Generation VIII

The subject of this article has no official name.
The name currently in use is a fan designator; see below for more information.

Generation VIII

Title screen of Pokémon Sword

Debut	EN	November 15, 2019
Debut	JA	November 15, 2019
Pokémon		898* (96 new)
Main games		Sword and Shield (Expansion Pass)
Region(s) introduced		Galar
Other RPGs		Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Legends: Arceus
Contains remakes of		Generation IV
Storage games		HOME
Current length	EN	1865 days
Current length	JA	1865 days

The eighth generation (Japanese: 第八世代 eighth generation) of Pokémon games is the eighth installment of the Pokémon video game series. The eighth generation began with Pokémon Sword and Shield and then continued with the Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass DLC packs, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, and Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

Like Generation III and Generation V before it, Generation VIII can be considered something of a "reboot" of the franchise. Released after the remakes of Pokémon Yellow, Generation VIII is the first generation not to include every previously available Pokémon to obtain (despite being on code), 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.

History

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

Since February 11, 2020, Sword and Shield players are able to store their Pokémon and trade with other players in the cloud-based application, Pokémon HOME, released on Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.

Regarding connectivity with previous generations, users of Pokémon HOME can carry forward their Pokémon from Pokémon Bank, Let's Go, Pikachu!, Let's Go, Eevee!, and GO to the application, allowing for a transfer of Pokémon that originate in core series games as early as Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, as well as the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console releases of the Generation I and II games.

On June 17, 2020, The Isle of Armor, the first downloadable content in the Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass, was released, introducing new moves, new abilities, new forms and new Pokémon to Pokémon Sword and Shield.

On October 22, 2020, The Crown Tundra, the second downloadable content in the Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass, was released, introducing new moves, new abilities, new forms and new Pokémon to Pokémon Sword and Shield.

On February 26, 2021, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, remakes of the Generation IV games Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, were announced on that day's Pokémon Presents with a release date of late 2021. Pokémon Legends: Arceus was also announced during same Pokémon Presents, slated to be released in early 2022.

Advances in gameplay

The addition of 81 new Pokémon, bringing the total to 890.
The addition of 54 new moves, bringing the total to 796.
The addition of 25 new Abilities, bringing the total to 258.
A new region to explore, the Galar region, based on the United Kingdom.
A new open area with several landmarks and Pokémon, and connecting several towns, known as the Wild Area.
The addition of Y-Comm, which allows trainers to battle and trade Pokémon locally or online with Nintendo Switch Online.
A new villainous team, Team Yell.
The introductions of the Rotom Phone, which functions as a menu, and the Rotom Bike, an upgraded version of traditional bikes that can grant a speed boost and move on water.
Nineteen new regional forms (including two for two different forms of a Pokémon), now including Pokémon from Generations II, III, and V as bases, and being the first generation to have forms from multiple generations.
- In addition, the introduction of cross-generational evolutions exclusive to regional forms.
The introduction of 70 new forms for Alcremie, the most forms a Pokémon has ever had.
Similarly, the introduction of several other new forms.
Many animations for characters and Pokémon are refined and expanded to be more expressive.
Ten new Gyms, four of which have different type specialties depending on which version the player has, as well as introducing the first Gym that specializes in Dark-type Pokémon.
Ten new Gym Leaders, including the first Dark-type leader. It also introduced a former Champion who was previously a Fighting-type Gym Leader.
A new battle mechanic, Dynamax, which increases the size of a Pokémon and allows them to use Max Moves for three turns. Gigantamax expands on this mechanic by also changing a Pokémon's form and turning moves of a certain type into G-Max Moves.
The introduction of downloadable content in the form of the Sword and Shield Expansion Pass.
The introduction of cosmetic marks and titles.

