Gold, Silver, and Crystal Game Boy Color, Nintendo 3DS[b] 100 251
III 2002–2006 Hoenn Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald Game Boy Advance 135 135 386
Kanto FireRed and LeafGreen None
IV 2006–2010 Sinnoh Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum Nintendo DS 107 107 493
Johto, Kanto HeartGold and SoulSilver None
V 2010–2013 Unova Black and White 156 156 649
Black 2 and White 2 None
VI 2013–2016 Kalos X and Y Nintendo 3DS 72 72 721
Hoenn Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire None
VII 2016–2019 Alola Sun and Moon 81 88 809
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon 5
Kanto Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! Nintendo Switch 2[c]
VIII 2019–2022 Galar Sword and Shield 81 96 905
The Isle of Armor expansion 3
The Crown Tundra expansion 5
Sinnoh Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl None
Hisui[d] Legends: Arceus 7
IX 2022–present Paldea Scarlet and Violet 105[e] 120 1025
Kitakami The Teal Mask expansion 7
Unova, Paldea The Indigo Disk expansion 7
Kitakami Mochi Mayhem expansion 1
Kalos Legends: Z-A Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2[33][34] None

List of species

[edit]
Pokémon species glossary
Key
Color / Letter Meaning Description
S Starter Pokémon (known officially as First Partner Pokémon)[a] The first Pokémon a player is able to obtain in the main-line games.
F Fossil Pokémon[35] Ancient Pokémon only obtained by resurrecting fossils and their evolutions.
B Baby Pokémon[36] Infant Pokémon primarily obtained by breeding their evolved forms.
L Legendary Pokémon Powerful Pokémon associated with the legends and lore of the Pokémon world.
M Mythical Pokémon Pokémon only obtainable through rare circumstances, such as distribution events.[f]
UB Ultra Beast Certain Pokémon from another dimension.
P Paradox Pokémon Pokémon resembling ancient or futuristic relatives of a modern-day Pokémon.
List of Pokémon species names by generation[45]
Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX
Dex # Name Dex # Name Dex # Name Dex # Name Dex # Name Dex # Name Dex # Name Dex # Name Dex # Name
1 BulbasaurS 152 ChikoritaS 252 TreeckoS 387 TurtwigS 494 VictiniM 650 ChespinS 722 RowletS 810 GrookeyS 906 SprigatitoS
2 Ivysaur 153 Bayleef 253 Grovyle 388 Grotle 495 SnivyS 651 Quilladin 723 Dartrix 811 Thwackey 907 Floragato
3 Venusaur 154 Meganium 254 Sceptile 389 Torterra 496 Servine 652 Chesnaught 724 Decidueye 812 Rillaboom 908 Meowscarada
4 CharmanderS 155 CyndaquilS 255 TorchicS 390 ChimcharS 497 Serperior 653 FennekinS 725 LittenS 813 ScorbunnyS 909 FuecocoS
5 Charmeleon 156 Quilava 256 Combusken 391 Monferno 498 TepigS 654 Braixen 726 Torracat 814 Raboot 910 Crocalor
6 Charizard 157 Typhlosion 257 Blaziken 392 Infernape 499 Pignite 655 Delphox 727 Incineroar 815 Cinderace 911 Skeledirge
7 SquirtleS 158 TotodileS 258 MudkipS 393 PiplupS 500 Emboar 656 FroakieS 728 PopplioS 816 SobbleS 912 QuaxlyS
8 Wartortle 159 Croconaw 259 Marshtomp 394 Prinplup 501 OshawottS 657 Frogadier 729 Brionne 817 Drizzile 913 Quaxwell
9 Blastoise 160 Feraligatr 260 Swampert 395 Empoleon 502 Dewott 658 Greninja 730 Primarina 818 Inteleon 914 Quaquaval
10 Caterpie 161 Sentret 261 Poochyena 396 Starly 503 Samurott 659 Bunnelby 731 Pikipek 819 Skwovet 915 Lechonk
11 Metapod 162 Furret 262 Mightyena 397 Staravia 504 Patrat 660 Diggersby 732 Trumbeak 820 Greedent 916 Oinkologne
12 Butterfree 163 Hoothoot 263 Zigzagoon 398 Staraptor 505 Watchog 661 Fletchling 733 Toucannon 821 Rookidee 917 Tarountula
13 Weedle 164 Noctowl 264 Linoone 399 Bidoof 506 Lillipup 662 Fletchinder 734 Yungoos 822 Corvisquire 918 Spidops
14 Kakuna 165 Ledyba 265 Wurmple 400 Bibarel 507 Herdier 663 Talonflame 735 Gumshoos 823 Corviknight 919 Nymble
15 Beedrill 166 Ledian 266 Silcoon 401 Kricketot 508 Stoutland 664 Scatterbug 736 Grubbin 824 Blipbug 920 Lokix
16 Pidgey 167 Spinarak 267 Beautifly 402 Kricketune 509 Purrloin 665 Spewpa 737 Charjabug 825 Dottler 921 Pawmi
17 Pidgeotto 168 Ariados 268 Cascoon 403 Shinx 510 Liepard 666 Vivillon 738 Vikavolt 826 Orbeetle 922 Pawmo
18 Pidgeot 169 Crobat 269 Dustox 404 Luxio 511 Pansage 667 Litleo 739 Crabrawler 827 Nickit 923 Pawmot
19 Rattata 170 Chinchou 270 Lotad 405 Luxray 512 Simisage 668 Pyroar 740 Crabominable 828 Thievul 924 Tandemaus
20 Raticate 171 Lanturn 271 Lombre 406 BudewB[g] 513 Pansear 669 Flabébé 741 Oricorio 829 Gossifleur 925 Maushold
21 Spearow 172 PichuB[g] 272 Ludicolo 407 Roserade 514 Simisear 670 Floette 742 Cutiefly 830 Eldegoss 926 Fidough
22 Fearow 173 CleffaB[g] 273 Seedot 408 CranidosF[h] 515 Panpour 671 Florges 743 Ribombee 831 Wooloo 927 Dachsbun
23 Ekans 174 IgglybuffB 274 Nuzleaf 409 RampardosF[h] 516 Simipour 672 Skiddo 744 Rockruff 832 Dubwool 928 Smoliv
24 Arbok 175 TogepiB[g] 275 Shiftry 410 ShieldonF[h] 517 Munna 673 Gogoat 745 Lycanroc 833 Chewtle 929 Dolliv
25 PikachuS 176 Togetic 276 Taillow 411 BastiodonF[h] 518 Musharna 674 Pancham 746 Wishiwashi 834 Drednaw 930 Arboliva
26 Raichu 177 Natu 277 Swellow 412 Burmy 519 Pidove 675 Pangoro 747 Mareanie 835 Yamper 931 Squawkabilly
27 Sandshrew 178 Xatu 278 Wingull 413 Wormadam 520 Tranquill 676 Furfrou 748 Toxapex 836 Boltund 932 Nacli
