Which Pokémon game should I get?

[Geekosaurus]

This order.

Red
Yellow
Gold
Crystal

Stop playing

This order:

Red.

Stop playing.

 

[NeedAUserName]

This order.

Red
Yellow
Gold
Crystal

Stop playing

Really, I always thought Crystal was a bit of a let down... I'd have ended after Gold.

 

[Kimarous]

I love how so many of the existing posts have been fanboy whining about how the earlier generation was better and they should've stopped. If you want the nostalgia value and familiar Pokemon, I'd go with HeartGold or SoulSilver. If such aspects don't matter that much to you, wait for the new Black and White games. Whatever you do, don't sacrifice your own enjoyment just because of cranky old geezers.

 

[emeraldrafael]

Get Blue
Yellow
(you can get crystal if you want one of those games)
I'd say Sapphire instead of Ruby, but I liked kyogre more
EDIT: Leaf green or fire read, if you want to get a newer version of the originals for better graphics, but its not necessary uinless you want one of each pair/triplet games.
Diamond (i got pearl and Palkia is a much poorer legendary then Dialga)
HeartGold (I like the option of Ho-oh first then a strong Lugia later where the training is done for you)
And then the new one depends if you like a more nature theme or industrial.

Really none of the games are different from each other within their generations, you just have to think about which pokemon you want, since each has version exclusives. And you can pretty much substitute Emerald for Ruby or Sapphire since you can get Groudon, Kyorge, and Rayquaza in one game in Emerald.

 

[fletch_talon]

I remember watching the Pokémon cartoon as a kid, but I don't think I've ever played the games. I've been hearing about them, and now I'm interested. I've got a DSi and I know a shop nearby selling a Gameboy for cheap. So, the question is: Which Pokémon game would you recommend to someone who's never played Pokémon?

Heart Gold or Soul Silver.
Brilliant remakes of the second generation, which is probably my favourite generation.
Its no good buying the original gold/silver/crystal as they have batteries built into the cartridge (for saving and timekeeping) which has likely run out by now.

Diamond, Pearl and Platinum are great, as are Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald.
As fond as people's memories probably are of Red and Blue, just ignore the fools who assert that they are the only games worth playing. If you want to play Red and Blue go ahead, but you may find more enjoyment out of the GBA remakes Fire Red and Leaf Green.

 

[shieldsee]

Always take the nostalgic path, so get all the originals from the gameboy series', rather than the DS, they are too refined. Plus, retro pokemon rules!

yellow --> gold --> crystal --> sapphire --> stop before you try to ruin your image of pokemon

 

[Islandboy2]

I'd get Heart Gold or Soul Silver. They are updated versions of 2nd gen and are of course best of all pokemon games atm.
Don't believe the nostalgia driven posters, just get the newest one.

 

[NEDM]

Platinum, then Black or White in march.

If you didn't play Silver or Gold, then HeartGold SoulSilver won't be as good because 90% of it is nostalgia.

I had skipped the 2nd and 3rd generations, so the HG/SS didn't do it for me as much as Diamond/Pearl/Platinum. I did go back to the 3rd gen games, and picked up Emerald and Fire Red. Which are also quite fun for GBA games.

Your best bet is to get either Heartgold Soulsilver or platinum. Play it and if you get into it, go full into Black or White in the spring.

 

[emeraldrafael]

Platinum, then Black or White in march.

If you didn't play Silver or Gold, then HeartGold SoulSilver won't be as good because 90% of it is nostalgia.

I had skipped the 2nd and 3rd generations, so the HG/SS didn't do it for me as much as Diamond/Pearl/Platinum. I did go back to the 3rd gen games, and picked up Emerald and Fire Red. Which are also quite fun for GBA games.

Your best bet is to get either Heartgold Soulsilver or platinum. Play it and if you get into it, go full into Black or White in the spring.

Thanks for reminding me.

TO edit my list, you should get blue, then you can have the awkward choice between fire red and leaf green. Neither is substantially different, but one of my firends got fire red cause it had ekans and arbok in it, if that helps any.

 

[Recron]

Hmm, I would say Start with platinum, then move on to heart gold or soul Silver and work your way down the generations if you are still interested in what Pokémon was like in the days of yore. also if you are interested in the spin off games I would Highly recommend Pokémon Mystery Dungeon explorers of the sky.