Charizard - love it or hate it, there’s no denying that this Pokémon is an icon in its own right. It may be #0006 in the Pokédex, but it’s #1 in the hearts of Trainers across the globe. Since taking place front-and-center on Pokémon Red’s cover art 30 years ago, this Fire-type is iconic in its own right.

Since its debut in the Base Set of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, back in 1996, Charizard has been printed on a whopping 50 unique cards. But which is the most iconic? Let’s settle it, once and for all.

10. Charizard VMAX (Champion's Path 074/073)

The reveal of Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves for Nintendo Switch 2 has given us our first look at the franchise's long-awaited 10th generation of creatures — as well as many returning favorites.

Below, we've rounded up every Pokémon species already confirmed to appear in the series' Gen 10 games — including its three new Starter Pokémon, the lovable Browt, Pombon and Gecqua.

Those three were the only all-new species announced today, alongside a returning cast of several dozen familiar faces that you'll be catching, hatching and trading all over again.

Today's first Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves trailer includes at least 28 species, which we've listed below. In brackets, we've also listed their accompanying evolutions (and in Pikachu's case, its baby species) as the inclusion of one Pokémon in a family typically means the inclusion of them all.

If this continues to be the case, the number of species technically confirmed is already around 50 (and likely a few more than that, as each starter creature will almost certainly get two evolutions).

For now, though, here's every Pokémon species we've seen in Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves with our own eyes:

Pokémon Winds and Waves confirmed species list

• Pikachu (Pichu, Raichu)
• Oddish, Gloom (Vileplume, Bellossom)
• Krabby (Kingler)
• Tangela (Tangrowth)
• Ledyba, Ledian
• Slugma (Magcargo)
• Wingull (Pelipper)
• Taillow (Swellow)
• Wailmer, Wailord
• Duskull (Dusclops, Dusknoir)
• Corsola
• Mareanie, Toxapex
• Sandygast (Palossand)
• Tropius
• Carnivine
• Tympole (Palpitoad, Seismitoad)
• Nymble (Lokix)
• Sizzlipede (Centiskorch)
• Lumineon (Finneon)
• Frillish (Jellicent)
• Tynamo (Eelektrik, Eelektross)
• Browt
• Pombon
• Gecqua

Of course, Pokémon now has 1028 unique species (including today's new starter confirmations). Recent games have typically featured a large chunk of that in their Pokédex, though it's been some time since the last title that featured every single species.

Add in costumed creatures, gender differences and other alternate forms, and quickly it becomes clear why no game has tried to cram everything in. Already Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves have introduced two new unique Pikachu, too, the improbably named Mr. Windychu and Ms. Wavychu. Yes, really.

Why has Pokémon stopped including every species in each game? In a nutshell, The Pokémon Company has suggested that there are now just far too many to feature in every game, and balance against everything else. Add that's not even counting the many regional species variants, Mega Evolutions, Gigantamax forms and more now found throughout the franchise.

Which species are you hoping to see return? And which starter will you be picking? Already there's a wave of love for fire pooch Pombon, though also calls for it remain standing on four legs after it evolves.

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

Early teasers for a 30th Anniversary Pokémon TCG set were shown during the recent Pokémon Presents livestream. It will feature "an exciting line of products" that will be released later this year, with minimal other details revealed so far.

This has the potential to be similar to the "Celebrations" set that was released in 2021 to commemorate Pokémon's 25th anniversary, and featured reprints of iconic cards like Charizard, Blastoise, and more.

Ring in 30 years of the Pokémon TCG! 🎉

To celebrate, an exciting line of products is set for simultaneous global launch in participating markets in 2026. Stay tuned for more details! #Pokemon30 pic.twitter.com/DdCpcpP7DV

— Pokémon TCG (@PokemonTCG) February 27, 2026

13 cards were shown off during the 30th anniversary teaser video, including Pikachu, Palkia, and several others, so it may be fair to assume that these will all be getting reprints.

Teased with the line "The Future Awaits" were a potential look at new Mew and Mewtwo cards.

