When Nintendo dropped Pokémon Sun and Moon back in 2016, it felt like the series finally took off its tie and put on a Hawaiian shirt. It was a massive departure. Gone were the gyms we’d spent twenty years beating. In their place? Island Trials, Kahunas, and a tropical vibe that made the whole experience feel less like a grind and more like a vacation—until you ran into a Totem Pokémon that absolutely wrecked your team.
The Alola region didn't just change the scenery; it introduced 86 brand-new species (88 if you count the Meltan line). Honestly, though, the list of pokemon gen 7 is a bit weird because it’s not just about "new" creatures. It’s the generation that gave us Alolan forms, those funky regional variants where an Exeggutor suddenly grows a neck like a skyscraper and a Vulpix decides it's actually an ice sculpture.
The Starters: From Owls to Professional Wrestlers
Every generation starts with the big three. In Alola, the choice felt more personality-driven than usual. You’ve got Rowlet, the tiny owl that stays dapper even as it evolves into Decidueye, a literal Ghost/Grass archer. Then there’s Popplio. Poor Popplio got so much hate when the designs first leaked, but Primarina ended up being a Special Attack powerhouse with a Water/Fairy typing that eats Dragon-types for breakfast.
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And then we have Litten.
Most people saw a cute fire kitten and thought, "Cool, a sleek fire panther." Instead, we got Incineroar. He’s a bipedal, heel-wrestling fire cat with a championship belt made of literal flames. He’s been a menace in competitive VGC (Video Game Championships) for years. If you’ve played any high-level Pokémon since 2016, you’ve probably developed a Pavlovian twitch every time you see one hit the field because of that Intimidate ability and Fake Out pressure.
Beyond the Usual: The Ultra Beast Invasion
Generation 7 got experimental. Like, "interdimensional aliens" experimental. The list of pokemon gen 7 includes a category called Ultra Beasts. These aren’t exactly Legendaries, but they aren't normal Pokémon either. They come from Ultra Space and have names that sound like code words.
- Nihilego (UB-01 Symbiont): A Rock/Poison jellyfish that looks like a hat and has a nasty habit of mind-controlling people.
- Buzzwole (UB-02 Absorption): A Bug/Fighting mosquito that has more muscles than a professional bodybuilder and spends half its time striking poses.
- Pheromosa (UB-02 Beauty): Basically the opposite of Buzzwole—insanely fast, very fragile, and looks like a high-fashion model.
- Celesteela (UB-04 Blaster): This thing is a Steel/Flying type that looks like a bamboo rocket ship. It’s also one of the heaviest Pokémon in existence.
- Kartana (UB-04 Blade): It’s literally a piece of origami that can cut through steel. It has one of the highest Attack stats in the entire game but will faint if someone breathes on it too hard.
There are others like Xurkitree, Guzzlord, and the later additions from Ultra Sun and Moon like Stakataka and Blacephalon. These designs were polarizing. Some fans loved the sci-fi edge; others thought they looked like they belonged in a different franchise entirely. Regardless, they changed the meta by introducing the Beast Boost ability, which snowballs your stats every time you get a knockout.
The Regional Forms: Why Does Diglett Have Hair?
Gen 7 was the pioneer of the "Regional Variant" trend. It was a genius move by Game Freak to breathe life into the original 151. By taking Pokémon we already knew and adapting them to the tropical ecosystem of Alola, they made the world feel more "real."
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Alolan Rattata and Raticate became Dark-types because they were invasive species forced into a nocturnal lifestyle. Alolan Muk and Grimer became colorful, crystalline Poison/Dark types because they ate different kinds of garbage.
But the real winners? The memes.
Alolan Exeggutor became an instant legend because its neck was so long it didn't even fit on the 3DS screen. Then you had Alolan Dugtrio, who grew luscious, golden hair based on volcanic glass filaments called Pele's hair. It’s ridiculous. It’s goofy. It’s exactly what Pokémon should be.
The Island Guardians and the "Light Trio"
The lore of Gen 7 is heavily tied to the four "Tapu" deities. Each island has one: Tapu Koko (Melemele), Tapu Lele (Akala), Tapu Bulu (Ula'ula), and Tapu Fini (Poni). These four dominated the competitive scene for years because they automatically set up "Terrains" (like Electric Terrain or Psychic Terrain) just by switching in.
