RPGamer’s Tribute to 30 Years of Pokémon
There is much to be celebrated about the beloved series that is Pokémon . With the franchise turning 30 this month, we asked our staff volunteers to share what Pokémon has meant to everyone over the years. It's no surprise that we had plenty to say --- we hope you enjoy our favorite moments, games and Pokémon. We would love to hear yours!
By Michael Apps , Ezra Kinnell , Elena Ng , Michael Baker , Erik van Asselt , Benedikt Geierhofer , Robert Sinclair , Paul Shkrel , Andi Privitere , Matt Masem , Ryan Radcliff , Joe Hanley , Cassandra Ramos , Jordan McClain , and Zach Welhouse .
Generations I, II, and III: 1996-2005
Pokémon Yellow, Red, Blue, Green
When I was 17, all I wanted for Christmas was Pokémon Yellow . However, living in northern Ontario, acquiring the hottest game of the year proved to be challenging for my mother, who traveled as much as four hours away hunting for the game without luck. Finally, a last-ditch phone call to the local Walmart lit some hope: they had five copies but expected them to sell as soon as they were on the floor. My mother begged for them to hold one until my Nan could get there, explaining it was the only thing I'd ask for that Christmas. The worker relented, but insisted they could only keep it behind the counter for 30 minutes, max. After frantic phone call, off my Nan went, only taking the time to throw some pants over her nightgown and a wrap over her curlers. When she arrived to pay for the game, the associate mentioned how lucky I was that two people would work so hard to get me the game and asked how old I was.
"Oh, my grandchild is 17!"
I ended up playing that copy of Yellow a lot, returning to it many times over the years until it could no longer hold a save, and it remains my favourite title in the series to this day. -- Andi Privitere
Pokémon arrived in America just as I was starting college, but my brother was in 5th grade. Our weekly phone conversations about the show were a bonding experience, and I took him to see the movies for his birthday three consecutive years. Small surprise that the original generation has a special place in my heart, in spite of its many flaws, and from it, my favorite critter has always been Bulbasaur. There's just something about that truculent fellow, that little green saurian with the heart of a bulldog, and any time it's a choice for starter or second starter (e.g., in Pokémon Legends: Z-A ), I choose that one. Green power forever! -- Michael Baker
The first Pokémon I ever met is also my favorite. Setting off in Pokémon Red with Bulbasaur in ‘98 was the first leg of a lifelong journey. It’s been Grass-type starters ever since. Maybe it’s because I’m a nurturing soul who appreciates similar qualities in a partner; maybe it’s because I’ve been poisoned by this wicked world and appreciate multiple forms of chip damage. Either way, Bulbasaur is the rad critter who best expresses the key emotions: joy, confusion, and whipping.
Of course, other Pokémon exist in my periphery. Oddish and Dugtrio filled my middle school sketchbooks, being the easiest to draw. Snorlax is the one who is a soft beanbag for my dog. Slowpoke wishes me a happy new year every March. But it’s the squat-bodied, seed frog who lives in my heart and makes me smile with every call of “Bulbasaur!”
From 1998 to infinity --- Bulbasaur is still the greatest. -- Zach Welhouse
Back in the dark ages when I was young and full of life, not even 10, Pokémon was making its arrival and was the hottest thing on the school yard. We collected everything, from the original games, to stickers, to the trading cards. And little me was mesmerized by one specific card. Pidgeot was the card that blew my little child brain away because I considered it the most elegant and cool-looking Pokémon in existence. Now, thirty years later, it still gives me warm feelings in my heart. I found many other Pokémon I equally treasure but Pidgeot will always be the coolest bird there is. -- Benedikt Geierhofer
Pokémon Gold and Silver
Even though people might have considered me too old for Pokémon when the franchise first launched, I was hooked on the little pocket monsters from the get-go. It was a dream come true; I was able to create my own team and play the game my way, no longer restricted by the small cast of characters a typical role-playing game offers.
