Pokemon Gens Ranking
Favorite generations ranked, primarily by my thoughts on the main entries of that generation. B2/W2 is added as a separate entry purely because it’s a sequel like Gen 2 was to Gen 1.
10 Games
Gen 3.
Phenomenal games. The Gen 3 engine kicks ass. It's snappy and beautiful. There's plenty of new mons in this one (135, if you're counting, third behind Gen 5 and Gen 1), so team-building using new mons is very possible.
And Hoenn feels fantastic to explore. Caves and water routes interlink different parts of the region so well.
Maybe I'm biased. I started with Gen 1, but I really came into my own during Gen 3. I just think that Gen 3 is the best Pokemon's ever been at making you feel like you're on a grand adventure with your super-powered animal buddies. And isn't that the whole point of the franchise?
Phenomenal games. The Gen 3 engine kicks ass. It's snappy and beautiful. There's plenty of new mons in this one (135, if you're counting, third behind Gen 5 and Gen 1), so team-building using new mons is very possible.
And Hoenn feels fantastic to explore. Caves and water routes interlink different parts of the region so well.
Maybe I'm biased. I started with Gen 1, but I really came into my own during Gen 3. I just think that Gen 3 is the best Pokemon's ever been at making you feel like you're on a grand adventure with your super-powered animal buddies. And isn't that the whole point of the franchise?
Gen 2.
Gold/Silver/Crystal is a phenomenal set of games. It's a fantastic sequel to gen 1, not only mechanically, but also in-universe. The game goes out of its way to link GSC to RBY in-universe, presenting Johto and Kanto as neighboring regions tied together in plenty of ways. And the game does that early enough that the moment you step into Kanto for the first time to confront the Pokemon League, it feels foreshadowed and pleasantly surprising at the same time.
And unlike most Pokemon games with very few new Pokemon, the in-universe setup of Kanto and Johto as neighboring regions makes the inclusion of so many returning Pokemon feel completely justified.
Johto is a slow burn. And I like that.
Gold/Silver/Crystal is a phenomenal set of games. It's a fantastic sequel to gen 1, not only mechanically, but also in-universe. The game goes out of its way to link GSC to RBY in-universe, presenting Johto and Kanto as neighboring regions tied together in plenty of ways. And the game does that early enough that the moment you step into Kanto for the first time to confront the Pokemon League, it feels foreshadowed and pleasantly surprising at the same time.
And unlike most Pokemon games with very few new Pokemon, the in-universe setup of Kanto and Johto as neighboring regions makes the inclusion of so many returning Pokemon feel completely justified.
Johto is a slow burn. And I like that.
Gen 5 Part 2.
More Gen 5. More stuff to love. B2/W2 are the last Pokemon games I truly loved with no reservations. As time passes, I realize more and more that Pokemon was at its best when it was sprite-based. Game Freak could do so much in their mandated time-frame within the limits of two dimensions that isn't as achievable in 3D.
B2/W2 is a great addition to the story, mechanics, and universe of B/W. It reveals more of Unova, works returning Pokemon into the region fluidly, and feels like a loving send-off to Pokemon's golden age. The music from the Champion fight in this one has had a stranglehold on me for a decade and feels like it encapsulates that end-of-an-era vibe.
More Gen 5. More stuff to love. B2/W2 are the last Pokemon games I truly loved with no reservations. As time passes, I realize more and more that Pokemon was at its best when it was sprite-based. Game Freak could do so much in their mandated time-frame within the limits of two dimensions that isn't as achievable in 3D.
B2/W2 is a great addition to the story, mechanics, and universe of B/W. It reveals more of Unova, works returning Pokemon into the region fluidly, and feels like a loving send-off to Pokemon's golden age. The music from the Champion fight in this one has had a stranglehold on me for a decade and feels like it encapsulates that end-of-an-era vibe.
Gen 5 Part 1.
Man, I love Unova. Pokemon is at its best for me when it introduces a bunch of new mons that enable you to team-build with actual choice.
