Rank the Pokemon Generations!

[suntt123]

Gen IV-
Useless pokemon get awesome evolutions, method to catch shinies more easily, first game to feature online Global Trading Station, starters are the definition of badassery, Staraptor is the coolest Normal/Flying EVER. Besides that, the Physical/Special split made pokemon whose stat distribution was previously considered to be messed up more usable and it had the most interesting legendaries and bad guy team (IMO). My only real gripe is that you needed to attach the older versions to catch so many pokemon in D/P, though they rectified that in Platinum. It also introduced stat-down berries, which made EV training SOOO much less of a hassle. LEGENDARY! (C WUT I DID THAR?)

Gen V-
Most creative looking pokemon I've ever seen. They really went all out, as they had to, in order to create a region that was entirely isolated from previous ones. This meant that none of the oldies showed up until very late in the game so the region had to had enough of it's own pokemon. My second favorite generation in terms of overall design aesthetic. The game also had the most interesting story and the bad guys weren't all just a stupidly evil group. Also introduced shops that let you EV train your pokemon for a fee. Dream world abilities also made previously worthless pokemon more useful. AWESOME!

Gen III-
Cool legendaries, cool starters, stupid bad guy team though. Introduced pokemon abilities into the game and refined the held item concept. GREAT!

Gen II-
Feraligatr was cool... But only recently became strong as he was unable to make full use of his awesome physical stats at the time. It also introduced held items, fixed the broken crit mechanics and split the Special stat into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def. And had 2 explore-able regions. NICE!

Gen I-
Boring designs and broken mechanics, but I'll cut it some slack as it was their first attempt, and it was fixed (mostly) in the next one. But it set the foundation for one of my favorite games ever. So... There's that, I guess. OKAY!

 

[Terminate421]

I don't like ratings usually, it makes me feel like I somehow hate one. (I love them all like a good person)

1. Tied between 2nd and 4th, This is due to both of them adding content which completely altered the game play aspect the most, 2 new types, balance in stats, physical special split, ONLINE BATTLING AND TRADING, etc. Also they brought forth the best designs out of all the generations IMO. Typhlosion, Empoleon, Honchkrow, Weavile, Xatu, Lugia, the list goes on and on...

2. 5th, it may be the most refined out of all the generations, but Triple battles and moving sprites and much faster combat make this generation awesome. Also SCOLIPEDE.

3. 1st, The original generation is always a classic but I'm bewildered as to how people think it's better designed (Even in the pokemon AND game play aspect, Psychic was fucking OP and Dragons were worthless). I will give it credit to having the best Gym Leader music.

4. 3rd, I don't hate this generation but I do feel this was the point where they wanted to try adding n00bs into the franchise. I beat an entire playthrough with only a Blaziken and Breloom. A Relicanth and Swellow I had for flying around, I do like the art style alot and I love the fact that they played with entire concepts for cities, such as a CITY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OCEAN.

 

[CrimsonBlaze]

Well, here are my picks. I hoped that I am not judged harshly for my apparently "controversial" rankings.

Spoiler: Number 1

1. Gen 2: Pokemon Gold/Silver/Crystal & HeartGold/SoulSilver
The first and currently only true sequel to a handheld Pokemon title, Gen 2 took everything that made the first Gen great and doubled it. We got a new region, new starters, new Pokemon and evolutions, two new Pokemon types, shiny Pokemon, a day and night time system, day-specific events, the Pokegear, new HMs to explore and interact with the world, new Pokeballs, berries and held items, the ability to hold items, and a difficulty that was subtly programmed into the game depending solely on the starter you chose. Also, you were allowed to return to the previous region, Kanto, challenging the 8 gym leaders and seeing the changes that have happened over the 3 year time skip between the two Gens.

When the remakes came to town, they continued to add new features to the already existing game series. Functioning touch controls made the familiar pilgrimage through Jotho a pleasant one and the first true all-tough controls for a Pokemon title. There was also having Pokemon follow you around, utilizing the PokeWalker, new mini-games that your Pokemon can compete in, and battling a stronger version off all 16 Gym Leaders that were great features exclusive to these titles.

This Gen was, without a doubt, what brought the first of many great innovations that were soon to follow into the series.

Spoiler: Number 2

2. Gen 1: Pokemon Red/Blue/Yellow & FireRed/LeafGreen
The first handheld Pokemon title was an oldie, but goodie, and for many, our first experience with Pokemon in a video game. The amount of nostalgia from this game is overwhelming, and served as our first stepping stones into the series, as we began to grasp the true complexity of the game in later Gens.

Although the Pokemon fighting formula has since evolved from its humble beginnings, returning to these titles with the wealth of knowledge that we now posses is truly a satisfying experience. Being able to traverse this forgotten land and limited by what you could do makes revisiting these plains a true challenge to experienced players, and being able to complete the game triumphantly, is an experience that no Pokemon fan should be without.

The remakes updated the playing field by introducing Gen 3 standards, as well as providing new lands to explore, the VS Seeker, which would become a staple in the series, and utilizing the concept of a NationalDex to truly catch them all.

I could have put this on the No.1 spot, but Gen 2 is what really sealed the deal.

Spoiler: Number 3

3. Gen 3: Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald

This gen was again, an essential part of the series, as it introduced many staple of the series that we enjoy today.

