Honestly, if you're feeling a bit lost trying to keep track of every Pokedex update, you aren't alone. It’s been three decades. Thirty years of tossing spheres at monsters since Red and Green first landed in Japan back in 1996. People still argue in Reddit threads about what even "counts" as a generation. Is it a new region? Is it just when the number of monsters hits a certain milestone?
Basically, the community and The Pokemon Company usually agree on one thing: there are currently 9 generations of Pokemon. But here is where it gets kinda messy. We are standing right on the edge of the 10th. With 2026 being the massive 30th-anniversary year, everyone is looking at their calendars for February 27th—Pokemon Day. Rumors are flying about a Switch 2 reveal and the official jump into Gen 10. For now, though, we are firmly living in the Gen 9 era, which kicked off with Scarlet and Violet in late 2022.
How Many Pokemon Gens Are There Right Now?
To keep it simple: nine. That’s the official count. Each one usually brings a brand-new "mainline" region and a whole batch of new creatures.
You’ve probably seen the numbers balloon. We started with 151. Now? As of early 2026, there are 1,025 distinct species listed in the National Pokedex. If you count regional variants like Alolan Raichu or those weird Paradox Pokemon from the Paldea region, that number climbs even higher—somewhere around 1,164 if you’re a completionist who needs every form in your boxes.
The Breakdown of Every Generation So Far
- Generation 1 (1996): The Kanto region. This is the OG. Red, Blue, and Yellow. It gave us Charizard, Pikachu, and Mewtwo. Simple times.
- Generation 2 (1999): Johto. This added 100 new species and let us revisit Kanto. It introduced held items and the day/night cycle.
- Generation 3 (2002): Hoenn. Ruby and Sapphire brought Abilities and Natures. This is also where the "too much water" memes started because of all the surfing.
- Generation 4 (2006): Sinnoh. Diamond and Pearl finally split Physical and Special attacks based on the move itself, not just the type. Huge for competitive play.
- Generation 5 (2010): Unova. Black and White were bold. They didn't let you use any old Pokemon until the post-game. It felt like a soft reboot.
- Generation 6 (2013): Kalos. X and Y moved the series into full 3D and gave us Mega Evolution, which many fans still think is the best mechanic ever.
- Generation 7 (2016): Alola. Sun and Moon ditched traditional Gyms for Island Challenges. It also introduced Regional Forms, which was a genius way to make old Pokemon feel new again.
- Generation 8 (2019): Galar. Sword and Shield brought us into the Switch era. We got Dynamaxing and the first-ever open-area "Wild Area."
- Generation 9 (2022): Paldea. Scarlet and Violet went fully open world. It’s the current gen. Even with the technical hiccups, Terastallization changed the meta in a big way.
Why People Get Confused About the Count
It’s the "side" games. This is what trips everyone up.
💡 You might also like: All Barn Locations Forza Horizon 5: What Most People Get Wrong
Take Pokemon Legends: Arceus. It came out in early 2022. It didn't add a "new" generation of 100+ monsters, but it added a handful of new evolutions and Hisuian forms. Most experts categorize it as part of Generation 8 because it uses some of the same internal data structures, but it feels like its own thing entirely.
Then you have the recent Pokemon Legends: Z-A, which dropped in October 2025. It brought back Mega Evolution and added a bunch of new Megas. Even though it's a massive release on the Switch (and the Switch 2), it’s technically considered a Generation 9 title because it didn't introduce a "Gen 10" Pokedex. It’s a bridge.
The lines are blurring. Game Freak doesn't always follow the "New Console = New Gen" rule anymore.
What Really Defines a Generation?
It’s not just the games. It’s the "Reset."
📖 Related: When Was Monopoly Invented: The Truth About Lizzie Magie and the Parker Brothers
Usually, a generation is defined by a new "base" game that introduces a region nobody has seen before. When you start Gen 1, you're in Kanto. Gen 9? Paldea. Each gen also resets the competitive "Standard" format. If you’re playing in a VGC tournament, the transition to a new generation means the entire rulebook gets tossed out the window.
The anime usually follows suit, too. When a new gen starts, Ash (or now Liko and Roy) heads to a new land with a new art style. It’s a massive marketing machine that moves all at once—cards, toys, shows, and games.
The Road to Generation 10
We’re in a weird spot right now. 2026 is the year of the 30th anniversary. Historically, Pokemon loves a three-year cycle, but they've been slowing down a bit lately to (hopefully) fix the performance issues that plagued the Paldea games.
Most industry insiders, like those over at IGN or Wargamer, are betting on a Gen 10 reveal very soon. The rumors suggest a new region—maybe based on Australia or Italy—and a launch that coincides with the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware.
👉 See also: Blox Fruit Current Stock: What Most People Get Wrong
Until that announcement hits the "Pokemon Presents" livestream, we stay at nine.
Actionable Steps for Catching Up
If you've been away from the series for a few years, diving back in can feel like trying to read a textbook in a foreign language. Here is how you actually catch up without losing your mind:
- Don't worry about the National Dex. You don't need to know all 1,025 Pokemon. Most modern games only require you to learn the local 200–400 species to feel like an expert.
- Play Legends: Arceus if you want a fresh experience. It’s the most "non-Pokemon" Pokemon game and arguably the most fun the series has been in a decade.
- Check the 30th Anniversary Hub. Keep an eye on the official Pokemon social accounts throughout February 2026. This is where the "Gen 10" confirmation will happen.
- Use Pokemon HOME. If you have old favorites from the 3DS or even the Game Boy Advance (via some hardware tinkering), this app is the only way to carry your "legacy" through the generations.
The sheer volume of content is intimidating, sure. But at its core, the game is still about a kid, a backpack, and a pocket-sized monster. Whether there are nine gens or ninety, that part doesn't change.
If you're looking to start your journey now, Scarlet and Violet are the most relevant for the current competitive scene, while the older remakes like Brilliant Diamond are better for a hit of nostalgia.