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List of generation III Pokémon
List of generation III Pokémon
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List of Pokémon by generation
Related: List of Pokémon

The third generation (generation III) of the Pokémon franchise features 386 fictional species of creatures and 135 Pokémon introduced to the core video game series in the 2002 Game Boy Advance games Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, and later in the 2004 game Pokémon Emerald. These games were accompanied by the television series Pokémon Advanced, which aired from November 21, 2002, until August 28, 2003, in Japan.

The following list details the 135 Pokémon of generation III in order of their National Pokédex number. The first Pokémon, Treecko, is number 252 and the last, Deoxys, is number 386. Alternate forms that result in type changes are included for convenience. Mega Evolutions and regional forms are included on the pages for the generation in which they were introduced.

Design and development

[edit]

Pokémon are a species of fictional creatures created for the Pokémon media franchise. Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, the Japanese franchise began in 1996 with the video games Pokémon Red and Green for the Game Boy, which were later released in North America as Pokémon Red and Blue in 1998.[1] In these games and their sequels, the player assumes the role of a Trainer whose goal is to capture and use the creatures' special abilities to combat other Pokémon. Some Pokémon can transform into stronger species through a process called evolution via various means, such as exposure to specific items.[2] Each Pokémon have one or two elemental types, which define its advantages and disadvantages when battling other Pokémon.[3] A major goal in each game is to complete the Pokédex, a comprehensive Pokémon encyclopedia, by capturing, evolving, and trading with other Trainers to obtain individuals from all Pokémon species.[2]

Nintendo Life noted in a retrospective that the third generation of Pokémon has a very different "feel" from the two generations that came before it because almost all of its 135 new Pokémon – save for Azurill and Wynaut – have no relation to those of the previous generations. Ruby and Sapphire features two "Mythical Pokémon" – Jirachi and Deoxys – both of which became available to coincide with their respective anime movies.[4]

Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire significantly increased the number of "Dark" and "Steel"-type Pokémon in the series, as only a few Pokémon in previous generations used these typings. Hardcore Gamer also noted that many of the new Pokémon made use of "dual typing", where Pokémon have both a primary and a secondary type. This was not nearly as common in Red and Blue or Gold and Silver.[5]

