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User
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Last Active 12-14-21 7:54 pm
Joined 01-20-14
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| Pokemon Generations Not Ranked
Gen IX is around the corner, so thought I'd talk about previous gens | | 1 |  | MGMT
Little Dark Age
Pokemon Red/Blue/Yellow
I mean this is what started it all! Pokemon wouldn't be as iconic as it is today if it wasn't for these games. They drew people like me in, gotta catch them all, gotta have my Gengar at level 100, gotta curb stomp Lance, ect ect. However, this is mostly nostalgia at this point. Playing these games today is such a chore... WE HAD TO WALK?! I'm not sure why anybody would play these and not the GBA remakes (tho I do wish we got a Yellow remake too). The balancing was terrible, psychic types would destroy. I hate how fondly people look back at the Pokemon designs for this generation, as if it did not have questionable ones like every damn generation does. So many amazing ones, but also so many that just look like animals or are just plain weird, I'm looking at you Lickitung and Mr.Mime
Fav Mons: Gengar, Arcanine, Poliwrath, Alakazam, Starmie, Lapras, Jolteon, Dragonair, Wartortle, Sandslash | | 2 |  | Jamie xx
In Colour
Pokemon Silver/Gold/Crystal
This is it, this is the generation that solidified my love of Pokemon. Again I am not sure why you would go back and replay these original games and not their remakes, but they did improve the gameplay a bit over gen 1. They added the Dark and Steel types, shiny pokemon, cute baby pokemon, held items, and let you go through Kanto after Johto, which was cool af. The Pokemon designs were not as iconic as they were in gen 1, but there were still amazing ones and questionable ones. Some Pokemon from the previous gen got some really cool evolutions that are still some of my favorite Pokemon. Crystal has my heart because I would play it over and over, making steak out of Whitney's Miltank and serving it to her out of spite.
Fav Mons: Totodile, Togetic, Porygon2, Heracross, Scizor, Kingdra, Ampharos, Umbreon, Crobat, Politoed | | 3 |  | Echo and The Bunnymen
Ocean Rain
Pokemon Sapphire/Ruby/Emerald
I have to admit, I am not as nostalgic about this generation as other people. However, this is the generation that really changed up the game! I mean we got 135 new Pokemon, that's fucking wild, abilities were introduced, a butt load of new moves, double battles, a graphical pc box, weather, and IVs. I cannot deny that this generation has probably the best starter designs overall, you cannot go wrong with any pick. On top of this, sooooo many solid designs came out of Hoenn, they really put in the effort combining lore and design, but again so many awful ones, I'm looking at you Volbeat/Illumise. The remakes expanded on these games, but honestly Emerald is still fun to go back and play. It doesn't feel like a slug like the previous two generations. It do be having too much water tho.
Fav Mons: Treecko, Gardevoir, Walrein, Sableye, Mawile, Roselia, Flygon, Milotic, Banette, Metagross | | 4 |  | Bjork
Vespertine
Pokemon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum
Oh Diamond, the memories I have playing Diamond on my DS are way too vivid. This is where a lot of people think Pokemon got worse, which is insane to me. Sure, the framerate was lowered to 30, but the use of the DS' two screens was a really lovely gameplay mechanic. I actually miss touching that screen in battles to pick moves and all the poketch apps, it was just nice to see stuff without having to go into menus. I can't talk about gen 4 without talking about the special/physical move split, which again changed the games. It's hard to imagine nowadays that any psychic type move was special. This allowed them so much more freedom with Pokemon designs as well. Speaking of, pretty much the same as any generation, lots of great designs, lots of bad ones. | | 5 | | Bjork
Vespertine
I will say gen 4 probably has the best legendries, in terms of design and lore. I mean Giratina with both forms... just fucks. Plus just like gen 2, we got so many awesome new evolutions for Pokemon that needed them... and some really bad ones. We also finally got internet trading, which was life saving and I did love how hard they made the elite 4 and champion, because if you weren't prepared, Cynthia's fist was going right into you.
Fav Mons: Luxray, Roserade, Giratina, Mismagius, Honchkrow, Spiritomb, Garchomp, Froslass, Weavile, Gliscor | | 6 |  | Lorde
Pure Heroine
Pokemon Black/White/Black 2/ White 2
Ok ok ok, this generation was so fucking good. The only people who don't like this generation have never played it. This is the first time we got a second generation on the same console AND we got sequels, kind of wild. Let's talk story baby, because the story in these games was so different than previous games. Team Plasma wanting to sepearte humans and pokemon was a very interesting goal and the addition of character N who, spoiler, becomes the champion before you do, made the game more engaging. They also added 156 new fucking Pokemon, which was great because you couldn't catch any older mons until you beat the game, you had to use new ones and I loved that. | | 7 | | Lorde
Pure Heroine
So many things we see in modern games spawned from these: marts inside centers, infinite TMs, trading from boxes, poison no longer damaging outisde of battle, ect. On top of this, we got sequels with a brand new story and omg omg even a difficulty setting. Granted, in true Nintendo fashion, was not unlocked until you beat White 2 once... but still! The new difficulty mode was HARD. I will say, in terms of Pokemon designs, this generation has the least Pokemon I truly love and get excited to see, with the most forgettable legendaries, but still some bangers below.
