One of the biggest parts of the controversy surrounding Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield at the time of release was omission of many Pokemon from older generations of games. The two games only featured a small selection of returning Pokemon, and the rest of the roster was comprised of new additions to the series. This in of itself is not completely a bad thing. However, with the announcement and introduction of Pokemon Home, players learned that if a Pokemon was not catchable in the Galar region, they could not even be brought over to the games via Pokemon Home - and if a Pokemon was in Pokemon Home already, then they are stuck there until a game is introduced on the Switch that the Pokemon is compatible with.

Now, with the introduction of the Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra DLCs, Game Freak is adding more Pokemon back into the games. However, as of the time of writing, there are still 350 Pokemon that cannot be transferred into Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield via Pokemon Home. Please note: This does not include any Pokemon that are speculated to be returning in the Crown Tundra DLC that have been found via datamine. This also does not include Pokemon that are unobtainable currently, but can still be transferred into Sword and Shield via Pokemon Home. For example, Jirachi is impossible to get in-game at the moment, but since it is able to be transferred into the games, it is not a part of this list.

RELATED: Pokemon Sword and Shield Needs More Events Like the Max Zeraora Raid

Generation 1

Pokemon Red and Blue

Generation 1 is missing a fair number of Pokemon - approximately 33% of the entire Kanto Pokedex when looking at it contextually. Lots of fan-favorite Pokemon, like Pidgeot and Dragonite, are iconic Pokemon in the series but fail to make an appearance in Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield. Game Freak really missed a golden opportunity to justify the giant Dragonite in the original Pokemon anime using Dynamax by not having Dragonite make an appearance this generation, and if any more Pokemon were to be added to DLC, Dragonite is a good pick for the snowy wastes of the Crown Tundra. Here are all of the first Generation Pokemon currently barred from entering the Galar region:

  1. Weedle
  2. Kakuna
  3. Beedrill
  4. Pidgey
  5. Pidgeotto
  6. Pidgeot
  7. Rattata
  8. Raticate
  9. Spearow
  10. Fearow
  11. Ekans
  12. Arbok
  13. Nidoran (Male and Female)
  14. Nidorina
  15. Nidoqueen
  16. Nidorino
  17. Nidoking
  18. Paras
  19. Parasect
  20. Venonat
  21. Venomoth
  22. Mankey
  23. Primeape
  24. Bellsprout
  25. Weepinbell
  26. Victreebell
  27. Geodude
  28. Graveler
  29. Golem
  30. Doduo
  31. Dodrio
  32. Seal
  33. Dewgong
  34. Grimer
  35. Muk
  36. Drowzee
  37. Hypno
  38. Voltorb
  39. Electrode
  40. Jynx
  41. Electabuzz
  42. Magmar
  43. Omanyte
  44. Omastar
  45. Kabuto
  46. Kabutops
  47. Aerodactyl
  48. Articuno
  49. Zapdos
  50. Moltres
  51. Dratini
  52. Dragonair
  53. Dragonite

Generation 2

pokemon generation 2 gold silver remake ho-oh lugia

Generation 2 added 100 Pokemon to the franchise when it first launched, however more than 50% of those new Pokemon are painfully absent from Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield. If these Pokemon fail to return in a Sword and Shield DLC, perhaps we will see them again if Game Freak does a full remake of Pokemon Gold and Pokemon Silver:

  1. Chikorita
  2. Bayleef
  3. Meganium
  4. Cyndaquil
  5. Quilava
  6. Typhlosion
  7. Totodile
  8. Crocanaw
  9. Feraligatr
  10. Sentret
  11. Furret
  12. Ledyba
  13. Ledian
  14. Spinarak
  15. Ariados
  16. Crobat
  17. Mareep
  18. Flaaffy
  19. Ampharos
  20. Hoppip
  21. Skiploom
  22. Jumpluff
  23. Aipom
  24. Sunkern
  25. Sunflora
  26. Yanma
  27. Murkrow
  28. Med
  29. Misdreavus
  30. Unknown
  31. Girafarig
  32. Pineco
  33. Forretress
  34. Gligar
  35. Snubbull
  36. Granbull
  37. Teddiursa
  38. Ursaring
  39. Slugma
  40. Magcargo
  41. Houndour
  42. Houndoom
  43. Phanpy
  44. Donphan
  45. Stantler
  46. Smeargle
  47. Smoochum
  48. Elekid
  49. Magby
  50. Raikou
  51. Entei
  52. Suicune
  53. Lugia
  54. Ho-Oh

