Most Sold Pokemon Games of All Time (Main Series)

The most sold Pokemon game of all time are the 3 original games (Red/Blue/Green) on the GameBoy.

Combined, sales of all main series Pokemon games has reached 290 million with around 35% of the sales coming from Japan alone. The remaining 65% of sales come from overseas.

Below you will find the most sold Pokemon games in order from the most sold to the least sold.

Pokémon Red/Blue/Green (31.38 Million Units Sold)

Pokemon Red/Blue/Green box art

The original Pokemon Red, Blue, and Green were the first Pokemon games that released on the original Game Boy back in 1996.

In the Western world Pokemon Red and Blue were originally released, while Japan received Pokemon Red and Green upon release which was later followed by Pokemon Blue.

The box arts were based off the Gen 1 starter Pokemon‘s final evolutions Charizard, Blastoise, and Venusaur.

Combined, Pokemon Red, Blue, and Green sold 31.38 million units globally, making it the most sold Pokemon Game of all time.

Pokémon Sword/Shield (23.9 Million Units Sold)

Pokemon Sword/ Shield box art

Released in 2019 on the Nintendo Switch, Pokemon Sword and Shield quickly became the 2nd most sold Pokemon games of all time.

Franchise staples such as Gym Leaders, Elite Four, and Champion were all present in Sword and Shield.

New features to the games included the “Wild Area” where players could encounter Pokemon in the overworld, Dynamaxing/Gigantamaxing, and version exclusives.

The games also featured new Pokemon from the Galar region as well as old favorites.

Pokemon Sword and Shield have sold a combined 23.9 million units globally.

Pokémon Gold/Silver (23.1 Million Units Sold)

Pokemon Gold/Silver box art

The second generation of Pokemon games were released in 1999/2000 on the Game Boy Color and featured 100 new Pokemon.

Set in the Johto region, players take on the role of a young trainer as they travel across Johto and Kanto (from the original Red/Blue/Green games) to become the champion.

Featuring an improved color palette and new gameplay mechanics, Gold and Silver were well received by fans and critics alike.

The games have sold 23.1 million units globally, making it the 3rd most sold Pokemon game of all time.

Pokémon Diamond/Pearl (17.67 Million Units Sold)

Pokemon Diamond/Pearl box art

The 4th generation of Pokemon games were released in 2006/2007 on the Nintendo DS and featured 107 new Pokemon.

Set in the Sinnoh region, players take on the role of a young trainer as they travel across Sinnoh to become the champion.

A new battle system was introduced as well as some other features including trading through Wi-Fi and the Global Trading System (GTS).

In 2021, Pokemon Diamond/Pearl were remade for the Nintendo Switch in the form of Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.

The original Diamond/Pearl games have sold 17.67 million units globally as of December 2021 according to Statista.

Pokémon X/Y (16.58 Million Units Sold)

Pokemon X/Y for Nintendo 3DS

The 5th generation of Pokemon games were released in 2013 on the Nintendo 3DS and featured 72 new Pokemon.

Set in the Kalos region, players take on the role of a young trainer as they travel across Kalos to become the champion.

Pokemon X/Y introduced some new features at the time which include: 3D Compatible gameplay, Name changes, eight-directional movement, Sky Battles, Horde Encounters, Fairy-Type Pokemon, and more.

Globally Pokemon X and Y sold 16.58 million units as of December 2021.

Pokémon Sun/Moon (16.27 Million Units Sold)

Pokemon Sun/Moon box art

The 6th generation of Pokemon games (Sun and Moon) were released in 2016 on the Nintendo 3DS and featured 81 new Pokemon.

Set in the Alola region, players take on the role of a young trainer as they travel across Alola to become the champion.

Some new features present in Sun and Moon include: Z-Moves, Rotom Dex, Alolan Forms, and more.

Sun and Moon were the first Pokemon games to be available on the Nintendo 3DS eShop.

Globally Pokemon Sun/Moon have sold 16.27 million units while their remakes are unfortunately the worst performing games in terms of sales.

Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire (16.22 Million Units Sold)

Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire box art

The 3rd generation of Pokemon games were released in 2002/2003 on the Game Boy Advance and featured 135 new Pokemon.

Set in the Hoenn region, players take on the role of a young trainer as they travel across Hoenn to become the champion.

A new gameplay mechanic was introduced in Ruby and Sapphire known as “Double Battles” where trainers battle with two Pokemon at the same time.

Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire have sold 16.22 million units globally.

Pokémon Black/White (15.64 Million Units Sold)

Pokemon Black/White box art

Pokemon Black and White, the 5th generation of Pokemon games were released in 2010/2011 on the Nintendo DS and featured 156 new Pokemon.

Set in the Unova region, players take on the role of a young trainer as they travel across Unova to become the champion.

New features introduced in Black and White include: Seasons, C-Gear, Triple Battles, Rotation Battles, and more.

Pokemon Black/White have sold 15.64 million units globally as of December 2021.

Pokémon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition (14.64 Million Units Sold)

Pokemon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition for Game Boy

Pokemon Yellow was a special first generation game where players could follow the anime and start with Pikachu as their starter Pokemon.

Pokemon Yellow was released in 1996/1998 on the Game Boy and featured the 151 original Pokemon.

Set in the Kanto region, players take on the role of a young trainer as they travel across Kanto to become the champion.

