If you’re a fan of Pokemon, then you’ll be familiar with the importance of choosing the right starter Pokemon for your team. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out, it’s essential to understand the different generations of starter Pokemon in order to make the best choice.
This article provides a complete guide to all Pokemon starters by generation, starting from the original generation one through to the latest generation nine. You’ll find information on each starter Pokemon’s evolution, making it easy for you to decide which Pokemon to choose for your team.
So, whether you’re a veteran Pokemon trainer or just getting started, this guide will help you choose the perfect starter Pokemon for your next adventure.
Pokemon Core series
Gen 1 Starters – Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Pikachu
When it comes to starter Pokemon by generation, the classic trio are undoubtedly the most well-known. In generation one, players had the choice of starting with Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle, but Pikachu is also a memorable starter from the era. While Pikachu wasn’t originally selectable in the original Pokemon Red, Blue, or Green games, you could choose it as your starter in gen 1’s Pokemon Yellow.
Interestingly, in Japan, the first two Pokemon games released were Red and Green, while the rest of the world received Red and Blue versions. Later, the Game Boy Advance saw the release of FireRed and LeafGreen remakes.
Even today, the final evolutions of Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle remain some of the most sought-after Pokemon cards for collectors.
Bulbasaur
Ivysaur
Venusaur
Charmander
Charmeleon
Charizard
Squirtle
Wartortle
Blastoise
Games: Pokemon Red, Green, Blue, FireRed, LeafGreen
Region: Kanto Region
Available On: Game Boy, Game Boy Advance
Pokemon Yellow is the third version of Pokemon games for Gameboy. It was released in Japan on September 12th, 1998, and then worldwide a week later which was on September 28th, 1998. This game was the first ever to allow you to select your character’s gender which is a feature still in use today.
Pokemon Yellow follows the same style as other Pokemon games where you play as a ten-year-old who is trying to become the world’s greatest trainer. Similar to the Anime, Professor Oak gives you a Pikachu as your starter instead of a Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle.
Just like the Anime, in Pokemon Yellow Pikachu refuses to evolve.
Pikachu
Games: Pokemon Yellow
Region: Kanto Region
Available On: Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Nintendo 3DS
Gen 2 Starters – Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile
The Gen 2 Pokemon starters are Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile. Gen 2’s starter pokemon are from the Johto region which is different from Gen I’s Kanto Region starter pokemon.
Gen 2 introduced an additional 100 Pokemon to the Pokemon World, totalling the number to 251.
The games for Gen II were Pokemon Gold, Silver, Crystal, and their remakes HeartGold and SoulSilver.
Chikorita
Bayleef
Meganium
Cyndaquil
Quilava
Typhlosion
Totodile
Croconaw
Feraligatr
Games: Pokemon Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, SoulSilver
Region: Johto Region
Available On: Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Nintendo 3DS
Gen 3 Starters – Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip
The Gen 3 starter Pokemon are Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip. Gen 3 introduces the new Hoenn region to the Pokemon World. In the Gen 3 Pokemon games, you play in all 3 regions (Kanto, Johto, Hoenn) making it the only generation to feature 3 core series regions in one game.
135 new Pokemon were added in generation 3, making the total number of Pokemon 386.
Treecko
Grovyle
Sceptile
Mega Sceptile
Torchic
Combusken
Blaziken
Mega Blaziken
Mudkip
Marshtomp
Swampert
Mega Swampert
Games: Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Omega Ruby, Alpha Sapphire
Region: Hoenn Region
Available On: Game Boy Advance
Gen 4 Starters – Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup
The Gen 4 starters are Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup. 107 new Pokemon were added in generation 4, bringing the total up to 493. Turtwig is a Grass type, Chimchar is a Fire type, and Piplup is a Water type. They were all introduced in the Diamond and Pearl games.
One of the most popular starter Pokemon is Turtwig. He evolves into Torterra, who is a large Grass type that has high defense and attack. Chimchar evolves into Infernape, which is a Fire type that has high speed and higher stats overall than the other starters. Piplup evolves into Empoleon, which is a Water type that focuses on defense over offense.
Turtwig
Grotle
Torterra
Chimchar
Monferno
Infernape
Piplup
Prinplup
Empoleon
Games: Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl
Region: Sinnoh Region
Available On: Nintendo DS, Nintendo Switch
Gen 5 Starters – Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott
The Gen 5 Starters are Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott. 156 new Pokemon were added in generation 5, bringing the total up to 649.
