Generation VIII

From Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia.

Generation VIII

Title screen of Pokémon Shield

Debut	EN	November 15, 2019
Debut	JA	November 15, 2019
Pokémon		898(89 new,664 available)^SwSh 898(493 available)^BDSP 905(7 new;242 available)^LA
Main games		Sword and Shield(Expansion Pass) Legends: Arceus
Region(s) introduced		Galar(Isle of Armor,Crown Tundra) Hisui
Other RPGs		Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
Contains remakes of		Generation IV
Storage games		HOME
End	EN	November 18, 2022(1099 days)
End	JA	November 18, 2022(1099 days)

Theeighth generation (Japanese:第八世代eighth generation) of Pokémon games, commonly referred to by fans asGeneration VIII, is the eighth installment of the Pokémon video game series. The eighth generation began withPokémon Sword and Shield and then continued with thePokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass DLC packs, followed byPokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, and concluded withPokémon Legends: Arceus.

Generation VIII is the first generation whose games do not include every previously available Pokémon to obtain, the first generation to include paid DLC in lieu of an additional game, and the first to be released entirely on a home console system, theNintendo Switch.

History

The eighth generation of Pokémon was announced with the reveal ofPokémon Sword and Shield onFebruary 27, 2019 through aPokémon Direct. These games were released worldwide on November 15, 2019.

Since February 11, 2020, players have been able to store their Pokémon andtrade with other players in the cloud-based applicationPokémon HOME.

In thePokémon Direct presentation on January 9, 2020, thePokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass was announced, paid DLC for Pokémon Sword and Shield introducing new content to the games. Its first part,The Isle of Armor, was released on June 17, 2020, while its second part,The Crown Tundra, was released on October 22, 2020. Physical bundles of each game with its expansion pass were announced on September 29, 2020 and released on November 6, 2020.

On the25th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise, aPokémon Presents presentation onFebruary 27, 2021 was held, wherePokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, remakes of theGeneration IV gamesPokémon Diamond and Pearl, were announced, and they were released on November 19, 2021 worldwide.Pokémon Legends: Arceus was also announced during the same Pokémon Presents, and was released on January 28, 2022 worldwide.

Since May 18, 2022, players have been able to store their Pokémon from Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl and Legends: Arceus and trade with other players in Pokémon HOME.

Connectivity

Regarding connectivity with previous generations, users of Pokémon HOME can carry forward their Pokémon fromPokémon Bank,Let's Go, Pikachu!, Let's Go, Eevee!, andGO to the application, allowing for atransfer of Pokémon that originate incore series games as early asPokémon Ruby and Sapphire, as well as theNintendo 3DS Virtual Console releases of theGeneration I andII games.

Additionally, it would be the first generation since Generation I to allow Pokémon from future generations to be transferred backwards, supporting transfers to and fromPokémon Scarlet and Violet through Pokémon HOME.

Advances in gameplay

The addition of81 new Pokémon, bringing the total to 890.
The addition of80 new moves, bringing the total to 804.
The addition of25 new Abilities, bringing the total to 258.
A new region to explore, theGalar region, based on theUnited Kingdom.
A new open area with several landmarks and Pokémon, and connecting several towns, known as theWild Area.
The addition of theY-Comm, which allows trainers to battle and trade Pokémon locally or online withNintendo Switch Online.
A newvillainous team,Team Yell.
The introductions of theRotom Phone, which functions as a menu, and theRotom Bike, an upgraded version of traditional bikes that can grant a speed boost and move on water.
Nineteen newregional forms (including two fortwo different forms of a Pokémon), now including Pokémon from Generations II, III, and V as bases, and being the first generation to have forms from multiple generations.
- In addition, the introduction ofcross-generational Evolutions exclusive toregional forms.
Many animations for characters and Pokémon are refined and expanded to be more expressive.
Eight newGyms, two of which have different type specialties depending on which version theplayer has, as well as introducing the first Gym that specializes inDark-type Pokémon.
Ten newGym Leaders, including the first Dark-typeleader.
A new battle mechanic,Dynamax, which increases the size of a Pokémon and allows them to useMax Moves for three turns.Gigantamax expands on this mechanic by also changing a Pokémon's form and turning moves of a certain type intoG-Max Moves.
The introduction ofdownloadable content in the form of theSword and Shield Expansion Pass.
The introduction of cosmeticmarks andtitles.
The introduction ofsave data bonuses.

