Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Pokemon Legends: Arceus is the series’ first major attempt at making a game that helps players see the Pokemon world in a different light in years. Not only does it take advantage of expectations for modern Pokemon games by offering an open-world experience not too different from Breath of the Wild, it also provides additional characterization for a region that has not been seen since its debut in 2006's Pokemon Diamond and Pearl. Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl might have reintroduced the Sinnoh region to younger players late last year, but Legends: Arceus rewards older fans’ appreciation for the world with the newfound lore.

Another thing that separates Legends: Arceus from other Pokemon games is its proximity to the mainline series before this, aside from its gameplay. This adventure is not only about revisiting older characters and their history, it is also about integrating mainline mechanics into a kind of spin-off setting, tying both aspects of the franchise together. While Pokemon Legends: Arceus remains a spin-off at its very core, when compared to most mainline entries, it aims to familiarize itself for people used to the traditional Pokemon format. The presence of a Pokedex is one of the ways the game commits itself to that kind of strategy, although the game does limit how big a net it casts.

The Absence of Most Pokemon

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Legends: Arceus has a Pokedex, but its Pokedex is small even for the standards of mainline regional Pokedexes. The game has a smaller roster of Pokemon than the original Gold and Silver. As a result, it excludes most of the eponymous monsters that current games in the series offer. Due to Legends: Arceus’ connections with Sinnoh, players can encounter most Pokemon that are found in the original Sinnoh regional Pokedex, including all of its Legendary Pokemon. Due to the game’s small roster, said Pokemon in the Sinnoh Pokedex make up most of what Legends: Arceus has to offer.

Kanto Region Pokemon Not Available in Pokemon Legends: Arceus

pokemon anime kanto starters warming themselves by charmander's tail feature

Bulbasaur
Ivysaur
Venusaur
Charmander
Charmeleon
Charizard
Squirtle
Wartortle
Blastoise
Caterpie
Metapod
Butterfree
Weedle
Kakuna
Beedrill
Pidgey
Pidgeotto
Pidgeot
Rattata
Raticate
Spearow
Fearow
Ekans
Arbok
Sandshrew
Sandslash
Nidoran♀
Nidorina
Nidoqueen
Nidoran♂
Nidorino
Nidoking
Jigglypuff
Wigglytuff
Oddish
Gloom
Vileplume
Venonat
Venomoth
Diglett
Dugtrio
Meowth
Persian
Mankey
Primeape
Poliwag
Poliwhirl
Poliwrath
Bellsprout
Weepinbell
Victreebel
Slowpoke
Slowbro
Farfetch’d
Doduo
Dodrio
Seel
Dewgong
Grimer
Muk
Shellder
Cloyster
Drowzee
Hypno
Krabby
Kingler
Exeggcute
Exeggutor
Cubone
Marowak
Hitmonlee
Hitmonchan
Koffing
Weezing
Kangaskhan
Horsea
Seadra
Goldeen
Seaking
Staryu
Starmie
Jynx
Pinsir
Tauros
Lapras
Ditto
Omanyte
Omastar
Kabuto
Kabutops
Aerodactyl
Articuno
Zapdos
Moltres
Dratini
Dragonair
Dragonite
Mewtwo
Mew

Johto Region Pokemon Not Available in Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Chikorita
Bayleef
Meganium
Totodile
Croconaw
Feraligatr
Sentret
Furret
Hoothoot
Noctowl
Ledyba
Ledian
Spinarak
Ariados
Chinchou
Lanturn
Igglybuff
Natu
Xatu
Mareep
Flaaffy
Ampharos
Bellossom
Marill
Azumarill
Politoed
Hoppip
Skiploom
Jumpluff
Sunkern
Sunflora
Wooper
Quagsire
Slowking
Wobbuffet
Girafarig
Pineco
Forretress
Dunsparce
Snubbull
Granbull
Shuckle
Slugma
Magcargo
Corsola
Delibird
Skarmory
Houndour
Houndoom
Kingdra
Phanpy
Donphan
Smeargle
Tyrogue
Hitmontop
Smoochum
Miltank
Raikou
Entei
Suicune
Larvitar
Pupitar
Tyranitar
Lugia
Ho-Oh
Celebi

