Every Pokémon Generation, Ranked By Replayability

Every Pokémon Generation, Ranked By Replayability

The latest Pokémon generation received mixed reviews from fans. The games looked surprisingly unpolished, attracting major criticism from long-time fans, and while the story was fresh enough, it still lacked surprises or innovations, making Sword & Shield a mixed bag.
The generation’s divisiveness prevented it from getting a third entry to complete the trilogy. Instead, it received a pair of DLCs that expanded on the current storyline while introducing a handful of new Pokémon and Gigantamax forms. Considering all this, it’s no surprise that few, if any, fans are looking forward to revisiting Galar. Pokémon Legends: Arceus has a high replay value, but many fans could consider it a part of Gen IV because of its Sinnoh-centric plot.

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7 Generation VI

Like Galar, Kalos is a beautiful and seemingly expansive region with surprisingly few things to do. The Kalos region has a very distinctive vibe, regal and ancient, giving it an edge over the other major locations in the franchise. However, it also has a shockingly low amount of memorable Pokémon; if it weren’t for the Fairy-type, perhaps few of its native Pokémon would fall into the “disappointing” category.
The Generation VI games are also infamously easy, providing little to no challenge for experienced players. The plot is straightforward, despite some flashes of occasional brilliance — mainly the presence of AZ, the Kalos War backstory, and the Ultimate Weapon –, and the Gym Leaders and Elite Four members are total pushovers. Some fans might replay these games to kill some time, but none revisit them when looking for a true challenge.
6 Generation II

There’s nothing inherently wrong with Generation II. It was a solid second entry into the franchise, a logical extension from the Kanto region. Considering they are neighbors, it makes sense that they share so many things. However, that also means Johto’s identity is less defined than some of the other locations in the series.
Every Pokémon region has strengths, and Johto’s distinctive Japanese influences are certainly memorable. Some of its Pokémon are also quite great, but none are as iconic as the 150 that came before or the ones that followed. Gold & Silver‘s plot was a rehash of the Gen I games, down to having the same villainous team. However, players can visit Kanto during the post-game, giving the games something of an edge.

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5 Generation V

The Unova entries have the best plot of any game in the Pokémon series. Featuring a compelling antagonist, a menacing villain, an intricate and thoughtful story, and a ton of incredible Pokémon, the Gen V games are among the best efforts in the venerable franchise.
Still, few fans revisit them, and Unova remains a somewhat unpopular region. It’s a shame, because the games feel as fresh as they did when they first premiered in 2010. Perhaps the eventual remakes will breathe new life into this unfairly maligned generation, making fans realize how incredible and ambitious they really are.
4 Generation VII

Generation VII is one of the most unique and memorable in the franchise. The games take the players to the Alola region, a sunny vacation spot where things are significantly different from other regions in the Pokémon world. Alola has several underrated Pokémon, plus some absolute stars of the franchise.
Sun & Moon introduced many unique traits to the franchise’s old formula, including a revamp of the Gym Challenge in the form of the Island Trial. Totem Pokémon and Z Crystals added more challenge to the games, and the sequel’s introduction of Ultra Space upped the ante significantly. The Gen VII games are perfect for replaying, providing a genuine challenge that players can still enjoy today.

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3 Generation III

Many current fans of Pokémon first got into the franchise with the Hoenn games, giving Generation III a place of honor in the fandom; however, the games are great, even without this distinction. Ruby & Sapphire featured the first major change to the series’ formula, introducing two potential villains with far more ambitious plans than Giovanni and Team Rocket.
Generation III also has some of the franchise’s best Pokémon, including arguably the best Starters and some of the best Legendaries. As is the case in almost every generation, the third game, Pokémon Emerald, takes the best aspects of its predecessors and enhances them, delivering the ultimate gaming experience for players. The remakes, Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, did a wonderful job updating the originals, and the bonus of Mega Evolutions made them even better.
2 Generation IV

Players looking for a true challenge often go back to the Gen IV games, home of the best Champion in Pokémon history: Cynthia. The Sinnoh region is home to some of the best baby Pokémon and third-stage evolutions, plus arguably the best lore in the franchise’s history; after all, it’s home to the Pokémon god!
Diamond & Pearl had many undeniable flaws — the extremely slow animations and battle mechanics and the unbalanced Pokédex being the most egregious –, but Platinum corrected them and added the Battle Frontier, turning Gen IV into one of the all-time best. Legends: Arceus further increased the generation’s standing among fans, and nowadays, the Sinnoh region reigns supreme.

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1 Generation I

Nothing beats the original, and in Pokémon‘s case, it’s true. The Kanto games aren’t exactly ambitious in their plot, featuring a basic story that fans know by heart. However, there’s something special about them, a familiarity that keeps players coming back to the Kanto region.
Generation I features the most iconic Pokémon in the franchise, the original 150. It also receives a remake in nearly every new generation, from III’s FireRed & LeafGreen to VII’s Let’s Go Pikachu & Let’s Go Eevee. The franchise knows how beloved Gen I is, and players will keep revisiting it as long as Game Freak can keep coming up with ways to keep it fresh and relevant.
NextSilent Hill: 10 Scariest Monsters

#Pokémon #Generation #Ranked #Replayability

Every Pokémon Generation, Ranked By Replayability

The latest Pokémon generation received mixed reviews from fans. The games looked surprisingly unpolished, attracting major criticism from long-time fans, and while the story was fresh enough, it still lacked surprises or innovations, making Sword & Shield a mixed bag.
The generation’s divisiveness prevented it from getting a third entry to complete the trilogy. Instead, it received a pair of DLCs that expanded on the current storyline while introducing a handful of new Pokémon and Gigantamax forms. Considering all this, it’s no surprise that few, if any, fans are looking forward to revisiting Galar. Pokémon Legends: Arceus has a high replay value, but many fans could consider it a part of Gen IV because of its Sinnoh-centric plot.