28 Sandslash 179 Mareep 279 Pelipper 414 Mothim 521 Unfezant 677 Espurr 749 Mudbray 837 Rolycoly 933 Naclstack
29 Nidoran♀ 180 Flaaffy 280 Ralts 415 Combee 522 Blitzle 678 Meowstic 750 Mudsdale 838 Carkol 934 Garganacl
30 Nidorina 181 Ampharos 281 Kirlia 416 Vespiquen 523 Zebstrika 679 Honedge 751 Dewpider 839 Coalossal 935 Charcadet
31 Nidoqueen 182 Bellossom 282 Gardevoir 417 Pachirisu 524 Roggenrola 680 Doublade 752 Araquanid 840 Applin 936 Armarouge
32 Nidoran♂ 183 Marill 283 Surskit 418 Buizel 525 Boldore 681 Aegislash 753 Fomantis 841 Flapple 937 Ceruledge
33 Nidorino 184 Azumarill 284 Masquerain 419 Floatzel 526 Gigalith 682 Spritzee 754 Lurantis 842 Appletun 938 Tadbulb
34 Nidoking 185 Sudowoodo 285 Shroomish 420 Cherubi 527 Woobat 683 Aromatisse 755 Morelull 843 Silicobra 939 Bellibolt
35 Clefairy 186 Politoed 286 Breloom 421 Cherrim 528 Swoobat 684 Swirlix 756 Shiinotic 844 Sandaconda 940 Wattrel
36 Clefable 187 Hoppip 287 Slakoth 422 Shellos 529 Drilbur 685 Slurpuff 757 Salandit 845 Cramorant 941 Kilowattrel
37 Vulpix 188 Skiploom 288 Vigoroth 423 Gastrodon 530 Excadrill 686 Inkay 758 Salazzle 846 Arrokuda 942 Maschiff
38 Ninetales 189 Jumpluff 289 Slaking 424 Ambipom 531 Audino 687 Malamar 759 Stufful 847 Barraskewda 943 Mabosstiff
39 Jigglypuff 190 Aipom 290 Nincada 425 Drifloon 532 Timburr 688 Binacle 760 Bewear 848 ToxelB 944 Shroodle
40 Wigglytuff 191 Sunkern 291 Ninjask 426 Drifblim 533 Gurdurr 689 Barbaracle 761 Bounsweet 849 Toxtricity 945 Grafaiai
41 Zubat 192 Sunflora 292 Shedinja 427 Buneary 534 Conkeldurr 690 Skrelp 762 Steenee 850 Sizzlipede 946 Bramblin
42 Golbat 193 Yanma 293 Whismur 428 Lopunny 535 Tympole 691 Dragalge 763 Tsareena 851 Centiskorch 947 Brambleghast
43 Oddish 194 Wooper 294 Loudred 429 Mismagius 536 Palpitoad 692 Clauncher 764 Comfey 852 Clobbopus 948 Toedscool
44 Gloom 195 Quagsire 295 Exploud 430 Honchkrow 537 Seismitoad 693 Clawitzer 765 Oranguru 853 Grapploct 949 Toedscruel
45 Vileplume 196 Espeon 296 Makuhita 431 Glameow 538 Throh 694 Helioptile 766 Passimian 854 Sinistea 950 Klawf
46 Paras 197 Umbreon 297 Hariyama 432 Purugly 539 Sawk 695 Heliolisk 767 Wimpod 855 Polteageist 951 Capsakid
47 Parasect 198 Murkrow 298 AzurillB 433 ChinglingB[g] 540 Sewaddle 696 TyruntF 768 Golisopod 856 Hatenna 952 Scovillain
48 Venonat 199 Slowking 299 Nosepass 434 Stunky 541 Swadloon 697 TyrantrumF 769 Sandygast 857 Hattrem 953 Rellor
49 Venomoth 200 Misdreavus 300 Skitty 435 Skuntank 542 Leavanny 698 AmauraF 770 Palossand 858 Hatterene 954 Rabsca
50 Diglett 201 Unown 301 Delcatty 436 Bronzor 543 Venipede 699 AurorusF 771 Pyukumuku 859 Impidimp 955 Flittle
51 Dugtrio 202 Wobbuffet 302 Sableye 437 Bronzong 544 Whirlipede 700 Sylveon 772 Type: NullL 860 Morgrem 956 Espathra
52 Meowth 203 Girafarig 303 Mawile 438 BonslyB[g] 545 Scolipede 701 Hawlucha 773 SilvallyL 861 Grimmsnarl 957 Tinkatink
53 Persian 204 Pineco 304 Aron 439 Mime Jr.B[g] 546 Cottonee 702 Dedenne 774 Minior 862 Obstagoon 958 Tinkatuff
54 Psyduck 205 Forretress 305 Lairon 440 HappinyB[g] 547 Whimsicott 703 Carbink 775 Komala 863 Perrserker 959 Tinkaton
55 Golduck 206 Dunsparce 306 Aggron 441 Chatot 548 Petilil 704 Goomy 776 Turtonator 864 Cursola 960 Wiglett
56 Mankey 207 Gligar 307 Meditite 442 Spiritomb 549 Lilligant 705 Sliggoo 777 Togedemaru 865 Sirfetch'd 961 Wugtrio
57 Primeape 208 Steelix 308 Medicham 443 Gible 550 Basculin 706 Goodra 778 Mimikyu 866 Mr. Rime 962 Bombirdier
58 Growlithe 209 Snubbull 309 Electrike 444 Gabite 551 Sandile 707 Klefki 779 Bruxish 867 Runerigus 963 Finizen
59 Arcanine 210 Granbull 310 Manectric 445 Garchomp 552 Krokorok 708 Phantump 780 Drampa 868 Milcery 964 Palafin
60 Poliwag 211 Qwilfish 311 Plusle 446 MunchlaxB[g] 553 Krookodile 709 Trevenant 781 Dhelmise 869 Alcremie 965 Varoom
61 Poliwhirl 212 Scizor 312 Minun 447 RioluB[g] 554 Darumaka 710 Pumpkaboo 782 Jangmo-o 870 Falinks 966 Revavroom
62 Poliwrath 213 Shuckle 313 Volbeat 448 Lucario 555 Darmanitan 711 Gourgeist 783 Hakamo-o 871 Pincurchin 967 Cyclizar
63 Abra 214 Heracross 314 Illumise 449 Hippopotas 556 Maractus 712 Bergmite 784 Kommo-o 872 Snom 968 Orthworm
64 Kadabra 215 Sneasel 315 Roselia 450 Hippowdon 557 Dwebble 713 Avalugg 785 Tapu KokoL 873 Frosmoth 969 Glimmet
65 Alakazam 216 Teddiursa 316 Gulpin 451 Skorupi 558 Crustle 714 Noibat 786 Tapu LeleL 874 Stonjourner 970 Glimmora
66 Machop 217 Ursaring 317 Swalot 452 Drapion 559 Scraggy 715 Noivern 787 Tapu BuluL 875 Eiscue 971 Greavard
67 Machoke 218 Slugma 318 Carvanha 453 Croagunk 560 Scrafty 716 XerneasL 788 Tapu FiniL 876 Indeedee 972 Houndstone
68 Machamp 219 Magcargo 319 Sharpedo 454 Toxicroak 561 Sigilyph 717 YveltalL 789 CosmogL 877 Morpeko 973 Flamigo
69 Bellsprout 220 Swinub 320 Wailmer 455 Carnivine 562 Yamask 718 ZygardeL 790 CosmoemL 878 Cufant 974 Cetoddle
70 Weepinbell 221 Piloswine 321 Wailord 456 Finneon 563 Cofagrigus 719 DiancieM 791 SolgaleoL 879 Copperajah 975 Cetitan
71 Victreebel 222 Corsola 322 Numel 457 Lumineon 564 TirtougaF 720 HoopaM 792 LunalaL 880 DracozoltF 976 Veluza
72 Tentacool 223 Remoraid 323 Camerupt 458 MantykeB[g] 565 CarracostaF 721 VolcanionM 793 NihilegoUB 881 ArctozoltF 977 Dondozo
