Generation VI

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The name currently in use is a fan designator; see below for more information.

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Reason: Japanese title screens

Generation VI

Logos of Pokémon X and Y

Debut	EN	October 12, 2013
Debut	JA	October 12, 2013
Pokémon		721 (72 new)
Main games		X and Y
Region(s) introduced		Kalos
Other RPGs		Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Contains remakes of		Generation III
Storage games		Bank
Current length	EN	4091 days
Current length	JA	4091 days

The sixth generation^[1] (Japanese: 第６世代 sixth generation,^[2] rendered as 第六世代 among fans) of Pokémon is the sixth installment of the Pokémon video game series, starting with Pokémon X and Y in 2013 and continuing with Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire in 2014. This generation saw the debut of 72 new Pokémon species (for a total of 721), as well as the introduction of the Kalos region and the return of the Hoenn region. For the first time in the core series, the games of the sixth generation are in full 3D and are presented on the Nintendo 3DS.

History

The sixth generation of Pokémon was announced with the reveal of Pokémon X and Y on January 8, 2013. These games were released internationally in October of the same year; the tie-in anime series began airing one week later. Pokémon X and Y continued the established tradition of two paired games with slight variations between the two versions. Between them, these games introduced 70 new Pokémon species, 51 new moves, and 26 new Abilities. New gameplay advances were added, including a new battle mechanic called Mega Evolution. Among other changes, the games' type chart was modified for the first time since Generation II, some twelve years earlier: Ghost- and Dark-type moves now have normal effectiveness against Steel-types and a new Fairy type has been introduced.

The second pairing of games in Generation VI was announced on May 7, 2014. Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, which are remakes of the third-generation Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, were released worldwide for the Nintendo 3DS in November 2014.

The Generation VI games are not isolated from previous iterations and can communicate with the fifth-generation games Black, White, Black 2, and White 2 through an online application known as Pokémon Bank. This feature, which is available for download from the Nintendo eShop, acts primarily as online storage for Pokémon species. It was first launched in Japan on December 25, 2013, although unexpectedly high demand forced it to close and relaunch the following January. International markets received the Pokémon Bank in February 2014. An extension of the Pokémon Bank called the Poké Transporter allows players to send Pokémon from their fifth-generation games to their X and Y cartridges via the cloud. Combining the Poké Transporter with the earlier Pal Park (from Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, and SoulSilver) and Poké Transfer (from Pokémon Black, White, Black 2, and White 2) allows players to transfer Pokémon from Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, and LeafGreen to their sixth-generation games.

In-game continuity

X and Y occur two years after Black and White, thus being contemporaneous with Black 2 and White 2. Looker, who has made appearances in Generation IV and Generation V games, is found in Kalos.

Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire take place at least some years before Black and White, as the Royal Unova is stated to be currently under construction and scheduled to be complete in an unspecified number of years. These games, therefore, also take place some time prior to the events of X and Y; further, if they are contemporaneous with the events of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire it follows that they are also contemporaneous with Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen.

However, the overall continuity between the sixth generation games and those that precede them is not especially clear. In-game dialogue in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire suggests that the sixth generation games might take place in an alternate universe parallel to the universe in which the earlier games are contained. During the Delta Episode at Mossdeep Space Center, Zinnia hints that there might be another version of Hoenn that has not discovered Mega Evolution:

"My people know it. From generation to generation, we pass along the lore about the distortions in the world borne by the Mega Evolution mechanism. And about the existence of another world, which we have long observed to be just like this one and yet not the same... That's right. A Hoenn region that's almost exactly like this one we live in. Filled with Pokémon and people like us. A world where maybe the evolution of Pokémon took a slightly different path, where Mega Evolution is unknown... A world where that war 3,000 years ago...never happened. A world where the ultimate weapon was never even built. And in that Hoenn of that world... What would happen if one day, out of the blue, a meteoroid appeared? What would happen to the people of that world, without the technology to destroy the meteoroid or the power to warp it away? ... Looks like it's beyond the power of your imagination."

Zinnia's comments apparently describe the world of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. The possibility of alternate universes gives some ambiguity to any perceived inter-generational continuity between the first five generations and the sixth; it is worth noting that the existence of alternate dimensions in the Pokemon universe has been explored in previous games, notably the Distortion World of Pokémon Platinum, as well as in the anime and spinoff games.