Alterations from Generation VII

Pokémon that are not programmed into a game's current patch cannot be transferred into it.
Many moves from earlier games cannot be used in Sword and Shield.
The Town Map is now a part of the menu, and the player can use the replacement for Poké Ride Charizard Glide, Flying Taxi, when they registered for the gym challenge.
The abandonment of the following elements:
- The Moss Rock, Ice Rock, and special magnetic field.
  - Due to this, the evolution methods of certain Pokémon are changed; those Pokémon now evolve by using an Evolution stone, including Eevee into Leafeon or Glaceon and Charjabug into Vikavolt.
- Trial Captain
- Totem Pokémon
- Island Kahunas
- Battle Royal
- SOS Battle
- Mega Evolution
- Primal Reversion
- Z-Moves
- Rotom Powers
- Berry Growth
- Island Scan
The Island challenge has been replaced by the Gym Challenge.
The Elite Four is replaced by the Champion Cup.
Poké Pelago is replaced by Poké Jobs.
Pokémon Refresh is replaced by Pokémon Camp.
Trainer Cards are replaced by League Cards.
12 Pokémon from the previous generations receive new egg groups.
2 Pokémon receive new abilities.
Repels no longer prevent symbol encounters from appearing.
Nicknames can only be changed by its original trainer again.
Wild Pokémon in the overworld can no longer appear shiny.

Further additions in game updates

Version 1.1.0

Introduced Galarian Slowpoke.

The Isle of Armor (Version 1.2.0)

The addition of:
- Three new Pokémon (the Legendary Pokémon Kubfu, Urshifu and the Mythical Pokémon Zarude), bringing the total to 893.
- A new area to explore, the Isle of Armor based on the Isle of Man.
- 22 new moves, some available exclusively as tutor moves, bringing the total to 818.
- Two new Abilities, Quick Draw and Unseen Fist, bringing the total to 260.
- Seven new Gigantamax forms, bringing the total to 32.
- Max Soup, which allows the player to add or remove the Gigantamax Factor to Pokémon they own.
The introduction of the regional form for Slowbro.
The return of:
- 102 previously unavailable Pokémon, bringing the overall total to 540.
- Apricorns, which can be used to make Poké Balls.
- 13 previously unavailable and unusuable moves.

The Crown Tundra (Version 1.3.0)

The addition of:
- Five new Legendary Pokémon (Calyrex, Regieleki, Regidrago, Glastrier and Spectrier), bringing the total to 898.
- A new area to explore, the Crown Tundra, based on Scotland.
- Eight new moves (Thunder Cage, Dragon Energy, Freezing Glare, Fiery Wrath, Thunderous Kick, Glacial Lance, Astral Barrage, and Eerie Spell) bringing the total to 826.
- Seven new Abilities (Curious Medicine, Transistor, Dragon's Maw, Chilling Neigh, Grim Neigh, and As One (which is two different abilities)) bringing the total to 267.
The introduction of the regional forms for Slowking, Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres.
The introduction of Dynamax Adventures.
The introduction of the Galarian Star Tournament.
The return of:
- 119 previously unavailable Pokémon, bringing the overall total to 664.
- 26 previously unavailable and unusable moves.

Region

Galar

Main article: Galar

The Galar region was introduced in Pokémon Sword and Shield. This region appears to be a sprawling continent with a wide range of environments.

Starter Pokémon

The starters of the eighth generation, like the starters of the previous seven regions, follow the Grass-Fire-Water trio, with Grookey the Grass-type, Scorbunny the Fire-type, and Sobble the Water-type.

Grookey		Scorbunny		Sobble
Grass		Fire		Water
	Thwackey		Raboot		Drizzile
Grass		Fire		Water
	Rillaboom		Cinderace		Inteleon
Grass		Fire		Water

Gym Leaders

In Galar, most Gym Leaders are challenged in special stadium-style Gyms built on Power Spots that facilitate the use of Dynamax.

Galar League
Generation VIII				Region: Galar
Gym Leader Japanese		Location Japanese	Type		Badge
Milo ヤロー Yarrow		Turffield ターフタウン Turf Town	Grass		Grass Badge
Nessa ルリナ Rurina		Hulbury バウタウン Bow Town	Water		Water Badge
Kabu カブ Kabu		Motostoke エンジンシティ Engine City	Fire		Fire Badge
Bea サイトウ Saitō^Sw	Allister オニオン Onion^Sh	Stow-on-Side ラテラルタウン Lateral Town	Fighting	Ghost	Fighting Badge	Ghost Badge
Opal ポプラ Poplar	Bede ビート Beet	Ballonlea アラベスクタウン Arabesque Town	Fairy		Fairy Badge
Gordie マクワ Makuwa^Sw	Melony メロン Melon^Sh	Circhester キルクスタウン Circus Town	Rock	Ice	Rock Badge	Ice Badge
Piers ネズ Nezu	Marnie マリィ Mary	Spikemuth スパイクタウン Spike Town	Dark		Dark Badge
Raihan キバナ Kibana		Hammerlocke ナックルシティ Knuckle City	Dragon		Dragon Badge