73 Tentacruel 224 Octillery 324 Torkoal 459 Snover 566 ArchenF No additional Pokémon 794 BuzzwoleUB 882 DracovishF 978 Tatsugiri
74 Geodude 225 Delibird 325 Spoink 460 Abomasnow 567 ArcheopsF 795 PheromosaUB 883 ArctovishF 979 Annihilape
75 Graveler 226 Mantine 326 Grumpig 461 Weavile 568 Trubbish 796 XurkitreeUB 884 Duraludon 980 Clodsire
76 Golem 227 Skarmory 327 Spinda 462 Magnezone 569 Garbodor 797 CelesteelaUB 885 Dreepy 981 Farigiraf
77 Ponyta 228 Houndour 328 Trapinch 463 Lickilicky 570 Zorua 798 KartanaUB 886 Drakloak 982 Dudunsparce
78 Rapidash 229 Houndoom 329 Vibrava 464 Rhyperior 571 Zoroark 799 GuzzlordUB 887 Dragapult 983 Kingambit
79 Slowpoke 230 Kingdra 330 Flygon 465 Tangrowth 572 Minccino 800 NecrozmaL 888 ZacianL 984 Great TuskP
80 Slowbro 231 Phanpy 331 Cacnea 466 Electivire 573 Cinccino 801 MagearnaM 889 ZamazentaL 985 Scream TailP
81 Magnemite 232 Donphan 332 Cacturne 467 Magmortar 574 Gothita 802 MarshadowM 890 EternatusL 986 Brute BonnetP
82 Magneton 233 Porygon2 333 Swablu 468 Togekiss 575 Gothorita 803 PoipoleUB 891 KubfuL 987 Flutter ManeP
83 Farfetch'd 234 Stantler 334 Altaria 469 Yanmega 576 Gothitelle 804 NaganadelUB 892 UrshifuL 988 Slither WingP
84 Doduo 235 Smeargle 335 Zangoose 470 Leafeon 577 Solosis 805 StakatakaUB 893 ZarudeM 989 Sandy ShocksP
85 Dodrio 236 TyrogueB 336 Seviper 471 Glaceon 578 Duosion 806 BlacephalonUB 894 RegielekiL 990 Iron TreadsP
86 Seel 237 Hitmontop 337 Lunatone 472 Gliscor 579 Reuniclus 807 ZeraoraM 895 RegidragoL 991 Iron BundleP
87 Dewgong 238 SmoochumB 338 Solrock 473 Mamoswine 580 Ducklett 808 MeltanM 896 GlastrierL 992 Iron HandsP
88 Grimer 239 ElekidB[g] 339 Barboach 474 Porygon-Z 581 Swanna 809 MelmetalM 897 SpectrierL 993 Iron JugulisP
89 Muk 240 MagbyB[g] 340 Whiscash 475 Gallade 582 Vanillite No additional Pokémon 898 CalyrexL 994 Iron MothP
90 Shellder 241 Miltank 341 Corphish 476 Probopass 583 Vanillish 899 Wyrdeer 995 Iron ThornsP
91 Cloyster 242 Blissey 342 Crawdaunt 477 Dusknoir 584 Vanilluxe 900 Kleavor 996 Frigibax
92 Gastly 243 RaikouL 343 Baltoy 478 Froslass 585 Deerling 901 Ursaluna 997 Arctibax
93 Haunter 244 EnteiL 344 Claydol 479 Rotom 586 Sawsbuck 902 Basculegion 998 Baxcalibur
94 Gengar 245 SuicuneL 345 LileepF 480 UxieL 587 Emolga 903 Sneasler 999 Gimmighoul
95 Onix 246 Larvitar 346 CradilyF 481 MespritL 588 Karrablast 904 Overqwil 1000 Gholdengo
96 Drowzee 247 Pupitar 347 AnorithF 482 AzelfL 589 Escavalier 905 EnamorusL 1001 Wo-ChienL
97 Hypno 248 Tyranitar 348 ArmaldoF 483 DialgaL 590 Foongus No additional Pokémon 1002 Chien-PaoL
98 Krabby 249 LugiaL 349 Feebas 484 PalkiaL 591 Amoonguss 1003 Ting-LuL
99 Kingler 250 Ho-ohL 350 Milotic 485 HeatranL 592 Frillish 1004 Chi-YuL
100 Voltorb 251 CelebiM 351 Castform 486 RegigigasL 593 Jellicent 1005 Roaring MoonP
101 Electrode No additional Pokémon 352 Kecleon 487 GiratinaL 594 Alomomola 1006 Iron ValiantP
102 Exeggcute 353 Shuppet 488 CresseliaL 595 Joltik 1007 KoraidonLP
103 Exeggutor 354 Banette 489 PhioneM 596 Galvantula 1008 MiraidonLP
104 Cubone 355 Duskull 490 ManaphyM 597 Ferroseed 1009 Walking WakeP
105 Marowak 356 Dusclops 491 DarkraiM 598 Ferrothorn 1010 Iron LeavesP
106 Hitmonlee 357 Tropius 492 ShayminM 599 Klink 1011 Dipplin
107 Hitmonchan 358 Chimecho 493 ArceusM 600 Klang 1012 Poltchageist
108 Lickitung 359 Absol No additional Pokémon 601 Klinklang 1013 Sinistcha
109 Koffing 360 WynautB 602 Tynamo 1014 OkidogiL
110 Weezing 361 Snorunt 603 Eelektrik 1015 MunkidoriL
111 Rhyhorn 362 Glalie 604 Eelektross 1016 FezandipitiL
112 Rhydon 363 Spheal 605 Elgyem 1017 OgerponL
113 Chansey 364 Sealeo 606 Beheeyem 1018 Archaludon
114 Tangela 365 Walrein 607 Litwick 1019 Hydrapple
115 Kangaskhan 366 Clamperl 608 Lampent 1020 Gouging FireP
116 Horsea 367 Huntail 609 Chandelure 1021 Raging BoltP
117 Seadra 368 Gorebyss 610 Axew 1022 Iron BoulderP
118 Goldeen 369 Relicanth 611 Fraxure 1023 Iron CrownP
119 Seaking 370 Luvdisc 612 Haxorus 1024 TerapagosL
120 Staryu 371 Bagon 613 Cubchoo 1025 PecharuntM
121 Starmie 372 Shelgon 614 Beartic No additional Pokémon (as of 11 July 2025)
122 Mr. Mime 373 Salamence 615 Cryogonal
123 Scyther 374 Beldum 616 Shelmet
124 Jynx 375 Metang 617 Accelgor
125 Electabuzz 376 Metagross 618 Stunfisk
126 Magmar 377 RegirockL 619 Mienfoo
127 Pinsir 378 RegiceL 620 Mienshao
128 Tauros 379 RegisteelL 621 Druddigon
129 Magikarp 380 LatiasL 622 Golett
130 Gyarados 381 LatiosL 623 Golurk
131 Lapras 382 KyogreL 624 Pawniard
132 Ditto 383 GroudonL 625 Bisharp
133 EeveeS 384 RayquazaL 626 Bouffalant
134 Vaporeon 385 JirachiM 627 Rufflet
135 Jolteon 386 DeoxysM 628 Braviary
136 Flareon No additional Pokémon 629 Vullaby
137 Porygon 630 Mandibuzz
138 OmanyteF 631 Heatmor
139 OmastarF 632 Durant
140 KabutoF 633 Deino
141 KabutopsF 634 Zweilous
142 AerodactylF 635 Hydreigon
143 Snorlax 636 Larvesta
144 ArticunoL 637 Volcarona
145 ZapdosL 638 CobalionL
146 MoltresL 639 TerrakionL
147 Dratini 640 VirizionL
148 Dragonair 641 TornadusL
149 Dragonite 642 ThundurusL
150 MewtwoL 643 ReshiramL
151 MewM 644 ZekromL
No additional Pokémon 645 LandorusL
646 KyuremL
647 KeldeoM
648 MeloettaM
649 GenesectM

