Which games introduced Pokémon Contests?

Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire introduced Pokémon Contests.

Released for the Game Boy Advance in Japan in 2002, Ruby and Sapphire began Generation III and transported players to the Hoenn region. Pokémon Contests offered an alternative to ordinary battles by judging creatures in categories such as Coolness, Beauty, Cuteness, Smartness, and Toughness.

Contestants used moves to impress judges and build appeal, making move selection important for performance as well as combat. Winning contests could earn ribbons and unlock higher ranks, giving players another long-term goal beyond defeating Gym Leaders and completing the Pokédex.

The contest system later evolved in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl into Super Contests, with additional performance elements. Because later games reused and expanded the feature, players sometimes associate contests with later generations, but the original mechanic debuted in Ruby and Sapphire.