List of Pokémon

[edit]
List of Pokémon species introduced in generation III (2002)[nb 1]
Name[nb 2] Type(s) Evolves from Evolves into Notes
Treecko
Kimori (キモリ)[7]
(0252) 		  Grass — Grovyle (#253) Wild Treecko live in overgrown forests and attack anyone who approaches their territory. It has claws on its feet that allow it to scale walls. It can sense humidity with its tail, and uses it to predict the weather. In 2022, a genus of Rathalos spider was named Rathalos treecko after the Pokémon.[8]
Grovyle
Juputoru (ジュプトル)[9]
(0253) 		  Grass Treecko (#252) Sceptile (#254) It uses the leaves growing on its body to camouflage itself in forests. Its thigh muscles allow it to jump between tree branches to attack or run from opponents. A Grovyle played a major role in the plot of the spin-off games Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky. In 2021, a species of Anyphaena spider was named Anyphaena grovyle after the Pokémon, along with the closely related Anyphaena sceptile.[10]
Sceptile
Jukain (ジュカイン)[11]
(0254) 		  Grass Grovyle (#253) Mega Evolution It can slice trees down with its leaves, but prefers raising them. The seeds on its back contain nutrients. An acrobatic species, it can jump between tree branches to attack foes from above or behind. It gained a Mega Evolution in generation VI. In 2021, a newly discovered species of Anyphaena spider was named Anyphaena sceptile after the fictional species of Pokémon.[12][13]
Torchic
Achamo (アチャモ)[7]
(0255) 		  Fire — Combusken (#256) It has a flame sac inside it, making it warm to the touch. It can spit 1,800 °F (980 °C) fireballs. It dislikes darkness because it cannot see its surroundings. During the promotion of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire in America, a special Game Boy Advance with a Torchic theme was released at the New York Pokémon Center back in 2003.[14][15][16] This said Game Boy Advance was also released in Japan to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the first Pokémon Centers opening up in Japan[17][18]
Combusken
Wakashamo (ワカシャモ)[9]
(0256) 		  Fire / Fighting Torchic (#255) Blaziken (#257) It can kick 10 times per second. Its cries intimidate and distract foes.
Blaziken
Bashāmo (バシャーモ)[11]
(0257) 		  Fire / Fighting Combusken (#256) Mega Evolution Its leg muscles allow it to jump over a 30-story building. It can blow fire from its wrists and ankles to burn its foes. Every few years, it sheds its feathers, and new ones grow in their place. It gained a Mega Evolution in generation VI. It received an Ability called Speed Boost in generation V, which caused it to be banned to the "Ubers" tier in the Smogon competitive scene from generations V to VII, before falling to the "UUBL" tier in generation VIII, but due to the limited Pokémon roster of Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, it was banned to Ubers in its competitive scene.[19] Blaziken has received generally positive reception. IGN readers ranked Blaziken the 50th best Pokémon ever.[20] Game Informer ranked it the 36th best Pokémon.[21] In a poll by Official Nintendo Magazine's Tom East, Blaziken was voted the third-best Fire-type Pokémon. They stated, "A kung fu chicken? What's not to like?". In a poll of the best Pokémon from Ruby and Sapphire in celebration of the games having 10 years under their belt, Blaziken was ranked in third place.[22] Another poll of the best Pokémon introduced in Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald placed Blaziken third.[23] GamesRadar used Blaziken as an example of a human-shaped Pokémon done right.[24] The Escapist's John Funk wrote that Blaziken was an "awesome" example of a Pokémon that players who refused to play past Red and Blue were missing out on.[25] Game Informer's Jeff Marchiafava felt that Blaziken was less cool than other Fire-type Pokémon and stated that it has a 1970s "vibe". While he felt that the Mega Evolution was an improvement, he called it a "Mega Disappointment".[26] Kotaku's Eric Jou also felt that it had a weak design and cited it as an example of Ruby and Sapphire's weak Pokémon designs.[27] Several critics and websites have noted that Blaziken would be a good choice for a playable character in Super Smash Bros.[28][29][30]
Mudkip
Mizugorō (ミズゴロウ)[7]
(0258) 		  Water — Marshtomp (#259) The fin on its head can sense changes in the air and water currents, acting as a radar. It is strong enough to lift boulders. Videos, images and copypastas involving Mudkip began surfacing in 2005, and by 2007, the Pokémon, along with variations of the misspelled phrase "so i herd u liek mudkipz", have become internet memes which originated from a post on 4chan[31][32][33][34][35][36][37] and received tribute videos on YouTube.[37][38] The hacktivist group Anonymous has been known to reference the "u liek mudkipz" meme during protests,[39] the most famous example being the group's 2008 protests against the Church of Scientology.[40][41][42][43][44]
Marshtomp
Numakurō (ヌマクロー)[9]
(0259) 		  Water / Ground Mudkip (#258) Swampert (#260) It is adapted to living and moving in mud, where other Pokémon struggle to move. It has a thin film on its body that allows it to live on land.
Swampert
Ragurāji (ラグラージ)[11]
(0260) 		  Water / Ground Marshtomp (#259) Mega Evolution It can lift and break boulders weighing over a ton, swim faster than a jetski, and swim while towing a ship. It can sense changes in the weather, and piles up boulders to protect its nest against storms. It gained a Mega Evolution in generation VI.
Poochyena
Pochiena (ポチエナ)[9]
(0261) 		  Dark — Mightyena (#262) It hunts in packs. It barks to intimidate foes and chases prey until exhaustion. Despite its strategies, it is a cowardly species, and will turn tail if the foe fights back.
Mightyena
Guraena (グラエナ)[45]
(0262) 		  Dark Poochyena (#261) — It lives and hunts in packs of around 10 Pokémon, with a concrete hierarchy. The leader coordinates attacks, and tries to prevent its prey from escaping battle.
Zigzagoon
Jiguzaguma (ジグザグマ)[9]
(0263) 		  Normal — Linoone (#264) It walks in a zigzag pattern. A curious species, it takes interest in everything it finds, and is constantly looking for items on the ground. It may play dead to fool opponents. It has a Dark/Normal-type Galarian form.
Linoone
Massuguma (マッスグマ)[46]
(0264) 		  Normal Zigzagoon (#263) —[nb 3] It can run at 60 miles (97 km) per hour, though it struggles with turning. It has a Dark/Normal-type Galarian form.
Wurmple
Kemusso (ケムッソ)[47]
(0265) 		  Bug — Silcoon (#266)
Cascoon (#268) 		It feeds on leaves, and can pull the bark off a tree to consume its sap. To defend itself from predators like Swellow and Starly, it can eject poison from the spikes on its tail. It evolves into either Cascoon or Silcoon seemingly at random; there is no conclusive evidence regarding how it works.
Silcoon
Karasarisu (カラサリス)[46]
(0266) 		  Bug Wurmple (#265) Beautifly (#267) It cannot move much due to being in a cocoon, but has its eyes to check for danger. It conserves energy for evolution.
Beautifly
Agehanto (アゲハント)[11]
(0267) 		  Bug / Flying Silcoon (#266) — Despite its appearance, it is an aggressive species. It uses its proboscis to feed on pollen, nectar, water, fruit juices, and the bodily fluids of its prey.
Cascoon
Mayurudo (マユルド)[46]
(0268) 		  Bug Wurmple (#265) Dustox (#269) It hides in leaves and in the gaps between branches, or attaches dead leaves to its body for camouflage. Its silk is said to have superior texture and luster to that of Silcoon.
Dustox
Dokukeiru (ドクケイル)[46]
(0269) 		  Bug / Poison Cascoon (#268) — It is nocturnal, and attracted to light. To defend itself, it spreads toxic scales. In urban areas, Dustox swarm around streetlights and bonfires, and eat the leaves from nearby trees.
Lotad
Hasubō (ハスボー)[48]
(0270) 		  Water / Grass — Lombre (#271) The leaf on its back is similar to a water lily. It ferries small Pokémon across lakes with it. While its leaf is too big and heavy for it to properly lift on land, it may travel on the ground when looking for clean water.
Lombre
Hasuburero (ハスブレロ)[49]
(0271) 		  Water / Grass Lotad (#270) Ludicolo (#272) It sleeps during the day and pranks others during the night. It may pull on fishing hooks to annoy fishermen. It is covered in a slimy film. It feeds on moss that grows underwater.
Ludicolo
Runpappa (ルンパッパ)[50]
(0272) 		  Water / Grass Lombre (#271) — It enjoys dancing. Its cells produce energy when hit with the sound waves of cheerful or festive music.
Seedot
Tanebō (タネボー)[46]
(0273) 		  Grass — Nuzleaf (#274) It hangs on tree branches and absorbs their nutrients. When it finishes eating, its body becomes heavier, and it falls down. It polishes itself with leaves daily.
Nuzleaf
Konohana (コノハナ)[46]
(0274) 		  Grass / Dark Seedot (#273) Shiftry (#275) It can use the leaf on its head as a flute, playing unsettling or comforting tunes. Its nose acts as a sensory point, so grabbing it weakens the Nuzleaf. A Nuzleaf played a major role in Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon.
Shiftry
Dātengu (ダーテング)[7]
(0275) 		  Grass / Dark Nuzleaf (#274) — It is based on the Tengu.[51] It can whip up cold, 100 ft/s (30 m/s) winds with the leaves on its hands. It is regarded in folklore as a protector of forests or herald of winder. It is said that it used to be a bird Pokémon that had its wings and beak replaced as punishment for its evil. It can read its opponents' minds.
Taillow
Subame (スバメ)[52]
(0276) 		  Normal / Flying — Swellow (#277) A gutsy species, it will fight larger Pokémon like Skarmory. It loses its will to fight if it becomes hungry. During colder seasons, it flies up to 180 miles (290 km) per day looking for warmer climates.
Swellow
Ōsubame (オオスバメ)[11]
(0277) 		  Normal / Flying Taillow (#276) — Its preferred strategy is diving into opponents and prey, and grabbing them with its claws. It is proud of its feathers. Groups of Swellow will clean each other regularly.
Wingull
Kyamome (キャモメ)[46]
(0278) 		  Water / Flying — Pelipper (#279) Its uses its long wings to ride updrafts, and glide around the sea. Its beak lets it catch prey like Wishiwashi or Finneon, or hide valuable objects and food. Fishermen train or keep track of wild Wingull to look for fish Pokémon. A female Wingull named Peeko accompanies the sailor Mr. Briney in the Hoenn games.
Pelipper
Perippā (ペリッパー)[11]
(0279) 		  Water / Flying Wingull (#278) — Its bill functions as a pouch, where it can carry eggs and small Pokémon like Wingull and Pyukumuku. Pelipper are commonly used as couriers or messengers. It preys on small fish Pokémon like Luvdisc, and can scoop up to 30 Wishiwashi at once.
Ralts
Rarutosu (ラルトス)[46]
(0280) 		  Psychic / Fairy[nb 4] — Kirlia (#281) It uses its horns to sense someone's emotions. It hangs around happy people and Pokémon. When it feels threatened, it will hide and will not come out until the feeling dissipates.
Kirlia
Kiruria (キルリア)[11]
(0281) 		  Psychic / Fairy[nb 4] Ralts (#280) Gardevoir (#282)
Gallade (#475)[nb 5] 		It grows stronger and more beautiful the happier its trainer is. Its horns are used to amplify its psychic power, to the point of distorting space, creating illusions, and allowing it to see into the future. It enjoys dancing during sunny mornings. Only male Kirlia can evolve into Gallade.
Gardevoir
Sānaito (サーナイト)[53]
(0282) 		  Psychic / Fairy[nb 4] Kirlia (#281) Mega Evolution A loyal and protective species, it can use all of its energy to open up a small black hole to defend its trainer. It gained a Mega Evolution in generation VI. Gardevoir and Gallade's Mega Evolutions share similarities with the Paradox Pokémon Iron Valiant.
Surskit
Ametama (アメタマ)[46]
(0283) 		  Bug / Water — Masquerain (#284) It can release a thick syrup or a sweet scent from its antenna, and an oil from the tips of its feet. It uses the syrup as a defense mechanism, the scent to attract prey, and the oil to walk on water. It competes with Dewpider for food.
Masquerain
Amemōsu (アメモース)[54]
(0284) 		  Bug / Flying Surskit (#283) — Its four wings allow it to fly in place or in any direction, but become too heavy to carry it when wet. It uses its eye-patterned antennae to scare opponents.
Shroomish
Kinokoko (キノココ)[55]
(0285) 		  Grass — Breloom (#286) When threatened, it scatters spores from the top of its head. Those spores can cause plants to wilt. It hides in piles of dead leaves during the day. It feeds on composted soil.
Breloom
Kinogassa (キノガッサ)[50]
(0286) 		  Grass / Fighting Shroomish (#285) — It can stretch its arms to punch from farther away, jump around to close the distance, and spread spores from the seeds on its tail to incapacitate opponents. Its technique is comparable to boxing. In 2024, Breloom saw a resurgence of popularity due to it being the favorite Pokemon of Luigi Mangione and the death of Brian Thompson.[56][57][58][59]
Slakoth
Namakero (ナマケロ)[60]
(0287) 		  Normal — Vigoroth (#288) It sleeps 20 hours per day, and only eats three leaves a day. While it does not change its nest, it can swim across rivers. Its heart beats once per minute.
Vigoroth
Yarukimono (ヤルキモノ)[11]
(0288) 		  Normal Slakoth (#287) Slaking (#289) Its heart beats ten times faster than a Slakoth's. It is energetic to the point of needing to run for an entire day to be able to sleep, and being stressed when it has to stand still for any period of time.
Slaking
Kekkingu (ケッキング)[50]
(0289) 		  Normal Vigoroth (#288) — While it is considered the world's laziest Pokémon, moving only when it has eaten all the grass around it, it is constantly storing energy for attacks. While it has the highest base stat total of all common Pokémon, its ability, Truant, prevents it from moving every other turn.[61]
Nincada
Tsuchinin (ツチニン)[46]
(0290) 		  Bug / Ground — Ninjask (#291)
Shedinja (#292) 		It is mostly blind, so it uses its antennae to sense the surroundings. It uses its claws to dig nests underground and carve into tree roots to absorb their nutrients.
Ninjask
Tekkanin (テッカニン)[46]
(0291) 		  Bug / Flying Nincada (#290) — It is the fastest common Pokémon in the games, behind Deoxys' Speed Forme and Regieleki, and its Ability Speed Boost makes it faster each turn. Due to its speed, it was believed to be invisible. Hearing its cries for too long can cause headaches.
Shedinja
Nukenin (ヌケニン)[46]
(0292) 		  Bug / Ghost Nincada (#290) — When a Nincada evolves into Ninjask and there is an empty space in the player's party and a Poké Ball in their inventory, a Shedinja is created from the Nincada's shed exoskeleton. It has 1 HP, though its Ability Wonder Guard makes it immune to any attacks not super effective against it.[62] It has no organs, does not breathe, and floats without flapping its wings. It is said that looking into the hole on its back can steal one's spirit.
Whismur
Gonyonyo (ゴニョニョ)[63]
(0293) 		  Normal — Loudred (#294) A timid species. Though it is normally nearly inaudible, its cries when startled are as loud as a jet plane taking off. After it finishes crying, it falls asleep from exhaustion.
Loudred
Dogōmu (ドゴーム)[46]
(0294) 		  Normal Whismur (#293) Exploud (#295) Its shouts can tip trucks and destroy wooden houses, though Loudred itself is temporarily deafened afterwards.
Exploud
Bakuongu (バクオング)[64]
(0295) 		  Normal Loudred (#294) — It breathes in with the tubes on its body, and shouts with enough force to cause tremors. It can whistle from the tubes to express its feelings.
Makuhita
Makunoshita (マクノシタ)[52]
(0296) 		  Fighting — Hariyama (#297) It trains by fighting Machop and knocking trees down. It may mistake an Alolan Exeggutor for a tree, and get flung away.
Hariyama
Hariteyama (ハリテヤマ)[65]
(0297) 		  Fighting Makuhita (#296) — It stomps the ground to build strength. Its slaps can send 10-ton trucks flying and stop trains in their tracks. It is respectful to other Pokémon, praising them after battle. It is thought to be related to the futuristic Paradox Pokémon Iron Hands.
Azurill
Ruriri (ルリリ)[60]
(0298) 		  Normal / Fairy[nb 4] — Marill (#183) It can throw its tail into the air, the momentum of which can also send Azurill flying up to 33 feet (10 m) away. The tail contains nutrients it needs to grow, and can float on water. Because its gender ratio did not match Marill's, with Marill having an even ratio while 75% of Azurill were female, one in three female Azurill would evolve into male Marill. This was fixed in generation VI.[66]