And B&W made the bold (I think correct) choice to lock players into 156 brand-new Pokemon until the post-game, forcing the player to use the new Mons. I wish Pokemon did that more.
As a mid-Atlantic boy, I felt right at home in Pokemon's take on the NYC metro area.
I also want to put on the record right now that I was a fan of Gen 5 even on release. For several years after gen 5, it felt like B/W had a bad reputation. It didn't make any sense to me at the time.
Man, I love Unova. Pokemon is at its best for me when it introduces a bunch of new mons that enable you to team-build with actual choice.
And B&W made the bold (I think correct) choice to lock players into 156 brand-new Pokemon until the post-game, forcing the player to use the new Mons. I wish Pokemon did that more.
As a mid-Atlantic boy, I felt right at home in Pokemon's take on the NYC metro area.
I also want to put on the record right now that I was a fan of Gen 5 even on release. For several years after gen 5, it felt like B/W had a bad reputation. It didn't make any sense to me at the time.
Gen 1.
Simple, no-nonsense, and also obtuse in weird and fun ways. I'm the furthest thing from a Genwunner. But there's so much to love about Kanto and the franchise's first attempt to realize its vision.
Simple, no-nonsense, and also obtuse in weird and fun ways. I'm the furthest thing from a Genwunner. But there's so much to love about Kanto and the franchise's first attempt to realize its vision.
Gen 9.
It's recent. It's buggy as hell. But the base mechanics and framing are so damn fun.
I just wish we had better outfit customization options.
If Game Freak had been given more time to work on this one, I would likely enjoy it more.
It's recent. It's buggy as hell. But the base mechanics and framing are so damn fun.
I just wish we had better outfit customization options.
If Game Freak had been given more time to work on this one, I would likely enjoy it more.
Gen 4.
Maybe this is controversial?
Diamond and Pearl were the first time I could remember being a little let down by a Pokemon game. I loved everything about Gen 3 and Hoenn (especially how crisp and snappy it was). And I remember scouring Serebii and other online sources for as much info as I could find about Gen 4 leading up to its release.
When Diamond and Pearl arrived, everything felt slow. The gameplay itself, the pacing, everything felt off. With time, I've come to realize my opinions on Gen 4 are a little reactionary. I want to give Sinnoh a fair shake at some point soon.
One thing I do love about DPPt? The music.
Maybe this is controversial?
Diamond and Pearl were the first time I could remember being a little let down by a Pokemon game. I loved everything about Gen 3 and Hoenn (especially how crisp and snappy it was). And I remember scouring Serebii and other online sources for as much info as I could find about Gen 4 leading up to its release.
When Diamond and Pearl arrived, everything felt slow. The gameplay itself, the pacing, everything felt off. With time, I've come to realize my opinions on Gen 4 are a little reactionary. I want to give Sinnoh a fair shake at some point soon.
One thing I do love about DPPt? The music.
Gen 8.
Sword and Shield look beautiful. And I welcomed the return of a Pokemon League following its weird absence (kinda) in Sun and Moon.
But I had a hard time finishing the game. There were only 81 new Pokemon in this entry, which made building a Galar-exclusive team less exciting.
Sword and Shield look beautiful. And I welcomed the return of a Pokemon League following its weird absence (kinda) in Sun and Moon.
But I had a hard time finishing the game. There were only 81 new Pokemon in this entry, which made building a Galar-exclusive team less exciting.
Gen 6.
There was a lot to love about Gen 6 when it first released. It felt new! Mainline Pokemon had made the 3D jump!
But then you noticed the game's flaws. X and Y introduced a meager 72 new Pokemon. The Gym fights lost complexity. It didn't feel like the game rewarded exploration. And the in-game mechanics felt half-baked.
There was a lot to love about Gen 6 when it first released. It felt new! Mainline Pokemon had made the 3D jump!
But then you noticed the game's flaws. X and Y introduced a meager 72 new Pokemon. The Gym fights lost complexity. It didn't feel like the game rewarded exploration. And the in-game mechanics felt half-baked.
Gen 7.
An amusement park ride. Not in a good way.
An amusement park ride. Not in a good way.