Generation II & Johto: Pokémon Generation Guide
The second generation (Japanese: 第二世代 second generation; ポケットモンスター金・銀シリーズ Pocket Monsters Gold and Silver Series) of Pokémon games, referred to as the Gold & Si
2026-02-14
About Generation II & Johto
A collector-friendly primer on the games, region, and what they introduced.
The second generation (Japanese: 第二世代 second generation; ポケットモンスター金・銀シリーズ Pocket Monsters Gold and Silver Series) of Pokémon games, referred to as the Gold & Silver series in Crystal's box blurb and instruction manual, and commonly referred to by fans as Generation II, is the second set of Pokémon games released, and a sequel to the games of Generation I.
This generation started with Gold and Silver, which were later followed by Crystal. It also includes the side game Pokémon Stadium 2.
The Johto region (Japanese: ジョウト地方 Johto region) is a region of the Pokémon world. Johto is located west of Kanto, which together form a joint landmass that is south of Sinnoh and Sinjoh Ruins.
- Region: Johto
- New Pokémon: 251
- International debut: October 15, 2000
- Pokémon League: Johto League
- Professors: Professor Elm
- First partners: Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile
Games & gameplay highlights
Mechanics that shaped the era, plus a quick history of release.
Generation II began the Pokémon series' expansion-focused nature, introducing to the world Generation II Pokémon which did not exist and are unable to be obtained in the Generation I games, and the new region of Johto. Many of these Pokémon expand the Evolution families of older Pokémon, while a majority of them are brand-new evolutionary lines.
- The initial hint that Generation II was on its way came in early 1997, with the release of the animated series's first episode. A Pokémon appears to Ash Ketchum on the first day of his journey, shortly after he and Pikachu become friends, that cannot be identified by the Pokédex; this Pokémon, later revealed to be the Legendary mascot of Gold Version, Ho-Oh, was the first Pokémon from a future generation to debut in the animated series. The games, initially named "Pocket Monsters 2", were set for release in late 1997, but were pushed back to 1999 with the intention to redevelop the games to work with the Game Boy Color better.
- Details in the games indicate that the storyline of the Generation II games occurs three years after the one in Generation I and Generation III, while the storyline of the Sinnoh-based Generation IV games indicate that they occur contemporaneously to Generation II as Generation I does to Generation III.
Johto: Geography & lore
Real-world inspiration and the in-game footprint.
Pokémon world in relation to the real world Junichi Masuda has stated in his director's column that the kanji that inspired the name mean "castle capital" (城都) or "lattice-plan capital" (条都); this meaning is connected to the city of Nara, Nara, which was the basis for Violet City.
The Johto region, like its neighboring region, Kanto, has a temperate climate. However, Johto's climate is a bit wetter than that of Kanto's.
Featured Johto Pokémon
Native species highlights — links to per-species guides.
- Chikorita (#152) — Grass type
- Bayleef (#153) — Grass type
- Meganium (#154) — Grass type
- Cyndaquil (#155) — Fire type
- Quilava (#156) — Fire type
- Typhlosion (#157) — Fire type
- Totodile (#158) — Water type
- Croconaw (#159) — Water type
- Feraligatr (#160) — Water type
- Sentret (#161) — Normal type
- Furret (#162) — Normal type
- Hoothoot (#163) — Normal / Flying type
Generation II trivia
Bulbapedia trivia, lightly cleaned for collectors.
- Very few Pokémon in Generation II have the same front sprite across all three games.
- This is the smallest completed generation so far, with only seven games and three core series games, if the Pokémon mini and arcade games aren't taken into consideration.
- This is the first generation to: Introduce a new named location and new items in its Core series.
- This is the first generation to: Introduce a pure Ghost and a pure Rock Pokémon.
- This is the first generation to: Not introduce any new Fossils.
- This is the first generation to: Not feature a Safari Zone in any capacity.
- This is the first generation to: Not introduce a new Moves with a charging turn.
- This is the only generation: To not introduce a Dragon pseudo-legendary Pokémon.
- This is the only generation: Where all of its first partner Pokémon are initially holding an item (in this case, a Berry).
- This is the only generation: To not introduce a Fire or Water type expert.
- Johto lacks some elements that other regions have. These omissions are due to it sharing them with Kanto, which could be visited later on in the same games, and the fact that recycling old concepts have not become the norm yet in the games.
- It is the only region without its own Pokémon League (although GS gives it the Silver Conference).
- It and Paldea are the only core series regions without any burial grounds; the Hisui region, however, used to lack any burial grounds in the distant past.
- It is the only region without a notable Water- or Fire specialist.
Related posts
Generation roundups and guides for the same era.
Cutest Pokémon From Gen II: Card & Binder IdeasBest Gen II Pokémon Cards to CollectMost Popular Gen II PokémonMost Expensive Gen II Pokémon Cards (TCGPlayer Prices)Chikorita Pokémon Card Guide: Cute Picks, Best Sets, and Collector TipsBayleef Pokémon Card Guide for Collectors, Traders, and Binder BuildersMeganium in Your 🦕 Dinosaurs & Fossils Binder: Art, Sets, and LayoutWhy Cyndaquil Belongs in Every Weasels & Badgers Collection
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