Enthusiast Pokémon site Pokebeach has also speculated that the 2026 30th anniversary set will be called "Celebration Collection" that was trademarked back in November last year.

Pokémon TCG has already been rather busy in 2026, releasing its latest Mega Evolution expansion set, Ascended Heroes at the end of January.

Its follow up Perfect Order will be released on March 27, and will be honing in on many of the Pokémon featured in the Legends: Z-A game.

It's also heavily rumored that the set after this will be called "Chaos Rising", and is alledgedly scheduled to release on May 22, 2026. It's suggested this will rumored to be the Western release of Japan’s Ninja Spinner set that spotlights Mega Greninja.

The Pokémon Company has just unveiled the next generation of Pokémon games, Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves, and with it the three new starter Pokémon who we'll choose a partner from to accompany us on our journey. Among those starter Pokémon is a cute little Fire-type pomeranian-inspired dog named Pombon, and within seconds of its reveal, fans were begging it to stay on all four legs.

please let pombon remain on all fours, please arceus

— 𝓶𝓲𝓶𝓸𝓾 🧸🎀🌹 ꒰ bear vtuber ꒱ (@mimourie) February 27, 2026

If this is confusing to you, you probably have a healthy relationship with how many limbs creatures tend to stand on, but as I'm also in the "please don't stand up, Pombon" camp, allow me to explain. Pokémon starters tend to come in two varieties: two legs (and two arms/wings), and four legs. And often, those Pokémon will change how many limbs they are standing on at some point in their evolutionary lines. As an example, Mudkip starts on four legs, but when it evolves into Swampert, it stands on two, with its two front legs now serving as arms.

Pombon pls stay on all fours 🥺👉👈 https://t.co/BVoAGo9Z8b

— AL (@notalomaga) February 27, 2026

What fans are upset about is how in recent generations, most quadrupedal starter Pokémon end up standing up on two legs by the time they fully evolve. For example, Sprigatito, the grass cat from Scarlet and Violet, starts on four legs, ends on two. Sobble and Grooky from Sword and Shield do the same thing. As does Litten from Sun and Moon, Fennekin and Froakie from X and Y, and Tepig from Black and White. If that doesn't sound like too much, note that in almost every single generation, the starter Pokémon I didn't list above are already on two legs when introduced and stay there, so the end evolutionary result is often a trio of bipeds.

As we get closer to the release of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, a variety of fun tie-in goodies and toys are dropping for fans to check out. Even cereal brands are getting in on the fun. Both Trix and Lucky Charms have released some new variations on their cereals in collaboration with the upcoming movie, with each box offering their own tasty flavor.

If you're a big fan of Trix, this tie-in cereal comes in a blue raspberry flavor. Prefer the magically delicious Lucky Charms? This version is strawberry flavored with some galactic marshmallow shapes thrown in of planets and stars. Head to the links below to order a box if they've caught your eye.

Trix and Lucky Charms Super Mario Galaxy Movie Cereals

Amazon has revealed the first photo of its God of War series, showing off Kratos and Atreus.

Announcing its God of War TV show is now in production, Amazon issued the image below alongside the tagline: “Their journey to the highest peak begins.”

I almost feel sorry for Browt and Gecqua. How is an angry little leafy bird and a damp blue gecko meant to compete with the face card that Pombon showed off in the reveal trailer for Pokémon Winds and Waves? A tiny, smiley Pomeranian with eyes that could melt hearts as quickly as the fire he, in all likelihood, breathes, I fear that I already know I would die for him.

The thing is, when it comes to starter Pokémon, I’m not even traditionally a fire-type guy. I still insist to this day that there’s no cooler Pokémon than the hydro-pumping, water cannon-strapped Blastoise, so, naturally, my choice in that original generation was always going to be Squirtle. I’m not going to sit here making Brock’s Gym and Mt Moon harder for myself than it needs to be. That penchant for water transferred straight into Gold and Silver, with Totodile more often than not being my first Pokémon of choice. Just look at his little fanged face. Adorable.