Then you have the box art stars. Solgaleo and Lunala.
Interestingly, they are the first box-art Legendaries to actually evolve. You start with Cosmog (the "Nebby" that won't stay in Lillie's bag), evolve it into Cosmoem, and then it becomes your version-exclusive mascot.
Wait. We can't forget Necrozma.
While Solgaleo and Lunala are cool, Necrozma is the real threat. In the Ultra sequels, it can literally hijack the mascots to become Dusk Mane or Dawn Wings Necrozma. And if you’re brave enough to face Ultra Necrozma, you’re dealing with one of the most notoriously difficult boss fights in the history of the series. Seriously, if you didn't have a Zoroark or a Focus Sash strategy, that fight was a nightmare.
A Quick Glance at the Gen 7 Standouts
Since we’re looking at a huge list of pokemon gen 7, it helps to sort the chaos. Here’s a breakdown of some unique additions that didn't fit into the "God" or "Alien" categories:
The Weird and the Wonderful
Rockruff is a fan favorite, mostly because Lycanroc has three different forms (Midday, Midnight, and Dusk) depending on the time of day it evolves. It’s a simple gimmick that worked. Then you have Mimikyu. It’s arguably the most successful design of the generation. It’s a Ghost/Fairy type that just wants to be loved, so it hides under a crude Pikachu costume. It’s heartbreaking and creepy at the same time.
The Competitive Staples
Toxapex is the Pokémon everyone loves to hate. It’s a Poison/Water urchin with defensive stats that make it nearly unkillable. If you see one, prepare for a 40-turn stall match. On the flip side, you have Minior, a Rock/Flying type that hides inside a shell. Once its health drops, the shell breaks to reveal a core with massive speed and power.
The Legends and Mythicals
Aside from the Tapus, we got Type: Null and Silvally, which are man-made "Chimera" Pokémon designed specifically to fight Ultra Beasts. On the Mythical side, there’s Magearna (a clockwork soul), Marshadow (a fighting shadow), and Zeraora (a literal lightning cat).
Why Gen 7 Still Matters
Even though we've moved on to Gen 8, 9, and beyond, Alola left a massive mark. It taught us that Pokémon don't have to look like animals—they can be objects, aliens, or regional twists on old friends. It also introduced Z-Moves. While some people found the "dance" animations a bit cringey, they added a layer of tactical nuking to the game that hasn't really been replicated since.
If you’re looking to revisit the list of pokemon gen 7, the best way is honestly to jump into Pokémon Ultra Sun or Ultra Moon. You get the most complete Pokédex, including the late-game Ultra Beasts and the ability to travel through wormholes to find Legendaries from previous generations.
Next Steps for Your Alola Journey:
- Check your 3DS (or bank): If you still have your old saves, see if you have the Dusk Form Lycanroc. It was an event-only thing originally, but you can breed for the "Own Tempo" ability now.
- Hunt the Totem Stickers: If you’re playing the Ultra versions, collect those stickers hidden on walls. They let you get "Totem-sized" versions of Pokémon like Gumshoos or Marowak, which are just fun to show off in battle.
- Explore the QR Scanner: You can actually scan random QR codes from the internet to trigger "Island Scans." This is the only way to find certain non-Alolan Pokémon like Charmander or Kanto starters in the wild.
Alola was a risk. It changed the formula, ditched the gyms, and gave us some of the weirdest designs in 25 years. But looking back at the list of pokemon gen 7, it’s clear that risk paid off. It felt like a living, breathing world with a history and an ecosystem that actually made sense. Whether you're a competitive player or just someone who thinks Alolan Exeggutor's neck is hilarious, Gen 7 has something that sticks with you.
Key Takeaways for Gen 7 Trainers
- Total New Species: 81 in the base game, plus additions in the Ultra versions and the Let's Go games.
- Regional Variants: 18 Alolan forms, all specifically for Kanto-region Pokémon.
- Ultra Beasts: 11 total entities that are separate from the standard Legendary classification.
- Z-Moves: A one-time-per-battle power-up that requires a held crystal and a matching move type.
- Ride Pokémon: This was the generation that finally killed HMs (Hidden Machines). No more "HM Slaves" taking up a slot in your party just to cut down a bush.