Did this Pokémon first appear in the 1st or the 2nd generation?
In 1996, Pokémon Red and Green arrived in Japan with 151 creatures to catch in the Kanto region. Three years later, Pokémon Gold and Silver took Trainers to Johto and added 100 new Pokémon to the Pokédex. Thirty years on, it is hard to remember who came when! Your turn: for each Pokémon, say whether it belongs to the first or the second generation. The National Pokédex number decides: numbers 1 to 151 are Gen 1 and numbers 152 to 251 are Gen 2. Watch out for family ties, as some Johto Pokémon are evolutions or pre-evolutions of Kanto Pokémon. This is a fan-made quiz. It is neither affiliated with nor endorsed by Nintendo, Creatures, GAME FREAK or The Pokémon Company.
How to play
← →Swipe the card left or right
Or tap the two buttons
On a computer: ←→orQDorAD
10 cards, 20 seconds: the timer starts with your first choice.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Pokémon generation?
A generation groups together the main games released in the same period and the Pokémon they introduced. The first covers Pokémon Red, Green, Blue and Yellow, released on Game Boy between 1996 and 1998 in Japan, then in 1999 and 2000 in Europe. The second brings together Gold, Silver and Crystal, released on Game Boy Color from 1999. Each generation adds its creatures to the end of the National Pokédex, which now holds more than a thousand.
What did the second generation change?
Gold and Silver created two new types, Dark and Steel, partly to rebalance battles dominated by Psychic Pokémon. The games also brought a real-time clock with day and night, breeding and Eggs, held items and Shiny Pokémon. Once the Johto adventure is over, they even let you return to explore Kanto.
Where do the Kanto and Johto regions come from?
Both regions are based on real parts of Japan. Kanto takes its name and geography from the Tokyo region, where series creator Satoshi Tajiri grew up. Its neighbour Johto draws on Kansai and western Chūbu, around Kyoto and Osaka, with its temples and old traditions. In the games, the two regions are connected, just as on a real map.
Why can one family be split across two generations?
Because each generation can add evolutions or pre-evolutions to families that already exist. The National Pokédex number then shows the order of arrival, not the family tie. An evolution can therefore be much newer than the Pokémon it comes from. It is the classic trap in generation quizzes.
Photo credits
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