Generation VII & Alola: Pokémon Generation Guide
The seventh generation (Japanese: 第七世代 seventh generation) of Pokémon games, commonly referred to by fans as Generation VII, is the seventh installment of the P
2026-02-09
About Generation VII & Alola
A collector-friendly primer on the games, region, and what they introduced.
The seventh generation (Japanese: 第七世代 seventh generation) of Pokémon games, commonly referred to by fans as Generation VII, is the seventh installment of the Pokémon video game series starting with Sun and Moon, continuing with Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, and ending with Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!. Unlike previous generations, the core series games of the seventh generation were released on two different Nintendo platforms, with the Alola-based games released on the Nintendo 3DS and the Kanto-based games released on the Nintendo Switch. It is the last generation released on the 3DS and the first one on the Switch.
Sun and Moon occurs two years after the events of Black and X and Y. Various characters from previous generations such as: Sina, Dexio, Looker, Anabel, Colress, Red, and Blue make appearances, with many of them looking significantly older than in previous games.
The Alola region (Japanese: アローラ地方 Alola region) is a region of the Pokémon world. It was the seventh core series region to be introduced and is the setting of Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon.
- Region: Alola
- International debut: November 18, 2016
- Main games: Sun and Moon, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
- Pokémon League: Alola League
- Professors: Professor Kukui, Professor Burnet, Samson Oak
- First partners: Rowlet, Litten and Popplio
Games & gameplay highlights
Mechanics that shaped the era, plus a quick history of release.
The seventh generation of Pokémon was announced with the reveal of Sun and Moon on February 27, 2016, the Pokémon 20th Anniversary, through a Pokémon Direct. These are the first pair of games in the generation and were released worldwide on November 18, 2016, except in Europe where they were released on November 23, 2016.
- The second pair of games in this generation, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, were revealed through a Pokémon Direct held on June 6, 2017. The games take place in Alola once again, but with a new story and includes Pokémon that cannot be found in Sun and Moon. The games were released worldwide on November 17, 2017.
- The third and final pair of games, Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, were revealed at the Pokémon 2018 Video Game Press Conference held on May 30, 2018. The games take place in Kanto and are inspired by Yellow. The games were released worldwide on November 16, 2018.
- Pokémon Sun and Moon and Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon can communicate with the application Pokémon Bank, via which Pokémon from the Generation VI games can be received. By way of Poké Transporter, Pokémon Bank can also receive Pokémon from the Generation V games and the Virtual Console releases of the Generation II and Generation I games, from which they can be moved to Generation VII games. Combined with other inter-generational transfer methods, this makes the seventh generation the first generation since Generation II able to communicate with all previous games.
Alola: Geography & lore
Real-world inspiration and the in-game footprint.
According to Shigeru Ohmori, the name "Alola" is meant to incorporate a meaning of a land that overflows with life force and supports various forms of life. Specifically, the name may come from wiktionary:ola (Hawaiian language for "life") and wiktionary:alo (Latin for "to nurture" and "to cultivate") or [https://wehewehe.org/gsdl2.85/cgi-bin/hdict?e=q-11000-00---off-0hdict--00-1----0-10-0---0---0direct-10-ED--4--textpukuielbert%2ctextmamaka-----0-1l--11-haw-Zz-1---Zz-1-home-alo--00-4-1-00-0--4----0-0-11-00-0utfZz-8-00&a=d&d=D1011 ʻalo] (Hawaiian for "to share an experience"). It also resembles the traditional Hawaiian word aloha, where the word serves as a common greeting along with its cultural and spiritual significance in connoting a force that holds together existence such as love, compassion, and kindness. This etymology parallels the use of the region's name as the word used in greeting and parting within the region.
Featured Alola Pokémon
Native species highlights — links to per-species guides.
- Rowlet (#722) — Grass / Flying type
- Dartrix (#723) — Grass / Flying type
- Decidueye (#724) — Grass / Ghost type
- Litten (#725) — Fire type
- Torracat (#726) — Fire type
- Incineroar (#727) — Fire / Dark type
- Popplio (#728) — Water type
- Brionne (#729) — Water type
- Primarina (#730) — Water / Fairy type
- Pikipek (#731) — Normal / Flying type
- Trumbeak (#732) — Normal / Flying type
- Toucannon (#733) — Normal / Flying type
Generation VII trivia
Bulbapedia trivia, lightly cleaned for collectors.
- This is the only generation: To introduce Mythical Pokémon that are part of an evolutionary line.
- This is the only generation: To have three different sets of paired core series games released.
- This is the only generation: Where not all core series games are released exclusively on the same system.
- This is the only generation: Where the 's home in the original games is located on a 1 and not in a city or town.
- This is the only generation: Where the player is the first recognized Champion of a region.
- This is the only generation: To feature a remake of a previous generation that had already been remade in another previous generation.
- This is the only generation: To not introduce a Pokémon with gender differences. *** It did, however, introduce a gender difference for an existing Pokémon, Eevee, for the first time since Generation IV.
- This is the only generation: To not introduce a notable Ice specialist. *** However, Sina, who was introduced in X and Y but couldn't be battled in Generation VI, is revealed to be an Ice-type specialist in Generation VII.
- This is the only generation: To not introduce any new Gym Leaders.
- This is the only generation: To not introduce a Pokémon in the Human-Like Egg Group.
- Alola is the only core series region:
- To have the 's home not be located in a city or town. Instead, it is located on 1.
- To have an Elite Four member change within a single generation.
- To have more than one Burial grounds at once.
Related posts
Generation roundups and guides for the same era.
Cutest Pokémon From Gen VII: Card & Binder IdeasBest Gen VII Pokémon Cards to CollectMost Popular Gen VII PokémonMost Expensive Gen VII Pokémon Cards (TCGPlayer Prices)Rowlet Cards & Binder Ideas (Featuring Dartrix)Dartrix Pokémon Card Guide: Cute Picks, Best Sets, and Collector TipsDecidueye Card Guide: Iconic Prints, Chase Cards, and Display PicksA Collector's Field Notes on Litten Pokémon Cards
Shop these cards in one place
Shop nowReady to buy? Visit The Pink Binder Shop hub for direct links to our latest card listings across marketplaces.
Singles, packs, keychains, and more!