Fav Mons: Serperior, Leavanny, Scolipede, Krookodile, Zoroark, Emolga, Jellicent, Chandelure, Golurk, Hydreigon | | 8 |  | The xx
xx
Pokemon X/Y
Ahh yes, the generation to divide Pokemon fans. Pokemon's first core step into 3D with the release of the 3DS was met with a lot of love and a lot of hate. I am mostly on the love side, but I understand the frustration. With arguably the worst starter Pokemon, gameplay that is way too easy, only 68 new mons, and annoying characters/plot, I get it, I do, but still cannot help but to look back fondly on these games. They were a breath of fresh air for me because of the addition of Fairy as a type, mega evolutions and seeing my favorite mons in 3D (even if some did look bad, I'm watching you Typhlosion). | | 9 | | The xx
xx
I did not care about the plot, I was all about catching everything and figuring out which older mons were better now because of fairy. Togekiss my ugly beautiful powerful baby. I also really appreciated the ease of battling/trading with friends online and honestly I loved that it told you what was super effective or not because holy shit there are too many Pokemon to remember all their types. In terms of Pokemon designs, while not getting many, they were actually pretty damn good overall. We got so many interesting type combos and Pokemon in general.
Fav Mons: Greninja, Talonflame, Florges, Meowstic, Aegislash, Heliolisk, Sylveon, Noivern, Xerneas, Hawlucha | | 10 |  | Wilco
Summerteeth
Pokemon Sun/Moon/Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon
I have a love/hate relationship with this generation. This was the first time in my life I did not finish a Pokemon game the first time I played it. On paper, these games were everything I needed Pokemon games to be. No more gyms was refreshing, 4 cool new islands to explore, and regional variants of old Pokemon made so much sense and were so damn exciting (and still are), but holy Jesus fuck the hand holding was too much. I would get so frustrated that every 10 steps I had to go through dialogue. Every goddamn time I got to a checkpoint, some bitch in open toe sandals wanted to chat and I just wanted to fucking play. | | 11 | | Wilco
Summerteeth
Anyway, I recently went back and replayed Moon (and finally Ultra Sun) and really enjoyed them. Some of those totem pokemon will fuuuuuuck you up my god, esp if you don't grind. The elite four as well took me quite a few tries, mostly because I had a team of slow ass bitches, but I still loved them. Ultra Sun's story was actually really cool and better, but I cannot believe they called those sequels when it could have just been like Pokemon Star. As for Pokemon designs... honestly one of my favorite generations for them, idk something about them felt fresh. The regional variants were dope and most of the new Pokemon were also dope, I also enjoyed the ultra beasts. Too bad the gameplay was annoying and Z moves were annoying to use.
Fav Mons: Mimikyu, Incineroar, Vikavolt, Toxapex, Tsareena, Palossand, Decidueye, Alolan Marowak, Alolan Ninetails, Alolan Sandslash | | 12 |  | The Flaming Lips
Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
Pokemon Shield/Sword
Oh boy... the first Pokemon games on the Switch and the ones that probably received the most backlash from people online. I am currently replaying Shield because I got a new Switch and apparently these games do not save to the cloud... cool. Anyway, these games are not bad at all to me. I never cared that they didn't include every Pokemon, like holy fuck there are way too many now, and honestly I want more games to do as Black/White did and only let us use that generation for the playthrough. Graphics wise, the wild area does kind of suck, a lot of the animations too, at least comparing it to other Switch games, but the routes and cities and battles look really good. | | 13 | | The Flaming Lips
Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
Dynamaxing is underwhelming, even tho some Gigantamax forms are awesome, but compared to megas it felt meh. I do like that the "gym battles" are stadium battles, that feels more modern, but these games are also easy. However, I did have a fucking blast playing the first time around, running all over the wild area to see what Pokemon made the snap, doing raid battles with friends or npcs who suck, and running from aggressive Pokemon who chase you. I do really enjoy a lot of the designs of the Pokemon released, maybe because they are UK inspired, but something about them is so fun to look at.
Fav Mons: Corviknight, Toxtricity, Centiskorch, Polteageist, Grimmsnarl, Cursola, Galarian Wheezing, Frosmoth, Dragapult, Sirfetch'd | | 14 |  | Charli XCX
Vroom Vroom
Pokemon Scarlet/Violet
I am very excited for these games, the trailer looked great, the new gimmick will be a hard sell to people, but I think goofy hats are fine. I don't think Pokemon should be so serious. I would love megas back like everybody else, I would like a good difficulty, great Pokemon designs (tho like every gen, some will be good, some bad), and I hope the story/stories are engaging, but I know I will still have fun playing. | |
AmericanFlagAsh
08.04.22 | Making this list made me realize that no generation is better than the other, sorry | Pikazilla
08.04.22 | Excellent takes all around.
I recenty finished Radical Red and boy did Kanto not age well.