Nosepass
Nozupasu (ノズパス)[46]
(0299) 		  Rock — Probopass (#476) Because its nose functions as an electromagnet, it can only ever face north. For this reason, hikers and explorers have been known to use it as a compass. It draws iron objects into its body for protection. Its magnetism can draw in potential prey or drive others away.
Skitty
Eneko (エネコ)[9]
(0300) 		  Normal — Delcatty (#301) A playful species, it chases after anything that moves. It often runs in circles chasing its own tail, and becomes dizzy.
Delcatty
Enekororo (エネコロロ)[11]
(0301) 		  Normal Skitty (#300) — It does whatever it wants wherever it wants, so it does not keep a nest. It looks for clean places to sleep, and walks away from any potential fights. It is popular among women for the texture of its fur.
Sableye
Yamirami (ヤミラミ)[65]
(0302) 		  Dark / Ghost — Mega Evolution Its design is inspired by the Hopkinsville goblin, an alien-like creature reported to be seen in Kentucky in the 1950s.[51][67] It feeds on gems, and competes with Gabite for eating Carbink. Due to its diet, it has grown gemstones on its body. It gained a Mega Evolution in generation VI.
Mawile
Kuchīto (クチート)[11]
(0303) 		  Steel / Fairy[nb 4] — Mega Evolution Its design is inspired by the Futakuchi-onna, a woman said to have a second mouth on the back of her head.[51] Its second mouth is made from deformed steel horns. It tricks opponents with its non-threatening appearance, and eats them. The second mouth does not have taste buds, so it uses it to eat things it does not like the taste of. It gained a Mega Evolution in generation VI.
Aron
Kokodora (ココドラ)[11]
(0304) 		  Steel / Rock — Lairon (#305) It feeds on metal from ores. If it gets too hungry, it may climb down from the mountains it lives in and eat railroad tracks. It sheds its armor on evolution.
Lairon
Kodora (コドラ)[46]
(0305) 		  Steel / Rock Aron (#304) Aggron (#306) It is territorial and enjoys showing off the sparks it can create by slamming into things. It eats iron ore and drinks spring water, and fights humans who go near either.
Aggron
Bosugodora (ボスゴドラ)[54]
(0306) 		  Steel / Rock Lairon (#305) Mega Evolution It treats the scratches on its armor as mementos. It takes a mountain as its territory, and protects it from trespassers. If the flora on it is damaged, it brings soil and plants trees around it. It gained a Mega Evolution in generation VI.
Meditite
Asanan (アサナン)[68]
(0307) 		  Fighting / Psychic — Medicham (#308) It practices yoga, constantly training its body and mind and living on one berry per day. Because of its training, it can levitate.
Medicham
Chāremu (チャーレム)[52]
(0308) 		  Fighting / Psychic Meditite (#307) Mega Evolution It can use its sixth sense, which has been refined by meditation, to predict opponents' moves. Its fighting style resembles dancing. It only eats once a month. It gained a Mega Evolution in generation VI.
Electrike
Rakurai (ラクライ)[46]
(0309) 		  Electric — Manectric (#310) It generates electricity from friction in the air, and uses it to stimulate its legs to run faster than a human eye can follow. Its body sparks more than usual before storms.
Manectric
Raiboruto (ライボルト)[65]
(0310) 		  Electric Electrike (#309) Mega Evolution It is based on the raijū, a yōkai associated with lightning and the god Raijin.[51] It gathers electricity in its mane, and releases it, creating thunderclouds in the process. It gained a Mega Evolution in generation VI.
Plusle
Purasuru (プラスル)[52][69]
(0311) 		  Electric No evolution It drains energy from telephone poles, and creates sparks from its hands to use as pom-poms. Exposure to its and Minun's electricity could promote blood circulation.
Minun
Mainan (マイナン)[52]
(0312) 		  Electric No evolution It creates pom-poms out of sparks, and cheers its teammates on with them. It hides under the eaves of houses during rain.
Volbeat
Barubīto (バルビート)[46]
(0313) 		  Bug No evolution It is attracted to the aroma given off by Illumise. Its tail glows. Swarms of Volbeat form geometric shapes in the sky. If the pond a swarm lives in becomes dirty, they will move away.
Illumise
Irumīze (イルミーゼ)[70]
(0314) 		  Bug No evolution It releases a sweet aroma, and uses it to guide Volbeat around to make signs in the sky. Illumise that can make more complex signs are more respected among their peers. Researchers are attempting to study the meaning of those signs.
Roselia
Rozeria (ロゼリア)[46]
(0315) 		  Grass / Poison Budew (#406) Roserade (#407) The flowers on its arms have a soothing smell and poisonous thorns that it can shoot. An old tradition involves sending someone a Roselia's thorn as a challenge for a duel.
Gulpin
Gokurin (ゴクリン)[11]
(0316) 		  Poison — Swalot (#317) Most of its body consists of its stomach, whose acid can dissolve anything it can fit in its mouth. It releases gases while it digests food.
Swalot
Marunōmu (マルノーム)[46]
(0317) 		  Poison Gulpin (#316) — It shoots poison into opponents and prey, and eats them whole. It can fit automobiles in its mouth, and digest anything besides its own stomach.
Carvanha
Kibania (キバニア)[46]
(0318) 		  Water / Dark — Sharpedo (#319) It is based on the red piranha.[71] It can bite through solid steel. Groups of Carvanha are known to destroy ships on a regular basis. If it is alone or in a group of less than five Carvanha, it becomes timid and flees.
Sharpedo
Samehadā (サメハダー)[60]
(0319) 		  Water / Dark Carvanha (#318) Mega Evolution It is based on sharks.[71] It can swallow water and shoot it from its rear to shoot itself up to 75 miles per hour (121 km/h), though only for short distances. It is sensitive to the smell of blood. It can tear an oil tanker apart with its fangs. If broken, its fangs grow back instantly. Its dorsal fin is considered a delicacy, so it was a victim of overfishing. It gained a Mega Evolution in generation VI.
Wailmer
Hoeruko (ホエルコ)[9]
(0320) 		  Water — Wailord (#321) It stores water inside its body. It can use it to inflate itself into a ball and bounce around, or expel it from its nostrils. It swims with its mouth open, feeding on whatever comes its way. It eats a ton of Wishiwashi per day.
Wailord
Hoeruō (ホエルオー)[72]
(0321) 		  Water Wailmer (#320) — Wailord travel with groups of Wailmer and other fish Pokémon, referred to as pods. If a Wailmer is attacked, the entire pod goes to defend it. A wailord can eat an entire school of Wishiwashi. Being 47.7 feet (14.5 m) tall, it is the largest common Pokémon, behind both forms of Eternatus and some Gigantamax Pokémon. Due to sharing an egg group with them, it is capable of breeding with small Pokémon such as Skitty and Diglett, which gave rise to the Hot Skitty On Wailord Action meme.[73] In 2018, a study published by the University of Leicester found it was denser than air.[74]
Numel
Donmeru (ドンメル)[46]
(0322) 		  Fire / Ground — Camerupt (#323) Its hump contains 2,200 °F (1,200 °C) magma, and can carry loads of up to 220 pounds (100 kg), though it slows down when wet or hungry.
Camerupt
Bakūda (バクーダ)[75]
(0323) 		  Fire / Ground Numel (#322) Mega Evolution Its body contains 18,000 °F (10,000 °C) lava. It erupts when angered, or once every ten years. It gained a Mega Evolution in generation VI.
Torkoal
Kōtasu (コータス)[46]
(0324) 		  Fire No evolution It lives in mountains and volcanoes, where it digs for coal. It fills its shell with coal and burns it for energy. If its fire goes out, it dies. It can blow smoke from its shell and nostrils, the pressure of which indicates its health.
Spoink
Banebū (バネブー)[45]
(0325) 		  Psychic — Grumpig (#326) It holds a Clamperl's pearl with its ears. Its heart beats when it bounces. If it stops bouncing, it dies. If it loses its pearl, it becomes fatigued.
Grumpig
Būpiggu (ブーピッグ)[46]
(0326) 		  Psychic Spoink (#325) — The pearls on its body amplify its psychic power. It can control its opponents' minds by dancing.
Spinda
Patchīru (パッチール)[45]
(0327) 		  Normal No evolution Spinda is a bear-like Pokémon. Each Spinda has a random pattern of spots on its body. There are 4,294,967,296 possible patterns.[76] Junichi Masuda has noted that much planning and discussion had to be done to make this feasible in game and due to this, Spinda has become a favorite Pokémon of his.[77]
Trapinch
Nakkurā (ナックラー)[46]
(0328) 		  Ground — Vibrava (#329) It can crush boulders with its jaws. It digs a hole into the sand, and waits for unsuspecting prey to walk in. At night, it digs a spot under the sand to sleep. Due to the size of its head, it cannot get up if flipped upside down.
Vibrava
Biburāba (ビブラーバ)[46]
(0329) 		  Ground / Dragon Trapinch (#328) Flygon (#330) Its wings are underdeveloped, so it cannot fly long distances with them, though it can create vibrations strong enough to cause headaches. After knocking prey out, it melts them with acid before eating them.
Flygon
Furaigon (フライゴン)[52]
(0330) 		  Ground / Dragon Vibrava (#329) — It kicks up sandstorms with its wings to hide. Their flapping makes a sound similar to singing. A Mega Evolution of Flygon was planned for generation VI, but was cancelled due to artist's block.[78]
Cacnea
Sabonea (サボネア)[9]
(0331) 		  Grass — Cacturne (#332) Its body can store moisture, so it can live up to 30 days without drinking water. Its flower, whose size and fragrance depend on the harshness of its environment, is used to attract prey. It can shoot thorns, or wave its arms around like hammers.
Cacturne
Nokutasu (ノクタス)[7]
(0332) 		  Grass / Dark Cacnea (#331) — It stays immobile at day, and stalks prey until exhaustion at night. Its blood has the same genetic composition as sand.
Swablu
Chirutto (チルット)[79]
(0333) 		  Normal / Flying — Altaria (#334) It does not like dirt, so it cleans everything it can with its wings. A friendly species, it may land on people's heads and act as a hat.
Altaria
Chirutarisu (チルタリス)[52]
(0334) 		  Dragon / Flying Swablu (#333) Mega Evolution It catches updrafts and glides around the sky. Its singing is said to drive listeners to a dream-like state. It gained a Mega Evolution in generation VI.
Zangoose
Zangūsu (ザングース)[80]
(0335) 		  Normal No evolution It is covered in scars from its constant fights with Seviper. Its immune system makes it resistant to its venom.
Seviper
Habunēku (ハブネーク)[9]
(0336) 		  Poison No evolution It coils around opponents, or cuts them with its venomous tail. It sharpens its tail's blade constantly. It has an ongoing feud with Zangoose.
Lunatone
Runatōn (ルナトーン)[46]
(0337) 		  Rock / Psychic No evolution It gains energy from moonlight. Its physical state changes according to lunar phases. It was first discovered on a meteor crash site.
Solrock
Sorurokku (ソルロック)[46]
(0338) 		  Rock / Psychic No evolution It gains energy from sunlight, and can give off light similar to it by spinning. It can read its opponents' minds and act accordingly. It is believed to have come from the sun.
Barboach
Dojotchi (ドジョッチ)[46]
(0339) 		  Water / Ground — Whiscash (#340) It is based on the pond loach.[71] Its body is covered with a film that protects it from bacteria and allows it to slip from predators' grips.
Whiscash
Namazun (ナマズン)[7]
(0340) 		  Water / Ground Barboach (#339) — It is based on the Namazu.[51] It can predict earthquakes, or cause them with its caudal fin. It can sense opponents' locations with its whiskers. It eats anything that moves, usually whole.
Corphish
Heigani (ヘイガニ)[9]
(0341) 		  Water — Crawdaunt (#342) It is not native to Hoenn, having instead been imported from overseas as a pet. A hardy species, it can live in polluted waters and eat anything, so population has increased to the point of seeping into other regions.
Crawdaunt
Shizarigā (シザリガー)[11]
(0342) 		  Water / Dark Corphish (#341) — It takes a pond as its territory and drives other Pokémon away with constant fighting challenges. It is known to be able to fight off swarms of Basculin. Though its shell is hard, it needs to molt regularly. If its pincers fall off, it becomes timid until they grow back.
Baltoy
Yajiron (ヤジロン)[46]
(0343) 		  Ground / Psychic — Claydol (#344) It is constantly spinning on its foot. Ancient paintings found in ruins depict Baltoy as part of a large society.
Claydol
Nendōru (ネンドール)[46]
(0344) 		  Ground / Psychic Baltoy (#343) — It is said to have been created 20,000 years ago as a mud doll or clay statue and animated by an unknown ray of light. Because its body melts in rain, it wraps itself with a coat of psychic energy.
Lileep
Rirīra (リリーラ)[46]
(0345) 		  Rock / Grass — Cradily (#346) It anchors itself to a rock in the sea and sways its tentacles as if they were petals to attract prey. It then swallows them whole.
Cradily
Yureidoru (ユレイドル)[46]
(0346) 		  Rock / Grass Lileep (#345) — It lives in shallow waters. When the tide goes out, it hunts for prey on land. Though it struggles with moving due to its short legs, it can stretch its neck and tentacles up to thrice their normal length. It melts prey with digestive fluids shot from its tentacles.
Anorith
Anopusu (アノプス)[46]
(0347) 		  Rock / Bug — Armaldo (#348) It used to live in warm waters. Because the composition of the water has changed since it went extinct 100 million years ago, it can no longer thrive in the wild.
Armaldo
Āmarudo (アーマルド)[46]
(0348) 		  Rock / Bug Anorith (#347) — It used to live on land, and dove to the sea to hunt. Its retractable claws can punch through steel.
Feebas
Hinbasu (ヒンバス)[46]
(0349) 		  Water — Milotic (#350) It is based on the largemouth bass.[71] Due to its shabby appearance, it is ignored by trainers and predators alike. It can live in any type or quantity of water and eat anything. Players consider it hard to find in the generation III and IV games. In Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, it is found in six randomly generated fishing spots determined by a "trendy phrase" set by the user in Dewford Town. In Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, it is found in four randomly generated fishing spots that change daily.[81]
Milotic
Mirokarosu (ミロカロス)[82]
(0350) 		  Water Feebas (#349) — It is based on the oarfish.[71] It is considered the most beautiful Pokémon of all, to the point of distracting and soothing potential opponents.
Castform
Powarun (ポワルン)[54]
(0351) 		  Normal No evolution A man-made Pokémon, made for experiments with weather. Its form and type reflexively change based on the current weather.
  Fire During sunny weather, its body temperature rises, its skin dries out, and it becomes Fire-type. Attempts to force a change into this form by placing it near a heater have been unsuccessful.
  Water During rain, its body stores and swells with water, which can be squeezed out as if it were a sponge. Attempts to force a change into this form by placing it on a shower have been unsuccessful.
  Ice During hail or when covered in snow, its skin partially freezes. Attempts to force a change into this form by placing it on a freezer have been unsuccessful.
Kecleon
Kakureon (カクレオン)[46]
(0352) 		  Normal No evolution Kecleon is a Pokémon based on chameleons.[83] Kecleon is available to encounter in the wild as a random encounter, but could also be found invisible in set locations in the Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire's overworld. Using an item called the Devon Scope, players could reveal the Kecleon and battle them.[84][85][86] Kecleon was one of the first Pokémon from Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire to be revealed to the public. It was showcased at an event on March 7, 2001, which first revealed the Game Boy Advance to the public.[87][88] It additionally appeared in the Pokémon anime prior to its release in the games, being featured in the episode "The Kecleon Caper" in July 2001, a year prior to the release of Ruby and Sapphire.[89][90] A purple Kecleon was used in promotion and was featured in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series, but is not obtainable in the main series games.[89] Kecleon uses a circle motif in its design frequently used in designs found in the third generation of the series and uses contrasting colors in its design. Kecleon, to reference its chameleon origins, has a unique ability in-battle called Color Change that lets it change its type when it takes damage.[83] Kecleon can also camouflage to appear invisible.[91]