Sinnoh

Main article: Sinnoh

Sinnoh was featured in Generation VIII in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, which are remakes of the Generation IV games Diamond and Pearl. The region is also featured in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

Starter Pokémon

The starters of Sinnoh are the same from Generation IV, being Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup

Turtwig		Chimchar		Piplup
Grass		Fire		Water
	Grotle		Monferno		Prinplup
Grass		Fire	Fighting	Water
	Torterra		Infernape		Empoleon
Grass	Ground	Fire	Fighting	Water	Steel

The second starters of Sinnoh during the ancient past are given by a traveling Pokémon Professor, being Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott

Rowlet		Cyndaquil		Oshawott
Grass	Flying	Fire		Water
	Dartrix		Quilava		Dewott
Grass	Flying	Fire		Water
	Decidueye		Typhlosion		Samurott
Grass	Ghost	Fire		Water

Gym Leaders

Sinnoh League
Generation IV		Region: Sinnoh
Gym Leader Japanese	Location Japanese	Type	Badge
Roark ヒョウタ Hyouta	Oreburgh City クロガネシティ Kurogane City	Rock	Coal Badge
Gardenia ナタネ Natane	Eterna City ハクタイシティ Hakutai City	Grass	Forest Badge
Maylene スモモ Sumomo	Veilstone City トバリシティ Tobari City	Fighting	Cobble Badge
Crasher Wake マキシマム仮面 Maximum Mask	Pastoria City ノモセシティ Nomose City	Water	Fen Badge
Fantina メリッサ Melissa	Hearthome City ヨスガシティ Yosuga City	Ghost	Relic Badge
Byron トウガン Tougan	Canalave City ミオシティ Mio City	Steel	Mine Badge
Candice スズナ Suzuna	Snowpoint City キッサキシティ Kissaki City	Ice	Icicle Badge
Volkner デンジ Denzi	Sunyshore City ナギサシティ Nagisa City	Electric	Beacon Badge

Title screens

This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Shield title screens, Japanese Sword Champion title screen

English title screens

Pokémon Sword

Pokémon Sword
(After defeating Leon)

Japanese title screens

Pokémon Sword

Trivia

Generation VIII is the first generation:
- To have a Mythical Pokémon as a game mascot for a core series game.
- To not have the mascot Legendary Pokémon appear in the title screen.
- To not have the region's Pokémon Professor introduce the world of Pokémon to the player. Instead the role was done by Rose.
  - The choosing of the player's gender and appearance as soon as you start up the game, rather than having the Pokémon Professor ask for it.
- To have a Pokémon Professor be a colleague to one from a spinoff game.
- To not have its main paired releases compatible with the entirety of the Pokémon species and moves existing as of its release.
- To introduce Fossil Pokémon that are genderless, cannot breed, and are not Rock-type.
  - Unlike other fossil Pokémon, they can be restored using two different fossils and they are caught in the wild.
- To not introduce a Normal/Flying-type Pokémon.
- To introduce a non-Legendary pure Flying-type Pokémon.
- To not introduce a Pokémon with Flying as its secondary type.
- To introduce a Gym Leader specializing in Dark-type Pokémon.
- To not introduce any dual-typed evolved forms of starter Pokémon since Generation II.
- To lower the base stat total of a pre-existing Pokémon.
- Where Pokémon can no longer lose access to moves by evolving.
- To put old Pokémon in new Egg Groups.
- To have paid DLC for its main paired releases.
- To have no Pokémon that appear in the anime before its start.
- To introduce new members to an existing trio.
- To introduce no new Mythical Pokémon at the time of its debut.