A special edition of the game known as “Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition” was released in Japan which featured a Pikachu on the cover instead of Ash.

Globally, the Pokemon Yellow has sold over 14.64 million units.

Pokémon Omega Ruby/Omega Sapphire (14.46 Million Units Sold)

Pokemon Omega Ruby/Omega Sapphire

The 3rd generation Pokemon games Ruby and Sapphire were remade in 2014 to become Omega Ruby and Omega Sapphire on the Nintendo 3DS and featured 135 new Pokemon.

Set in the Hoenn region, players take on the role of a young trainer as they travel across Hoenn to become the champion.

Some new features added into Omega Ruby and Omega Sapphire include: Mega Evolution, Primal Reversion, Soar, and more.

Globally, Omega Ruby and Omega Sapphire have sold 14.46 million units.

Pokémon Let’s Go, Pikachu!/Eevee! (14.33 Million Units Sold)

Pokemon Let's Go, Pikachu!/Eevee!

A special 8th generation game, Let’s Go, Pikachu!/Eevee! were released in 2018 on the Nintendo Switch and featured 151 original Pokemon.

Set in the Kanto region, players take on the role of a young trainer as they travel across Kanto to become the champion.

The games are based on the original first generation games, Pokemon Red, Blue and Yellow.

Some new features added into Let’s Go Pikachu!/Eevee! include: catching Pokemon with a Joy-Con, co-operative play with another person, and more.

Pokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu!/Eevee! have sold 14.33 million units globally.

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl (13.97 Million Units Sold)

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl

The 4th generation of Pokemon games were remade in 2021 on the Nintendo Switch and featured 107 new Pokemon.

Set in the Sinnoh region, players take on the role of a young trainer as they travel across Sinnoh to become the champion.

Some new features added into Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl include: Dynamax, Gigantamax, co-operative play with another person, and more.

As of May 2021, Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl have sold 13.97 million units globally.

Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen (12 Million Units Sold)

Pokemon FireRed/LeafGreen

Released in 2004 for the Game Boy Advance, Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen ended up outselling many other Pokemon games in the main series.

The games were set in the Kanto region and featured the original 151 Pokemon.

Players take on the role of a young trainer as they travel across Kanto to become the champion.

Some new features added into FireRed and LeafGreen include a Sevii Islands post-game, more moves for older Pokemon, and updated graphics.

Globally, FireRed and LeafGreen have sold over 12 million units.

Pokémon Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon (9.04 Million Units Sold)

Pokemon Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon

Remade and released in 2017 on the Nintendo 3DS are Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are the worst selling Pokemon games to date.

Set in the Alola region, players take on the role of a young trainer as they travel across Alola to become the champion.

Some new features added into Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon include: Z-Moves, the ability to capture Pokemon in 3D, and more.

Globally, Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon have sold 9.04 million units as of December 2021.

Pokémon Black 2/White 2 (8.52 Million Units Sold)

Pokemon Black 2/White 2

Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 were released in 2012 for the Nintendo DS and featured 156 new Pokemon.

Set in the Unova region, players take on the role of a young trainer as they travel across Unova to become the champion.

Some new features added into Black 2 and White 2 include Pokemon World Tournament, Dream World, and more.

Globally, Black 2 and White 2 have sold 8.52 million units.

Pokémon Platinum (7.6 Million Units Sold)

Pokemon Platinum

The 3rd generation of Pokemon games was remade in 2008/2009 on the Nintendo DS and featured 107 new Pokemon.

Set in the Sinnoh region, players take on the role of a young trainer as they travel across Sinnoh to become the champion. In Pokemon Platinum, players start in Twinleaf Town.

Some new features added into Platinum include Rotom forms, updates to moves and abilities, and more.

As of December 2021, Platinum has sold 7.6 million units globally.

Pokémon Crystal (6.39 Million Units Sold)

Pokemon Crystal

Released in 2000 for the Game Boy Color, Pokemon Crystal is the first Pokemon game to feature animated sprites.

The game is set in the Johto region and features 100 new Pokemon.

Players take on the role of a young trainer as they travel across Johto to become the champion.

Some new features added into Crystal include the option to choose a female protagonist, more moves for older Pokemon, and updated graphics.

Globally, Pokemon Crystal has sold over 6 million units.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus (6.5 Million Units Sold)

Pokemon Legends: Arceus cover art

The 13th generation of Pokemon games will be released in 2022 on the Nintendo Switch and feature over 200 new Pokemon.

Some consider Pokemon Legends: Arceus to be the real second Pokemon game to ever be created by GameFreak because all their other games felt the same.

This game takes a completely different turn and focuses on learning about Pokemon. Players need to complete the Pokedex and help the people understand what Pokemon are and how they can be used.

Some new features added into Legends: Arceus include open-world exploration, cooperative play with another person, and more.

Pokemon Legends: Arceus has sold 6.5 million units but the game is still new so we expect to see higher numbers soon.

That’s the complete list of the most sold Pokemon games of all time. We expect Legends: Arceus to climb the rankings soon when new data comes out.

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Article by Jake

Hey I'm Jake! Writer for various gaming and technology blogs. I also enjoy a little bit of golf in my free time as well as gaming. I really enjoy competitive games and I hate to admit it, but I have really been enjoying Wild Rift on my phone as I get the League experience without the rage. Usually you'll find me on Steam though exploring the many competitive options out there, whether that is a Battle Royale game or a MOBA game.