Snivy is a Grass type starter, Tepig is a Fire type starter, and Oshawott is a Water type starter that was introduced in the Black and White games.
Snivy evolves into Servine, who is a small Grass type that focuses on special defense over physical offense. Tepig evolves into Pignite, who is a large Fire type that focuses on physical offense over special defense. Oshawott evolves into Samurott, which is a large Water type that focuses on special defense over physical offense.
Snivy
Servine
Serperior
Tepig
Pignite
Emboar
Oshawott
Dewott
Samurott
Games: Pokemon Black, White, Black 2, White 2
Region: Unova Region
Available On: Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi
Gen 6 Starters – Chespin, Fennekin, Froakie
Gen 6 takes players to the new region Kalos in the games Pokemon X and Y. The Gen 6 starters are Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie.
Only 72 new Pokemon were added in Gen 6, bringing the total up to 721.
Chespin evolves into Quilladin which further evolves into Chesnaught, who is a Grass type that is bulky and has high HP. Fennekin evolves into Braixen and Braixen evolves into Delphox, who is a Fire type that is fast and specializes in special attacks. Froakie evolves into Frogadier and Frogadier evolves into Greninja who is a Water type with great speed and decent defense.
Kalos is based on France and the starters reflect this with Chespin being a hedgehog, Fennekin being a fox, and Froakie being a frog. Chespin is the most popular starter Pokemon, followed by Froakie and then Fennekin.
Chespin
Quilladin
Chesnaught
Fennekin
Braixen
Delphox
Froakie
Frogadier
Greninja
Games: Pokemon X, Y
Region: Kalos Region
Available On: Nintendo 3DS
Gen 7 Starters – Rowlet, Litten, Popplio
Gen 7 introduced the Alola region and the Gen 7 starters are Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio.
The Grass/Flying Type starter Rowlet evolves into Dartrix and Dartrix evolves into Decidueye. Litten, the Fire Type starter evolves into Torracat and Torracat evolves into Incineroar. The Water Type starter Popplio evolves into Brionne and Brionne evolves into Primarina.
Gen 7 lasted from 2016 until 2019 and initially introduced 81 new Pokemon to the series. When Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon were released, they introduced an additional 5 Pokemon, and then with the Let’s Go series, another 2 were introduced. Bringing the total of generation 7 to 809.
New Alola forms were also introduced in Gen 7.
Rowlet
Dartrix
Decidueye
Litten
Torracat
Incineroar
Popplio
Brionne
Primarina
Games: Pokemon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon
Region: Alola Region
Available On: Nintendo 3DS
Gen 8 Starters – Grookey, Scorbunny, Sobble
The 8th Generation of Pokemon started in 2019 with Pokemon Sword and Shield and is still ongoing to do this day. The gen 8 starters are Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble.
Grookey is a Grass type starter, Scorbunny is a Fire type starter, and Sobble is the Water type starter.
Sword and Shield introduced an additional 89 Pokemon, bringing to total up to 898, however, only 664 Pokemon are available in the Pokedex.
The first Sword and Shield expansion, The Isle of Armor introduced an additional 3 Pokemon to the series.
The second Sword and Shield expansion, The Crown Tundra introduced 15 Pokemon to the series.
Grookey
Thwackey
Rillaboom
Gigantamax Rillaboom
Scorbunny
Raboot
Cinderace
Gigantamax Cinderace
Sobble
Drizzile
Inteleon
Gigantamax Inteleon
Games: Pokemon Sword, Shield
Region: Galar Region
Available On: Nintendo Switch
Legends: Arceus Starters – Rowlet, Cyndaquil, Oshawott
So far Pokemon Legends: Arceus has introduced 3 new Pokemon to the series, however, more are likely to be introduced. At least 5 regional Hisuian forms are available as well.
The Legends: Arceus starter Pokemon you can choose from are Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott. All starter Pokemon have been seen before in previous titles so returning players should already be familiar with their evolutions.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus takes place in the Hisui region, which is a past version of Sinnoh as the game takes place somewhere before Gen 4. As the name suggest, the Mythical Pokemon Arceus plays a major role in the new Switch game.
Rowlet
Dartrix
Decidueye
Cyndaquil
Quilava
Typhlosion
Oshawott
Dewott
Samurott
Games: Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Region: Hisui Region
Available On: Nintendo Switch
Gen 9 Starters – Sprigatito, Fuecoco, Quaxly
Pokemon Generation 9 kicks off with the starters Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly and also introduces at least 2 new legendary Pokemon called Koraidon and Miraidon.