Glitch species

[edit]

In the Game Boy Pokémon games, Pokémon Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow, players were able to access a set of 105 glitch Pokémon. These species were not designed by the games' designers but could be encountered via the use of several glitches. Among them is a glitch dubbed MissingNo., which became highly notorious.[47]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

List of Pokémon

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from Grokipedia
The List of Pokémon is a comprehensive catalog of the 1,025 distinct species of fictional creatures that form the core of the Pokémon , a global entertainment property launched in in 1996 and managed internationally by The Pokémon Company. These species, each with unique designs, abilities, and lore, are introduced progressively across nine generations in the mainline series developed by and published by and The Pokémon Company. Organized primarily by the National Pokédex numbering system—from as #001 to Pecharunt as #1,025—the list documents each Pokémon's characteristics, including its primary and secondary types from among the 18 available categories (such as Fire, Water, Grass, Electric, and ), evolution chains, habitats, and roles in gameplay mechanics like battling and collection. Many Pokémon exhibit regional variants, Mega Evolutions, or alternate forms that expand their diversity, though the core species count remains at 1,025 as of late 2025, with no new additions announced following the release of Generation IX titles Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet. Beyond the video games, the list extends to other franchise media, including the long-running anime series (spanning over 1,300 episodes across 28 seasons), 23 animated films, the (with expansions since 1996), and mobile titles like , where species availability may vary but draws from the same foundational roster. This catalog not only serves as an essential reference for trainers and collectors but also highlights the franchise's evolution from its origins in games to a multimedia phenomenon encompassing merchandise, events, and competitive play.