Generation 3

Pokemon-Ruby-and-Sapphire-box-art

Generation 3 is beloved by many fans for being a huge step in the right direction for the Pokemon franchise. It introduced a whopping 135 new Pokemon to the franchise, including several who have become long-time staples of the series. However, in Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield, Generation 3 is missing more Pokemon than any other Generation in the series, clocking in with 86 omissions. At least, it seems that the several Legendary Pokemon from Generation 3 will be making a comeback in the Crown Tundra co-op game mode.

  1. Treecko
  2. Grovyle
  3. Sceptile
  4. Torchic
  5. Combusken
  6. Blaziken
  7. Mudkip
  8. Marshtomp
  9. Swampert
  10. Poochyena
  11. Mightyena
  12. Wurmple
  13. Silcoon
  14. Beautifly
  15. Cascoon
  16. Dustox
  17. Taillow
  18. Swellow
  19. Surskit
  20. Masquerain
  21. Shroomish
  22. Breloom
  23. Slakoth
  24. Vigoroth
  25. Slaking
  26. Makuhita
  27. Hariyama
  28. Nosepass
  29. Skitty
  30. Delcatty
  31. Aron
  32. Lairon
  33. Aggron
  34. Meditite
  35. Medicham
  36. Plusile
  37. Minun
  38. Volbeat
  39. Illumise
  40. Gulpin
  41. Swalot
  42. Numel
  43. Camerupt
  44. Spoink
  45. Grumpig
  46. Spinda
  47. Cacnea
  48. Cacturne
  49. Swablu
  50. Altaria
  51. Zangoose
  52. Seviper
  53. Lileep
  54. Cradily
  55. Anorith
  56. Armaldo
  57. Castform
  58. Kecleon
  59. Shuppet
  60. Banette
  61. Tropius
  62. Chimecho
  63. Absol
  64. Spheal
  65. Sealo
  66. Walrein
  67. Clamperl
  68. Huntail
  69. Gorebyss
  70. Relicanth
  71. Luvdisc
  72. Bagon
  73. Shelgon
  74. Salamence
  75. Beldum
  76. Metang
  77. Metagross
  78. Regirock
  79. Regice
  80. Registeel
  81. Latias
  82. Latios
  83. Kyogre
  84. Groudon
  85. Rayquaza
  86. Deoxys

Generation 4

Pokemon Diamond Pearl

Generation 4 is seen as one of the more controversial Pokemon Generations due to its rather mixed reception from the fanbase at the time. However there is a decently sized following of fans who have been crying out for a remake of Diamond and Pearl, as the generation aged well. There are a decent number of Pokemon missing from this Generation, though clearly not as bad as Gen 3. 107 Pokemon were added, but there are currently 58 missing from Sword and Shield (a big percentage when looking at it individually):

  1. Turtwig
  2. Grotle
  3. Torterra
  4. Chimchar
  5. Monferno
  6. Infernape
  7. Piplup
  8. Prinplup
  9. Empoleon
  10. Starly
  11. Staravia
  12. Staraptor
  13. Bidoof
  14. Bibarel
  15. Kricketot
  16. Kricketune
  17. Cranidos
  18. Rampardos
  19. Shieldon
  20. Bastiodon
  21. Burmy
  22. Wormadam
  23. Mothim
  24. Pachirisu
  25. Buizel
  26. Floatzel
  27. Ambipom
  28. Honchkrow
  29. Glameow
  30. Purugly
  31. Chingling
  32. Chatot
  33. Spiritomb
  34. Gible
  35. Gabite
  36. Garchomp
  37. Carnivine
  38. Finneon
  39. Lumineon
  40. Electivire
  41. Magmortar
  42. Yanmega
  43. Gliscor
  44. Probopass
  45. Uxie
  46. Mesprit
  47. Azelf
  48. Dialga
  49. Palkia
  50. Heatran
  51. Regigigas
  52. Giratina
  53. Cresselia
  54. Phione
  55. Manaphy
  56. Darkrai
  57. Shaymin
  58. Arceus