Alterations from Generation VII

Pokémon that are not programmed into a game's current patch cannot be transferred into it.
Moves from earlier games that are not programmed into a game's current patchcannot be used in Sword and Shield.
TheTown Map is now a part of themenu, and once the player progresses to a certain point, they can use the replacement forPoké Ride Charizard Glide, theFlying Taxi, directly from the Town Map.
The abandonment of the following elements:
- TheMoss Rock,Ice Rock, andspecial magnetic field.
  - Due to this, theEvolution methods of certain Pokémon are changed;Eevee now evolves intoLeafeon orGlaceon viaEvolution stone, and Pokémon that evolved via special magnetic field now evolve viaThunder Stone.
- Vs. Recorder
- Trial Captains
- Totem Pokémon
- Island kahunas
- Battle Royals
- SOS Battles
- Mega Evolution,Primal Reversion,Z-Moves, andUltra Burst
- Rotom Powers
- Berry growth
- Island Scan
- Master Trainers
Theisland challenge has been replaced by theGym Challenge.
TheElite Four is replaced by theChampion Cup.
PC is replaced byRotomi.
Poké Pelago is replaced byPoké Jobs.
Pokémon Refresh is replaced byPokémon Camp.
TheFestival Plaza is replaced by theY-Comm andVictory Station.
- Wonder Trade is replaced bySurprise Trade.
- TheGTS is no longer present in-game and is instead part of amobile application.
- Battle Spot is replaced byBattle Stadium
Trainer Cards are replaced byLeague Cards.
12 Pokémon from the previous generations receive newEgg Groups, in addition to the Egg Groups they already had.
2 Pokémon receive newAbilities.
Repels no longer preventsymbol encounters from appearing.
Thenickname of anoutsider Pokémon can now be changed if the Pokémon does not already have a nickname, though it still cannot be changed otherwise.
Wild Pokémon in the overworld can no longer appearShiny.
Foreign language Pokémon now retain their original language game's name when evolving.
Badges are now required to catch Pokémon of a certain level.
Affection has merged intofriendship.
- Due to this, Eevee now evolves intoSylveon when leveled up knowing a Fairy-type move and with high friendship. Additionally, all bonuses tied to the affection now apply to the friendship mechanic.
Held items are now returned to the player'sbag when a Pokémon holding it isreleased.
Egg Cycle is now 128 steps instead of 257.
It is now possible raise individual stats withvitamins beyond 100.

Further additions in Sword and Shield updates

Version 1.1.0

The introduction of theGalarian form forSlowpoke.

Further additions inPokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass DLC

The Isle of Armor (Version 1.2.0)

The addition of:
- Three new Pokémon (theLegendary Pokémon Kubfu,Urshifu and theMythical Pokémon Zarude), bringing the total to 893.
- A new area to explore, theIsle of Armor based on theIsle of Man.
- 29 new moves, some available exclusively astutor moves, bringing the total to 833.
- Two new Abilities,Quick Draw andUnseen Fist, bringing the total to 260.
- Seven new Gigantamax forms, bringing the total to 32.
- Max Soup, which allows the player to add or remove theGigantamax Factor to Pokémon they own.
- A formerChampion who was previously aFighting-type Gym Leader.
The introduction of the Galarian form forSlowbro.
The return of:
- 102previously unavailable Pokémon, bringing the overall total to 540.
- Apricorns, which can be used to makePoké Balls.
- 13 previously unavailable and unusablemoves.
- Walking Pokémon, allowing the player's lead Pokémon to follow them around the Isle of Armor after completing a certain objective.

The Crown Tundra (Version 1.3.0)

The addition of:
- Five new Legendary Pokémon (Calyrex,Regieleki,Regidrago,Glastrier andSpectrier), bringing the total to 898.
- A new area to explore, theCrown Tundra, based onScotland.
- Eight new moves (Thunder Cage,Dragon Energy,Freezing Glare,Fiery Wrath,Thunderous Kick,Glacial Lance,Astral Barrage, andEerie Spell) bringing the total to 841.
- Seven new Abilities (Curious Medicine,Transistor,Dragon's Maw,Chilling Neigh,Grim Neigh, andAs One (which is two different abilities)) bringing the total to 267.
The introduction of the Galarian forms forSlowking,Articuno,Zapdos, andMoltres.
The introduction ofDynamax Adventures.
The introduction of theGalarian Star Tournament.
The return of:
- 119previously unavailable Pokémon, bringing the overall total to 664.
- 26 previously unavailable and unusablemoves.

Further additions in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl

The reintroduction ofPokémon Super Contests andBall Capsules.
The reintroduction of theUnderground, now known as theGrand Underground.
The reintroduction of theUnion Room as a hub for communication.

Alterations from Sword and Shield

TMs are once again single-use.

Pokémon obtained from a previous or later game that enters a new game now have their moves reset.
Eggs now hatch automatically in party order when they all become ready to hatch.