Advances in gameplay

The advancements introduced in Generation VI include:

The addition of 72 new Pokémon, bringing the total to 721. Only one evolution from a Pokémon featured in a previous generation is found: Sylveon, a new Eevee evolution.
The addition of a new type, the Fairy type, bringing the total to 18. The last time that a new type had been introduced was in Generation II.
The addition of 62 new moves, bringing the total to 621.
The addition of 27 new Abilities, bringing the total to 191.
The games now feature a completely three dimensional environment, as well as a new 3D battle system with 3D models for Pokémon as opposed to 2D sprites.
A new battle mechanic, Mega Evolution, which can only happen during a battle and will wear off once the battle ends. This is only available for certain Pokémon.
Yet another region to explore, the Kalos region, far away from the previous five and based on France.
A new villainous team, Team Flare, whose goal is to make money and create a beautiful world for themselves and eliminate all who don't meet their standards.
The ability for the player to walk in an 8 directional grid as opposed to the 4 directional grid that has been common in all the preceding games.
Three new battle modes:
- A new battle mode called Sky Battles, where only certain Flying-type Pokémon, or those whose Ability is Levitate can participate.
- Another battle mode called Horde Encounters, where multiple wild Pokémon will engage in a battle against one of the player's Pokémon.
- The third format is known as an Inverse Battle, which completely reverses type matchups.
The addition of Super Training, a way to increase a Pokémon's EVs.
The addition of customization for the player, with the ability to choose a variety of outfits to wear at any time.
The new Pokémon Bank, an online Nintendo 3DS application that will allow the storage of up to 3000 Pokémon through the payment of an annual fee.
TMs have been expanded from 95 to 100.

Alterations from Generation V

The abandonment of the Pokémon Musical and the Pokémon World Tournament.
Badges are once again needed in order to use HM field moves.
Dark grass is no longer found.
The abandonment of seasons.
The abandonment of Pokémon outbreaks.
The abandonment of mail and <player name>'s PC.
A change in the types of three moves (Charm, Moonlight and Sweet Kiss). All formerly Normal-type, they are now Fairy-type.
The addition of Fairy as a pure type for Clefairy, Clefable, Cleffa, Togepi, Snubbull and Granbull, primary type for Togetic and Togekiss and secondary type for Jigglypuff, Wigglytuff, Mr. Mime, Igglybuff, Marill, Azumarill, Ralts, Kirlia, Gardevoir, Azurill, Mawile, Mime Jr., Cottonee and Whimsicott.
Twenty-eight Pokémon from earlier generations receive a 10-point increase in one of their base stats. They are Butterfree, Beedrill, Pidgeot, Raichu, Nidoqueen, Nidoking, Clefable, Wigglytuff, Vileplume, Poliwrath, Alakazam, Victreebel, Golem, Ampharos, Bellossom, Azumarill, Jumpluff, Beautifly, Exploud, Staraptor, Roserade, Stoutland, Unfezant, Gigalith, Seismitoad, Leavanny, Scolipede, and Krookodile.
- Pikachu receives a 10-point increase each in two of its base stats.
Pokémon can now evolve after a battle even if they are knocked out or if the player lost.
The abandonment of the footprints in the Pokédex.
Pokémon obtained in Generation VI have a blue pentagon on their summary screen.
The player can no longer register screens, such as Pokédex entries.
The experience formula no longer takes in account difference between Pokémon's levels.
Some Pokémon's classification via body styles is changed, such as Wurmple's.
The type chart has slightly changed from Generation V:

Attacking type	Defending type	Old effectiveness	New effectiveness
Ghost	Steel	Not very effective	Normal effectiveness
Dark	Steel	Not very effective	Normal effectiveness

Further additions in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

Arceus and Genesect forms are now properly recognized in Pokédex.
New Mega Evolutions and addition of Primal Reversion, a related mechanic.
Trainer horde battles are introduced.
The addition of Mirage spots.
The implementation of Soaring.
New moves such as Precipice Blades, Origin Pulse, and Dragon Ascent are introduced, belonging to Groudon, Kyogre, and Rayquaza respectively.
Three new Abilities for Primal Groudon, Primal Kyogre, and Mega Rayquaza, bringing the total to 194.
The reintroduction of Pokémon Contests.

Alterations from Pokémon X and Y

There are now two types of Bikes, reminiscing the fact that bikes were two types in the original Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald: Acro and Mach Bikes.
The Safari Zone goes through a change, where players don't need to go to the Safari with a registered friend on their 3DS.
- Additionally, it lacks the mechanics of a entry fee, step limit, Safari Balls, and the inability to battle Pokémon are removed, making the zone act as a normal route.
Sky battles are no longer restricted to Flying types or Pokémon with the ability Levitate.
The PokéRadar is replaced with the DexNav.

