With the eight Generations of Pokémon titles featuring hundreds of unique Pokémon designs, some fans may be wondering how many Pokémon can actually talk to human trainers? Originally launching in 1996, Game Freak has since released eight titles in the mainline Pokémon series. While there are now a total of 908 Pokémon as of the release of Sword and Shield DLC The Crown Tundra in 2021, only a handful of Pokémon are able to talk in the Nintendo RPGs.
The concept of players being able to speak to Pokémon has been around since the very beginning of the Pokémon franchise. In Pokémon Yellow for the game Game Boy, the RPG infamously included a feature where Pikachu would walk outside of its Poké Ball in the game’s overworld. Players could then interact with the Electric-type, and it would express itself with an audio cue. Although a neat interaction, Pikachu doesn’t actually speak the same language as the main protagonist.
In the Pokémon series there exist special encounters, where Pokémon are actually able to speak a human language that characters in the game are able to understand. While rare, there is actually a surprising amount of these moments hidden throughout each Pokémon Generation. Below is a list of every Pokémon that talks in the mainline series from Red and Blue up to 2022’s open-world RPG Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
Talking Pokémon In Red & Blue
Pokémon originally made its debut with the release Red and Green in Japan in 1996 and kicked off the series by introducing players to the Kanto region. Even in Generation One, players could stumble upon Pokémon who could talk. In Saffron City, the NPC who gives away the Mimic TM has a Doduo in her room that speaks human language. While it’s mirroring the speech it hears from others, it's technically one of the series’ first instances of a talking Pokémon.
In Pokémon Red and Blue players can also encounter a talking Pokémon on Route 25 north of Cerulean City. It’s later revealed that the talking Pokémon is actually iconic researcher Bill, who needs help being transformed back into a human. Lastly, the Generation One RPG also featured the tragic Marowak ghost in the creepy Pokémon Tower at Lavender Town which speaks to the players.
Gold & Silver's Only Talking Pokémon Is Murkrow
Although Pokémon Gold and Silver was even more ambitious than Generation One, the Johto region actually features fewer encounters with talking Pokémon. Players infamously can obtain the password for the generator room by speaking to a Murkrow in the Team Rocket HQ. The Sinnoh bird calls out the name of Team Rocket leader Giovanni in the iconic encounter.
Talking Pokémon In Diamond & Pearl
Pokémon Generation Four kicked off with Diamond and Pearl in 2006 and was one of the first game's in the series to heavily feature complex Pokémon distribution events. One of these post-game missions allowed players to embark on a quest to catch Sinnoh Mythical Pokémon Darkrai. After receiving the Member Card item, the quest can be started after meeting a man in the Harbor Inn at Canalave City. Once players speak to the mysterious NPC they are then taken to a secret island where Darkrai is awaiting. Because the Dark-type Pokémon can put humans to sleep, it's been theorized by many that the man in Harbor Inn is actually Darkrai speaking to the player through a projected illusion. While Darkrai technically doesn't speak out loud with its mouth, its ability to communicate with players in human language through dreams is pretty cool.
The other talking Pokémon to make its debut in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl is Chatot. The Sinnoh bird's move Chatter allows the Pokémon to speak in a human language. To promote the Nintendo DS console's microphone, players were able to record their own voice lines for Chatot who would play it back when using its "Chater Ability". Unfortunately, the Sinnoh Pokémon was banned from online play, due to players using the recording mechanic for trolling and abuse. Although it no longer has the feature, Pokémon Diamond and Pearl's Chatot is truly one of the most unique talking Pokémon to ever exist.
Black & White 2's Talking Pokémon Zoroark Can Act Human
The sequel Pokémon Black and White 2 had players revisiting the Unova region once again with a new storyline and cast of characters. In a neat throwback reference to a Black and White event, players can return to the Lostlorn Forest North of Route 16 and speak to a Zoroark that is disguised as a backpacker. The shape-shifting Pokémon speaks to players with human language and even gives them the TM for one of its most iconic moves, Snarl. Just like Darkrai, the Unova Pokémon is able to communicate with players while pretending to be a human.
Pokémon Sun & Moon
One of the main features of Pokémon Sun and Moon is the revamped Rotom Pokédex. When the Diamond and Pearl Pokémon made its debut in 2006, the Ghost-type was infamously able to possess appliances with motors such as a microwave, fridge, fan, and lawnmower. In Generation Seven, the beloved Pokémon was fused with the Alolan Sun and Moon Pokédex. As a result, the overhauled Pokédex was able to talk with players throughout their journies across the Alolan islands.
Rotom isn't the only talking Pokémon in Pokémon Sun and Moon, as the Nintendo 3DS title actually has quite a few. Players who encounter the popular Mimikyu at the Aether House on Ula'ula Island, get a short dialogue exchange with the Ghost-type. When visiting the Konikoni City apparel shop on Akala Island, players can hilariously encounter an Oranguru who speaks a catchphrase at them. And lastly, players who manage to get to the end of the game will be able to talk to Legendary Pokémon Tapu Koko. The Alolan Island Guardian speaks human language through the player's Z-Ring device.
The Talking Pokémon In Sword & Shield Are Honedge & Calyrex
Released in 2019, Pokémon Sword and Shield's Galar region was largely inspired by the U.K. Players are eventually tasked with making their way down to the massive city of Wyndon where the Galar League championships are held. Pokémon players who enter the Rose of the Rondelands can find a Honedge that welcomes guests checking into the five-star hotel.
In a first for the Pokémon series, Sword and Shield skipped the third game in favor of a season pass. In 2021's The Crown Tundra DLC players were introduced to the new Legendary Pokémon Calyrex.cr The Psychic-type is able to use its powers to take control over the mind and body of NPC Peony. While a little creepy, Calyrex uses the NPC to speak to you directly with human language.
Legends: Arceus Also Has Talking Pokémon
A Diamond and Pearl origin story, Pokémon Legends: Arceus is set hundreds of years ago in Sinnoh's ancient past. Throughout the epic journey, players are eventually able to encounter the Sinnoh Lake Guardians Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf. In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the Legendary Sinnoh trio use its telepathic powers to speak directly to the players. Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf don't just have a conversation with the main protagonist, but they even conduct a quiz.
Lastly, Pokémon Legends: Arceus also featured Diamond and Pearl Legendary Pokémon Dialga and Palkia. While the iconic Legendaries do not directly speak to the player, there is a cutscene that reveals the Legendary duo also talks to the Diamond Clan leader Adaman, and the Pearl Clan leader Irida using telepathic powers.
The Pokémon mainline games aren't the only time that Pokémon talk in the franchise, as there is actually an incredible amount of talking Pokémon in the Pokémon anime, movies, manga, and a whole host of side games. With each Generation seemingly adding more encounters of talking Pokémon, it will be interesting to see if Generation 9's Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will also add more unique Pokémon that will speak with players.