Heart Gold/Soul Silver + B2/W2 will forever be the best entries in the main series. And people who hate on gen 5 are weird, it has so many awesome designs. | Pikazilla
08.04.22 | For me personally the future lies with fan games and rom hacks. All the new pokemon + mechanics will get added to essentials eventually anyway. | AmericanFlagAsh
08.04.22 | I do love fan games, I just don't want to sit at my computer to play them. I guess I could probably get some portable device? Anyway gen 5 is amazing, but looking at the Pokemon to do this list, I realize there are so many designs I dislike, but lots I love. | Pikazilla
08.04.22 | Ever heard of JoiPlay? It supports most RPG Maker games, so you can play quite a few on your phone. | AmericanFlagAsh
08.04.22 | I do not like... Emboar, Samurott, Watchog, Stoutland, Purrloin, the elemental monkey evos, Roggenrola, Conkeldurr, Seismitoad, Throh/Sawk... ect | AmericanFlagAsh
08.04.22 | Alomomola and Beartic like wtf lmao
I haven't heard of JoiPlay but ill look into it! | Pikazilla
08.04.22 | Conkeldurr? Why? I love Conkeldurr lol
I don't love all gen 5 designs either but there are just so many winners. Serperior, Hydreigon, Volcarona, Krookodile, Sigilyph, Durant, Gigalith, Jellicent lines... The list goes on. The legendaries are arguably the weakest aspect of gen 5, but that's because I'd say all previous four gens had most awesome ones. | YoYoMancuso
08.04.22 | HG/SS combines the amazing story of Gen 2 with the amazing gameplay of Gen 4 so it’ll always be my fav | AmericanFlagAsh
08.04.22 | HG/SS were top notch agreed | AmericanFlagAsh
08.04.22 | Conkeldurr is ok, but why is it so goddamn ugly and not like in a nice way | nightbringer
08.04.22 | AmericanFlagAsh, some excellent ROM hacks are games for the original hardware. As such, they work on emulators. E.g. Inclement Emerald is a Gameboy Advance game, hence it will work on RetroArch, My Boy, or other emulators available for your Android phone. And GBA emulation is not taxing so even if you have a budget Android, it should be fine. | nightbringer
08.04.22 | Pika, thanks for reminding me about JoiPlay. It was very slow for me when I first tried it but I have a much better phone now so I should try again. | nightbringer
08.04.22 | As for your OP:
Gen 1: agreed.
Gen 2: You're right but one reason in favour of at least Crystal over HG/SS is the Pokémon sprites and animations. They were really special this gen. And hacks like Polished Crystal can help ease the barrier of entry.
Gen 3: yup, lots of excellent Mon designs here. This gen was under appreciated in its own day. And it continues to have an excellent legacy due to the ease of GBA emulation and ROM hacking.
Gen 4: I feel a little indifferent to this gen. I found pearl and diamond quite boring. The gen 2 remakes were fine and retrospectively some of the best in the franchise but I was finding the formula a bit tiresome at this point.
Gen 5: yes, enjoyed the story and the forced use of new mons. Helped offset my franchise fatigue and again, retrospectively some of the best games.
Gen 6: never played them (didn't have 3ds at the time).
Gen 7: I had fun doing a casual playthrough. I like a lot of the designs.
Gen 8: Never played them (don't have a switch). Like you, I don't care about the dex controversy. I do, however, find the art style and 3D Pokémon models very uninspiring. | 0xME
08.05.22 | Crystal4Lyfe agreed | AmericanFlagAsh
08.05.22 | If I had an android phone I would, but iphone | Veldin
08.05.22 | Cool write up! New game looks really fun and I’m looking for to it. I’m by no means a Poke expert, but I’ve beat the first three games and played half of Sword. Been wanting to play gen 4- I own platinum but also have been considering the Switch version | bloc
08.05.22 | All these new Pokemon, sounds like you guys are speaking a fuckin foreign language | Avagantamos
08.05.22 | "HG/SS combines the amazing story of Gen 2 with the amazing gameplay of Gen 4 so it’ll always be my fav"
what was the story in gen 2? I played Crystal and HG and have no memory of any sort of narrative | Dedes
08.05.22 | Gen 3 best designs undoubtedly imo, combines the simplicity of 1st and 2nd gen designed but with the emphasis of individuality that are in both3rd, 4th and to an extent 5th gen. | Demon of the Fall
08.05.22 | Good thoughts. I could lean towards HG/SS for the initial buzz / nostalgia / upgrades over the originals - then the re-makes adding more modern features from gen 3/4 solidified their place amongst the best games. The originals have the nostalgia too, but with gameplay that simply doesn't hold up to your memories, although I didn't play the remakes.
but yeah honestly BW2 might be my fave of the entire franchise, like you say there's absolutely nothing wrong with omitting past Pokes in favour of a new regional dex, in fact it makes the games more exciting in many ways (I gravitate towards the 'new Pokes' anyway). Also the map design was excellent and I actually enjoyed the story (a rarity).
I'll be getting a Switch soon, pretty sure I'll end up enjoying Sw/Sh despite their supposed faults, from there I'll check Arceus / the upcoming gen |
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