And so, I would switch between elemental types for the next couple of decades, picking tactically, and thinking about what would make my onward journey the most fun and frictionless. I’m normally one to utilise an analytical approach to these things and not rush into a quick decision. So, when today’s Pokémon 30th anniversary stream ended with Gen 10’s reveal trailer, and inside of it hid our first peek at Winds and Waves starters, it was frankly embarrassing how quickly I decided that Pombon would be sitting snuggly in my very first Poké Ball. I’m not saying it’s as easy to give me an adorable little smile to get me on side, but in this case, the Pomeranian only went and did it.

Of course, we don’t yet know what any of these three starters will evolve into — I think it’s safe to assume larger birds, dogs, and geckos — but already I don’t even care. Sure, we’ve had our fair share of fire dogs over the years in Pokémon, perhaps most notably Cinnabar Island natives Growlithe and Arcanine, but Pombon is a fierce new breed, and one I will likely arm with quick attack, bite, and ember until he’s a big enough boy to incinerate any flammable fool stupid enough to stand in his way. Yes, even your tiny little Browt, if you, for some reason, decide that he’s the one for you in 2027.

The official Pokémon website describes Browt as a “lively but clumsy Bean Chick Pokémon”. Why would you want to hang out with a clutz? Gecqua is listed as an “intelligent Water Gecko Pokémon”. Brains are overrated; manners are everything. That’s why I’ll be making the actual smart decision and going with Pombon, the “friendly Puppy Pokémon”.

Stick with me, boy, I’ll keep you safe. Fire, come walkies with me.

Simon Cardy is a Senior Editor at IGN who can mainly be found skulking around open world games, indulging in Korean cinema, or despairing at the state of Tottenham Hotspur and the New York Jets. Follow him on Bluesky at @cardy.bsky.social.

The mainline Pokemon games make up one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time. From Pokemon Red and Blue to the Pokemon Legends, these games have amassed a huge audience that just keeps coming back for more year after year.

If you haven't played all of the Pokemon video games in the series, however, you may find yourself in a bit of a dilemma trying to figure out where to start in 2026. Most of the major titles in the series are excellent standalone games to dive into, but if you want to start from the beginning, there are two different ways to play in order: Chronologically or by release date.

Jump to:

• How to Play by Release Order
• How to Play in Chronological Order

Which Pokemon Games Should You Actually Play First?

Choosing where to start boils down to what Nintendo console you currently have. If you only have a Nintendo Switch, you can start with Let's Go Pikachu or Let's Go Eevee, which are kind of like remakes of the original Yellow version from 1998. You can also play Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl for another remake experience. Pokemon Legends: Arceus is also an option (and technically first up on the timeline), but it is very different from the other mainline games.

If you're wanting to dive right into Pokemon Scarlet and Violet or Legends: Z-A, it's worth noting that you likely won't be missing out on any overly pertinent information from the previous games. The only games in the main series you might not want to jump right into is Black 2 and White 2 as those are sequels.

How to Play the Pokemon Games in Chronological Order

The Pokemon timelne may seem pretty linear at first glance, but without enough obvious details to go off of, it can be pretty confusing to try to follow the chronology from title to title. Luckily, a now deleted tweet from Toshinobu Matsumiya has given us a starting point for some of the games. For the rest, we can only make educated guesses based on a few key details witin the games.

1. Pokemon Legends: Arceus

The first game in the chronology is very clearly Pokemon Legends: Arceus seeing as it's set in a time when the relationship between humans and Pokemon was only just starting to form. You spend a large portion of your time running around a vast open wilderness catching and battling wild Pokemon, and the people you interact with are clearly just beginning to understand the world of Pokemon. This game features crafting and research tasks, which greatly differentiates it from the usual gym battle formula we are used to.

Though we don't know just how long ago Pokemon Legends: Arceus takes place compared to the other games in the series, we do atleast know that it seems to feature the ancestors of Diamond and Pearl characters.

2. Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow

As the original games in the series, Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow are up next in the timeline. Bringing the first-generation Pokedex and introducing us to the classic Pokemon game formula, these best-selling games are what started it all.

Although we can't know for sure that these Game Boy games are up next in the timeline, the deleted Tweet from Game Scenario writer Toshinobu Matsumiya confirmed that the series starts with these. The technology featured in the game is also fairly limited compared to some of the newer games -- though still advanced enough to bring fossils back to life!

