Generation IV & Sinnoh: Pokémon Generation Guide
The fourth generation (Japanese: 第四世代 fourth generation) of Pokémon games, also known as the DS Pokémon series, and commonly referred to by fans as Generation I
2026-02-12
About Generation IV & Sinnoh
A collector-friendly primer on the games, region, and what they introduced.
The fourth generation (Japanese: 第四世代 fourth generation) of Pokémon games, also known as the DS Pokémon series, and commonly referred to by fans as Generation IV, is the fourth set of Pokémon games released.
It started with the games Diamond and Pearl, followed by Platinum and later HeartGold and SoulSilver (remakes of Gold and Silver). This generation also included the games Pokémon Battle Revolution and My Pokémon Ranch.
The Sinnoh region (Japanese: シンオウ地方 Sinnoh region), formerly known as Hisui (Japanese: ヒスイ地方 Hisui region), is a region of the Pokémon world. It is located north of Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn. It is the setting of Diamond and Pearl, Platinum, Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl, and Legends: Arceus; the latter explores the region's earlier history when it was still known as Hisui. It was the fourth core series region to be introduced.
- Region: Sinnoh
- New Pokémon: 493
- International debut: April 22, 2007
- Pokémon League: Sinnoh League
- Professors: Professor Rowan
- First partners: Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup
Games & gameplay highlights
Mechanics that shaped the era, plus a quick history of release.
Like Generation II followed from Generation I, Generation IV follows from Generation III, although it is unlike Generation II in that it is not a direct sequel (Hoenn is inaccessible in all Generation IV games). Like previous generations, Generation IV focuses on one main region across three games, the Sinnoh region featured in Diamond on the Nintendo DS, released in 2006 and 2008 (and 2007 and 2009 outside Japan). Also like Generation II, the Generation IV games retain much compatibility with their Generation III counterparts, though in a different manner, and introduce many new Pokémon which are related to those of the previous three generations.
- Much like Generation III remade the Generation I games, the Generation II games also received much anticipated remakes in the form of HeartGold, and through details revealed in the five main games, Generation IV is thus known to be contemporaneous with Generation II, occurring three years after Generation I and Generation III. Like all generations, the handheld games are joined by home console games; Pokémon Battle Revolution and My Pokémon Ranch were released for the Wii during this generation.
Sinnoh: Geography & lore
Real-world inspiration and the in-game footprint.
Junichi Masuda has stated that Sinnoh's name is derived from "神奥" ("mysterious and profound"), possibly in reference to the various myths of the region.
Featured Sinnoh Pokémon
Native species highlights — links to per-species guides.
- Turtwig (#387) — Grass type
- Grotle (#388) — Grass type
- Torterra (#389) — Grass / Ground type
- Chimchar (#390) — Fire type
- Monferno (#391) — Fire / Fighting type
- Infernape (#392) — Fire / Fighting type
- Piplup (#393) — Water type
- Prinplup (#394) — Water type
- Empoleon (#395) — Water / Steel type
- Starly (#396) — Normal / Flying type
- Staravia (#397) — Normal / Flying type
- Staraptor (#398) — Normal / Flying type
Generation IV trivia
Bulbapedia trivia, lightly cleaned for collectors.
- Every player character in all of the Generation IV games has a Wii in their room, referencing its status as the current Nintendo console during the generation.
- This is the only generation: Where all its first partner Pokémon are able to learn Stealth Rock.
- This is the only generation: Whose games were all released in the spring in North America, and in the fall in Japan.
- This is the only generation: Where the final evolved form of each of its first partner Pokémon is owned by one Gym Leader or Elite Four member. *** Gardenia has a Torterra, Flint has an Infernape, and Jasmine in HeartGold has an Empoleon.
- This is the only generation: Where no TMs from the previous generation had their move changed.
- This is the only generation: Where held items from the previous generation can be transferred.
- This is the only generation: To not introduce a Dragon specialist.
- This is the first generation to include: Level 1 Pokémon legitimately obtainable in the core series.
- This is the first generation to include: Compatibility with both the generation preceding and following it.
- This is the first generation to include: Mythical Pokémon that are not Psychic.
- If one were to draw lines to connect the three lakes of Sinnoh, they form a big triangle with Mount Coronet at the center. This is the same formation that Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf make on the top of the Spear Pillar with Dialga or Palkia in the middle, as well as the same formation put in areas relating to the Sinnoh myths.
- Only the southern part of the now-Russian island of Sakhalin is referenced in the region. In the 1855 Treaty of Shimoda, Russia and Japan agreed to split the island, with Japan receiving the southern end. While Japan gave Russia full control of Sakhalin in 1875 in exchange for the Kuril Islands, Japan was again given the southern 2/5ths of the island after the Russo-Japanese War in 1905 and would retain control until 1945.
- Sinnoh is the only region of the core series games to not have a notable Dragon expert.
- Sinnoh is the first region of the core series games to contain caves with side-facing entrances. In Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn, all cave portals were front-facing.
Related posts
Generation roundups and guides for the same era.
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