It's officially the end of an era for Pokemon

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This article was updated by Andrea Trama on May 11, 2026, with a list of games for each Pokemon generation. It was first published on April 30.

Pokemon's development cycle has been predictable for years, and with the upcoming release of Pokemon winds and wavesit changes forever. At least, depending on the ultimate reception to Pokemon winds and wavesit is unlikely that Game Freak will be able to go back.

In the earliest years Pokémonthe development cycle was a bit more tumultuous – for lack of a better term. It was a brand new IP, it was a burgeoning franchise, and it would grow incredibly quickly to become one of the most popular intellectual properties in the entire world. But very clearly around Gen 5 (and probably earlier), Game Freak entered a three-year release cycle that on the one hand would undoubtedly limit some games. On the other hand, it became an ever-present mainstay in some fans' lives.

pokemon-winds-waves-starters-game-rant

Pokemon Winds and Waves map leaked online

Basically the entire Pokemon Winds and Waves region has been leaked online, with fans picking up new locations in the Gen 10 region.

Pokemon Evolution Cycle (Based on North American Release Dates)

  • Pokemon Red and Blue (Gen 1)—1998 (released a full two years earlier in Japan)

    • Pokemon Yellow (Gen 1)—1999

  • Pokemon Gold and Silver (Gen 2)—2000

    • Pokemon Crystal (Gen 2)—2021

  • Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire (Gen 3)—2003

    • Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen (Gen 3)—2004

    • Pokemon Emerald (Gen 3)—2005

  • Pokemon Diamond and Pearl (Gen 4)—2007

    • Pokemon Platinum (Gen 4)—2009

    • Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver (Gen 4)—2010

  • Pokemon Black and White (Gen 5)—2010

    • Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 (Gen 5)—2012

  • Pokemon X and Y (Gen 6)—2013

    • Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (Gen 6)—2014

  • Pokemon Sun and Moon (Gen 7)—2016

    • Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon (Gen 7)—2017

    • Pokemon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Eevee!(Gen 7)—2018

  • Pokemon Sword and Shield (Gen 8)—2019

    • Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (Gen 8)—2021

    • Pokemon Legends: Arceus (Gen 8)—2022

  • Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (Gen 9)—2022

    • Pokemon Legends: ZA(Gen 9)—2025

  • Pokemon Winds and Waves (Gen 10)—2027

Pokemon black and white was released in 2010, three years after Pokemon Diamond and Pearl. And that three-year cycle would carry one through Gen 9: Pokemon X and Y every 3 years after Black and white, Pokemon Sun and Moon every 3 years after X and Y, and so on. But with the almost officially confirmed release of Pokemon winds and waves in late 2027 (as opposed to generally 2027), representing the first time that five years have passed between the main lines Pokémon game.

This is a list of Pokemon spin-off games over the years:

  • Pokemon Snap—1999

  • Pokemon Stadium—2000

  • Pokemon Stadium 2—2001

  • Pokemon Colosseum—2004

  • Pokemon Dash—2005

  • Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness—2005

  • Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Blue and Red Rescue Team—2006

  • Pokemon Ranger—2006

  • Pokemon Battle Revolution—2007

  • Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Darkness—2008

  • My Pokemon Ranch—2008

  • Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia—2008

  • Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky—2009

  • Pokemon Rumble—2009

  • Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Sings—2010

  • Pokemon Rumble Blast—2011

  • Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity—2013

  • Pokemon Rumble U—2013

  • Pokemon Rumble World—2015

  • Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon—2015

  • Pokken Tournament—2016

  • Pokken Tournament DX—2017

  • Detective Pikachu—2018

  • Pokemon Rumble Rush—2019

  • Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX—2020

  • Pokemon Unite—2021

  • New Pokemon Snap—2021

  • Detective Pikachu Returns—2023

  • Pokemon Pokopia—2026

  • Pokemon Masters—2026

GameRant Quiz

GameRant Quiz

Light (15s)Medium (10s)Hard (5s)Permadeath (5s)

To be fair, the pattern had become even more predictable over the years. Fans could usually semi-accurately predict when the new gen would start, when a remake would be released, and when a spin-off would happen. The biggest surprises, at least in terms of new items, in recent years were the introduction of the new Pokemon Legends mainline games and the fact that we have not received Pokemon black and white remakes.

And of course, it's worth noting that a three-year release cadence doesn't mean three years of development time – every game is worked on in stages, in different phases of development, with reports suggesting Pokemon Legends 3 is in full production and Pokemon Gen 11 is in pre-production at the time of this writing. However, this is to say that three years has become something of an important marker for fans.

Who is that character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.




Who is that character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Easy (7.5s) Medium (5.0s) Hard (2.5s) Permadeath (2.5s)

Some are hoping that the extended length between releases will result in better and more polished Pokémon games, no doubt due to the criticism of recent games. Sword and shield was criticized for not taking advantage of Switch and Dexit, for example, while Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's pictures were a big controversy. Also Pokemon Legends: ZA upset fans because of its budget and how it showed up in-game. But to play devil's advocate, each game was there for the fans, brought new fan-favorite Pokemon, and entertained millions despite those flaws. Now, if 5 years becomes the norm (because game development has only gotten longer), then there will only be 4 new generations in the next 20 years, as opposed to ~7. Whether that actually results in better games remains to be seen, but the end of 3 years between releases is over.

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