Since its inception in 1996, Pokémon has consistently grown and adapted, adding new ideas, regions, types, moves, and new Pokémon whenever necessary to keep the overall product a fresh commodity. While some generations have proven to be very popular among the masses with their creative character designs and ideas, some have not been so well-received.

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Nine different generations of Pokémon have arrived and contributed to this franchise over the years, with some making more of an impact than others. What is important to note, however, is that the strength of a generation's Pokédex doesn't necessarily reflect its overall standing or quality.

Updated on December 9th, 2022 by Tom Steel: With the recent arrival of the Gen IX games Scarlet & Violet, the Pokémon franchise now has more than 1000 different species as a part of its stacked roster. Each and every generation has introduced new Pokémon and incorporated them into an overall Pokédex with older species. This list has been updated to include these new Gen IX Pokémon and how they measure up against previous generations in terms of overall quality and impact.

9 Generation VI: Mega Evolutions Tried To Compensate For A Lack Of New Pokémon

X & Y: 72 New Pokémon Introduced

Pokémon X and Y's Legendary Pokemon Xerneas And Yveltal

Pokémon X & Y provided the lowest number of new Pokémon out of all the generations at 72. However, this was compensated for by the inclusion of Mega Evolution, which is coincidentally Professor Sycamore's field of expertise.

While Mega Evolution is an intriguing inclusion that added fresh and more powerful takes on previous Pokémon, it doesn't completely distract from how bare the rest of the Pokédex is in terms of new additions. However, X & Y had enough going for it elsewhere that its bare Pokédex did not completely harm the games.

8 Generation V: Black & White Initially Made The Pokédex Exclusively New Additions

Black & White: 156 New Pokémon Introduced

Pokemon Black & White's Unova region is full of tall skyscrapers

Many new Pokémon were introduced to Pokémon Black &White, totaling 156 — more than any other generation. While the sheer number of additions naturally bulked out every type within the National Pokédex, the catch was that the Pokédex was exclusively Gen V Pokémon.

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This posed a problem since not many of these new 156 Pokémon actually stood out. Pokémon Black 2 and Pokémon White 2 ultimately fixed this, however, adding 300 Pokémon from other Regions to the Unova Pokédex, even before unlocking the National Pokédex. This made it feel like a full Pokédex.

7 Generation VIII: An Expansive New Pokédex Was Introduced With Interesting Designs

Sword & Shield: 96 New Pokémon Introduced

Screenshot of gameplay in Pokemon Sword & Shield

Pokémon Sword & Shield brought 89 new Pokémon to the table with an expansive Pokédex of 400. The Pokédex appeared to be more evenly spread out in terms of typing, and it presented an exciting opportunity for competitive play with all the options at players' disposal.

While the seemingly British influence on some of the Pokémon designs fit with the aesthetic and atmosphere of the Galar region, some designs can be seen as a bit of a stretch, with cake, apples, and ice cubes all getting Pokémon forms. Luckily, Galarian regional variants of some familiar Pokémon were still intriguing, with Galarian forms of Meowth, Mr. Mime, and Farfetch'd evolving into Perrserker, Mr. Rime, and Sirfetch'd, respectively, for some fresh takes on original Pokémon.

6 Generation IV: New Evolutions To Original Fan-Favorite Pokémon Arrived

Diamond, Pearl, & Platinum: 107 New Pokémon Introduced

Palkia, Dialga, And Giratina In Pokemon

The Sinnoh Pokédex varies from Diamond & Pearl to Platinum. In Diamond & Pearl, the Pokédex is 150 strong while in Platinum, there is a regional Pokédex of 210 Pokémon. In both cases, 107 of these Pokémon were new additions to the generation.

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Professor Rowan's specialty in this generation is Pokémon evolution and form changes, which translates over to the Pokédex with several instances of evolved forms of species from previous generations. Examples of this include Rhyperior, Tangrowth, Togekiss, and Electivire from Rhydon, Tangela, Togetic, and Electabuzz respectively, among others.

