12 Oldest Pokemon Games

12 Oldest Pokemon Games

When it comes to old games, Pokemon is undoubtedly one of them. Since its humble beginnings in 1996, the series has become a much bigger name in the video game industry. It started as a Game Boy game and has since been played on various devices. Because it’s so popular, people tend to collect every possible version and make custom items from rare items.

Out of all the top successful video game franchises, Pokemon still remains one of the most popular games sold today. Furthermore, it is considered one of the most influential games ever created because it introduced millions of people worldwide to a new type of gaming experience unlike any other at that time.

Today, we look at the top 12 oldest Pokemon video games released thus far, some more recently than others.

  1. Pokémon Black and White

Date of Release: September 18, 2010
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: The Pokémon Company Nintendo
Platforms: Nintendo DS
Type:  1 to 4 players simultaneous

Pokémon Black and Whitephoto source: archive.org

The first main series of Pokémon video games of Generation V, Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version, is the Nintendo DS games that adhere to established norms. In comparison to previous games, Team Plasma’s demise forces the player to finish the main narrative before they may acquire any Pokémon from Generation V.

Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, two storylines that take place two years following the occurrence of Pokémon Black and White, were released in 2012. Therefore, the second and last Generation V paired versions are Pokémon Black 2 and White 2.

Did You Know?

The more contemporary New York City is the Unova Region’s foundation.


  1. Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

Date of Release: September 12, 2009
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: The Pokémon Company Nintendo
Platforms: Nintendo DS
Type:  1 to 4 players simultaneous

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilverphoto source: simonandschuster.com

The Generation IV revivals of Pokémon Gold and Silver are teamed up as the Pokémon HeartGold Version and Pokémon SoulSilver Version. HeartGold and SoulSilver explore the Generation I tale of Johto, much the same as Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen did with the storyline of Kanto, with New Bark Town serving as the player’s initial position.

Although the games include several important enhancements, the overarching story still goes in the same particular manner as the earliest Gold and Silver. Additionally, several Crystal-specific features are being used.

Did You Know?

The main protagonist in these renditions is from a little place named New Bark Town.


  1. Pokémon Platinum

Date of Release: September 13, 2008
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: The Pokémon Company Nintendo
Platforms: Nintendo DS
Type:  1 to 5 players simultaneous

Pokémon Platinumphoto source: thefoodiegeek.net

Pokémon Platinum Version is the third game in the Generation IV core series and a standalone edition of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. The videogame was first noticed when a poor-resolution cellphone photograph of an advance copy of the CoroCoro mag was circulated online around May 11, 2008.

The publication’s actual launch date and Nintendo’s official confirmation of the game were May 15. At Platinum, the player starts their trip in Twinleaf Town and journeys around Sinnoh, much like in prior third editions, where the region and beginning place stay identical to those found in previously reported partnered iterations.

Did You Know?

The characters are dressed appropriately for the chilly climate of the game’s primary setting, which has a “northern” vibe.


  1. Pokémon Diamond and Pearl

Date of Release: September 28, 2006
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: The Pokémon Company Nintendo
Platforms: Nintendo DS
Type:  1 to 4 players simultaneous

Pokémon Diamond and Pearlphoto source: wikipedia.org

The very first main series Pokémon games of Generation IV, Pokémon Diamond Version, and Pokémon Pearl Version, were published for the Nintendo DS around September 28, 2006, in Japan, April 22, 2007, in North America, June 21, 2007, in Australia, and July 27, 2007, in Europe. They happen in the area of Sinnoh.

The improved version of these games, Pokémon Platinum, came after them. Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, revivals of the original games, were made available on the Nintendo Switch on November 19, 2021, after passing four generations.

Did You Know?

These video games’ primary locations are in Sinnoh, a land of enormous, snow-covered mountains.


  1. Pokémon Emerald

Date of Release: September 16, 2004
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: The Pokémon Company Nintendo
Platforms: Game Boy Advance
Type:  up to 5 players

Pokémon Emeraldphoto source: ebay.com

Pokémon Emerald Version would be the fifth and last game in the Generation III core series, standing alone from Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. However, like Pokémon Crystal, its predecessor, it included several features that weren’t in the prior combined editions.

By September 16, 2004, it was made available in Japan; on May 1, 2005, in North America; on June 9, 2005, in Australia; and then on October 21, 2005, in Europe.

It became the second-most popular video game in North America in 2005. However, the two Generation III titles, Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire and Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, outsold it to become the third most successful game on the Game Boy Advance.

Did You Know?

The major characters are dressed in fresh green attire. As the game continues, players collect Pokémon to develop.


  1. Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen

Date of Release: January 29, 2004
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: The Pokémon Company Nintendo
Platforms: Game Boy Advance
Type:  up to 5 players

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreenphoto source: glitchwave.com

The main series of Generation III games, the Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version, are both in the Kanto area. On January 29, 2004, they were made available in Japan; on September 9, 2004, in North America; on September 23, 2004, in Australia; and on October 1, 2004, in Europe.

The games recreate the first two Pokémon games, such as Pokémon Red and Green Versions, as the first remakes in the Pokémon franchise. Players, narrative points, and difficulties from the console version are present in the reboots, alongside the focus on continuous improvement from Generation III.

Did You Know?

After Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, FireRed, and LeafGreen went on to sell the second-most copies on the Game Boy Advance. Additionally, Nintendo presented them with Player’s Choice honors.