Region

Kalos

Main article: Kalos

The Kalos region was introduced in Pokémon X and Y. This region is geographically isolated and has no close ties with any other region introduced prior to Generation VI.

Starter Pokémon

The starters of the sixth Generation follow the traditional Grass/Fire/Water trio setup. At the beginning of the game, the player must choose between the Grass-type Chespin, the Fire-type Fennekin and the Water-type Froakie.

Gym Leaders

Like the other five regions, Kalos has its own set of eight Gym Leaders who give out unique Badges and TMs after being defeated. Defeating all eight Gym Leaders grants access to the Pokémon League.

Kalos League
Generation VI		Region: Kalos
Gym Leader Japanese	Location Japanese	Type	Badge
Viola ビオラ Viola	Santalune City ハクダンシティ Hakudan City	Bug	Bug Badge
Grant ザクロ Zakuro	Cyllage City ショウヨウシティ Shouyou City	Rock	Cliff Badge
Korrina コルニ Koruni	Shalour City シャラシティ Shara City	Fighting	Rumble Badge
Ramos フクジ Fukuji	Coumarine City ヒヨクシティ Hiyoku City	Grass	Plant Badge
Clemont シトロン Citron	Lumiose City ミアレシティ Miare City	Electric	Voltage Badge
Valerie マーシュ Mache	Laverre City クノエシティ Kunoe City	Fairy	Fairy Badge
Olympia ゴジカ Gojika	Anistar City ヒャッコクシティ Hyakkoku City	Psychic	Psychic Badge
Wulfric ウルップ Urup	Snowbelle City エイセツシティ Eisetsu City	Ice	Iceberg Badge

Hoenn

Main article: Hoenn

Much like Kanto's reappearance in Generations II, III and IV and Johto's reappearance in Generation IV, Hoenn was featured a second time in Generation VI via Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.

Starter Pokémon

Much like the remakes before them, the starters of Hoenn remain the same as they did in Generation III. Professor Birch gives Treecko, Torchic, or Mudkip to the player as thanks for using it to save him from a wild Poochyena.

Gym Leaders

Hoenn's Gym Leaders are the same as they were in Ruby and Sapphire, but with some giving out different TMs than they gave out in Generation III.

Hoenn League
Generation III			Region: Hoenn
Gym Leader Japanese	Location Japanese	Type	Badge
Roxanne ツツジ Tsutsuji	Rustboro City カナズミシティ Kanazumi City	Rock	Stone Badge
Brawly トウキ Tōki	Dewford Town ムロタウン Muro Town	Fighting	Knuckle Badge
Wattson テッセン Tessen	Mauville City キンセツシティ Kinsetsu City	Electric	Dynamo Badge
Flannery アスナ Asuna	Lavaridge Town フエンタウン Fuen Town	Fire	Heat Badge
Norman センリ Senri	Petalburg City トウカシティ Tōka City	Normal	Balance Badge
Winona ナギ Nagi	Fortree City ヒワマキシティ Hiwamaki City	Flying	Feather Badge
Tate and Liza フウとラン Fū and Lan	Mossdeep City トクサネシティ Tokusane City	Psychic	Mind Badge
Wallace ミクリ Mikuri	Sootopolis City ルネシティ Rune City	Water	Rain Badge

Trivia

Generation VI introduced the fewest new Pokémon, with 72; new moves, with 62; and new Abilities, with 27.
Generation VI is the only generation in which:
- Multiple two-stage cat-like evolutionary lines were introduced.
- Only one cross-generational evolutionary relative was introduced.
- Games without the word Version (or its equivalent in that language) in their Western language titles were released.
- Games were released on the same date worldwide.
Generation VI is also the only generation that did not introduce:
- A Water/Flying Pokémon.
- A Bug/Poison Pokémon.
- A Gym Leader or Elite Four member specializing in Ghost-type Pokémon.
- A new type of Poké Ball.
- A department store.
Generation VI relieved restrictions on formatting that were evident in previous generations:
- Player characters' names were limited to 7 characters in previous generations, and Pokémon names and nicknames were limited to 10. Both limits were increased to 12.
- The names of all moves, items and Abilities introduced before Generation VI are no longer limited to 12 characters, including any spaces. Some of these names were re-formatted; for example, Selfdestruct was renamed Self-Destruct.
Generation VI leaves the most extra room in the PC if one captures exactly one of each species of Pokémon, with there being 930 spaces and 719 Pokémon.
Generation VI contains the core games with both the shortest and longest English titles: X and Y have one letter each, whereas Alpha Sapphire has fourteen characters including spaces.