Kecleon, unlike other Pokémon introduced in the third generation, was not immediately released into spin-off augmented reality game Pokémon Go. In an interview with Gfinity Esports in 2021, the game's Director of Global Marketing, Michael Steranka stated that the development team was taking their time due to Kecleon's unique attributes, teasing that Kecleon would be a "special release".[92][93] In a later 2022 interview with TechRadar, Steranka answered that "Kecleon has unique properties in the main series games, abilities that no other Pokémon shares, so we want to make sure we do right by its original design when incorporating it into augmented reality."[94] Steranka told Inverse in an interview that the team had set a deadline of adding Kecleon to the game by the time of the "Pokémon Go Tour: Hoenn" in-game event, which predominantly featured Pokémon from Ruby and Sapphire.[95]

Kecleon was released briefly in Pokémon Go in 2018. The Kecleon encountered in the wild would turn into the shapeshifting Ditto upon being encountered. The event coincided with the unannounced release of the then unnamed Meltan.[96] Kecleon was eventually released in the game on January 7, 2023, over five years after the debut of third generation Pokémon in the game. To encounter it, players have to walk to in-game "Pokéstop" locations that correspond to real-world locations. An invisible Kecleon has a chance of clinging to a Pokéstop, at which point the player can tap on it in order to initiate an encounter with it.[97] This method of encounter was designed to encourage players of the game to go outside again following the COVID-19 pandemic.[95]

Kecleon's inclusion in Pokémon Go was a source of major discussion. Due to being the last Pokémon introduced in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire to be added to the game, fans of the series were unsure of why the Pokémon had not yet been included, leading to frequent discussion over when it would debut. The hashtag, "JusticeForKecleon" grew popular with fans of the series, and was used as a rallying cry for Kecleon's inclusion.[98] Kecleon's lack of inclusion was considered a meme within the community.[99] Inverse's Steven Asarch stated that while Kecleon was a predominantly unpopular and forgettable Pokémon in the main series games, it had become an elusive figure among fans of Pokémon Go due to its lack of inclusion.[95] Kecleon has been described as being the most anticipated Pokémon addition in the game's history,[100] and its eventual release in the game was received positively.[101][102]

TheGamer's Stacey Henley, prior to Kecleon's addition to the game, stated that Kecleon was "more interesting to think about than it is to actually use", believing that while players had nostalgia over its role in prior games, the Pokémon was unpopular overall.[103] She stated that Kecleon's addition "put Niantic into an impossible position", believing that releasing Kecleon without fanfare would make players question why Kecleon's addition had taken so long, but that Kecleon itself was a Pokémon that was unable to drum up excitement in the game's player base if more focus were to be put onto its release. She finished by saying that while Kecleon could be an interesting inclusion if executed correctly, Kecleon was uninteresting enough that the species was unable to drum up significant excitement.[103] Ben Sledge, also writing for TheGamer, stated that Kecleon's eventual inclusion in the game had an enjoyable implementation that was not tied to any in-game timed event, believing that its rarity in-game was an effective method of keeping the Pokémon interesting after its release. However, he felt that the eventual release of the Pokémon felt underwhelming overall.[100]

Shuppet
Kagebōzu (カゲボウズ)[46]
(0353) 		  Ghost — Banette (#354) It feeds on negative emotions like sadness, anger, and envy. If someone has strong negative feelings, Shuppet may swarm on their house and feed on it.
Banette
Jupetta (ジュペッタ)[65]
(0354) 		  Ghost Shuppet (#353) Mega Evolution It is said that a plush doll that was thrown away grew a grudge and became Banette.[67] Its energy is stored inside its body. If the zipper on its mouth is opened, it leaks out. It gained a Mega Evolution in generation VI.
Duskull
Yomawaru (ヨマワル)[46]
(0355) 		  Ghost — Dusclops (#356) Its design is based on the Chōchin'obake.[67] It has a single eye floating between its sockets. It feeds mostly on the life force of children, stalking its prey until exhaustion. It can float through walls.
Dusclops
Samayōru (サマヨール)[46]
(0356) 		  Ghost Duskull (#355) Dusknoir (#477) Its design is based on the mummy.[67] It can hypnotize opponents into doing its bidding. It can absorb anything into its hollow body. Nothing a Dusclops absorbs comes out.
Tropius
Toropiusu (トロピウス)[80]
(0357) 		  Grass / Flying No evolution Due to its diet, fruits similar to bananas grow on its neck twice a year. The fruit of Tropius native to Alola are sweeter than those of other regions.
Chimecho
Chirīn (チリーン)[45]
(0358) 		  Psychic Chingling (#433) — It can produce seven different cries, which it uses for communication or to create ultrasonic waves in battle.
Absol
Abusoru (アブソル)[9]
(0359) 		  Dark — Mega Evolution Absol primarily lives in the mountains and rarely leaves its habitat. Pokédex entries suggest that it is able to sense upcoming natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis using its horn then leave the mountains to warn people about the storms. Despite its kind-hearted intentions, people interpreted the appearances of the Pokémon as a bad omen given its correlation with natural disasters, giving it a negative reputation especially amongst the elders.[104][105]

Liz Finnegan, writing for The Escapist, has considered Absol to be inspired by the kudan, which derived in mythology from the Bai Ze, also known as the Hakutaku that lived in the mountains and warned nearby villagers about an upcoming plague.[106] Caleb Compton of Game Developer observed that the "exaggerated look" of Absol, lining up with the "jagged" Pokémon designs of the third generation, sharply contrasting with the Pokémon designs of the first generation that more generally have "rough, natural looking fur" like Arcanine.[107]

Mega Absol, a temporary transformation process that Absol can undergo in a Pokémon X and Y gameplay mechanic called "Mega Evolution," was first revealed through a 2013 issue of the CoroCoro Comic magazine along with several other Mega Evolutions for other Pokémon.[108] Through this process, Absol gains a pair of wings that make the Pokémon appear angelic,[109] which it can flutter, but it is incapable of flight and does not change its typing in the process.[110]

Wynaut
Sōnano (ソーナノ)[45]
(0360) 		  Psychic — Wobbuffet (#202) It squeezes itself against other Wynaut for training. Though it prefers living in cases, it enjoys fruit, and the gardens in which they grow.
Snorunt
Yukiwarashi (ユキワラシ)[46]
(0361) 		  Ice — Glalie (#362)
Froslass (#478)[nb 6] 		Snorunt are seen as omens of prosperity or snowstorms. A social species, it lives in groups of around five Snorunt and enjoys playing with children.
Glalie
Onigōri (オニゴーリ)[75]
(0362) 		  Ice Snorunt (#361) Mega Evolution Though its body is frail, it can cover itself in armor made from ice. It freezes prey before eating it, though it prefers pre-frozen prey like Vanillite. It gained a Mega Evolution in generation VI.
Spheal
Tamazarashi (タマザラシ)[46]
(0363) 		  Ice / Water — Sealeo (#364) Its body is not adapted to swimming or walking, so it prefers rolling around. When happy, it claps its fins. If it finds prey, it will inform the Walrein that leads its herd.
Sealeo
Todogurā (トドグラー)[46]
(0364) 		  Ice / Water Spheal (#363) Walrein (#365) It rolls things around its nose to check their smell and texture, or for fun. It is known to play with Poké Balls and Spheal.
Walrein
Todozeruga (トドゼルガ)[46]
(0365) 		  Ice / Water Sealeo (#364) — Its blubber protects it from opponents' attacks and harsh temperatures, and its tusks can break up to 10 tons of ice. If its tusks break, they grow back in a year.
Clamperl
Pāruru (パールル)[46]
(0366) 		  Water — Huntail (#367)
Gorebyss (#368) 		A carnivorous species, it clamps down on its prey and does not let go. Throughout its lifetime, it produces a pearl, which amplifies its psychic powers. The pearl is sought after by Spoink, and is considered 10 times more valuable than those of a Shellder.
Huntail
Hantēru (ハンテール)[46]
(0367) 		  Water Clamperl (#366) — It is based on the onejaw.[71] It lures prey in with its fish-shaped tail, and swallows them whole. Because it lives in the depths of the sea, it had gone undiscovered for a long time.
Gorebyss
Sakurabisu (サクラビス)[46]
(0368) 		  Water Clamperl (#366) — It is based on the snipe eel.[71] Despite its appearance, it is a cruel species. It stabs its mouth inside prey, drains their bodily fluids, and leaves their bodies behind.
Relicanth
Jīransu (ジーランス)[46]
(0369) 		  Water / Rock No evolution It is based on the coelacanth.[71] It has not changed in over 100 million years. Its body is filled with fat and its scales are similar to rocks, so it can withstand and walk on the seafloor.
Luvdisc
Rabukasu (ラブカス)[111]
(0370) 		  Water No evolution Various critics consider Luvdisc among the most "useless" and "lazily designed" Pokémon.[112][113][114][115] It is based on the kissing gourami.[71] It makes nests in Corsola colonies or coral branches. If two Luvdisc kiss each other, they can use both of their bodies as wings to fly temporarily. It is said that seeing a Luvdisc will guarantee eternal love in a relationship.
Bagon
Tatsubei (タツベイ)[46]
(0371) 		  Dragon — Shelgon (#372) It jumps down the cliffs it lives on in hopes of being able to fly. Because of this, its head has grown hard enough to break rocks and withstand its falls.
Shelgon
Komorū (コモルー)[46]
(0372) 		  Dragon Bagon (#371) Salamence (#373) It is covered in a bony, armored shell. Its cells are in constant change to prepare for its evolution. The shell peels down right before it evolves.
Salamence
Bōmanda (ボーマンダ)[50]
(0373) 		  Dragon / Flying Shelgon (#372) Mega Evolution Finally able to fly, it expresses its happiness by blasting fire around and burning fields. It gained a Mega Evolution in generation VI.
Beldum
Danbaru (ダンバル)[46]
(0374) 		  Steel / Psychic — Metang (#375) Instead of blood, it has magnetic currents coursing through its body. It pulls opponents in with magnetism and stabs them with the claws on its rear.
Metang
Metangu (メタング)[46]
(0375) 		  Steel / Psychic Beldum (#374) Metagross (#376) It is the result of a fusion between two Beldum, though its intellect is not reflective of that. On top of magnetism, it can use its psychic power to hold opponents in place.
Metagross
Metagurosu (メタグロス)[75]
(0376) 		  Steel / Psychic Metang (#375) Mega Evolution It is the result of a fusion between two Metang. As opposed to Metang, its four brains make it more intelligent than a supercomputer. It pins opponents down and eats them with the mouth on its stomach. It can tuck its legs in to fly. It gained a Mega Evolution in generation VI.
Regirock
Rejirokku (レジロック)[116]
(0377) 		  Rock No evolution Regirock, Regice, and Registeel are part of a trio of Pokémon said to have been created by Regigigas. Regidrago and Regieleki were introduced to the group in generation VIII. The group is referred to as "legendary giants", "legendary titans", "legendary golems", or "Regis".[117]

It is composed entirely of rocks, with no known organs. If its body is damaged, it can graft other rocks onto its body to fix itself.