But I will always have a soft spot for the second generation. Especially Pokémon Gold , which became almost glued to my Game Boy after a summer holiday in Germany. It took everything I loved about the first games and made it better—from quality-of-life improvements, like the way the inventory was handled, to the roster itself. This generation contains all my favorites: Espeon, Ursaring, and let’s not forget the best water starter, Totodile. Man, now I want to journey back to Johto again. -- Erik van Asselt
I started with Pokémon Red version but didn't get sucked into the catch 'em all attitude until I got Pokémon Gold on release. I don't remember how I found out, but I learned that certain first generation Pokémon could evolve when traded with certain items. I got the Metal Coat item, duplicated it many times, and then I traded Scyther to my Silver version. Scizor's red color, sleek curves, clamps, and it becoming what ended up being my favourite type made me completely obsessed with it. The sheer power and resistance to so many forms of damage, including being immune to poison completely, earned it a permanent spot on my team. Generations later and still no Pokémon has hit me quite the same way. My only complaint about it is that its shiny version is puke green and loses some of its cool factor. -- Robert Sinclair
Pokémon Colosseum
Born in 1998, I was far too young to experience America's introduction to Pokémon and therefore missed the initial wave of late '90s Pokémania, though the hype around the series remained as I grew up. Having to share a console with my brother, my first and still favorite Pokémon game is the 2003 GameCube title Pokémon Colosseum . Featuring only double battles and a restricted lineup of mostly Johto Pokémon, it offers relatively more strategic depth and a slightly more mature plot.
The game opens with a disgruntled member of the Pokémon-stealing gang, Team Snagem, hopping on a hoverbike, blowing up his gang's hideout, and setting out into the desert to recapture and purify the corrupted hearts of the stolen Pokémon, which are being turned into hyper-aggressive Shadow Pokémon. Colosseum notably gives players two starters, Espeon and Umbreon, and the adorable yet powerful psychic feline immediately cemented itself as my favorite Pokémon. -- Jordan McClain
Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald
Where do I even start? Pokémon has been my lifelong love since Pokémon Red . It's the series that got me into RPGs in the first place, and I will forever be grateful for every single memory. From being a Pokémon variety streamer that shiny hunted, battled competitively, collected Pokémon cards, and enjoyed many of the spin-off games, to nursing a housing crisis for all my Pokémon plushies at home -- it's been the greatest journey.
My favorite game has got to be Pokémon Emerald --- having a secret base and being able to show off my Pokémon in Pokémon contests was something else! Rayquaza is also one of the coolest legendaries of all time and my list of favorite Pokémon is long, but Milotic is also an icon. Even though it's a royal pain to acquire in most of the games, one glance at the beautiful serpent and I'd do it again, every time. -- Elena Ng
Generations IV, V, and VI: 2006-2015
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl
Back in high school, I was introduced to Pokémon and since then, I basically found a new favorite Pokémon to use through each generation. From Charizard, to Houndoom, to Zangoose, I gravitated to a new Pokémon in each new entry. Pokémon Diamond and Pearl introduced the Pokémon that finally ended my search for my favorite. Riolu was innocent-looking enough, but upon evolving came Lucario, and he definitely caught my eye. This jackal's movesets cover tons of weaknesses, and he looks great. Lucario has a few weaknesses, sure, but there are tons of types that are ineffective against them too. Lucario looks the part, can join any team and be productive, and is also a fighter in the Super Smash Bros. series. It sounds like a winner to me. -- Ryan Radcliff
Pokémon Black, White, Black 2, and White 2
I was the targeted demographic for Pokémon when it first hit North America, and the franchise captured my imagination like nothing else. I began with the anime but very soon got Pokémon Red, and I've followed the series since then. Pokémon was even my introduction to the wonderful world of RPGs. My favorite aspect is the Pokémon themselves, perhaps not surprisingly since I love animals. I also enjoy many other aspects, such as the gameplay and the worldbuilding.
To me, the pinnacle of Pokémon game is the fifth generation: Pokémon Black and White . These games still have the best balance between the trainer journey and the main plot, and it makes for a great story. Other than the story, the characters are also excellent and undergo a surprising amount of character development. I also love that there are only new Pokémon during the main game, making the experience feel fresh. Pokémon hasn't quite hit the same high for me since then. -- Cassandra Ramos
To me, Pokémon Black 2 and Pokémon White 2, the only direct sequels in the mainline Pokémon games, are, the quintessential Pokémon experience. The narrative elements of Pokémon Black and White were genuinely interesting, and showing the consequences of Team Plasma’s actions, especially through the rival, Hugh, is a treat. Furthermore, bringing back Pokémon from previous generations is a fun way to distinguish the sequels from the originals while embracing Pokémon's history.
