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Generation VIII & Galar: Pokémon Generation Guide

The eighth generation (Japanese: 第八世代 eighth generation) of Pokémon games, commonly referred to by fans as Generation VIII, is the eighth installment of the Pok

2026-02-08

Gen VIIIGenerations Guide

About Generation VIII & Galar

A collector-friendly primer on the games, region, and what they introduced.

The eighth generation (Japanese: 第八世代 eighth generation) of Pokémon games, commonly referred to by fans as Generation VIII, is the eighth installment of the Pokémon video game series. The eighth generation began with Sword and Shield and then continued with the Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass DLC packs, followed by Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, and concluded with Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

Generation VIII is the first generation whose games do not include every previously available Pokémon to obtain, the first generation to include paid DLC in lieu of an additional game, and the first to be released entirely on a home console system, the Nintendo Switch.

The Galar region (Japanese: ガラル地方 Galar region) is a region of the Pokémon world, and the eighth core series region to be introduced. It is the setting of Sword and Shield.

  • Region: Galar
  • New Pokémon: 905
  • International debut: November 15, 2019
  • Main games: Sword and Shield (Expansion Pass) Legends: Arceus
  • Pokémon League: Galar League
  • Professors: Professor Magnolia, Professor Sonia
  • First partners: Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble

Games & gameplay highlights

Mechanics that shaped the era, plus a quick history of release.

The eighth generation of Pokémon was announced with the reveal of Sword and Shield on February 27, 2019 through a Pokémon Direct. These games were released worldwide on November 15, 2019.

  • Since February 11, 2020, players have been able to store their Pokémon and trade with other players in the cloud-based application Pokémon HOME.
  • In the Pokémon Direct presentation on January 9, 2020, the Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass was announced, paid DLC for Pokémon Sword and Shield introducing new content to the games. Its first part, The Isle of Armor, was released on June 17, 2020, while its second part, The Crown Tundra, was released on October 22, 2020. Physical bundles of each game with its expansion pass were announced on September 29, 2020 and released on November 6, 2020.
  • On the 25th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise, a Pokémon Presents presentation on February 27, 2021 was held, where Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, remakes of the Generation IV games Diamond and Pearl, were announced, and they were released on November 19, 2021 worldwide. Pokémon Legends: Arceus was also announced during the same Pokémon Presents, and was released on January 28, 2022 worldwide.

Galar: Geography & lore

Real-world inspiration and the in-game footprint.

Galar may involve the word Festival (a special public celebration). In British English, gala also denotes "sports competition" (seen in usage with swimming gala), relating to the theme of sports in the region. It may also involve the word gallant (heroic; chivalrous), a word that is also etymologically related to gala.

The Galar region is an expansive region, including varied environments such as idyllic countrysides, contemporary cities, and snow-covered mountains. Galar comprises a long mainland area as well as an outlying island area, the Isle of Armor, east of the mainland.

Featured Galar Pokémon

Native species highlights — links to per-species guides.

  • Grookey (#810) — Grass type
  • Thwackey (#811) — Grass type
  • Rillaboom (#812) — Grass type
  • Scorbunny (#813) — Fire type
  • Raboot (#814) — Fire type
  • Cinderace (#815) — Fire type
  • Sobble (#816) — Water type
  • Drizzile (#817) — Water type
  • Inteleon (#818) — Water type
  • Skwovet (#819) — Normal type
  • Greedent (#820) — Normal type
  • Rookidee (#821) — Flying type

Generation VIII trivia

Bulbapedia trivia, lightly cleaned for collectors.

  • This is the only generation: To introduce a non-Legendary pure Flying-type Pokémon.
  • This is the only generation: To not introduce a Normal-type Pokémon.
  • This is the only generation: To introduce a Gym Leader specializing in Dark Pokémon.
  • This is the only generation: To not introduce any Elite Four members.
  • This is the only generation: To feature a remake of a spin-off game, namely Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX.
  • This is the only generation: To introduce Fossil Pokémon that are gender unknown, cannot breed, and are not Rock.
  • This is the only generation: To include core series games that are not developed by Game Freak, namely Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
  • This is the only generation: To have its last core series game be released in the same calendar year as the release of the succeeding generation.
  • This is the only generation: In which the last Pokémon in the National Pokédex is not a Mythical Pokémon by the end of the generation.
  • This is the only generation: To feature a previous region in two different games—being Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl and Pokémon Legends: Arceus—although Sinnoh was known as Hisui during the events in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. **To not feature Mega Evolution in any capacity in the generation's core series games since the introduction of the mechanic.
  • Galar is the only core series region to:
  • A similar role is fulfilled by the Champion Cup.
  • Contain a single landmass with a map that does not fit on a single screen. Previous regions with maps spanning multiple screens either contained or were archipelagos.
  • Introduce four fossils, the most of any region so far. *

Related posts

Generation roundups and guides for the same era.

Cutest Pokémon From Gen VIII: Card & Binder IdeasBest Gen VIII Pokémon Cards to CollectMost Popular Gen VIII PokémonGrookey Card Collection: Your 🐒 Monkeys, Chimps & Apes Binder ChecklistThwackey Pokémon Card Guide: Cute Picks, Best Sets, and Collector TipsHow to Collect Rillaboom Cards: Standout Art, Sets, and FavoritesHow to Collect Scorbunny Cards: Standout Art, Sets, and FavoritesRaboot Cards & Binder Ideas (Featuring Cinderace)

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