Regice
Rejiaisu (レジアイス)[80]
(0378) 		  Ice No evolution It is composed entirely of Antarctic ice, seemingly during the ice age. It can control winds as cold as −328 °F (−200.0 °C), and its body does not melt, even when exposed to magma.
Registeel
Rejisuchiru (レジスチル)[116]
(0379) 		  Steel No evolution Its seemingly hollow body is composed of an unknown metal, noted to be harder than any known mineral, and stretchy enough to allow for fluid movement. In European releases of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Registeel had its Sprite altered to have both arms down, as in the North American and Japanese version, Registeel had its right arm up, which could be mistaken for a Nazi salute.[118]
Latias
Ratiasu (ラティアス)[9]
(0380) 		  Dragon / Psychic — Mega Evolution It is part of the Eon Duo, along with its male counterpart Latios. Its feathers can refract light light to create illusions of invisibility or other forms, such as that of a human. It can understand and communicate with humans via telepathy, but prefers staying away from others. It lives in small herds with Latios. It and Latios gained mostly visually identical Mega Evolutions in generation VI.
Latios
Ratiosu (ラティオス)[9]
(0381) 		  Dragon / Psychic — Mega Evolution It is the other half of the Eon Duo, along with its female counterpart Latias. Its abilities are mostly identical to those of Latias, though it is slightly larger, faster, and worse at making sharp turns. It prefers compassionate trainers, and does not enjoy fighting. It and Latias gained mostly visually identical Mega Evolutions in generation VI.
Kyogre
Kaiōga (カイオーガ)[68][119]
(0382) 		  Water — Primal Reversion It, Groudon, and Rayquaza form the trio of Super-ancient Pokémon, referred to by fans as the Weather Trio.[120]

It is the mascot of Pokémon Sapphire and Alpha Sapphire. It can cause rainstorms spanning the entire world, and it is said to have expanded the seas. It is said to have caused disasters by fighting Groudon, until Rayquaza stopped them. The three have then gone to rest. It and Groudon gained Primal forms in generation VI.

Groudon
Gurādon (グラードン)[52]
(0383) 		  Ground — Primal Reversion It is the mascot of Pokémon Ruby and Omega Ruby. It can cause droughts spanning the entire world, and is said to have created continents, While normally calm, it is known to cause disasters when fighting Kyogre. It and Kyogre gained Primal forms in generation VI.
Rayquaza
Rekkūza (レックウザ)[121]
(0384) 		  Dragon / Flying — Mega Evolution It lives in the ozone layer and feeds on water and meteorites that wander into it. It is known to destroy potential threats to the planet such as meteorites, and to stop Kyogre and Groudon's fighting. It is the mascot of Pokémon Emerald.[122][123][124] It has an internal organ with a power similar to that of a Mega Stone, which gave it a Mega Evolution in generation VI. It is the only Pokemon with a Mega Evolution that does not need to use a Mega Stone as a held item to perform Mega Evolution.
Jirachi
Jirāchi (ジラーチ)[60]
(0385) 		  Steel / Psychic No evolution It encases itself in a crystal shell while sleeping, and only wakes up for a week every thousand years or when hearing singing in a pure voice. It can grant the wishes of those who put notes on its head.
Deoxys
Deokishisu (デオキシス)[121]
(0386) 		  Psychic No evolution Deoxys is capable of changing between four "Formes": Normal, Attack, Defense, and Speed, each with base stats suited for a different role. Until the introduction of Regieleki in generation VIII, its Speed Forme had the highest base speed stat of all Pokémon.[117] Deoxys is mutation of an alien virus that was exposed to a laser beam. The organ on its chest, which appears to be its brain, can shoot laser beams. In March 2005, NASA teamed up with the Pokémon Trading Card Game team to use Deoxys' likeness to educate children about outer space and the ozone layer.[125][126][127] As part of this, NASA created browser games on its website and Nintendo of America distributed promotional bracelets and postcards.[128][129][130]

Reception

[edit]

Reception to generation III's Pokémon has been polarized. Alex Carlson of Hardcore Gamer wrote in 2014 that the third generation of Pokémon games was not well received by fans of the series, with some people calling the generation the "worst in the series history".[5] This was in part because Ruby and Sapphire did not allow players to transfer in their Pokémon from previous generations and, because of this, many older Pokémon were completely unavailable in the games until Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen were released a few years later.[131] Meanwhile, many of the new Pokémon designs, such as those for Torchic, Feebas, Luvdisc, Castform and Clamperl, were criticized for being unoriginal.[5][131][132] Contrastingly, some designs, including Breloom, Aggron, and the aforementioned Castform were praised for their coolness, with the large variety of unique legendary Pokémon also helping the third generation feel fresh and new.[133] While Ruby and Sapphire were recognized for introducing less memorable designs than their predecessors, designs like Milotic, Salamence, Metagross, Rayquaza, and Blaziken made the overall generation a satisfying supplement to the existing Pokédex.[134]

The third generation has had its share of enduringly popular designs. Eighteen years after the release of Ruby and Sapphire, Rayquaza and Gardevoir finished eighth and ninth in 2020's Pokémon of the Year vote, with Flygon, Sceptile, and Blaziken also among the top 30.[135][136] Rayquaza also finished eighth in a 2016 Japanese poll, with Jirachi and Kyogre among the top 25.[137] A popularity vote on the Pokémon subreddit featured Blaziken at 5th, joined in the top 25 by Gardevoir, Absol, Flygon, and Mudkip.[138]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
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List of generation III Pokémon

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from Grokipedia
The list of Generation III Pokémon enumerates the 135 species newly introduced in the third generation of core Pokémon video games, spanning National Pokédex entries #252 (Treecko) to #386 (Deoxys). These Pokémon debuted in for the Game Boy Advance in 2002, with additional appearances in the remakes FireRed and LeafGreen (2004) and Emerald (2005). This generation's Pokémon expanded the franchise's roster with diverse types, including the Hoenn starters Treecko (Grass), Torchic (Fire), and Mudkip (Water), alongside pseudo-legendaries like Salamence and Metagross, and the weather-controlling legendaries Kyogre, Groudon, and Rayquaza. The list typically includes details on each species' type, evolutionary lines, base stats, and abilities, reflecting innovations like Pokémon abilities and natures that debuted alongside them to add variability and strategy to gameplay.

Overview

Generation III Context

Generation III represents the third installment in the Pokémon video game series, succeeding Generation II's Game Boy Color titles and shifting to the Game Boy Advance handheld console for enhanced graphical capabilities. The foundational games, Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire, launched the Hoenn region as the primary setting, featuring a tropical archipelago-inspired environment with expanded exploration via secret bases and contest halls. These titles were released in North America on March 19, 2003. Hoenn's narrative centered on balancing natural forces through legendary Pokémon such as Groudon and Kyogre, incorporating gameplay elements like weather systems that dynamically alter battle conditions and field effects, such as hail reducing Pokémon speed or sandstorms boosting certain type defenses. Players selected between dual protagonists, Brendan or May, marking the series' initial inclusion of customizable options without altering core mechanics. Follow-up releases expanded this era: , remakes of the original Generation I games, arrived in on September 9, 2004, facilitating compatibility with prior generations via in-game trading; , integrating elements from both and versions including the Battle Frontier, followed on May 1, 2005. This generation introduced 135 novel Pokémon species, cataloged as National Pokédex entries 252 through 386, consisting exclusively of base forms and evolutionary lines independent of prior generations' Pokémon. The Game Boy Advance's processing power supported advanced 2D with frame-by-frame animations for sprites and battle poses, surpassing Generation II's static graphics and enabling smoother visual feedback during interactions.

Key Innovations and Features

Generation III introduced , innate traits assigned to each Pokémon species that trigger specific effects during battles or under environmental conditions. For instance, Kyogre's automatically summons upon entering battle, altering and enhancing Water-type moves for five turns. This mechanic added layers of passive strategy, as abilities could counter or synergize with movesets, such as Levitate granting immunity to Ground-type attacks. Each Pokémon possesses one of up to two possible abilities, with hidden abilities unavailable in core Generation III titles until later remakes. Natures were also newly implemented, randomly assigning a to a Pokémon's Individual Values upon capture or hatching, boosting one stat by 10% while hindering another by 10%, except for neutral natures like Hardy. This system encouraged , particularly via the Everstone, which passes the holder's nature to offspring with a 50% probability when the female parent holds it, enabling targeted optimization of competitive teams. Combined with abilities, natures deepened causal battle dynamics by making Pokémon individuality a core factor in outcomes. Double Battles emerged as a formal mode, mandatory in tag partner scenarios and certain trainer encounters, pitting two Pokémon against two simultaneously. Moves gained expanded utility, such as area effects hitting adjacent foes, which shifted tactics from isolated one-on-one exchanges to positional management and synergy exploitation. The Hoenn regional Pokédex, numbering 202 entries with 135 debuting species prioritized in early slots and higher encounter frequencies, streamlined access to native Pokémon for team-building. In Pokémon Emerald, contests provided an alternative to combat, evaluating Pokémon on move performances in five categories—Cool, Beauty, Cute, Smart, and Tough—based on prepped conditions raised via berries and judged in appeal rounds. Success yielded ribbons, prerequisite for post-game events, integrating aesthetic preparation with without overriding battle focus. These features collectively advanced strategic depth from prior generations' simpler frameworks.

Development and Design

Core Game Development

The core games introducing Generation III Pokémon, , were developed by in collaboration with , following the release of Generation II titles in 1999–2000. directed the project, which spanned approximately two to three years and focused on transitioning to the Game Boy Advance hardware while establishing a new regional Pokédex independent of prior generations. These titles launched in Japan on November 21, 2002, marking the start of a development cycle that emphasized graphical upgrades and new mechanics like double battles, though Masuda later described the process as among the most challenging due to the scope of innovations on limited portable tech. Ruby and Sapphire supported a total National Pokédex of 386 species, incorporating all prior Pokémon data but without direct trading compatibility to Generation I and II games on original hardware, a deliberate shift to prioritize a fresh Hoenn region experience over seamless continuity. This incompatibility stemmed from hardware differences and design choices to avoid bloating cartridge storage with legacy link cable protocols, with GBA cartridges typically capped at 16–32 MB ROM capacity, requiring optimized compression for expanded sprite sets, animations, and battle data. Developers managed these constraints by initially limiting in-game access to the 135 new Pokémon, deferring older species transfers via later accessories like Pokémon Colosseum on . Pokémon Emerald served as the third version and post-game expansion, integrating exclusive content from both and such as dual villain teams and the Battle Frontier, and was released in on September 16, 2004. Development proceeded without major publicized delays or iterations, adhering to Game Freak's iterative cycle refined since Generation I, with Emerald building directly on Ruby/Sapphire assets to extend playtime and address player feedback on version exclusivity.