Hoenn Region Pokemon Not Available in Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Treecko
Grovyle
Sceptile
Torchic
Combusken
Blaziken
Mudkip
Marshtomp
Swampert
Poochyena
Mightyena
Zigzagoon
Linoone
Lotad
Lombre
Ludicolo
Seedot
Nuzleaf
Shiftry
Taillow
Swellow
Wingull
Pelipper
Surskit
Masquerain
Shroomish
Breloom
Slakoth
Vigoroth
Slaking
Nincada
Ninjask
Shedinja
Whismur
Loudred
Exploud
Makuhita
Hariyama
Azurill
Nosepass
Skitty
Delcatty
Sableye
Mawile
Aron
Lairon
Aggron
Meditite
Medicham
Electrike
Manectric
Plusle
Minun
Volbeat
Illumise
Gulpin
Swalot
Carvanha
Sharpedo
Wailmer
Wailord
Numel
Camerupt
Torkoal
Spoink
Grumpig
Spinda
Trapinch
Vibrava
Flygon
Cacnea
Cacturne
Swablu
Altaria
Zangoose
Seviper
Lunatone
Solrock
Corphish
Crawdaunt
Baltoy
Claydol
Lileep
Cradily
Anorith
Armaldo
Feebas
Milotic
Castform
Kecleon
Shuppet
Banette
Tropius
Absol
Wynaut
Clamperl
Huntail
Gorebyss
Relicanth
Luvdisc
Bagon
Shelgon
Salamence
Beldum
Metang
Metagross
Regirock
Regice
Registeel
Latias
Latios
Kyogre
Groudon
Rayquaza
Jirachi
Deoxys

Unova Region Pokemon Not Available in Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Beartic Pokemon Anime Unova Ash — Beartic

Victini
Snivy
Servine
Serperior
Tepig
Pignite
Emboar
Patrat
Watchog
Lillipup
Herdier
Stoutland
Purrloin
Liepard
Pansage
Simisage
Pansear
Simisear
Panpour
Simipour
Munna
Musharna
Pidove
Tranquill
Unfezant
Blitzle
Zebstrika
Roggenrola
Boldore
Gigalith
Woobat
Swoobat
Drilbur
Excadrill
Audino
Timburr
Gurdurr
Conkeldurr
Tympole
Palpitoad
Seismitoad
Throh
Sawk
Sewaddle
Swadloon
Leavanny
Venipede
Whirlipede
Scolipede
Cottonee
Whimsicott
Basculin
Sandile
Krokorok
Krookodile
Darumaka
Darmanitan
Maractus
Dwebble
Crustle
Scraggy
Scrafty
Sigilyph
Yamask
Cofagrigus
Tirtouga
Carracosta
Archen
Archeops
Trubbish
Garbodor
Minccino
Cinccino
Gothita
Gothorita
Gothitelle
Solosis
Duosion
Reuniclus
Ducklett
Swanna
Vanillite
Vanillish
Vanilluxe
Deerling
Sawsbuck
Emolga
Karrablast
Escavalier
Foongus
Amoonguss
Frillish
Jellicent
Alomomola
Joltik
Galvantula
Ferroseed
Ferrothorn
Klink
Klang
Klinklang
Tynamo
Eelektrik
Eelektross
Elgyem
Beheeyem
Litwick
Lampent
Chandelure
Axew
Fraxure
Haxorus
Cubchoo
Beartic
Cryogonal
Shelmet
Accelgor
Stunfisk
Mienfoo
Mienshao
Druddigon
Golett
Golurk
Pawniard
Bisharp
Bouffalant
Vullaby
Mandibuzz
Heatmor
Durant
Deino
Zweilous
Hydreigon
Larvesta
Volcarona
Cobalion
Terrakion
Virizion
Reshiram
Zekrom
Kyurem
Keldeo
Meloetta
Genesect

Kalos Region Pokemon Not Available in Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Delphox, Chesnaught, and Greninja from Pokemon X and Y with a map of the Kalos region in the background.

