First generation
In Pokémon Red, Blue and Yellow, the original games, the legendary Pokémon were a group of five main Pokemon: Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Mewtwo, and Mew. The Pokedex entry for Arcanine classifies it as a Legendary Pokemon, though it is not widely considered to be Legendary in the ways the five main are. Its species name is the "Legendary Pokemon", in the way that Eevee is the "Evolution Pokemon."
They were found in optional areas (except Mew, which can only be obtained through Nintendo events or a glitch, and Moltres, which was found in Victory Road), and none had any effect on the storyline. Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres are unique birds each of a different element. Articuno is an ice bird, Zapdos is a thunder bird and Moltres is a fire bird. An interesting point of the three is that the last syllable of each of their names forms the sound of the Spanish numbers uno, dos, and tres. For more detailed information, visit www.psypokes.com
Second generation
In the next series of games, Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, some legendary Pokémon began to have connections to others--for example, Ho-Oh rules over Raikou, Entei, and Suicune. Greater emphasis was put on the differences between the versions: as reflected in their box covers, Ho-Oh is the focus of Gold version, Lugia is the focus of Silver version, and Suicune has a prominent role in Crystal version. Instead of having one all-powerful Pokémon figure such as Mewtwo, two Pokémon were created to match him. There is also the time-traveling Celebi, guardian of the Ilex Forest, who was only available through an event. In all, six new legendary Pokémon were introduced in this generation.
Third generation
Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald introduced ten new legendary Pokémon, conflicts between legendary Pokémon, and definitive domains given to some, giving them much more power: Kyogre was given power over the sea, Groudon was given power over the land, and Rayquaza was given power over the sky. They also introduced the first legendary Pokémon with genders: Latias, which is always female, and Latios, which is always male. Also introduced were the three earthen golems, Regirock, Regice, and Registeel. The two special event Pokémon were Jirachi the wish Pokémon and Deoxys the Pokémon from outer space which have four forms; Attack form, Defense form, Speed form, and the Normal form. Also added exclusively to Pokémon Emerald was the psychic Pokémon Mew. The only ways to get Mew were from a Nintendo event or through trading.
Fourth generation
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl introduced thirteen new legendary Pokémon. There appears to be a trend of giving legendary Pokémon more and more power, with Dialga having power over time, Palkia over space, and Arceus being the creator of the universe according to Sinnoh's mythology. Diamond and Pearl also introduced the first legendary capable of breeding, Manaphy, which will lay an egg containing Phione (who could be considered a non-legendary due to the fact that you can get more than one per game, as well as its stats and overall stat total being lower than any of the legendary Pokémon) but a Phione will never evolve into a Manaphy. Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf each govern over intelligence, emotion, and willpower, respectively, and are guardians of Sinnoh's three signature lakes. Heatran resides atop Stark Mountain, Regigigas is sealed inside the Snowpoint Temple and is the leader of the three Regis from the previous games, and Giratina resides in an opposite world (found in Turnback cave). Cresselia is the embodiment of the crescent moon, and also the opposite of Darkrai, the Pitch-Black Pokémon, who has the power to cause nightmares, and Shaymin is perhaps the most benevolent of all legendaries, as it creates fields of flowers wherever it goes
Fifth Generation
The 2 main legendaries are Poline and Enilop,Ponile was a dragon legendary of the sky while Enilop controled the earth.Then they formed the earth and created 3 more legendarys who were named Huko,Okuh and Ukiyo.Each inhabits a great lake of the land Heko.