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1528733612385-eer-REPEAT1’); });

7 Generation VI

Like Galar, Kalos is a beautiful and seemingly expansive region with surprisingly few things to do. The Kalos region has a very distinctive vibe, regal and ancient, giving it an edge over the other major locations in the franchise. However, it also has a shockingly low amount of memorable Pokémon; if it weren’t for the Fairy-type, perhaps few of its native Pokémon would fall into the “disappointing” category.
The Generation VI games are also infamously easy, providing little to no challenge for experienced players. The plot is straightforward, despite some flashes of occasional brilliance — mainly the presence of AZ, the Kalos War backstory, and the Ultimate Weapon –, and the Gym Leaders and Elite Four members are total pushovers. Some fans might replay these games to kill some time, but none revisit them when looking for a true challenge.
6 Generation II

There’s nothing inherently wrong with Generation II. It was a solid second entry into the franchise, a logical extension from the Kanto region. Considering they are neighbors, it makes sense that they share so many things. However, that also means Johto’s identity is less defined than some of the other locations in the series.
Every Pokémon region has strengths, and Johto’s distinctive Japanese influences are certainly memorable. Some of its Pokémon are also quite great, but none are as iconic as the 150 that came before or the ones that followed. Gold & Silver‘s plot was a rehash of the Gen I games, down to having the same villainous team. However, players can visit Kanto during the post-game, giving the games something of an edge.

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1528733612385-eer-REPEAT2’); });

5 Generation V

The Unova entries have the best plot of any game in the Pokémon series. Featuring a compelling antagonist, a menacing villain, an intricate and thoughtful story, and a ton of incredible Pokémon, the Gen V games are among the best efforts in the venerable franchise.
Still, few fans revisit them, and Unova remains a somewhat unpopular region. It’s a shame, because the games feel as fresh as they did when they first premiered in 2010. Perhaps the eventual remakes will breathe new life into this unfairly maligned generation, making fans realize how incredible and ambitious they really are.
4 Generation VII

Generation VII is one of the most unique and memorable in the franchise. The games take the players to the Alola region, a sunny vacation spot where things are significantly different from other regions in the Pokémon world. Alola has several underrated Pokémon, plus some absolute stars of the franchise.
Sun & Moon introduced many unique traits to the franchise’s old formula, including a revamp of the Gym Challenge in the form of the Island Trial. Totem Pokémon and Z Crystals added more challenge to the games, and the sequel’s introduction of Ultra Space upped the ante significantly. The Gen VII games are perfect for replaying, providing a genuine challenge that players can still enjoy today.

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1528733612385-eer-REPEAT3’); });

3 Generation III

Many current fans of Pokémon first got into the franchise with the Hoenn games, giving Generation III a place of honor in the fandom; however, the games are great, even without this distinction. Ruby & Sapphire featured the first major change to the series’ formula, introducing two potential villains with far more ambitious plans than Giovanni and Team Rocket.
Generation III also has some of the franchise’s best Pokémon, including arguably the best Starters and some of the best Legendaries. As is the case in almost every generation, the third game, Pokémon Emerald, takes the best aspects of its predecessors and enhances them, delivering the ultimate gaming experience for players. The remakes, Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, did a wonderful job updating the originals, and the bonus of Mega Evolutions made them even better.
2 Generation IV

Players looking for a true challenge often go back to the Gen IV games, home of the best Champion in Pokémon history: Cynthia. The Sinnoh region is home to some of the best baby Pokémon and third-stage evolutions, plus arguably the best lore in the franchise’s history; after all, it’s home to the Pokémon god!
Diamond & Pearl had many undeniable flaws — the extremely slow animations and battle mechanics and the unbalanced Pokédex being the most egregious –, but Platinum corrected them and added the Battle Frontier, turning Gen IV into one of the all-time best. Legends: Arceus further increased the generation’s standing among fans, and nowadays, the Sinnoh region reigns supreme.

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1528733612385-eer-REPEAT4’); });

1 Generation I

Nothing beats the original, and in Pokémon‘s case, it’s true. The Kanto games aren’t exactly ambitious in their plot, featuring a basic story that fans know by heart. However, there’s something special about them, a familiarity that keeps players coming back to the Kanto region.
Generation I features the most iconic Pokémon in the franchise, the original 150. It also receives a remake in nearly every new generation, from III’s FireRed & LeafGreen to VII’s Let’s Go Pikachu & Let’s Go Eevee. The franchise knows how beloved Gen I is, and players will keep revisiting it as long as Game Freak can keep coming up with ways to keep it fresh and relevant.
NextSilent Hill: 10 Scariest Monsters

#Pokémon #Generation #Ranked #Replayability