Bonus: Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen

Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen are remakes of the original Red and Blue games and thus are at the same exact point in the timeline. Much of the plot is the same as the originals with some key differences -- including visiting the Sevii Islands after becoming champion of the Elite Four.

3. Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald

Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald brought all new Pokemon and throws you into the Hoenn region -- which is some distance from both the Kanto and Johto regions. Considering this game features the third generation of Pokemon and some new technology, it seems most likely that it would take place after both Red and Blue and Gold and Silver. However, according to that same deleted tweet from Matsumiya, Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire take place at the same point in time as FireRed and LeafGreen.

This also means that Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire are at the same point in the timeline here seeing as they are remakes.

4. Pokemon Gold, Silver, and Crystal

As the second game in the series (in terms of release date) Pokemon Gold and Silver take place three years after the events of Red and Blue. With some exciting new Gen 2 Pokemon and some of the best post-game content in the series, Gold, Silver, and Crystal were an excellent follow up to the original games. By traveling to the Kanto region after becoming the champion of Johto, you get a firsthand look at the passage of time. You even get to battle the protagonist from the first games, Red, who is quite strong.

This placement in the chronology also applies to the remakes: HeartGold and SoulSilver. Although the remakes offer some additional content, they are essentially just updated versions of the originals.

5. Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum

In terms of series release order, Pokemon Diamond and Pearl came a few years after Ruby and Sapphire. However, we now know from that deleted tweet from Matsumiya that Diamond and Pearl actually takes place at the same time as HeartGold and SoulSilver. This may seem a little bit confusing considering the advancements in technology we see in Diamond and Pearl, but we can likely just chalk it up to the actual date the games were created rather than the chronology within the Pokemon universe.

This would also mean that the remakes, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are set in the same point of the timeline. Though the timeline gets a bit wonky with the inclusion of Fairy-type Pokemon considering those weren't introduced until X and Y.

6. Pokemon Black and White

Featuring the fifth-generation of new Pokemon, Black and White was the second mainline game to come out on the Nintendo DS. Although we don't know exactly when the story takes place in the Pokemon universe, we do that it takes place after Diamond and Pearl thanks to Matsumiya's tweet. Since there aren't any obvious links to the previous games, we can only assume that Black and White takes place more than 3 years after Red and Blue.

7. Pokemon Black 2 and White 2

As a true sequel to Black and White, Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 offer a fairly obvious transition through the chronological timeline. We see changes where gym leaders pass on their duties to the next generation, Team Plasma has advanced their plot, and there is a new Champion. Between all of these things, we know that roughly two years have passed since Black and White, progressing the timeline forward in an uncharacteristically linear fashion.

8. Pokemon X and Y

As the first game in the series to allow payers to explore and battle in 3D, Pokemon X and Y was a fresh take on the classic Pokemon formula. While this is largely due to it being the first title in the series to be a Nintendo 3DS game, it definitely helped set up future games. While we don't know exactly when the game fits in the chronology, thanks to Matsumiya we atleast know that X and Y take place at the same time as Black 2 and White 2. However, it's possible that it is set in a different universe due to Mega Evolution being a thing.

9. Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Although we don't know its exact place on the timeline, we do know that Pokemon Legends: Z-A takes place pretty soon after the events of X and Y. Based on the characters and events in the story, it's clear that Z-A takes place sometime within five years of X and Y. It's in the same Kalos region as X and Y and appears to be a direct sequel.

10. Pokemon Sun and Moon

Happening a few years after X and Y, Pokemon Sun and Moon takes us to the Alola region. While we don't have any information from Matsumiya about where this game fits in the timeline, it features a few characters from X and Y that indicate that time has passed between games. An adult Red and Blue also make an appearance, though their exact age isn't revealed, so we still don't know exactly how much time has progressed since Red, Blue, and Yellow.

This also means that Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon take place at the same point in time as they are essentially remakes of Sun and Moon with some additional content.