Further additions in Legends: Arceus

Seven new Pokémon (Wyrdeer,Kleavor,Ursaluna,Basculegion,Sneasler,Overqwil, andEnamorus), bringing the total to 905.
A new area to explore calledHisui, which is the Sinnoh region in the bygone era.
24 new moves, bringing the total to 865.
The introduction of several new forms.
- The introduction ofWhite-Striped Basculin.
- The introduction of the regional forms forGrowlithe,Arcanine,Voltorb,Electrode,Typhlosion,Qwilfish,Sneasel,Samurott,Lilligant,Zorua,Zoroark,Braviary,Sliggoo,Goodra,Avalugg, andDecidueye.
- New forms forDialga andPalkia, which play a central role in the story of Legends: Arceus.
A new battle mechanic,Move mastery which allows a Pokémon to use a move in either agile style or strong style.

Alterations from Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl

Doors need to be opened manually again.
Wild Pokémon in the overworld can appear shiny again.

Region

Galar

Main article:Galar

TheGalar region was introduced inPokémon Sword and Shield. This region appears to be a sprawling continent with a wide range of environments.

First partner Pokémon

Thefirst partner Pokémon of the eighth generation, like the first partners of the previous seven regions, follow the Grass-Fire-Water trio, withGrookey theGrass-type,Scorbunny theFire-type, andSobble theWater-type.

Grookey		Scorbunny		Sobble
Grass		Fire		Water
	Thwackey		Raboot		Drizzile
Grass		Fire		Water
	Rillaboom		Cinderace		Inteleon
Grass		Fire		Water

Gym Leaders

In Galar, mostGym Leaders are challenged in special stadium-styleGyms built onPower Spots that facilitate the use ofDynamax.

Galar League
Generation VIII				Region:Galar
Gym Leader Japanese		Location Japanese	Type		Badge
Milo ヤロー Yarrow		Turffield ターフタウン Turf Town	Grass		Grass Badge
Nessa ルリナ Rurina		Hulbury バウタウン Bow Town	Water		Water Badge
Kabu カブ Kabu		Motostoke エンジンシティ Engine City	Fire		Fire Badge
Bea サイトウ Saitou^Sw	Allister オニオン Onion^Sh	Stow-on-Side ラテラルタウン Lateral Town	Fighting	Ghost	Fighting Badge	Ghost Badge
Opal ポプラ Poplar	Bede ビート Beet	Ballonlea アラベスクタウン Arabesque Town	Fairy		Fairy Badge
Gordie マクワ Makuwa^Sw	Melony メロン Melon^Sh	Circhester キルクスタウン Circus Town	Rock	Ice	Rock Badge	Ice Badge
Piers ネズ Nezu	Marnie マリィ Mary	Spikemuth スパイクタウン Spike Town	Dark		Dark Badge
Raihan キバナ Kibana		Hammerlocke ナックルシティ Knuckle City	Dragon		Dragon Badge

Sinnoh

Main article:Sinnoh

Sinnoh was featured in Generation VIII inBrilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, which areremakes of theGeneration IV gamesDiamond and Pearl.

First partner Pokémon

Thefirst partner Pokémon featured in the remakes are the same as the original Generation IV titles, following the series' usual Grass/Fire/Water setup. The player is given a choice betweenTurtwig,Chimchar, orPiplup.

Turtwig		Chimchar		Piplup
Grass		Fire		Water
	Grotle		Monferno		Prinplup
Grass		Fire	Fighting	Water
	Torterra		Infernape		Empoleon
Grass	Ground	Fire	Fighting	Water	Steel

Gym Leaders

Sinnoh League
Generation VIII		Region:Sinnoh
Gym Leader Japanese	Location Japanese	Type	Badge
Roark ヒョウタ Hyouta	Oreburgh City クロガネシティ Kurogane City	Rock	Coal Badge
Gardenia ナタネ Natane	Eterna City ハクタイシティ Hakutai City	Grass	Forest Badge
Maylene スモモ Sumomo	Veilstone City トバリシティ Tobari City	Fighting	Cobble Badge
Crasher Wake マキシマム仮面 Maximum Mask	Pastoria City ノモセシティ Nomose City	Water	Fen Badge
Fantina メリッサ Melissa	Hearthome City ヨスガシティ Yosuga City	Ghost	Relic Badge
Byron トウガン Tougan	Canalave City ミオシティ Mio City	Steel	Mine Badge
Candice スズナ Suzuna	Snowpoint City キッサキシティ Kissaki City	Ice	Icicle Badge
Volkner デンジ Denzi	Sunyshore City ナギサシティ Nagisa City	Electric	Beacon Badge

Hisui

Main article:Hisui

Hisui was introduced inPokémon Legends: Arceus. It is what the Sinnoh region used to be called before gaining its current name.