5 Generation VII: Unique Twists On Previous Pokémon Arrived Alongside Fresh Designs

Sun & Moon: 88 New Pokémon Introduced

Ash's Alola Pokemon in Pokémon Journeys

Sun and Moon brought 88 new Pokémon to the table. They may have lacked significant numbers, but the selection and variety on display were up there with some of the best in terms of fitting with its general theme, which in Alola's case, is a group of beautiful and mysterious islands. Among Gen VII's new additions to the series were Ultra Beasts.

In the Pokémon anime, Ultra Beasts have a backstory. The concept of interdimensional Pokémon appearing with new undiscovered mannerisms and personalities is intriguing and certainly adds a new dimension to this generation of Pokémon. Alolan variants give new type combinations to previous Pokémon, with Alolan Vulpix being white and Ice-type as an example.

4 Generation II: Exciting New Pokémon & Types Were Added To The Original Group

Gold, Silver, & Crystal: 100 New Pokémon Introduced

The Pokemon Gold & Silver intro with Ho-oh and Lugia

With 100 new additions to the Pokédex and using all the previous 151 Pokémon, the second generation Pokédex was stacked and exciting. Steel and Dark types were introduced, with strong Steel evolutions for both Onix and Scyther in Steelix and Scizor respectively.

Professor Elm's research focus is on breeding and that is incorporated into the Pokédex with pre-evolutions being introduced for Pikachu, Jigglypuff, and Clefairy, among several others. Legendary Pokémon also started to become more heavily featured and more sought after, with the introduction of Ho-oh and Lugia, as well as the roaming Legendary Pokémon, Raikou, Suicune, and Entei.

3 Generation I: These Games Introduced Pokémon To The World With An Original Yet Limited Selection

Red, Blue, & Yellow: 151 New Pokémon Introduced

Bill's House in Gen I game Pokemon Yellow

The first generation of Pokémon games holds a sense of nostalgia for all Pokémon fans, the most original of whom will still be familiar with the initial 151 but not many more since. Looking at this generation's Pokédex now though, the type coverage and distribution lack balance compared to the other generations. Dragon and Ghost types especially only had one evolution line each.

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However, it certainly inspired future regional variants of some Pokémon from recent generations, such as from Galar, Alola, and Paldea. The novelty of the 151 Pokémon from this generation has held up over the years and while people complain about weird designs or characteristics nowadays, there is no disputing that Red, Blue, and Yellow were original.

2 Generation III: Appropriate Additions Continued Pokémon's Strong Momentum

Ruby, Sapphire, & Emerald: 135 New Pokémon Introduced

Mudkip swimming in a pool in the POkemon anime

Gen III's Pokédex is 202 strong, with 135 new additions and then a select few added from previous generations. The new additions give much-needed bulk and coverage to several types, allowing for full teams of Ghost-, Steel-, Dark-, and Dragon-types especially, for the first time in the series.

Arguably the best generation for starter Pokémon and their evolution lines with Sceptile, Blaziken, and Swampert all being formidable tanks, Gen III is the best for balance and variety in typing. Additionally, the stories surrounding the Legendary Pokémon Kyogre and Groudon are captivating, more so than the legendaries from the previous two generations.

1 Generation IX: The Latest Games Have Impressed With Their Creative New Additions

Scarlet & Violet: 103 New Pokémon Introduced

Tinkaton's Pokedex entry in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

Scarlet & Violet may have divided opinions among players and fans, but the impressive quality of their storylines and creative new designs cannot be disputed. Gen IX saw 103 new species introduced, with many quickly becoming ingrained in people's hearts and minds, from the numerous cute species to the monstrous powerhouses perfect for competitive play.

Scarlet & Violet explored new evolutions and Paldean regional variants of older Pokémon, which is nothing new, but the additions of convergent species and Paradox Pokémon took this even further. The Gen IX games knocked their Pokédex out of the park, with the 103 new additions being the perfect amount as a fraction of the 400 total species.

NEXT: 10 Games To Play If You've Already Beat Pokémon Scarlet & Violet