11. Pokemon Sword and Shield

With the arrival of the Nintendo Switch came the first Switch-exclusive mainline Pokemon game: Sword and Shield. Featuring a brand-new region, new Pokemon, and the introduction of Gigantamax, Sword and Shield is essentially a soft reboot of the series. So that being said, we have no idea where it fits on the chronological timeline. There aren't really any hard references to the previous games, so there is no way of accurately fitting it into the known Pokemon universe.

One of the only clues we have about the timeline comes in the form of new technology. The addition of the Rotom Phone seemingly places us further in the chronology than Red and Blue at the very least, but that's all we can really gather. It's possible that Pokemon Sword and Shield simply takes place in an entirely different universe than any of the other games.

12. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

As the latest mainline entry in the series, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet brings all-new Gen 9 Pokemon and the open-world Paldea region to the Nintendo Switch. There haven't been any obvious clues revealed about where it lands on the timeline, so we unfortunately don't have enough information to try to accurately place it. That being said, if it follows the chronological structure of previous mainline games, it's possible that it takes place at the same time as the events of Pokemon Sword and Shield.

Upcoming Pokemon Games

Pokemon Pokopia

The next Pokemon-adjacent release is just around the corner. More of an Animal Crossing-like than your traditional Pokemon game, Pokopia places you as a Ditto who can transform and learn new skills to build up an island for your Pokemon friends. You can learn more about this new spin-off's gameplay in our hands-on preview.

Gen 10: Winds and Waves

One of the biggest announcements coming out of Pokemon Day 2026 was the confirmation of the next generation of mainline Pokemon games. Pokemon Winds and Waves will launch on Switch 2 in 2027, and we've already gotten our first look at the three new starters.

Pokemon Champions

Game Freak and The Pokemon Company also announced Pokemon Champions, a new battle game for both Switch and mobile devices, releasing for the former in April 2026. This is most likely the "multiplayer Pokemon game" that was alluded to in earlier leaks. More like Pokemon Showdown than other Pokemon releases, Pokemon Champions will allow trainers to battle with Pokemon they've caught and trained in other games through the Pokemon Home app. No release date information has been revealed.

Looking for additional Pokemon content? Check out our guide to the best Pokemon movies and Pokemon Video Games for more. You can also shop for the coolest Pokemon merchandise at the IGN Store for some of our favorite Pokemon toys.

Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness is finally headed to Nintendo Switch Online this March. As it's a GameCube game, it will only be available for Nintendo Switch 2 users.

The game was previously announced for Nintendo Switch Online back when the GameCube Classics were first revealed last April. However, the game was not given a release date at the time, and fans have anticipated its appearance for almost a year now. Also at that time, Pokémon Colosseum was shown, but that game was not given a release date today nor do we know when it will arrive on the service.

Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness first released on GameCube back in 2005, and was a successor to Pokémon Colosseum, taking place in the same region. The game is a single-player 3D adventure where the player travels the Orre region to fight, capture, and purify Shadow Pokémon. Pokémon XD was also compatible with Pokémon FireRed, LeafGreen, Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald at the time, allowing players to transfer Pokémon back and forth between games and use them to battle in a multiplayer Battle Mode.

When it first came out, we gave Pokémon XD a 6.8/10, saying, "Pokémon XD has merit on its own for players who may not have experienced the first GameCube design [Colosseum], but as a sequel this one doesn't have nearly the same 'oomph' as the original."

Unfortunately, not only did we not get a date for Colosseum, we also still have yet to see Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver, Crystal, Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald on Nintendo Switch Online. The closest we've gotten is a Switch port of FireRed and LeafGreen, but it's not clear yet how, or even if, it would be compatible with XD.

You can catch up on everything announced at today's Pokemon Presents right here.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

30 years on from the release of its original games, the 10th generation of Pokémon has been revealed.

As ever, two titles will launch together, with Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves set to arrive in 2027 for Nintendo Switch 2.

The games will be set across a sprawling open world featuring a string of islands, include underwater gameplay, and of course feature a brand new batch of Pokémon, including three new starter choices: Grass-type bird Browt, Fire-type pooch Pombon, and Water lizard Gecqua.