Side series
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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:
- Pokémon Stadium: Allows players to transfer their Pokémon from the Generation I core series games to battle in 3D.
- Pokémon Stadium 2: Allows players to transfer their Pokémon from the Generation I and Generation II core series games to battle in 3D.
- Pokémon Box Ruby & Sapphire: Allows players to store their Pokémon from the Generation III core series games.
- Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness: Can trade Pokémon with the Generation III core series games.
- Pokémon Battle Revolution: Allows players to transfer their Pokémon from the Generation IV core series games to battle in 3D.
- My Pokémon Ranch: Allows players to store their Pokémon from Pokémon Diamond and Pearl (and from Pokémon Platinum in Japan).
- Pokéwalker: Allows players to store their Pokémon from Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver to gain experience by walking. Additionally, Pokémon caught in the Pokéwalker can be transferred to Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver.
- Pokémon Dream World: Allows players to send Pokémon caught in this game to the Generation V core series games.
- Pokémon Dream Radar: Allows players to send Pokémon caught in this game to Pokémon Black 2 and White 2.
- Poké Transporter: Allows players to transfer their Pokémon from the Generation V games, and the Generation I and II games on Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console, to Pokémon Bank.
- Pokémon Bank: Allows players to store their Pokémon from Generation VI and Generation VII core series games.
- Pokémon HOME: Allows players to store their Pokémon from core series Nintendo Switch games, and can also receive transferred Pokémon from Pokémon Bank and Pokémon GO.
List of side series games
| Gen | Game | Platform | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | ポケモンスタジアム Pokémon Stadium
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August 1, 1998 Japan |
| Pokémon Stadium
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April 30, 1999* Japan | |
| February 29, 2000 North American | |||
| March 23, 2000 Australia | |||
| April 7, 2000 Europe | |||
 |
2023 Worldwide | ||
| II | Pokémon Stadium 2
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December 14, 2000* Japan |
| March 26, 2001 North American | |||
| 2001 Australia | |||
| October 10, 2001 Europe | |||
|
2023 Worldwide | ||
| III | Pokémon Box Ruby & Sapphire
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 |
May 30, 2003 Japan |
| July 11, 2004 North American | |||
| July 16, 2004 Australia | |||
| May 14, 2004 Europe | |||
| Pokémon Colosseum
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November 21, 2003 Japan | |
| March 22, 2004 North American | |||
| June 24, 2004 Australia | |||
| May 14, 2004 Europe | |||
| Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness
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August 4, 2005 Japan | |
| October 3, 2005 North American | |||
| November 10, 2005 Australia | |||
| November 18, 2005 Europe | |||
| IV | Pokémon Battle Revolution
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December 14, 2006 Japan |
| June 25, 2007 North America | |||
| November 22, 2007 Australia | |||
| December 7, 2007 Europe | |||
| July 12, 2008 Taiwan | |||
| My Pokémon Ranch
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March 25, 2008 Japan | |
| June 9, 2008 North America | |||
| July 4, 2008 Australia & Europe | |||
| Pokéwalker
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Self-contained
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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
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Web Permanent Shutdown January 14, 2014 Worldwide |
Initial launch September 18, 2010 Second launch |
| April 13, 2011 Worldwide | |||
| Pokémon Dream Radar
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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
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Initial launch December 25, 2013 Second launch |
| VII | February 4, 2014 Europe, Australia, | ||
| February 5, 2014 The Americas | |||
| VII | Pokémon HOME
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   |
February 12, 2020 Worldwide |
| VIII | |||
| IX |
See also
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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. | 
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