First partner Pokémon

Thefirst partner Pokémon featured in the game follow the series' usual Grass/Fire/Water setup. The player is given a choice betweenRowlet,Cyndaquil, orOshawott.

Rowlet		Cyndaquil		Oshawott
Grass	Flying	Fire		Water
	Dartrix		Quilava		Dewott
Grass	Flying	Fire		Water
	Hisuian Decidueye		Hisuian Typhlosion		Hisuian Samurott
Grass	Fighting	Fire	Ghost	Water	Dark

Noble Pokémon

The player confronts thesenoble Pokémon as part of the story of Pokémon Legends: Arceus in order to quell their frenzies. Each victory is rewarded with aPlate.

Location	Noble Pokémon	Plate	Warden
Grandtree Arena Obsidian Fieldlands 黒曜の原野 Obsidian Fields	Lord of the Woods Kleavor Bug Rock	Insect Plate	Lian キクイ Kikui
Brava Arena Crimson Mirelands 紅蓮の湿地 Crimson Wetlands	Lady of the Ridge Lilligant Grass Fighting	Meadow Plate	Arezu ヒナツ Hinatsu
Molten Arena Cobalt Coastlands 群青の海岸 Ultramarine Coast	Lord of the Isles Arcanine Fire Rock	Flame Plate	Palina ガラナ Garana
Moonview Arena Coronet Highlands 天冠の山麓 Tengan Foothills	Lord of the Hollow Electrode Electric Grass	Zap Plate	Melli ツバキ Tsubaki
Icepeak Arena Alabaster Icelands 純白の凍土 Pure White Tundra	Lord of the Tundra Avalugg Ice Rock	Icicle Plate	Gaeric ハマレンゲ Hamarenge
In the post-game,Calaba acts as Lady Lilligant's warden on Arezu's behalf, as she is working as a hairdresser inJubilife Village.

Title screens

This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Japanese SwSh Champion title screens; Japanese BDSP title screens, Japanese LA title screen, Alternate LA Screens

English title screens

Pokémon Sword	Pokémon Shield

Pokémon Sword (After defeatingLeon)	Pokémon Shield (After defeatingLeon)

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond	Pokémon Shining Pearl

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Japanese title screens

Pokémon Sword	Pokémon Shield

Trivia

This is the onlygeneration:
- To introduce a non-Legendary pure Flying-type Pokémon.
- To not introduce aNormal/Flying-type Pokémon.
- To introduce aGym Leader specializing inDark-type Pokémon.
- To not introduce anyElite Four members.
- To feature aremake of a spin-off game, namelyPokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX.
- To introduceFossil Pokémon that aregender unknown, cannotbreed, and are notRock-type.
- To include core series games that are not developed byGame Freak, namelyPokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
- To have itslast core series game be released in the same calendar year as the release of thesucceeding generation.
- In which the last Pokémon in theNational Pokédex is not aMythical Pokémon by the end of the generation.
- To feature aprevious region in two different games—beingPokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl andPokémon Legends: Arceus—although Sinnoh was known as Hisui during the events in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
- To not feature Mega Evolution in any capacity in the generation's core series games since theintroduction of the mechanic.
This is the first generation:
- To have the selection of the player's appearance occur immediately upon beginning the game, rather than during the introduction.
- To lower thebase stat total of a pre-existing Pokémon, namelyAegislash.
- In which Pokémon cannot lose access to moves byevolving.
- To change theEgg Groups of pre-existing Pokémon.
- To have paidDLC for itsmain paired releases.
- To introduce new members to existingLegendary trios, namely thelegendary giants andforces of nature.
- To introduce more than one core seriesregion (although inHisui's case, it is the past version of theSinnoh region).
- To introduceregional forms for more than one region.
- To introduce aBug/Psychic and aPsychic/Poison Pokémon, marking the final types to be paired with Psychic.
- To feature ranked battles only in its initial releases.
- In whichLooker does not appear since his debut.
- To not introduce a newMythical Pokémon at the time of its debut.
- To feature games in which the region'sPokémon Professor does not introduce the world of Pokémon to theplayer, a role instead fulfilled byRose andArceus.
- To not have any of its newly introduced Pokémon appear inPokémon the Series or its related media before the generation's start.
- To feature title screens in core series games that lack thegame mascot.
- To not feature a restaurant,Sushi High Roller, since its introduction inGeneration VI.
- To not featureMega Evolution in any capacity in the generation's core series games since their introduction inGeneration VI.
- To officially support multiple save files with a single copy of a core series game (by creating multiple users on the Switch.)
This is the first even-numbered generation to not introduce anEeveelution.
This generation is tied with Generations VII and IX for introducing the most Legendary Pokémon, with eleven.
This generation contains the shortest gap between game releases in the history of the core series, with 70 days between Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl and Pokémon Legends: Arceus.