Background and Origins

Conceptual Foundations

Pokémon are fictional species conceptualized as collectible creatures inhabiting a vibrant, imaginative universe, drawing inspiration from real-world animals, mythological figures, and everyday objects. Created by Japanese game designer , these entities were first introduced in the role-playing video games Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green, released on February 27, 1996, for the Nintendo Game Boy in . The designs blend whimsical with diverse motifs, allowing for a broad spectrum of forms that range from mammalian-like beings to elemental spirits and mechanical constructs, all integrated into an where humans and Pokémon coexist. At the heart of the franchise lies the core mechanic of discovering, training, battling, and collecting over 1,025 unique Pokémon as of 2025, within a game framework that emphasizes and . Players assume the of a Pokémon Trainer, capturing wild Pokémon using specialized devices and raising them to compete in organized battles or adventures, fostering a sense of progression and achievement through mastery of these creatures' abilities and evolutions. This collectathon-style encourages comprehensive engagement with the species roster, turning the act of accumulation into a central driver. Central to this universe is the Pokédex, a fictional high-tech encyclopedia carried by Trainers to automatically catalog and document data on encountered Pokémon species, including physical attributes, behaviors, and habitats. Functioning as an in-game research tool, it serves as the foundational device for compiling knowledge about the Pokémon world, mirroring real-world scientific documentation while advancing the plot through completion quests assigned by mentors like Professor Oak. This concept underpins the real-world lists and databases of Pokémon, providing a structured lens for fans and scholars to study the franchise's biodiversity. The foundational ideas trace back to Tajiri's childhood in rural Machida, , where his passion for amid urban encroachment inspired the "" ethos, transforming personal nostalgia into a global interactive experience that preserves the thrill of discovery in a digital format. Tajiri's hobby of pursuing rare bugs influenced the game's emphasis on rarity, variety, and the joy of pursuit, evolving from a solitary pursuit into a communal adventure that spans multiple generations of expansions.

Initial Development

Game Freak was formally established on April 26, 1989, by and as a studio, initially focusing on small-scale projects before pivoting to the Pokémon concept. The team collaborated closely with Creatures Inc. (formerly Ape Inc.), which provided programming support, and , which handled publishing and offered key guidance, culminating in the release of Pocket Monsters Red and Green for the Game Boy on February 27, 1996, in . This partnership was essential, as 's provided critical feedback during prototyping to refine core mechanics like version-exclusive Pokémon. Ken Sugimori served as the lead artist, personally illustrating the original artwork and 2D pixel sprites for all 151 Pokémon in the first , drawing from a mix of , real-world animals, and global mythical creatures to create diverse, cartoonish designs. Over 300 concepts were sketched by a team of 5-6 designers, each contributing specialized styles—such as cute or monstrous forms—before selecting the final roster through internal reviews to ensure variety and appeal. These designs built briefly on conceptual roots in bug collecting from Tajiri's childhood, transforming them into collectible companions rather than mere insects. Development began with prototyping in 1990 after Tajiri pitched the core idea to Nintendo, spanning six years of iteration amid staff changes and financial strains, with the Generation I roster finalized by 1995. The type system introduced 15 elemental categories—Normal, Fire, Water, Electric, Grass, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Ground, Flying, Psychic, Bug, Rock, Ghost, and Dragon—to establish balanced interactions, starting with the rock-paper-scissors dynamic among the three starter types (Grass, Fire, Water) and extending to broader weaknesses for strategic depth. Roster decisions emphasized equilibrium, with approximately 70 two-stage evolutions, a handful of three-stage lines for the starters, and rarer single-stage or legendary species to control encounter rates and progression pacing. The Game Boy's hardware posed significant challenges, including a monochrome display, limited 8 KB RAM, and 56x56 pixel sprite constraints, which mandated simple 2D pixel art and doubled the workload for front-and-back views to foster player attachment without exceeding memory limits. Programmers scrapped features like multiple save files and a Pokémon purchasing system due to these restrictions, while three staff departures mid-development introduced bugs that delayed polishing. To address species distribution, the team balanced common wild encounters, evolution triggers (including trade-based ones for four species), and rarities like the five legendary Pokémon (Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Mewtwo, and Mew), ensuring the Pokédex felt completable only through trading and exploration.

Core Species and Numbering

National Pokédex Structure

The National Pokédex functions as the primary, universe-wide catalog of Pokémon species, providing a standardized numbering system that uniquely identifies each base form from at #0001 to Pecharunt at #1025, reflecting the complete roster as of November 2025. This index organizes Pokémon sequentially according to their debut in the core video game series, ensuring a continuous numerical progression without gaps; it deliberately excludes regional variants, Mega Evolutions, and other transformative forms to focus solely on core species. The growth of the National Pokédex mirrors the expansion of the franchise through its generations, with new species incrementally added to extend the list. The following table summarizes the cumulative totals and additions per generation:
GenerationNew Species AddedCumulative TotalNumber Range
I (Kanto)151151#0001–#0151
II (Johto)100251#0152–#0251
III (Hoenn)135386#0252–#0386
IV (Sinnoh)107493#0387–#0493
V (Unova)156649#0494–#0649
VI (Kalos)72721#0650–#0721
VII (Alola)88809#0722–#0809
VIII (Galar)96905#0810–#0905
IX (Paldea)1201025#0906–#1025
This structured accumulation allows for easy reference and tracking of Pokémon introductions tied to each game's release. Within the Pokémon video games, National Pokédex numbers play a key practical role, such as in trading systems where they verify species eligibility and prevent duplicates on teams, as stipulated in official competitive rules. They also drive player engagement through completion objectives, encouraging the capture and registration of all entries to "complete the Pokédex." In the series' lore, the National Pokédex originates as an advanced research database spearheaded by Professor Oak of the Kanto region, later expanded and upheld by regional professors to document global Pokémon biodiversity for scientific study.