Pokémon Creation Process

The creation of the 135 new Pokémon species for Generation III involved a collaborative process led by art director and game director at . Designers, numbering eight in total, began with rough concept sketches based on requests from planners for specific types and roles to fill gaps in the existing roster, ensuring a diverse distribution across the 17 types carried over from Generation II, including integrations of and with novel dual-type combinations such as Water/Ground (Swampert line) and Ground/Dragon (Flygon). Sugimori oversaw the refinement of these sketches into unified final designs, adjusting features like horns or tails to accommodate intended movesets and maintain stylistic consistency, with Blaziken emerging as the first completed Pokémon to test player acceptance of more humanoid forms. Balance was prioritized through iterative prototyping, initially aiming for an all-new Pokédex to emphasize Hoenn endemics without regional variants or retcons from prior generations, though shortages in certain types prompted the later inclusion of select older species like Geodude for equilibrium. Developers used data on type coverage to avoid overpowered outliers akin to , focusing on viability across challenges and endgame content requiring Pokémon at level 50 or higher, which encouraged strategic side exploration rather than linear power spikes. This methodical approach unfolded over a two-year development cycle with approximately 30 staff members, incorporating planner evaluations to refine designs for competitive and fit. Empirical playtesting was conducted by Nintendo's Super Mario Club team on prototypes featuring unfinished Pokémon designs, yielding feedback such as critiques that certain creatures "don't look like Pokémon," which prompted adjustments to enhance recognizability and balance. These sessions ensured no species dominated uncontrollably, with type-based counters and planned abilities (introduced in this ) tested for viability, though post-release competitive usage data later validated the absence of severe outliers in early metagames. The process maintained purity in Hoenn-native species, eschewing variant forms to preserve regional identity without reliance on later generational expansions.

Inspirations from Biology and Mythology

Many Generation III Pokémon designs incorporate direct analogs from biological specimens, emphasizing observable adaptations for survival in natural environments. Relicanth, for instance, replicates the morphology of the coelacanth (Latimeria spp.), a lobe-finned fish presumed extinct for 66 million years until live specimens were captured off South Africa in 1938, with subsequent discoveries confirming its deep-sea habitat in the western Indian Ocean. This "living fossil" connection is evident in Relicanth's armored scales resembling ancient rock-like ossification and its lore highlighting unchanged physiology over geological epochs, mirroring paleontological evidence of coelacanths' slow evolutionary rate due to stable abyssal conditions. Similarly, Kecleon's color-shifting skin evokes chameleon physiology, where specialized cells (chromatophores and iridophores) enable rapid pigmentation changes for crypsis against predators or prey, a trait documented in species like the panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) through structural coloration rather than mere pigment dilution. The Lotad evolutionary line draws from symbiotic associations in aquatic ecosystems, with Lotad's lily pad-like structure facilitating flotation and akin to how certain amphibians or perch on Nymphaea (water lily) leaves for mobility and concealment, reflecting emergent behaviors in habitats where plant-animal interactions enhance dispersal. This design prioritizes ecological functionality, such as exploitation for transport, over features, underscoring Pokémon as autonomous organisms adapted to elemental niches rather than domesticated companions. Mythological elements inform legendary Pokémon, grounding their archetypes in cross-cultural motifs of primordial forces without modern reinterpretations. Rayquaza embodies serpentine sky guardians, paralleling Quetzalcoatl from Mesoamerican lore—a associated with wind, creation, and celestial mediation in Aztec and traditions, as depicted in codices like the circa 1400–1500 CE. Groudon evokes terrestrial behemoths akin to the Biblical in Job 40:15–24, a colossal land-dweller symbolizing untamed earth power, with its drought-inducing form aligning to motifs of chaos monsters shaping continents through seismic upheaval in ancient Near Eastern texts. These derivations maintain animalistic primacy, deriving causal potency from elemental disequilibria rather than anthropocentric narratives.

Comprehensive List

Organization and Presentation

The Generation III Pokémon consist of 135 species, cataloged in the National Pokédex from number 252 (Treecko) to 386 (Deoxys). These represent all new debuts in the core titles , , and Emerald, excluding any cross-generational evolutions from prior entries such as Crobat, which originated in Generation II. Entries standardize attributes including dual or single typing (e.g., Grass for Treecko, Water/Flying for Pelipper), physical metrics of height in decimeters and weight in hectograms as measured in-game, base stat values across HP, Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed, and evolution requirements such as leveling up at designated experience thresholds (e.g., Torchic to Combusken at level 16), application of evolutionary stones (e.g., Water Stone for Lombre to Ludicolo), or trading (e.g., Haunter to Gengar). Pokédex categories, descriptive classifications like "Wood Gecko Pokémon" for Treecko or "Iron Pokémon" for Registeel, further delineate each species' thematic identity. Regional presentation in Hoenn-based games employs the Hoenn Pokédex, totaling 202 entries in Emerald versus 202 in Ruby and Sapphire with version-specific exclusions; this accounts for regional exclusivity, such as the Seedot line (#273–275) available primarily in Ruby and the Lotad line (#270–272) in Sapphire, while integrating select pre-Generation III species for gameplay completeness. Enumerations prioritize National Pokédex order for universality, with breakdowns by type, role, or evolutionary family in supplemental categorizations to facilitate verification against official game data. Tabular formats enhance clarity, featuring columns for National Pokédex number, species name, type combination, and category; this structure supports concise, non-interpretive listing of totals like the 3 starter Pokémon (Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip) and 10 special-status species (8 legendaries including Kyogre, Groudon, Rayquaza, Latias, Latios, Regirock, Regice, Registeel; 2 mythicals: Jirachi, Deoxys). Inclusion adheres strictly to Generation III debuts, verified via in-game Pokédex scans and official mechanics documentation.

Pokémon by National Pokédex Order

The National Pokédex numbers 252 through 386 encompass the 135 Pokémon species introduced in Generation III, spanning starter evolutions, common wild encounters, and legendary or mythical variants unlocked progressively in games such as , , and Emerald released in 2002 and 2003. This ordering reflects the canonical sequence established by , prioritizing empirical game data over regional variants, with evolution chains grouped sequentially for clarity; numbers 300 and above typically represent later-game or post-game acquisitions, such as certain legendaries accessible only after defeating the Elite Four and obtaining the National Dex upgrade. Multi-form Pokémon like Deoxys (#386) feature alternate morphologies (Normal, Attack, Defense, Speed) toggled via in-game events or external devices, altering stats but not base typing. The sequence commences with the Hoenn starter lines:
  • Treecko line: #252 Treecko (Grass-type gecko Pokémon), evolves to #253 Grovyle (Grass) at level 16, then #254 Sceptile (Grass) at level 36.
  • Torchic line: #255 Torchic (Fire-type chick Pokémon), evolves to #256 Combusken (Fire/Fighting) at level 16, then #257 Blaziken (Fire/Fighting) at level 36.
  • Mudkip line: #258 Mudkip (Water-type mudfish Pokémon), evolves to #259 Marshtomp (Water/Ground) at level 16, then #260 Swampert (Water/Ground) at level 36.
Subsequent entries include early wild Pokémon:
  • #261 Poochyena (Dark-type hyena Pokémon), evolves to #262 Mightyena (Dark) at level 18.
  • #263 Zigzagoon (Normal-type Pokémon), evolves to #264 Linoone (Normal) at level 20; regional variant in Kalos alters but not core III .
  • #265 Wurmple (Bug-type Pokémon), branches to #266 Silcoon (Bug) or #268 Cascoon (Bug) via variable conditions, then to #267 Beautifly (Bug/Flying) or #269 Dustox (Bug/) at level 10 post-cocoon.
  • #270 Lotad (/Grass-type lily pad Pokémon), evolves to #271 Lombre (/Grass) at level 14, then #272 Ludicolo (/Grass) via Water Stone.
  • #273 Seedot (Grass-type acorn Pokémon), evolves to #274 Nuzleaf (Grass/Dark) at level 14, then #275 Shiftry (Grass/Dark) via Leaf Stone.
  • #276 Taillow (Normal/Flying-type swallow Pokémon), evolves to #277 Swellow (Normal/Flying) at level 22.
  • #278 Wingull (/Flying-type seagull Pokémon), evolves to #279 Pelipper (/Flying) at level 25.
  • #280 Ralts (/Human-Like Pokémon), evolves to #281 Kirlia () at level 20, then #282 () at level 30 or #475 Gallade (Psychic/Fighting) via Dawn Stone on male in later generations, though base III caps at .
  • #283 Surskit (Bug/-type skater Pokémon), evolves to #284 Masquerain (Bug/Flying) at level 22.
  • #285 Shroomish (Grass-type Pokémon), evolves to #286 Breloom (Grass/Fighting) at level 23.
  • #287 Slakoth (Normal-type Pokémon), evolves to #288 Vigoroth (Normal) at level 18, then #289 Slaking (Normal) at level 36.
  • #290 Nincada (Bug/Ground-type Pokémon), evolves to #291 Ninjask (Bug/Flying) at level 20 with empty slot, simultaneously yielding #292 Shedinja (Bug/) in the discarded Poké Ball.
  • #293 Whismur (Normal-type whisper Pokémon), evolves to #294 Loudred (Normal) at level 20, then #295 Exploud (Normal) at level 40.
  • #296 Makuhita (Fighting-type arm-thrust Pokémon), evolves to #297 Hariyama (Fighting) at level 24.
  • #298 Azurill (Normal/Fairy-type, but Normal in III) evolves to #298 Marill () via , part of broader Azumarill line continuing from prior generations.
  • #299 Nosepass (Rock-type) does not evolve in III; later Mega evolution and regional forms exist but are post- III additions.
Mid-range entries (300–349) feature diverse typings and mechanics, often encountered in specific biomes:
  • #300 Skitty (Normal-type kitten Pokémon), evolves to #301 Delcatty (Normal) via Moon Stone.
  • #302 Sableye (/Ghost-type gremlin Pokémon), no evolution.
  • #303 Mawile (-type, with later addition), no evolution in base form.
  • #304 Aron (/Rock-type armor Pokémon), evolves to #305 Lairon (/Rock) at level 32, then #306 Aggron (/Rock) at level 42.
  • #307 Meditite (Fighting/-type), evolves to #308 Medicham (Fighting/) at level 37.
  • #309 Electrike (Electric-type), evolves to #310 Manectric (Electric) at level 26.
  • #311 Plusle (Electric-type) and #312 Minun (Electric-type cheer squad Pokémon), no evolutions.
  • #313 (Bug-type firefly Pokémon) and #314 Illumise (Bug-type), no evolutions; gender-specific counterparts.
  • #315 Roselia (Grass/-type rose Pokémon), evolves to #407 Roserade via Shiny Stone in later games.
  • #316 Gulpin (-type), evolves to #317 Swalot () at level 26.
  • #318 Carvanha (/-type Pokémon), evolves to #319 Sharpedo (/) at level 30.
  • #320 Wailmer (-type), evolves to #321 Wailord () at level 40.
  • #322 Numel (/Ground-type), evolves to #323 Camerupt (/Ground) at level 33.
  • #324 Torkoal (-type Pokémon), no evolution.
  • #325 Spoink (-type), evolves to #326 Grumpig () at level 32.
  • #327 Spinda (Normal-type spot panda Pokémon), no evolution; 4 billion+ spot patterns via personality value.
  • #328 Trapinch (Ground-type Pokémon), evolves to #329 Vibrava (Ground/Dragon) at level 35, then #330 Flygon (Ground/Dragon) at level 45.
  • #331 Cacnea (Grass-type cactus Pokémon), evolves to #332 Cacturne (Grass/) at level 32.
  • #333 Swablu (Normal/Flying-type), evolves to #334 Altaria (Dragon/Flying) at level 35.
  • #335 Zangoose (Normal-type) and #336 Seviper (-type /snake rivals), no evolutions.
  • #337 Lunatone (Rock/-type meteorite Pokémon) and #338 Solrock (Rock/-type), no evolutions; mutually exclusive in Ruby/Sapphire.
  • #339 Barboach (/Ground-type), evolves to #340 Whiscash (/Ground) at level 30.
  • #341 Corphish (-type crawfish Pokémon), evolves to #342 Crawdaunt (/) at level 30.
  • #343 Baltoy (Ground/-type clay doll Pokémon), evolves to #344 Claydol (Ground/) at level 36.
  • #345 Lileep (Rock/Grass-type ), evolves to #346 Cradily (Rock/Grass) at level 40.
  • #347 Anorith (Rock/Bug-type ), evolves to #348 Armaldo (Rock/Bug) at level 40.
  • #349 Feebas (-type), evolves to #350 Milotic () via high beauty via Pomeg berries and grooming in Generation III.
Later entries (350–386) include advanced evolutions and exclusives:
  • #350 Milotic (Water-type serpent Pokémon), as above.
  • #351 Castform (Normal-type weather Pokémon), changes form (Fire/Water/Ice) via held item in weather; base Normal.
  • #352 Kecleon (Normal-type chameleon Pokémon), no evolution; color change ability in games.
  • #353 Shuppet (Ghost-type), evolves to #354 Banette (Ghost) at level 37; #355 Duskull (Ghost) to #356 Dusclops (Ghost) at 37.
  • #357 Tropius (Grass/Flying-type sauropod Pokémon), no evolution.
  • #358 Chimecho (Psychic-type wind chime Pokémon), evolves from #433 Chingling via friendship at night in later games.
  • #359 Absol (Dark-type disaster Pokémon), no evolution; Pokédex entries describe behavioral patterns preceding natural calamities, rooted in folklore observation rather than verified prediction.
  • #360 Wynaut (Psychic-type) evolves to #360 Wobbuffet (Psychic) at level 15; pre-evolution of prior generation species.
  • #361 Snorunt (Ice-type), evolves to #362 Glalie (Ice) at level 42 or #478 Froslass (Ice/Ghost) via Dawn Stone on female later.
  • #363 Spheal (Ice/Water-type), evolves to #364 Sealeo (Ice/Water) at 32, then #365 Walrein (Ice/Water) at 44.
  • #366 Clamperl (Water-type), evolves to #367 Huntail (Water) via Deep Sea Tooth or #368 Gorebyss (Water) via Deep Sea Scale via trade.
  • #369 Relicanth (Water/Rock-type living fossil), no evolution.
  • #370 Luvdisc (Water-type), evolves to #370 Alomomola in later generations but standalone in III.
  • #371 Bagon (Dragon-type), evolves to #372 Shelgon (Dragon) at 30, then #373 Salamence (Dragon/Flying) at 50.
  • #374 Beldum (Steel/Psychic-type), evolves to #375 Metang (Steel/Psychic) at 20, then #376 Metagross (Steel/Psychic) at 45.
  • #377 Regirock (Rock-type legendary), #378 Regice (Ice-type legendary), #379 Registeel (Steel-type legendary), no evolutions; unlocked via specific cave puzzles post-National Dex.
  • #380 Latias (Dragon/Psychic-type legendary) and #381 Latios (Dragon/Psychic-type legendary), roaming or event-exclusive; gender counterparts.
  • #382 Kyogre (Water-type legendary, creator of seas per lore), #383 Groudon (Ground-type legendary, land expander), #384 Rayquaza (Dragon/Flying-type legendary sky guardian), box legendaries balancing ecosystem narratives.
  • #385 Jirachi (Steel/Psychic-type mythical, event-only via tickets), #386 Deoxys (Psychic-type mythical, space virus origin per entries, four forms via meteor event in Emerald).

