Side series

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Get it? Because the name is unknown. The subject of this article has no official name.
The name currently in use is a fan designator; see below for more information.

The side series of Pokémon games is a fan designation of games that either share marked gameplay similarities or heavily rely on direct interaction and connectivity with the core series games.

Overview

Side series games serve as extensions of the core series, often allowing players to transfer caught Pokémon to and from their corresponding core series titles or obtain other significant rewards or bonuses, enhancing connectivity and continuity between different game entries. While some spin-off games occasionally offer limited rewards, including items that allow the ability to obtain certain Pokémon in the core games, they lack the gameplay similarities and interconnectivity that are distinct to the side series.

A notable example of a side series game is Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, a role-playing game released for the Nintendo GameCube. While Gale of Darkness is not the only representative of side series games, it serves as an illustration of the connectivity feature. In this game, players have the option to transfer Pokémon they have caught and nurtured in the Orre region directly to Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire games on the Game Boy Advance console.

This integration between side series and core series games presents a unique opportunity for players to seamlessly continue their Pokémon adventures across different game environments. By bridging the gap between these game types, players can maintain a consistent Pokémon collection and progress their gameplay experiences. Such connectivity reinforces the interconnected nature of the Pokémon gaming universe and offers a deeper level of engagement for players seeking an expanded Pokémon journey.

Note that while Pokémon GO is a closely related game to the core series, it is largely an independent experience with its own gameplay and data that does not rely on connection with the main games to be enjoyed. Connectivity between Pokémon GO and certain core series games does allow the ability to obtain certain rewards, Pokémon, and forms, and Pokémon from Pokémon GO can be transferred to the core series; however, Pokémon cannot be transferred from the core series and stored within Pokémon GO. For these reasons, Pokémon GO is not considered a side series title.

Connectivity

Each of the side series games allow players to transfer their Pokémon and items to and from the core series or receive Pokémon and items to bring back to core series games:

List of side series games

Gen Game Platform Release Date
I ポケモンスタジアム
Pokémon Stadium

Stadium 1 JP boxart.png

Nintendo 64
August 1, 1998
Japan
Pokémon Stadium

Stadium EN boxart.jpg

Nintendo 64
April 30, 1999*
Japan
February 29, 2000
North American
March 23, 2000
Australia
April 7, 2000
Europe
Nintendo Switch Online

2023
Worldwide
II Pokémon Stadium 2

Stadium 2 EN boxart.jpg

Nintendo 64
December 14, 2000*
Japan
March 26, 2001
North American
2001
Australia
October 10, 2001
Europe
Nintendo Switch Online

2023
Worldwide
III Pokémon Box Ruby & Sapphire

Box RS EN boxart.png

Nintendo GameCube Logo.png
May 30, 2003
Japan
July 11, 2004
North American
July 16, 2004
Australia
May 14, 2004
Europe
Pokémon Colosseum

Colosseum EN boxart.png

Nintendo GameCube Logo.png
November 21, 2003
Japan
March 22, 2004
North American
June 24, 2004
Australia
May 14, 2004
Europe
Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness

XD EN boxart.jpg

Nintendo GameCube Logo.png
August 4, 2005
Japan
October 3, 2005
North American
November 10, 2005
Australia
November 18, 2005
Europe
IV Pokémon Battle Revolution

Battle Revolution EN boxart.jpg

Wii
December 14, 2006
Japan
June 25, 2007
North America
November 22, 2007
Australia
December 7, 2007
Europe
July 12, 2008
Taiwan
My Pokémon Ranch

MPR-EN logo.png

Wii
March 25, 2008
Japan
June 9, 2008
North America
July 4, 2008
Australia & Europe
Pokéwalker

Pokewalker.png

Self-contained
September 12, 2009
Japan
March 14, 2010
North America
March 25, 2010
Australia
July 4, 2008
April 2, 2010*
Europe
February 4, 2010
South Korea
V Pokémon Dream World

Pokémon Dream World logo.png

Web

Permanent Shutdown
January 14, 2014
Worldwide
Initial launch
September 18, 2010

Second launch
October 13, 2010
Japan

April 13, 2011
Worldwide
Pokémon Dream Radar

Pokémon Dream Radar logo EN.png

Nintendo 3DS
Nintendo eShop
June 23, 2012
Japan
October 7, 2012
North America
October 11, 2012
Australia
October 12, 2012
Europe
November 8, 2012
South Korea
VI Pokémon Bank & Poké Transporter

Pokémon Bank logo.png
Poké Transporter logo.png

Nintendo 3DS
Nintendo eShop
Initial launch
December 25, 2013

Second launch
January 22, 2014
Japan, South Korea,
Taiwan, & Hong Kong

VII February 4, 2014

Europe, Australia,
& New Zealand

February 5, 2014
The Americas
VII Pokémon HOME

Pokémon HOME logo.png

Nintendo Switch Logo.png
Nintendo eShop logo.png

iOS

Android
February 12, 2020
Worldwide
VIII
IX

See also


Project Sidegames logo.png This article is part of both Project Sidegames and Project Fandom, Bulbapedia projects that, together, aim to write comprehensive articles on side games in relation to the fandom. Project Fandom logo.png