Generational Additions

The Pokémon franchise has expanded its roster of species systematically across nine generations, with each introducing new Pokémon native to a distinct region while building on the National Pokédex numbering system. The inaugural Generation I, released in 1996 for the Kanto region, debuted 151 species, establishing the foundational collection for the series' core gameplay of capturing and training creatures. Subsequent generations added incrementally to this base, reflecting evolving game design priorities. Generation II, launched in 1999 for Johto, introduced 100 new species, emphasizing evolutions for existing Pokémon alongside fresh additions. Generation III in 2002 for Hoenn brought 135 species, expanding environmental diversity with new abilities and natures. Generation IV (2006, Sinnoh) added 107, incorporating physical/special move splits for deeper . Generation V (2010, Unova) featured the largest single addition at 156 species, focusing on original designs without prior-generation crossovers in the main story. Later entries scaled back slightly: Generation VI (2013, Kalos) with 72, Generation VII (2016, Alola) with 88, Generation VIII (2019, Galar) with 96, and Generation IX (2022–2025, Paldea) with 120 including expansions. Thematic evolutions in later generations highlighted greater diversity in mechanics and type balance. For instance, Generation VI introduced the type to counter and dominance, altering battle dynamics and reclassifying select existing species. Generation IX further innovated with the Terastal phenomenon, allowing temporary type changes via crystallization, which enhanced strategic flexibility and visual flair unique to the Paldea region. These shifts underscore a progression toward more varied elements, prioritizing balance and novelty over sheer quantity in additions. New generations have maintained a release cadence of approximately every three years, aligned with advancements in hardware from the original to the . This rhythm—spanning 1996 to 2022 for core titles—facilitates iterative development while sustaining fan engagement through periodic roster growth. Generation IX marked a departure with post-launch (DLC) via The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero expansion pass, comprising The Teal Mask (September 2023), The Indigo Disk (December 2023), and the Mochi Mayhem epilogue (January 2024). These additions integrated seamlessly into the base count, introducing like Dipplin as an Applin evolution in The Teal Mask and the Mythical Pecharunt in the epilogue, thereby extending the Paldea roster beyond the initial 2022 launch. This DLC model has allowed for ongoing content delivery up to 2025, influencing future expansion strategies by blending mainline releases with supplementary introductions.

Categorization Systems

Type Classifications

The Pokémon series employs an elemental type system to classify its species, influencing combat effectiveness through strengths, weaknesses, and immunities in battles. Each Pokémon is assigned one or two types from a roster of 18, drawn from natural, mythical, and abstract concepts, which interact via a comprehensive type chart governing move damage multipliers. These types are: Normal, , , Grass, Electric, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Ground, Flying, Psychic, Bug, Rock, Ghost, Dragon, Dark, Steel, and Fairy. The system originated with 15 types in Generation I (1996), encompassing Normal through Dragon but excluding Dark, Steel, and Fairy. Dark and Steel were introduced in Generation II (1999) primarily to counter the overpowered type, which previously lacked significant weaknesses; gained immunity to moves, while resisted multiple types including . followed in Generation VI (2013), designed to balance the dominant type by being super effective against it, thereby diversifying competitive strategies. As of Generation IX (2022), no additional types have been added, maintaining the 18-type framework across over 1,000 species. Dual typing is prevalent, with approximately 60% of the 1,025 total Pokémon possessing two types, compared to 40% with a single type; this combination modifies vulnerabilities and resistances in complex ways, as seen in the 18x18 type interaction matrix where dual types can neutralize weaknesses or amplify strengths—for instance, /Ground types like Swampert resist Electric attacks that typically threaten pure types. The distribution of types varies significantly: is the most represented, appearing in 156 (15.2% of the roster, often in starter lines or aquatic evolutions), while is among the scarcest at 54 , typically confined to cold-environment dwellers like Glaceon. Evolution lines frequently preserve primary types for thematic consistency, such as the -type Charmander chain, but may introduce secondary types to enhance balance, like shifting to /Flying for .

Regional Variants

Regional variants, also known as regional forms, are alternate versions of existing Pokémon species that have adapted to the unique environments, cultures, and conditions of specific regions, resulting in changes to their appearance, types, abilities, and sometimes behaviors. These variants were first introduced in Generation VII with the Alola region in , where Pokémon from earlier generations evolved differently due to Alola's tropical islands and volcanic activity. Unlike new species, regional variants retain the same National Pokédex numbers as their original forms and are not counted toward the total species count, but they are featured prominently in regional Pokédexes for collection purposes. The inaugural set of regional variants consisted of 18 Alolan forms, all based on Kanto-origin Pokémon, which often shifted toward , , or Electric types to reflect Alola's diverse climates, such as snowy highlands or electric storms. For instance, Alolan Vulpix and Ninetales abandoned their original typing for /, adapting to the cold mountain environments of Akala Island with fluffy, snow-like fur that allows them to create blizzards. Other notable examples include Alolan , a Floating Electric/ form resembling a doughnut due to its diet of fresh Tapu fruits, and Alolan Muk, a Poison/Dragon variant with a glittering, toxic sludge from industrial pollution. These changes not only alter battle mechanics but also tie into Alolan and , emphasizing over time. In Generation VIII, the Galar region in expanded the concept with over 15 Galarian forms, influenced by the industrial and rural landscapes of the United Kingdom-inspired setting, leading to , Fighting, and typings in many cases. Galarian Zigzagoon and Linoone, for example, evolved into /Normal types with aggressive, weasel-like designs suited to Galar's competitive wild areas, where they form territorial packs. Galarian Weezing, a /Fairy form with smokestack "hats," filters polluted air in industrial zones, while Ponyta and Rapidash became types with ethereal, doll-like appearances reflecting Galarian legends of ghostly horses. This generation's variants highlighted cultural influences, such as British punk aesthetics in Obstagoon, and were revealed progressively through game updates and DLC. The same generation introduced Hisuian forms in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, set in the ancient Hisui region (a precursor to Sinnoh), with over 10 variants drawing from feudal and Siberian influences, often incorporating Rock, Ghost, or Fighting types to suit harsh, prehistoric terrains. Hisuian Growlithe, a Fire/ type with a mane resembling ancient armor, guards noble clans in the rugged Hisui landscapes, while Hisuian Zoroark shifts to Normal/Ghost, using illusionary to mimic spirits. These forms underscore historical adaptation, with Pokémon like Hisuian Voltorb (Electric/Grass) mimicking feudal Hisuian Poké Balls made from natural materials. Unlike prior variants, some Hisuian forms lead to unique evolutions exclusive to the region, blending seamlessly with the game's focus on exploration and documentation. Generation IX's Paldea region in featured two Paldean forms (Wooper and Tauros, the latter with three distinct breeds), inspired by the Iberian Peninsula's diverse biomes from arid deserts to wetlands, resulting in , , or Fighting typings for many. Paldean Tauros stands out with three distinct breeds: the Combat Breed (pure Fighting), Blaze Breed (Fighting/), and Aqua Breed (Fighting/), each adapted to Paldea's matador culture and regional herds, with aggressive behaviors tied to local festivals. Paldean Wooper, a /Ground type with a poison-spiked design, thrives in the toxic marshes of West Province, evolving into the new Clodsire. These variants emphasize breeding and environmental specialization, allowing players to them through picnics and wild areas. As of 2025, there are 59 regional variants across these four regions, showcasing the franchise's ongoing emphasis on and cultural adaptation without inflating the core species count. The design rationale for these forms consistently revolves around environmental pressures and regional lore, such as colder climates prompting Ice-type shifts or industrial pollution yielding variants, ensuring each variant feels like a natural evolution of the Pokémon world.