Despite Generations IV and V being my favorites, there’s just something about Meowstic that I find irresistible. The design is extremely cute, and I love that the female variant is more offensive than the male variant. And despite my overall misgivings with Pokémon Legends Z-A , I was extremely pleased to see Meowstic receive a Mega Evolution in the Mega Dimension DLC. Despite being one of my favorites, Meowstic is rather weak, so the Mega Evolution is a nice upgrade. I love the design too. It transforms Meowstic from “cute cat” to “floating cat god”, and I can’t get enough. -- Ezra Kinnell
Generations VII, VIII, and IX: 2016-2025
Pokémon Sun and Moon
I hit the original Pokémon craze pretty hard, along with my siblings. We all had different versions: I had Red , my brother had Blue , and my sister eventually got Yellow . Somewhere along the line, I had the idea to catch them all and went through the painstaking process of trading with my siblings, friends, and random kids from Taekwondo class to actually complete the process. It was a hollow victory, and mostly just made it hard to get into later entries despite my best efforts. I would keep trying to play the series looking for that old spark, with no luck.
Then along came Pokémon Sun and Moon to save my soul, so to speak. With a vibrant Hawaiian-themed region, it grabbed me from the moment its wonderful soundtrack kicked in during the opening sequence. With fun new regional variants, an entertaining villain faction, and an engine that took full advantage of the 3DS, I was captivated. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that it has two of the coolest legendaries in series history. Fun characters and a neat inter-dimensional story kept me going, and by the end, I was fully back in the series. It will forever be my favorite for that reason. -- Michael Apps
Pokémon Sword and Shield
I've been into Pokémon since the first iteration of the games, even if my actual interest in the franchise would ebb and flow over the years. In my house, though, Pokémon fever is in full swing, with my kids and their dad alike collecting cards and playing the games like it's 1999.
While I bought Pokémon Sword at launch, I didn't play it until 2025, when my 6-year old started a new game. It was so enjoyable watching him pick a starter, collect his first Pokémon, and earn his first badge. Even better, he slowly worked his way through the main game, prompting us to get the DLC. I was surprised to learn about the complaints about the game, as I found it to be bright, colorful, and accessible. I hadn't finished a Pokémon game since Black and White about 15 years ago, and it was awesome to be along for the ride with my son and his Scorbunny. -- Paul Shkreli
I was a bit late to the Pokémon craze, with it hitting right as I was dipping out of the whole JRPG scene for a decade or so. Being a bit older than most, I was discovering the games a generation late and talking to my students at school about them. I had a little taste of the whole trading aspect when the DS versions launched the Global Trade System, but typically, I was content to catch and raise who I had (minus doing what was necessary to obtain Alakazam, my absolute favorite, each time), roll credits, and call it a day.
This has all changed these days from Pokémon Sword and Shield onwards. I have kids! They love Pokémon as much as me. Now I'm catching them all and have a trading partner or two each game. While they're more into shiny hunting, they're more than happy to help old dad with a trade or 20 to fill out both of our Pokédexes. The games have gone from solo endeavors to family fun times, and I couldn't be happier.
-- Matt Masem
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
I loved Pokémon Yellow and Gold but was never very fond of handheld consoles and their tiny screens. I was also disappointed with the N64 spinoff entries. So, I never bought a GBA or DS and lost interest in Pokémon games for a long time. Everything changed with the Switch. While Pokémon Sword was the first mainline entry playable on my TV, Pokémon Scarlet is my favorite.
I loved the wild area in Pokémon Sword , and Pokémon Scarlet expands further on this concept to create a huge, seamless open world. The landscape is saturated with items to collect, and hundreds of Pokémon to fight, catch, and train. It features non-linear exploration and progression, with three intertwining main story questlines culminating in a dramatic, emotionally charged finale. Ride Koraidon, and feed him sandwiches so he can run, jump, glide, and climb. Pokémon Scarlet offers more content and freedom than any other entry. -- Joe Hanley
The post RPGamer’s Tribute to 30 Years of Pokémon appeared first on RPGamer .
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