Starters have been a staple in every mainline Pokemon game, regardless of generation, and this list will count down all of them from the series’ inception.
The Pokemon franchise has been going strong for over two decades. Every few years, the series explores new regions filled with new characters, Pokemon, and most importantly, starters for players to choose from. However, as the generations stack up, some players might find themselves overwhelmed by the number of available Pokemon while forgetting which are starters.
To ensure this doesn’t happen, here’s a list of every Pokemon starter from the original Kanto Three to the latest trio.
Table of contents
- Generation 1: Kanto starters
- Pokemon Yellow starters – Pikachu
- Pokemon Generation 2: Johto starters
- Generation 3: Hoenn starters
- Pokemon Colosseum starters – Espeon, Umbreon
- Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness starter – Eevee
- Generation 4: Sinnoh starters
- Generation 5: Unova starters
- Generation 6: Kalos starters
- Generation 7: Alola starters
- Generation 8: Galar and Hisui starters
- Pokemon Legends: Arceus starters – Rowlet, Oshawott, Cyndaquil
- Generation 9: Paldea starters
Generation 1: Kanto starters
Fittingly, the first entry on this list goes to the first region and Pokemon generation; Kanto. Being the one that started it all, it has the most iconic bunch of starters in the game.
The full list of generation-one starters includes the following:
- Bulbasaur
- Charmander
- Squirtle
- Pikachu
Pokemon Red & Blue starters – Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle
The original Kanto Three stand as one of the most difficult choices in gaming history. Should the player go for Charmander, the fire type who evolves into the fan-favorite Charizard, who’s totally not a dragon type? Or Squirtle, the cute water-type turtle who grows up to become the cool Blastoise?
Then there’s Bulbasaur, the starter so many tend to overlook. With strategic status moves like Poison Powder and Stun Spore coupled with powerhouse moves like Giga Drain and Solarbeam, the fully-evolved Venusaur is a force to be reckoned with. After all, it’s one of the popular picks for players who try Nuzlockes and is arguably the most powerful of the three for competitive battling.
Pokemon Yellow starters – Pikachu
Those who played Pokemon Yellow instead of Red or Blue didn’t have to choose between three starters, as Pikachu was the only one players could get. Being the main mascot character of the series since its inception, Pikachu’s electrifying moves and iconic stature made players feel like Ash Ketchum. The game modeled itself after the anime, adding in Team Rocket’s Jessie and James and a graphical overhaul.
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The good news is that Pokemon Yellow also gave players the ability to get all three of the Red and Blue starters. This made it much easier to flesh out the party with fire, water, and grass Pokemon.
Pokemon Generation 2: Johto starters
Up next is the second region, Johto. First introduced in 1999, players filled the shoes of a new protagonist as they explored a new area. It is notable on a few different fronts, as a direct sequel to Red and Blue and the introduction point for both the steel and dark types. Here’s the lineup of starters for gen-two:
- Chikorita
- Totodile
- Cyndaquil
Pokemon Gold, Silver & Crystal starters – Chikorita, Totodile, Cyndaquil
While not nearly as iconic as the Kanto trio, the three Johto starters are excellent Pokemon in their own right. Totodile and Cyndaquil may be cute and cuddly in their first forms, but they become ferocious after evolving into Feraligatr and Typhlosion, respectively.
While the Grass-type Chikorita was often overlooked in this region, it isn’t much of a surprise. Meganium may be a strong Pokemon, but many think it’s its worst fully evolved starter Pokemon in the franchise.
Generation 3: Hoenn starters
Generation 3 is where things started taking a turn for the franchise, with a much larger Pokedex, better graphics, and the introduction of multiple spin-off games. Pokemon was at the top of its game around this time, and the starters reflect that. Here’s the full lineup of gen-three starter Pokemon:
- Torchic
- Mudkip
- Treecko
- Espeon
- Umbreon
- Eevee
Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald starters – Torchic, Mudkip, Treecko
The Hoenn starters are the first trio where fans unanimously agree there’s no weak link. The small fire chick Pokemon Torchic evolved into what would be the first of many Fire-Fighting starters. At the same time, Mudkip utilizes water and ground in its later forms to destroy Electric-type Pokemon.
Treecko might be a Grass-type only, but makes up for it with its iconic look. It helps that this Pokemon and its evolution forms played big roles in the anime and spin-off games, specifically Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky.
Pokemon Colosseum starters – Espeon, Umbreon
While Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness gave players Eevee as a starter and let them evolve the little critter into whatever form they wanted, Pokemon Colosseum narrowed the options to two. Espeon and Umbreon, the Psychic and Dark type evolutions of Eevee respectively were the starters of the 2004 game.
Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness starter – Eevee
Eevee needs no introduction as it’s the Pokemon with the most evolutions. Eeveelutions like Jolteon, Vaporeon, and Glaceon are fan favorites, as the little brown creature lets players choose their favorite form.
Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, a sequel to Pokémon Colosseum on the Nintendo GameCube, is one of the most iconic Pokemon spin-off games, and Eevee headlines it as the game’s only starter Pokemon.
Generation 4: Sinnoh starters
Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum were the starting points for many long-time fans of the series, and there’s no surprise why. The Sinnoh section of the anime is arguably the most beloved set of seasons, and the games introduced several mechanics players can see in modern Pokemon games, which is why it spawned so many ROM hacks.
The full list of generation-four starters includes the following:
- Chimchar
- Turtwig
- Piplup
Pokemon Diamond, Pearl & Platinum starters – Chimchar, Turtwig, Piplup
Like the Hoenn starters, the Sinnoh starters didn’t have any obvious weak links. Chimchar is the fan-favorite, with his devastating fire moves and iconic Infernape evolution. It also stood as the obvious choice, due to the lack of other fire-type Pokemon. The other two Sinnoh starters aren’t anything to scoff at, though.