The first Gen 9 games will be Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, which are similar to Legends: Arceus in terms of graphics, but Scarlet and Violet will allow up to 4 players to play together.
At the the time of writing this, not much is known of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet other than that there will be a new rival named Nemona, as well as 2 new professors called Turo and Sada.
There is also a new battle mechanic called Terastalization which encases your Pokemon in gems through their Tera type.
Like many new games, Gen 9’s Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will be open world games, allowing you to explore areas in any way you desire.
Sprigatito
Floragato
Meowscarada
Fuecoco
Crocalor
Skeledirge
Quaxly
Quaxwell
Quaquaval
Games: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Region: Paldea Region
Available On: Nintendo Switch
Release Date: 18 November 2022
Pokemon Side series
There are a few side series games in the Pokemon franchise. Games like Pokemon Colosseum, Pokemon X: Gale of Darkness, and Pokemon Battle Revolution. These games offer an alternate look at the world of pokemon.
Pokemon Colosseum
Pokemon Colosseum was released for the Gamecube back in 2003 (JP) and 2004 in the rest of the world. Pokemon Colosseum features a completely different story from the main games and is set in Orre. The protagonist of this game, Wes, aims to take down Cipher who plans on using Shadow Pokemon for nefarious purposes.
There are 2 starter Pokemon in Pokemon Colosseum: Espeon and Umbreon. Combat-wise, the game is a typical stadium battle-type game but also allows you to catch Gen 2 and Gen 3 Pokemon in Orre.
Espeon
Umbreon
Games: Pokemon Colosseum
Region: Orre Region
Available On: Nintendo GameCube
Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness
Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness was released for the Gamecube back in 2005. In Gale of Darkness, you only get 1 starter Pokemon: Eevee. Eevee can evolve into either Vaporeon, Jolteon, Flareon, Espeon, or Umbreon, this is often referred to as Eeveelutions. The story features a new protagonist who is tasked with stopping the plans of the mysterious ‘Darkness’ organization.
As Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness is the sequel to the previously mentioned Colosseum game the combat remains the same – Stadium battles.
Eevee
Flareon
Vaporeon
Espeon
Jolteon
Umbreon
Games: Pokemon XD – Gale of Darkness
Region: Orre Region
Available On: Nintendo GameCube
Pokemon Battle Revolution
Pokemon Battle Revolution was released for the Wii back in 2007. This game takes place in a new area called Poketopia. Poketopia features various stadiums which is a battle arena that can be used to play various mini-games or compete in tournaments.
In Pokemon Battle Revolution, your starter Pokemon are decided based on the gender you choose for your player. If you chose a male, your starter Pokemon will be Grotle, Monferno, Prinplup, Luxio, Gabite, and Staravia. If you chose female, your starters will be Ivysaur, Charmeleon, Wartortle, Dragonair, Rhyhorn, and Pidgeot.
Male Character Starters
Grotle
Luxio
Monferno
Gabite
Prinplup
Staravia
Female Character Starters
Ivysaur
Charmeleon
Wartortle
Dragonair
Rhyhorn
Pidgeot
Games: Pokemon Battle Revolution (Gen 3)
Region: Pokétopia
Available On: Nintendo Wii
Pokemon Masters EX
Pokemon Masters EX is a side series game for the Android and iOS platforms. The games were released on August 29, 2019, in Japan and December 17, 2019, worldwide.
In Pokemon Masters EX, you are a trainer who travels across the regions of Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, and Unova to compete in the Pokemon Masters Tournament. The game features all the starters from each of those regions available to choose as your partner Pokemon.
Your starter Pokemon are Pikachu, Onix, and Starmie as you are joined by Brock and Misty at the start of the game.
Pikachu
Onix
Starmie
Games: Pokemon Masters EX (Gen 7,8)
Region: Pasio Region
Available On: iOS, Android
Pokemon GO Starters
Pokemon GO is a mobile game that was released on July 06, 2016, in Australia and New Zealand and on July 07, 2016, worldwide.
In Pokemon GO, you are a trainer who goes out into the real world to catch pokemon. The game features all of the starter pokemon from each generation.
When you play for the first time, you will see your three starters Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle close by. If you move away from them 3 times, Pikachu should spawn alongside them on the 4th spawn.
Bulbasaur
Charmander
Squirtle
Pikachu
Games: Pokemon GO
Region: Real World
Available On: iOS, Android
We hope you enjoyed this content on all Pokemon starters in order by generation. Click the Pokemon heading for more related content.