Special and Variant Forms

Evolutionary and Mega Forms

In the Pokémon series, standard evolution represents a core mechanic where a significant portion of species—approximately 90% as noted in in-game research by Professor Rowan—undergo permanent transformation into more mature or specialized forms, typically across one to three stages in their evolutionary lines. These evolutions are triggered by diverse conditions, including reaching specific experience levels, exposure to evolutionary stones like the Fire Stone or Thunder Stone, trading with another Trainer, or environmental factors such as high friendship levels or specific locations. For instance, the Normal-type Eevee exemplifies branched evolution, capable of developing into eight distinct types: Vaporeon (Water) via Water Stone, Jolteon (Electric) via Thunder Stone, Flareon (Fire) via Fire Stone, Espeon (Psychic) during daytime with high friendship, Umbreon (Dark) at night with high friendship, Leafeon (Grass) near a Moss Rock, Glaceon (Ice) near an Ice Rock, or Sylveon (Fairy) with high friendship and knowledge of a Fairy-type move. This variability allows Trainers to tailor Pokémon to strategic needs, enhancing type diversity without altering the base species' National Pokédex entry. Mega Evolution, introduced in Generation VI through , provides a temporary battle enhancement for 48 specific Pokémon, activated via a held Mega Stone and the Trainer's Key Stone, forging a deepened bond between them. These forms dramatically alter appearance, boost base stats by 100 points total, and often modify or types—such as gaining the / typing and the Tough Claws , or retaining /Flying but acquiring to summon harsh sunlight. Unlike standard evolutions, Mega Evolutions revert post-battle, limiting use to one per Trainer per encounter, and were expanded in Generation VII's before being phased out in later generations. This mechanic emphasizes short-term power surges, influencing competitive play by enabling dynamic type matchups, though it briefly references type impacts from broader classifications. Subsequent generations introduced additional temporary forms building on this concept. Gigantamax, debuted in Generation VIII's , allows 32 eligible Pokémon to achieve a massive, unique morphology during Dynamaxing in Power Spots, granting access to species-specific G-Max moves with extended effects—like G-Max Pikachu's Volt Tackle variant that paralyzes non-Electric foes or G-Max Venusaur's G-Max Vine Lash creating barriers. These forms enhance size and power temporarily, lasting three turns per activation, and integrate with the existing Dynamax system for area-of-effect battles. In Generation IX's , the Terastal phenomenon enables any Pokémon to temporarily override its natural typing with a chosen Tera Type via a Tera Orb, manifesting a crystalline, gem-like appearance that amplifies same-type moves by 50% STAB bonus and potentially shifts battle dynamics. For example, a Fire-type Pokémon might Terastallize into Flying to resist Ground attacks while boosting Flying moves. Collectively, these evolutionary and transformative mechanics yield over 100 alternate forms across standard evolutions, Mega Evolutions, Gigantamax, and Terastals, excluding permanent regional variants. All such forms are battle-exclusive and non-permanent, functioning as enhancements rather than distinct species; thus, they receive no unique National Pokédex numbers, which catalog only base Pokémon entries for organizational consistency across generations. This design preserves the core roster's numbering while allowing tactical depth in gameplay.

Legendary and Mythical Entries

Legendary and Mythical Pokémon represent a distinguished subset of species within the Pokémon franchise, characterized by their exceptional power, rarity, and central roles in the overarching narrative mythology. These Pokémon are typically portrayed as ancient guardians, cataclysmic forces, or foundational entities that shape the world's lore, often appearing in pivotal story moments or as symbols of regional legends. Unlike standard Pokémon, they are designed with unique abilities, high base stat totals, and limited availability, emphasizing their status as aspirational captures for trainers. As of Generation IX, there are 71 Legendary Pokémon and 23 Mythical Pokémon, forming a rare subset totaling 94 species. Legendary Pokémon encompass iconic figures such as the Generation I bird trio—Articuno (#144), Zapdos (#145), and Moltres (#146)—which embody elemental forces like ice, electricity, and fire, as well as creation deities like Arceus (#493), revered as the originator of the Pokémon universe in Sinnoh mythology. Mythical Pokémon, on the other hand, are exclusively distributed through special events and not featured in main storylines, exemplified by Mew (#151), the genetic ancestor of all Pokémon, and Jirachi (#385), a wish-granting star-linked entity. Categorization among these rare Pokémon distinguishes true Legendaries from pseudo-legendaries, the latter being powerful but more accessible through standard evolutionary lines, such as the Dragonite lineage culminating in Dragonite, which boasts a base stat total of 600 akin to many Legendaries yet can be obtained via breeding and leveling. Sub-legendaries, integrated within the Legendary category, include group-based entities like the Regi golems (Regirock #377, Regice #378, Registeel #379) or the Treasures of Ruin quartet (Wo-Chien #1001, Chien-Pao #1002, Ting-Lu #1003, Chi-Yu #1004), which serve as thematic ensembles tied to ancient or calamities. This highlights a spectrum of exclusivity, with true Legendaries often limited to one per species in the wild. In terms of lore, Legendary and Mythical Pokémon fulfill diverse narrative functions: as guardians preserving balance (e.g., the Tapu quartet in Alola safeguarding islands), harbingers of disaster (e.g., Kyogre #382 and Groudon #383 clashing to alter weather patterns), or origins of existence (e.g., Dialga #483 controlling time and Palkia #484 space). Mythicals frequently embody elusive mysteries or benevolent secrets, like Celebi (#251) as a time-traveling protector or Pecharunt (#1025) as a mischievous manipulator from Kitakami . Their release pattern evolved from a single standout per generation in early titles—such as (#150) in Generation I—to expansive trios or quartets in later ones, like the Creation Trio (Dialga, Palkia, Giratina #487) in Generation IV, reflecting the franchise's growing mythological depth across regions.