Generation 5

Generation 5 marked the release of Pokemon Black and White, and later Black 2 and White 2. This generation brought the most new Pokemon out of any Generation, clocking in at 156 new faces - with only 42 missing from Sword and Shield. Gen 5 certainly got a good amount of love from Game Freak when it was deciding to cut Pokemon from the roster.

  1. Victini
  2. Snivy
  3. Servine
  4. Serperior
  5. Teping
  6. Pignite
  7. Emboar
  8. Oshawott
  9. Dewott
  10. Samurott
  11. Patrat
  12. Watchog
  13. Pansage
  14. Simisage
  15. Pansear
  16. Simisear
  17. Panpour
  18. Simipour
  19. Blitzle
  20. Zebstrika
  21. Audino
  22. Sewaddle
  23. Swadloon
  24. Leavanny
  25. Tirtouga
  26. Carracosta
  27. Archen
  28. Archeops
  29. Ducklett
  30. Swana
  31. Deerling
  32. Sawsbuck
  33. Alomomola
  34. Tynamo
  35. Eelektrik
  36. Eelektross
  37. Cryogonal
  38. Tornadus
  39. Thundurus
  40. Landorus
  41. Meloetta
  42. Genesect

Generation 6

Gen 6 marks the leap from DS to 3DS with the release of Pokemon X and Pokemon Y.  Only 72 Pokemon were added this Generation, and out of those 72, only 31 are still missing from Sword and Shield.

  1. Chespin
  2. Quilladin
  3. Chesnaught
  4. Fennekin
  5. Braixen
  6. Delphox
  7. Froakie
  8. Frogadier
  9. Greninja
  10. Scatterbug
  11. Spewpa
  12. Vivillon
  13. Litleo
  14. Pyroar
  15. Flabébé
  16. Floette
  17. Florges
  18. Skiddo
  19. Gogoat
  20. Furfrou
  21. Tyrunt
  22. Tyrantrum
  23. Amaura
  24. Aurorus
  25. Carbink
  26. Xerneas
  27. Yveltal
  28. Zygarde
  29. Diancie
  30. Hoopa
  31. Volcanion

Generation 7

Pokemon Sun and Moon Sell 3.7 Million in Two Weeks

Pokemon Sun and Moon (and by extension Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon) introduced players to the Alola region as well as 81 new Pokemon. That number went up to 88 after the release of Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon, and the Let's Go titles. While some of the Pokemon introduced can be transferred, but not obtained, the list remains relatively short compared to some other Generations. A fair number of missing Pokemon are either Legendary or the unlikely-to-be-added Ultra Beasts:

  1. Pikipek
  2. Trumbeak
  3. Toucannon
  4. Yungoos
  5. Gumshoos
  6. Crabrawler
  7. Crabominable
  8. Oricorio
  9. Minior
  10. Komala
  11. Bruxish
  12. Tapu Koko
  13. Tapu Lele
  14. Tapu Bulu
  15. Tapu Fini
  16. Nihilego
  17. Buzzwole
  18. Pheromosa
  19. Xurkitree
  20. Celesteela
  21. Kartana
  22. Guzzlord
  23. Poipole
  24. Naganadel
  25. Stakataka
  26. Blacephalon

Those are all the Pokemon still unable to be transferred to Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield. The Isle of Armor did a fair job at reintroducing Pokemon to this generation, but hopefully Game Freak will continue this trend until all 350 missing Pokemon can find their home in the Galar region.

Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield are available now for Nintendo Switch.

MORE: Pokemon Sword and Shield's Isle of Armor DLC Highlights Expectations for Crowned Tundra