Double battles, Pokemon abilities, more HMs, Pokemon Contests, even more new items and Pokeballs, new berries and berry growing, weather effects in certain areas, and two rivals. This was also the first Gen to create the theme of having three titular Legendaries (Groundon, Kyogre, & Rayquaza). There was also an urgency to explore the seas, both above and bellow, and many wonder and mysteries awaited.

One of the more favorable parts of this Gen were the villains: Team Magma and Team Aqua. Despite being villainous by nature, their intentions were actually noble; more land for creatures to live on or more vast oceans for life to fester in. Their methods are questionable, but they are without a doubt the best Teams in the whole series thus far.

The only gripe that I have with this game is that there was too much reliance in exploring the oceans (too many unwanted encounters with Tentacool, if you catch my drift).

Spoiler: Number 4

4. Gen 4: Pokemon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum

As with each Gen, Gen 4 brought us the distinction of Physical, Special, and Support types of attacks, changing the form of attacks to reflect the stats of Pokemon rather than their elemental types. There were also more new items and Pokeballs, some that emphases EV training, an underground to explore and obtain rare items in, the Global Trade Station, the PokeTech, an emphasis on Pokemon Formes, being able to transfer Pokemon from the GBA to the DS titles, and a large abundance of Legendaries.

Also, Pokemon Platinum was the first third installment to really set itself apart from its initial two versions, as it provided a different story and goal: as Giratina has caused lower temperatures in Sinnoh, the protagonists now don winter gear, and must stop/capture Giratina in the Distortion World.

The only gripes I have with this game is the lack of Fire-types in the initial story campaign (Chimchar and Ponyta) and in this new Gen in general (only five new Pokemon). This is more of a personal complaint, but I love Fire-types. The second gripe is the way the Pokedex was made; it only contains a mixed bag 150 Pokemon, and many of the newer Pokemon are not able to be captured until the end of the initial campaign or have Pokemon Platinum.

Spoiler: Number 5

5. Gen 5: Pokemon Black/White & Black 2/White 2
I just flat out don't like this Gen and it's the only one that I feel negatively about.

Relax, I can explain myself and I'll start with the good.

This games does a good job at telling a story in the Pokemon handheld. Every time you enter a new area, you will often com across events, characters, or narratives that flesh out the region of Unova. Also, your rivals participate in the story and act as more than speed bumps in your journey to be a Pokemon Master. The areas that you explore are really great, especially Pinwheel Forest. The bridges also provide a sense of grandness without having giving the impression of being a nuisance. The Gyms are also well designed and a fun break from the outdoor exploring. There is also no limit to how many TMs you could use, but that was just a given.

So yeah, now the bad.

First off, the starters. Simply put, Tepig is the worst Fire starter ever, and I couldn't stand to look at Oshawott for most of my game play (i.e. I don't evolve my starters immediately). So I'm stuck with Snivy, and with that in mind, I didn't feel the need to get Black 2. There are 150+ original Pokemon in this Gen, as a homage to Gen 1, but really, it could have done without 1/3 of the new Pokemon. Instead, they should have done what they did in Black 2/White 2: include 200 or so older Gen Pokemon to give a good rooster of old and new Pokemon.

The Pokemon Musicals should not have replaced Pokemon Contests, but thankfully Pokemon Studios in Black 2/White 2 has at least redeemed itself. Triple/Rotation Battles are no where to be found (seriously, there is one in the main campaign and two in the post campaign) and I am unsure if they exist in Black 2/White 2. Battling all the Gym Leaders and Pokemon Champions from past Gens is great, but simply an excuse to make Black 2/White 2 better than Black/White.

Team Plasma is simply Team PETA and N is the worst Team Boss ever, as he himself is unaware of Team PETA's true intentions and merely serves as a puppet Boss (he should've been named B for Bush).

There is also no need to want to replay this game again, as I've done so for all my other Gens, so that alone merits it as the worst Gen ever.

As far as Black 2/White 2 being the first sequel to a Pokemon handheld, look back at my criteria for Gen 2 and see if it holds true. At best, Black 2/White 2 is a reboot for Black/White, as it fixes everything that was wrong with those two titles to some extent.

 

[Gatx]

Gen 2 - expanded upon the first game in every imaginable positive way, new Pokemon, night and day, phone calls, two regions, etc.
Gen 5 - reinvigorated the Pokemon formula for me, gave me a sense of playing a brand new Pokemon rather than one that was an expansion of the rest of the games, partly because of how you couldn't access previous generation Pokemon until post-game.
Gen 4 - reintroduction of night and day, fleshed out the lore a bit (people actually eat Pokemon), and had some solid designs. Also Sinnoh had some amazing towns.
Gen 1 - it's good but I prefer the improvements of the games that followed.
Gen 3 - overall it just felt like a downgrade after Gen 2, even though it had some nice Pokemon designs, had a refreshing take on the whole rival dynamic.

 

[Brownie_The_Baller]

1. Yellow/Blue/Red/Leaf Green/Fire Red Best Starter: Charmander
2. Sapphire/Emerald/Ruby Best Starter: Mudkip
3. Crystal/Gold/Silver Best Starter: Cyndaquill
4. Black/White/Black 2/White 2 Best Starter: Oshawott
5. Diamond/Pearl/Platinum Best Starter: Turtwig