The penguin Pokemon Piplup may start as a cute blue creature but it grows into the epic Water-Steel Emperor Penguin. Turtwig, on the other hand, is very similar to Bulbasaur. While it’s the least popular of the three, moves like Mega Drain and Earthquake can make quick work of most enemies once Turtwig evolves into Torterra.
Generation 5: Unova starters
Generation 5 is where many longtime fans started falling off the series. Paradoxically, Pokemon Black and White and sequels Black 2 and White 2 are still considered some of the best games of the DS generation, with many dubbing them the best Pokemon games ever. Below is a list of the generation-five starters.
- Snivy
- Tepig
- Oshawott
Pokemon Black, White, Black 2 & White 2 starters – Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott
Snivy, Tepic, and Oshowott may have charming first forms, but their fully evolved forms are where they might have dropped the ball. Serperior loses all its arms and legs, while Emboar is another fire-fighting type. Samurott stands out as the only fully evolved starter with a good design, although most wouldn’t add it as their favorite water type.
Generation 6: Kalos starters
While Generation 5 lost some longtime fans, Generation 6 brought on another generation of fans, largely thanks to the successful Kalos anime and the 3D renaissance brought on by the Nintendo 3DS. With excellent fights like Ash’s Greninja vs Alain’s Mega Charizard X, the anime season was one to remember.
Here’s a list of all the gen-six starter Pokemon:
- Chespin
- Froakie
- Fennekin
Pokemon X & Y starters – Chespin, Froakie, Fennekin
The Kalos starters were the first time most fans unanimously agreed which Pokemon was the best starter. While Fennekin and Chespin aren’t bad, even if some dislike Fennekin’s final evolution Delphox, Froakie eventually evolves into Greninja. Greninja is easily considered one of the best starters in the entire series thanks to its design, stats, and role in the anime.
It’s also one of the most recognizable Pokemon outside of the fandom. It was added to the Super Smash Bros 4 roster as the sole new character from the Pokemon franchise.
Generation 7: Alola starters
Alola was a breath of fresh air as it took players to a more tropical setting. However, in terms of starters, this generation was rather controversial, as fans were split. The first half loved the Alolan trio while the second half thinks their designs left much to be desired.
The games themselves were much the same. Some loved the comparatively serious story and the introduction of regional variants. Others griped over the relative lack of new content in the jump from Sun and Moon to their Ultra successors.
Here’s a list for every Gen-7 starter Pokemon.
- Rowlet
- Popplio
- Litten
- Eevee
- Pikachu
Pokemon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon starters – Rowlet, Popplio, Litten
Rowlet is a charming owl who uses leaves as a bowtie, Litten is a cool fire cat who spits flaming hairballs, while Popplio is, well, a clown. Two of the Alolan starters shine when they’re fully evolved, as many fans love Decidueye and Incineroar, the grass and fire starters respectively.However, the water starter Primarina has fans divided, mostly thanks to the substantial differences between the three forms.
That difference in popularity is seen outside the mainline Pokemon games. Incineroar was added to the roster in Super Smash Bros Ultimate, while Decidueye was added to Pokken Tournament DX and was an early addition to Pokemon Unite.
Pokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu & Let’s Go, Eevee starters – Pikachu, Eevee
Generation 7 also gave players a blast from the past with a return to the Kanto region. Instead of letting players pick between the regular Kanto starters, Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu and Let’s Go Eevee give their titular Pokemon as the starter. Officially speaking, these games are remakes of Pokemon Yellow, but they feature plenty of additions including Pokemon GO compatibility, the addition of Sun and Moon’s regional variants, Mega Evolution, and more.
Generation 8: Galar and Hisui starters
Pokemon Sword and Shield faced much controversy due to the technical shortcomings of the Nintendo Switch and their inability to work within those confines. In terms of starters, Pokemon played it safe by giving the Galar trio single typings and simple but charming designs.
The full list of generation-eight starters includes the following:
- Grookey
- Sobble
- Scorbunny
- Rowlet
- Oshawott
- Cyndaquil
Pokemon Sword & Shield starters – Grookey, Sobble, Scorbunny
Grookey, Sobble, and Scorbunny are fondly remembered. The Galar trio all had one typing, something fans were divided on as it made things simple but also ensured there wasn’t yet another Fire/Fighting starter.
The third form of every starter looks good. Inteleon is the odd one out as it looks completely different from the initial Sobblre. Rillaboom and Cinderace are generally well-liked by fans thanks to their strength and speed.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus starters – Rowlet, Oshawott, Cyndaquil
The Galar region wasn’t the only place Generation 8 explored. It also brought fans to a much older version of Sinnoh called Hisui. While the gameplay of Pokemon Legends: Arceus was significantly different from past games, the same couldn’t be said for the game’s starters.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus lets players pick between Rowlet, Oshawott, and Cyndaquil as their starters, three starters picked from different regions in the series. Notably, every starter has a Hisuin variant of their fully evolved form, a first in the series.
Generation 9: Paldea starters
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are two of the most popular Pokemon games, with a captivating story players praise and The Indigo Disk DLC. While it also faced some controversy for performance issues and bugs, the starters are generally well-liked.
The complete list of Generation-9 starters includes the following:
- Sprigatito
- Quaxly
- Fuecoco
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet starters – Sprigatito, Quaxly, Fuecoco
By far the fan-favorite of the Paldea starters is Sprigatito, the Grass-type cat Pokemon. However, Quaxly and Fuecoco aren’t too behind either. Based on stats and type advantages. Fuecoco is arguably the strongest pick, at least for the early game. With good stats and memorable evolution lines, Nintendo seems to be on the right track when it comes to starters.