Categorization by Type and Role

Generation III introduced 135 new Pokémon, with type distribution reflecting the Hoenn region's island-heavy geography and oceanic emphasis, resulting in Water-types comprising the largest share at 33 Pokémon that possess the type (including dual typings). This overrepresentation aligns with environmental design, as Hoenn's map features extensive water routes and sea-based encounters, necessitating abundant aquatic options for player progression and wild captures. In contrast, Ice-types are among the scarcest, with only four Pokémon incorporating the type—primarily the Spheal evolutionary line (Water/Ice) and Snorunt line (pure Ice)—limiting their accessibility and reinforcing Ice's niche as a defensively frail offensive specialist. Bug-types number 13, offering moderate diversity but suffering from inherent weaknesses to common types like Fire and Flying, which hampers their competitive viability despite additions like the Volbeat and Illumise lines for gender-specific utility. Functional roles emphasize balanced starter coverage and high-stat outliers to support varied team-building. The three starter lines—Treecko (Grass), Torchic (Fire), and Mudkip (Water)—provide elemental equity from the outset, evolving into versatile mid-game staples with base stat totals around 528. Pseudo-legendaries, defined by 600 base stat totals, include two: the Bagon line culminating in Salamence (/Flying) for sweeping potential and the Beldum line in Metagross (/) for tanky special attacking. Slaking (Normal) stands as a power outlier with a 670 base stat total, but its Truant —causing it to skip every other turn—renders it strategically unreliable, diverging from traditional powerhouse roles. Certain Pokémon fill specialized niches, such as glass cannons prioritizing offensive output over durability; examples include Absol (, high Attack but low defenses) and Sharpedo (/, boosted Speed via Rough Skin but fragile bulk). Steel-types, expanded in this with entries like Aron and Mawile lines, introduce key synergies by resisting Ghost-type attacks (previously unchecked immunities to Normal and Fighting), enabling meta shifts toward Steel-inclusive teams for countering spectral threats and bolstering overall defensive coverage. Utility hybrids like Tropius (Grass/Flying) enhance diversity through abilities such as for speed boosts in , aiding environmental adaptation over raw power. While achieving type coverage equity in core elements, the generation draws criticism for underutilized types like Bug, whose poor matchup spread limits broader adoption despite numerical presence.

Integration and Mechanics

Role in Main Series Games

Generation III Pokémon serve as the core roster in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, released in Japan on November 21, 2002, and March 28, 2003, respectively, with North American releases following on March 19, 2003. Players gain early access to the starter Pokémon—Treecko (Grass), Torchic (Fire), or Mudkip (Water)—immediately after departing Littleroot Town, enabling foundational team building against initial wild encounters like Zigzagoon and Wurmple on Route 101, which appear at rates up to 40% in tall grass. Mid-game progression introduces the majority of the 202-entry Hoenn Pokédex through regional routes, caves, and water areas, with species such as Ralts (5% encounter rate on Route 102) and Shroomish (available in Petalburg Woods) integrated into story-driven captures before reaching the Elite Four. In the main storyline, Generation III Pokémon drive narrative conflicts, particularly through antagonist organizations. In Ruby, Team Magma awakens Groudon in the Seafloor Cavern to expand landmasses, triggering extreme drought until the player intervenes and Rayquaza descends from Sky Pillar to pacify it; conversely, Sapphire features Team Aqua summoning Kyogre for oceanic expansion, resolved similarly via Rayquaza's intervention. Emerald escalates this by having both teams rouse Groudon and Kyogre, culminating in their clash over Sootopolis City, where Rayquaza again halts the primal conflict, emphasizing these legendaries' roles as climactic plot devices tied to environmental causality rather than mere collectibles. Game balance incorporates empirical constraints like capture rates to simulate progression realism, with legendary Pokémon such as Kyogre, Groudon, and Rayquaza assigned a base catch rate of 3, requiring multiple Ultra Balls and status effects for reliable acquisition post-Elite Four. Level scaling aligns wild encounters with player advancement, such as mid-game Hoenn natives appearing at levels 15-30, while post-game areas host higher-level variants and event-exclusive legendaries like Deoxys, accessible only via Nintendo-distributed tickets such as the Aurora Ticket for Birth Island. Integration extends to remakes FireRed and LeafGreen (released January 29, 2004, in ), where Sevii Islands post-game content introduces select Generation III Pokémon unavailable in the Kanto-focused core, including Tropius on Island 6's Fruit Trees and encounters with Zangoose or Seviper, enhancing cross-generational accessibility without altering primary mechanics.

Abilities, Natures, and Battle Dynamics

Abilities were introduced in Generation III games such as , granting each Pokémon a passive trait that activates under specific battle conditions or continuously affects gameplay. Initially, each Pokémon had access to one , with some species offering two possible abilities randomly determined at capture or hatching; these traits could enhance offensive output, provide immunities, or alter environmental factors. For example, the Mudkip lineage possesses Torrent, which boosts the power of Water-type moves by 50% when the Pokémon's HP falls to one-third or less of its maximum. Such mechanics emphasized causal interactions, where triggers directly influenced move efficacy based on battle state. Strategic depth arose from ability synergies, particularly weather manipulation paired with type boosts; , inherent to certain Water-types like Kyogre, summons permanent upon entry, amplifying Water-type move power by 50% and enabling pairings with Torrent for sustained damage escalation in prolonged fights. This design prioritized empirical team planning, as abilities like these created predictable causal chains— enhancement directly scaling with low-HP Torrent activation—without reliance on unpredictable elements beyond trainer control. Natures debuted alongside abilities in Generation III, comprising 25 distinct variants randomly assigned to Pokémon upon encounter or breeding. Each nature raises one stat by 10% while lowering a different stat by 10%, with five neutral natures affecting no stats; this system applies to Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed, allowing precise optimization through repeated breeding cycles using items like the Everstone for . By enabling stat tailoring via in-game reproduction rather than external factors, natures introduced causal realism to individual growth, where empirical repetition yielded measurable competitive edges in stat-dependent matchups. Battle dynamics shifted with the debut of double battles in Generation III, pitting two Pokémon against two opponents simultaneously against certain trainers. This format enforced interdependent team causality, as abilities and moves interacted across units—multi-target attacks like Surf hit both foes at reduced power, while ally-affecting moves like Follow Me redirected threats, compelling compositions that mitigated risks from isolated powerhouses. Consequently, solo-carry strategies declined in viability, with verifiable outcomes hinging on synchronized abilities (e.g., weather support aiding paired attackers) and nature-optimized roles to counter dual threats, fostering emergent tactics grounded in positional realism over singular dominance.

Appearances in Derivative Media

In the Pokémon anime's Advanced Generation series, which aired from November 21, 2002, to September 27, 2006, Generation III Pokémon were central to the Hoenn region's storyline, with characters like May selecting Torchic as her starter Pokémon and coordinators such as Drew utilizing species like Roselia in contests that mirrored in-game type matchups and evolutions. Adaptations maintained fidelity to core mechanics, depicting battles with type advantages and evolutions triggered by items or levels, as seen in episodes where Treecko evolves into Grovyle through accumulated experience. Generation III legendaries featured prominently in theatrical films, including Jirachi in Pokémon: Jirachi—Wish Maker, released July 19, 2003, where the mythical Pokémon's wish-granting ability aligned with its game signature move, Doom Desire, and involved alliances against human antagonists exploiting its powers. Similarly, Deoxys appeared in Destiny Deoxys (2004), showcasing its form-changing and extraterrestrial origins as per the Pokédex entry, with battles emphasizing speed and regeneration stats from the main games. The Pokémon Trading Card Game incorporated Generation III Pokémon starting with the EX Ruby & Sapphire expansion, released June 18, 2003, which included 109 cards featuring species like Blaziken ex as holographic rares and introduced the Pokémon-ex mechanic for high-risk, high-reward reflecting boosted base stats. Blaziken decks leveraged its Fire-type attacks and evolution line for early competitive viability, with strategies focusing on energy acceleration to enable rapid knockouts, though pull rates for rares averaged 1 in 3 booster packs based on set distribution. These expansions supported franchise revenue growth, as TCG sales contributed to cumulative production exceeding 75 billion cards by March 2025 without direct causal attribution to specific sets. Spin-off titles adapted Generation III Pokémon with unique twists on capture and purification mechanics. Pokémon Colosseum, released March 22, 2004, in North America, centered on snagging and purifying shadow variants—corrupted forms of Pokémon like Mightyena and Absol—retaining base stats but adding a "shadow" state that barred obedience until purified via Colosseum battles. Its sequel, Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness (October 3, 2005), expanded this to include shadow legendaries such as Articuno, with players using a device to close shadow "lids" mirroring anxiety-induced game behaviors. Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire, launched August 25, 2003, featured Hoenn-themed tables where players triggered catches and evolutions for over 200 Pokémon, including Generation III exclusives, via bumpers and multipliers that simulated Pokédex completion without altering core pinball physics.