Chespin
Quilladin
Chesnaught
Fennekin
Braixen
Delphox
Froakie
Frogadier
Greninja
Bunnelby
Diggersby
Fletchling
Fletchinder
Talonflame
Scatterbug
Spewpa
Vivillon
Litleo
Pyroar
Flabébé
Floette
Florges
Skiddo
Gogoat
Pancham
Pangoro
Furfrou
Espurr
Meowstic
Honedge
Doublade
Aegislash
Spritzee
Aromatisse
Swirlix
Slurpuff
Inkay
Malamar
Binacle
Barbaracle
Skrelp
Dragalge
Clauncher
Clawitzer
Helioptile
Heliolisk
Tyrunt
Tyrantrum
Amaura
Aurorus
Hawlucha
Dedenne
Carbink
Klefki
Phantump
Trevenant
Pumpkaboo
Gourgeist
Bergmite
Avalugg
Noibat
Noivern
Xerneas
Yveltal
Zygarde
Diancie
Hoopa
Volcanion

Alola Region Pokemon Not Available in Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Litten
Torracat
Incineroar
Popplio
Brionne
Primarina
Pikipek
Trumbeak
Toucannon
Yungoos
Gumshoos
Grubbin
Charjabug
Vikavolt
Crabrawler
Crabominable
Oricorio
Cutiefly
Ribombee
Rockruff
Lycanroc
Wishiwashi
Mareanie
Toxapex
Mudbray
Mudsdale
Dewpider
Araquanid
Fomantis
Lurantis
Morelull
Shiinotic
Salandit
Salazzle
Stufful
Bewear
Bounsweet
Steenee
Tsareena
Comfey
Oranguru
Passimian
Wimpod
Golisopod
Sandygast
Palossand
Pyukumuku
Type: Null
Silvally
Minior
Komala
Turtonator
Togedemaru
Mimikyu
Bruxish
Drampa
Dhelmise
Jangmo-o
Hakamo-o
Kommo-o
Tapu Koko
Tapu Lele
Tapu Bulu
Tapu Fini
Cosmog
Cosmoem
Solgaleo
Lunala
Nihilego
Buzzwole
Pheromosa
Xurkitree
Celesteela
Kartana
Guzzlord
Necrozma
Magearna
Marshadow
Poipole
Naganadel
Stakataka
Blacephalon
Zeraora
Meltan
Melmetal

Galar Region Pokemon Not Available in Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Grookey
Thwackey
Rillaboom
Scorbunny
Raboot
Cinderace
Sobble
Drizzile
Inteleon
Skwovet
Greedent
Rookidee
Corvisquire
Corviknight
Blipbug
Dottler
Orbeetle
Nickit
Thievul
Gossifleur
Eldegoss
Wooloo
Dubwool
Chewtle
Drednaw
Yamper
Boltund
Rolycoly
Carkol
Coalossal
Applin
Flapple
Appletun
Silicobra
Sandaconda
Cramorant
Arrokuda
Barraskewda
Toxel
Toxtricity
Sizzlipede
Centiskorch
Clobbopus
Grapploct
Sinistea
Polteageist
Hatenna
Hattrem
Hatterene
Impidimp
Morgrem
Grimmsnarl
Obstagoon
Perrserker
Cursola
Sirfetch’d
Mr. Rime
Runerigus
Milcery
Alcremie
Falinks
Pincurchin
Snom
Frosmoth
Stonjourner
Eiscue
Indeedee
Morpeko
Cufant
Copperajah
Dracozolt
Arctozolt
Dracovish
Arctovish
Duraludon
Dreepy
Drakloak
Dragapult
Zacian
Zamazenta
Eternatus
Kubfu
Urshifu
Zarude
Regieleki
Regidrago
Glastrier
Spectrier
Calyrex

While the sheer amount of missing Pokemon in this collection may be disappointing to a lot of fans, especially given how Legends: Arceus innovates in so many areas, this leaves plenty of room for future "Legends" games to expand. Pokemon Legends: Arceus has been a massive sales success thus far, so Game Freak would be smart to give fans bigger and better titles going forward.