  1. Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire

Date of Release: November 21, 2002
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: The Pokémon Company Nintendo
Platforms: Game Boy Advance
Type:  up to 4 players

Pokémon Ruby and Sapphirephoto source: wikipedia.org

The first two main series games from Generation III to be set in the Hoenn region are the Pokémon Ruby and the Pokémon Sapphire versions. They were made available on November 21, 2002, in Japan; March 19, 2003, in North America; April 3, 2003, in Australia; and July 25, 2003, in Europe.

Like so many previous paired games, Ruby and Sapphire were succeeded by a third installment, Pokémon Emerald, shortly afterward. The two of them combined had become the all-time best-selling Game Boy Advance titles. Finally, Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, remakes of the original games, were published globally for the Nintendo 3DS in November 2014, three generations later.

Did You Know?

Between January 26, 2018, and March 27, 2023, when the Nintendo 3DS eShop will be shut down, the game will be accessible mostly on the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console.


  1. Pokémon Crystal

Date of Release: December 14, 2000
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Game Boy Color
Type:  2 players simultaneous

Pokémon Crystalphoto source: polygon.com

The third and last Game Boy Color installment in the Generation II game series is the Pokémon Crystal Version. It was launched as a standalone game in addition to Pokémon Gold and Silver, which had already been out for a year. December 14, 2000, saw its release in Japan. July 29, 2001, saw its release in North America. And November 2, 2001, saw its release in Europe.

Numerous repairs were included, as well as several brand-new features, most notably the ability to play as a female character. Similar to Gold and Silver, it occurs in the Johto region, with accessibility to Kanto being offered later in the game. New Bark Town serves as the player’s home base.

Did You Know?

Between January 26, 2018, and March 27, 2023, when the Nintendo 3DS eShop will be shut down, the game will be accessible mostly on the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console.


  1. Pokémon Gold and Silver (Japan)

Date of Release: November 21, 1999
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Game Boy Color
Type:  2 players simultaneously

Pokémon Gold and Silver (Japan)photo source: pokemon.com

The original founding games in the series of Generation II for the Game Boy Color were the Pokémon Gold  Version and the Pokémon Silver Version. The games’ development was under the preliminary titles Pocket Monsters 2 or Pokémon 2 and Pocket Monsters 2: Gold & Silver, with a late 1997 release date. However, with the release of Nintendo Space World ’97 in November 1997, the number 2 was eliminated.

The game’s release date was originally set for March 1998 in Nintendo Space World ’97. Nintendo apologized to the public and said that the team was exhausted but still totally dedicated to the initiative and needed more time to extend and enhance the games.

Did You Know?

Pokémon Gold and Silver, in contrast to prior games, are set in the Johto area, which is west of the Kanto region where the first games were set. Later in the games, players can go to Kanto.


  1. Pokémon Yellow (North America)

Date of Release: September 3, 1999
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Game Boy, Game Boy Color
Type:  2 players simultaneous

Pokemon Yellowphoto source: ign.com

As a standalone version of Pokémon Red and Blue Versions, Pokémon Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition is the third Pokémon game for Game Boy to be released globally. The game, a second solo edition for Pocket Monsters Red & Green, was the 4th Pokémon game to be released in Japan. Pokemon Yellow, as opposed to previous games, took its cues from the anime.

Yellow debuted close to the Game Boy’s final year of life, just like Red and Blue. However, despite losing to its forerunners, it could still claim the distinction of the second-best-selling unbundled game for the system.

Did You Know?

Between February 27, 2016, the 20th anniversary of Pokémon, and March 20, 2023, when the 3DS Nintendo eShop closes, the game is still primarily playable on Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console.


  1. Pokémon Red and Blue Versions (North America)

Date of Release: September 28, 1998
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Game Boy
Type:  2 players simultaneous

Pokémon Red and Blue Versions (North America)photo source: pokemon.com

The first Pokémon video games to be published outside of Japan were the Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Blue Version, which went on sale in North America on September 28, 1998, in New Zealand and Australia on October 23, 1998, and in Europe on October 5, 1999.

In under a year, Pokémon became a wildly popular Nintendo property. In North America, the duo quickly followed the introduction of the anime’s English dubbing, which started showing on September 8, 1998. As a result, blue and Red were distinct from the Japanese versions of their respective Pokémon, Red, and Green, in contrast to successive generations.

The elements of Red and Blue, such as their storylines, character designs, and visuals, are mainly derived from Pokémon Blue.

Did You Know?

The total sales for all versions surpassed 31 million, making them the most popular Pokémon games overall and the only ones in the collection to earn more than 30 million copies.


  1. Pokémon Red and Green Versions (Japan)

Date of Release: February 27, 1996
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Game Boy
Type:  2 players simultaneous

Pokémon Red and Green Versions (Japan)photo source: dotesports.com

The oldest Pokémon video games were released in Japan as Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green. The Game Boy Portable is the first major coupled edition of Generation I, manufactured by Game Freak and released by Nintendo. By February 27, 1996, they were initially made available in Japan; afterward, the upgraded Pokémon Blue and the supplemental Pokémon Yellow were launched.

Red and Green were designed over many years, and they set several benchmarks for subsequent Pokémon games and their successors. For example, to complete the Pokédex and become the Pokémon Champion by winning eight Gym Badges, the player must get all 151 Pokémon located in the Kanto region.

Did You Know?

Due to the game’s popularity in Japan, Red and Green were localized for an international release and published as Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue.


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