Reception and Analysis

Commercial Performance

The core Generation III games, , sold a combined 16.22 million units worldwide, establishing strong initial market traction upon their March 2003 release in and subsequent international launches. This figure marked a substantial increase from Generation II's core titles, which totaled approximately 23 million units across , Silver, and , attributable to the Game Boy Advance's improved accessibility, , and expanded features like double battles that broadened appeal to returning players. The enhanced version, , followed in 2004 and achieved 7.06 million units sold, further capitalizing on the Hoenn region's popularity. Remakes , released in 2004 and integrating Generation I content with Generation III mechanics, contributed 12 million units to the era's totals, pushing aggregate Generation III core series sales to over 35 million units. These figures propelled hardware sales, with Pokémon titles accounting for a significant portion of the console's 81.5 million units shipped lifetime, as bundling promotions and media tie-ins—such as alignment with the ongoing anime series—drove concurrent ecosystem growth. The Generation III Pokémon also bolstered ancillary revenue streams, including the Trading Card Game's Hoenn-themed expansions like EX Ruby & Sapphire sets released in 2003, which supported the franchise's annual revenues exceeding ¥400 billion (approximately $3.3 billion USD at contemporaneous exchange rates) by the late 1990s into the early 2000s through cross-media synergies. Overall, the era underscored Pokémon's market dominance via demand-driven expansion, with Generation III sales roughly doubling the active user base from prior generations amid organic merchandising without external subsidies, though iterative formula extensions have prompted observations of risks to long-term innovation from over-reliance on established IP patterns.

Critical Evaluations

Professional reviewers praised Generation III Pokémon for advancing graphical fidelity within the constraints of Game Boy Advance hardware, with sprite animations offering smoother and more detailed representations compared to prior generations, contributing to scores like IGN's 9.5/10 for Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. The introduction of 135 new Pokémon species, alongside mechanics such as abilities and natures, was lauded for injecting strategic depth; abilities provided passive effects that altered battle dynamics, while natures subtly modified individual stats, enabling greater personalization and replayability in team-building. GameSpot highlighted the potential of double battles, formalized in Emerald's Battle Frontier, for fostering complex tactical synergies among Pokémon. These elements were seen as evolutionary steps from Generation II, with aggregate Metacritic scores averaging around 82/100 for Ruby and Sapphire, reflecting hardware-limited but effective innovations. Critics identified flaws tied to core loops inherited or amplified in Generation III, including high rates of repetitive wild Pokémon encounters that necessitated grinding for experience and items, often exacerbating progression pacing issues. Hidden Machines (HMs) remained mandatory for navigation, creating artificial barriers where Pokémon like Tropius or Swellow were coerced into utility roles over optimization, frustrating strategic freedom. Some designs drew commentary for derivativeness, relying on overt —such as Seedot's form—without deeper ecological or thematic integration, potentially diluting the generation's creative impact relative to its volume of additions. Emerald, aggregating both rival teams' narratives and expanded content, received a lower average of 76/100, with reviewers like assigning 6/10 for iterative rather than transformative changes despite Pokémon refinements. From a causal standpoint, these critiques link to the era's technical limits, where sprite-based visuals innovated within 32-bit bounds but could not fully mitigate tedium without procedural overhauls. Natures and abilities' benefits empirically outweighed isolated bugs or balance quirks in competitive play, countering perceptions of the as mere novelty; aggregates affirm substantive mechanical over superficial hype, though not without acknowledging persistent formulaic hurdles.

Fan Perspectives and Debates

Fans have expressed strong affection for certain Generation III Pokémon designs, particularly , which has garnered significant popularity through extensive fan artwork and community discussions, often ranking highly in informal polls and creative outputs. This appeal stems from its elegant aesthetic, leading to a surge in fan-generated content, though some community segments critique the overemphasis on anthropomorphic interpretations. Similarly, Pokémon Contests introduced in and have been praised by enthusiasts for providing a non-combative outlet that emphasizes creativity and performance, with fans noting their novelty as a refreshing alternative to traditional battles and their role in rewarding strategic move selection outside of violence. In competitive play, empirical data from Smogon forums highlights the viability of Pokémon like Swampert, which dominates Generation III OverUsed (OU) tiers due to its robust typing, bulk, and movepool, often cited in usage statistics and strategy analyses as a cornerstone of balanced team construction. However, underutilized species such as Wynaut receive less attention in high-level metas, with fans pointing to its evolutionary limitations and niche utility in baby-stage strategies as reasons for minimal adoption beyond casual play. Debates persist on Generation III's overall balance, with some attributing frustrations to abilities like Slaking's Truant, widely regarded as a flawed mechanic that enforces turn-skipping and undermines the Pokémon's impressive base stats, rendering it a "gimmick" rather than a reliable option despite potential for dominance without it. Community polls on platforms like reveal divided views on Generation III relative to predecessors like II or successors like IV, with Hoenn's narrative and regional progression often favored for their structured difficulty—such as challenging leaders and environmental variety—over later entries incorporating more social or experimental features, appealing to fans valuing traditional linear advancement. In contrast, critics argue the generation's meta favors water-heavy teams like Swampert-led cores, potentially stifling diversity compared to Johto's type spreads or Sinnoh's power creep, though proponents counter that double battles and introductions added causal depth to engagements. These perspectives underscore ongoing fan discourse, informed by playtesting data rather than developer intent.

Legacy and Influence

Impact on Franchise Evolution

The introduction of Abilities with Generation III Pokémon, such as on Kyogre and on Groudon, established a new layer of passive that persisted across all subsequent generations, allowing individual Pokémon to alter battle conditions inherently rather than relying solely on held items or moves. Similarly, Natures, which modify base stats by 10% boosts or reductions (e.g., increasing Attack while decreasing Special Attack), were implemented starting with Hoenn species like Treecko's line, becoming a standardized for optimizing competitive teams from Generation IV onward. These features shifted Pokémon battles from deterministic type matchups toward probabilistic, individualized customization, enabling emergent strategies like weather teams that dominated metagames in later titles. Hoenn's legendary Pokémon influenced design paradigms in , particularly through thematic trios controlling forces; the core trio of Groudon, Kyogre, and Rayquaza—embodying primal land, sea, and sky dynamics—prefigured recurring motifs of environmental regulators, while the Regi golems (Regirock, Regice, Registeel) directly templated expansions like Regieleki and Regidrago in VIII, extending the ancient construct archetype with electric and dragon variants tied to Crown Tundra lore. This causal lineage promoted modular groupings over isolated icons, fostering interconnected regional mythologies that integrated with like Dynamax in VIII. Generation III's enhancements, including refined Effort Value (EV) tracking visible via berries and the Battle Frontier in Emerald (released March 19, 2005, in ), laid groundwork for standardized competitive viability testing, countering potential formulaic stagnation by enforcing diverse team-building prerequisites that echoed in Global Trade System and online formats from Generation IV. By decoupling prior generations' Pokémon via incompatibility while introducing 135 new with these tools, the era compelled iterative evolution, as evidenced by sustained relevance of Hoenn Pokémon in titles up to Generation IX, where abilities like Swift Swim on such as Ludicolo remain staples in strategies.

Cultural and Economic Footprint

The release of Generation III titles, particularly Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire in 2003, drove significant economic activity for Nintendo's Game Boy Advance platform, with combined sales exceeding 16 million units worldwide. Pokémon Emerald followed in 2004-2005, achieving over 7 million units sold, while remakes FireRed and LeafGreen added 12 million, collectively bolstering Nintendo's portable hardware market amid competition from Sony's PlayStation Portable. These figures reflect voluntary consumer demand, as players invested in expandable gameplay via trading and battles, rather than coercive marketing, underscoring agency in franchise economics over narratives framing such media as exploitative. The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) during this period mirrored speculative markets, with expansions tied to Generation III Pokémon like EX Ruby & Sapphire sets in fueling trading booms and subsequent value fluctuations, akin to asset cycles where scarcity drove short-term premiums before corrections. This generated ancillary revenue through organized play and secondary markets, though busts highlighted risks of over-speculation, teaching participants about supply dynamics without institutional bailouts. Culturally, Hoenn's island-hopping mechanics—emphasizing exploration via surfing, diving, and badge collection—echoed meritocratic achievement, paralleling real-world perseverance in skill-building, as players progressed through voluntary challenges rather than entitlements. The region's Kyushu-inspired geography spurred fan tourism, with events like the 2003 Pokémon Live tour engaging thousands in interactive roadshows across regions such as the UK, fostering community gatherings focused on shared gameplay. Adaptations, including the Advanced Generation anime arc (2002-2006), sustained viewership by integrating new Pokémon into narratives of rivalry and growth, maintaining the series' appeal through empirical popularity metrics over decade-spanning declines in later eras.

Ongoing Relevance in Modern Pokémon

III Pokémon continue to integrate into post-2015 main series titles through catchable encounters, DLC expansions, and transfer mechanisms, maintaining their playability without a dedicated Hoenn-region since Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire in 2014. In * (2022), numerous III species, such as Treecko and its evolutions, appear in the wild or via the The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC, which added over 230 returning Pokémon from prior generations to enable broader team-building options. Similarly, * has sustained III relevance through events like the GO Tour: Hoenn – Global on February 25–26, 2023, which boosted spawns of Hoenn natives including Treecko, fostering ongoing collection and battling for millions of players. In competitive formats, Generation III Pokémon demonstrate persistent viability in Video Game Championships (VGC), with species like Metagross featuring in Regulation Set F (May 2024–August 2024) at notable usage rates, evidenced by movesets including Bullet Punch (94.55% usage) and Heavy Slam (89.42%) in high-level battles. facilitates transfers of Generation III Pokémon into modern titles via sequential compatibility—from games to titles like HeartGold and SoulSilver, then onward—allowing players to incorporate legacy catches into Scarlet and Violet or VGC teams, with data indicating active use of transferred Pokémon in competitive and casual play. Recent titles like Pokémon Legends: Z-A (released October 16, 2025), set in the Kalos region, emphasize new over Generation III-specific content, yet retain foundational systems introduced in Generation III, such as natures and abilities, which causally underpin breeding and battle optimization across the franchise. This enduring mechanical legacy, combined with empirical usage in VGC and , counters claims of obsolescence, as competitive stats and transfer pathways reflect sustained player engagement with Generation III species over two decades post-debut.

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