Glitches and Exceptions

Glitch Pokémon

Glitch Pokémon arise from programming errors in the early Pokémon games, resulting in unintended and often unstable entities that players could encounter through specific in-game actions. These anomalies were most prominent in I titles, and , where incomplete data handling allowed for the manifestation of non-existent Pokémon species. Unlike official Pokémon, glitch variants were never intended as part of the core roster and could lead to game instability, including graphical corruption and data overwrites. One of the most infamous examples is MissingNo., a Pokémon triggered by the "old man glitch" in Viridian City. When players interact with the old man for a catching , it temporarily overwrites the game's wild encounter data with the player's name string; surfing along the eastern coast of Island then loads this malformed data, potentially spawning MissingNo. as a bird-like or fossil-inspired sprite depending on the name's characters. Encountering it duplicates the sixth item in the player's inventory by 128 times but often corrupts Hall of Fame screens and causes permanent graphical es, such as scrambled sprites in Pokémon Centers. A related variant, 'M, appears under similar conditions and can "evolve" into Kangaskhan under certain data merges, though it shares MissingNo.'s instability. These stem from buffer overflow-like errors in how the game handles encounter IDs and unused ROM slots beyond the 151 official Pokémon. In Generation II games like , similar issues persisted due to invalid data propagation during trades or cloning exploits. For instance, the Celebi egg glitch exploits party manipulation and egg mechanics to generate an egg that hatches into the mythical Celebi outside of official events, while trade errors could produce "bad clones"—corrupted duplicates that behave erratically or fail to load properly. These often result from invalid Pokémon IDs or checksum mismatches in the game's data structures, leading to non-functional or glitched party members. Such errors highlight ongoing challenges with ROM memory management in the early handheld era. Overall, causes like buffer overflows and uninitialized data slots in early ROMs enabled numerous major species across generations, though documentation focuses on a handful of reproducible cases. patched these in subsequent remakes, such as , rendering them inaccessible without external tools. Despite their unofficial status, Pokémon like MissingNo. have endured in fan culture, influencing strategies for item acquisition and inspiring lore in , , and even academic studies on software errors—yet they remain excluded from the canonical roster.

Unintended Species

During the development of the Pokémon series, numerous species were conceptualized, prototyped, or even partially implemented but ultimately excluded from the final games' Pokédex listings due to constraints on project scope, technical limitations, and design balance. These unintended species, often referred to as cut or beta Pokémon, represent early ideas that did not progress beyond internal builds, prototypes, or leaked materials. While the exact count varies by , and official art resources have documented around 50 such designs across the franchise's history, with additional details emerging from the 2024 Game Freak data leak (Gigaleak/Teraleak) that revealed further prototypes and iterations. In the first generation, developers initially planned for 190 Pokémon species, but this was reduced to 151 to manage cartridge storage limitations and development timelines on the Game Boy hardware. Among the 39 cut entries were prototypes like Kotora (a tiger-like Pokémon in internal slot 159) and Raitora (its evolved form in slot 160), which featured unique cries but were removed before release; some of these designs were later repurposed or echoed in Generation II additions. Early prototypes also included grass-type concepts such as a cactus-based Pokémon, hypothesized from internal data patterns, highlighting how environmental themes were refined during cuts. These exclusions were confirmed through analysis of the games' internal indexing system, which allocated 190 slots but left many as placeholders. For Generation III, beta designs revealed through leaked internal assets show early iterations of various species, with originals scrapped in favor of streamlined designs to better fit the Hoenn region's double-battle focus and aesthetic cohesion. Other unused prototypes from this era, such as altered legendary elements blending traits from Latios, Latias, and Blaziken, were cut to avoid overlap with established evolutions and maintain type diversity. Revelations came from data extractions of prototype sprites and , emphasizing how iterative redesigns prioritized integration over initial sketches. Generation V's development involved scrapping several Unova-exclusive prototypes to achieve balance in the region's 156 new species, including an early snail-based evolutionary line that was abandoned for lacking competitive viability and thematic fit. Leaked beta art from internal builds also showcased alternative designs for Pokémon like Elgyem and Escavalier, which underwent significant revisions or cuts to refine the generation's human-inspired motifs and prevent redundancy with existing types. These decisions were driven by the need to introduce entirely new Pokémon without prior generations, ensuring a fresh Pokédex while adhering to scope limits for Black and White. Insights derive from developer interviews and extracted concept materials, illustrating cuts for narrative and mechanical harmony. Some cut concepts found new life in later generations; for instance, certain Generation I prototypes influenced designs like those in Gold and Silver, where saved elements from the 39 exclusions contributed to expanding the roster without restarting from scratch. Documentation of these unintended species primarily stems from of game ROMs, official art books such as those compiling Ken Sugimori's sketches, and rare prototype leaks, which collectively reveal the of Pokémon from concept to canon while underscoring the series' adaptive development history.

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