Many Pokémon followers regard Gen 1 as one of the best within the collection. Not solely was it the place most individuals started their journeys with the franchise, nevertheless it additionally gave the world characters which can be iconic to this present day, most notably of which is the mascot Pikachu. Even Sport Freak has caught on to the love for this technology, as Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee have been solely centered on them.
With 151 beloved creatures to catch within the Kanto Area, we’re wanting on the 10 greatest from Gen 1. This has little to do with their viability, however extra to do with their designs and total significance to the franchise.
Up to date on February twenty sixth, 2022 by Quinn Levandoski: There clearly hasn’t been any new Pokémon added to the primary technology, nevertheless it’s been spectacular how properly Sport Freak and The Pokémon Firm have saved the unique 151 pocket monsters related. Alternate evolutions or varieties have granted some new life, and others stay standard because of the anime or different popular culture types of media.
The Pokémon franchise has proven time and time once more that it’s not going anyplace. Whereas every new technology of Pokemon introduces new fan-favorites and welcomes new players to the fandom, for some, there is no such thing as a beating the originals.
Pikachu
Pikachu is undoubtedly some of the standard Pokémon within the franchise’s storied historical past. It is lovely, yellow, and simply plain cool. There was a purpose it was chosen to be the collection’ mascot. Nearly everybody on the planet is aware of who Pikachu is, and it is simple to see why it is so standard. Pikachu’s design is among the greatest from the technology, being easy but totally different sufficient to speak what the world of Pokémon is all about.
Pikachu has since been used within the anime, all kinds of video games, and was featured in loads of spin-offs like Pokkén Match and Tremendous Smash Bros. Final. The love for Pikachu won’t ever die.
Starmie
Pokémon from a number of generations have been criticized for unpopular designs, and several other of them drew ire for wanting too just like real-world objects and animals. Starmie, and its predecessor Staryu, appeared to flee most complaints regardless of easy starfish-like visible types. This can be due to how rock-solid Starmie has at all times been in battle.
Its Water/Psychic typing grants it strong STAB protection, and entry to out-of-type strikes like Thunderbeam and Ice Beam permit it to examine a big portion of enemy fighters. Sadly, none of its Skills are fairly as spectacular.
Charizard
Arguably the preferred selection out of the three Kanto starters was Charmander. The rationale for that is that individuals have been rewarded for coaching a Charmander with a gnarly Charizard. This orange reptile could appear to be a Pokémon that ought to have had totally different typing, however Charizard has since remained some of the standard Pokemon within the collection.
Not solely was it the one developed Kanto starter that Ash had within the anime (and the one one to persistently reappear), nevertheless it was additionally chosen to get two Mega Evolutions, a Gigantamax kind, and appeared in three entries in Tremendous Smash Bros. as a playable fighter. Even when Pokémon Coach was dropped from the collection, Charizard stayed within the sport.
Eevee
Eevee is an fascinating Pokémon. Whereas most evolution paths in Gen 1 have been linear, gamers had three decisions with Eevee within the type of Flareon, Vaporeon, and Jolteon. This versatility made it a extremely desired Pokémon. On high of that, Eevee additionally had a cute design that made it a favourite amongst followers and the prime option to function a counterpart to Pikachu.
Eevee has solely been gifted extra evolutions because the collection has expanded, having a complete of eight totally different evolutions as of Gen VI. Eevee may not be fairly as standard as Pikachu, however there isn’t any denying that it has made its personal affect on the franchise.
Squirtle
Relating to the unevolved starter varieties, it is tough to argue with the appeal of Squirtle. This lovely turtle has all the things followers need in a fundamental Pokémon. It is cute with out being too funny-looking, it is cool with out feeling overdesigned, and it’ll evolve into the most effective Pokémon of the technology.
Squirtle was usually chosen the second most out of the three starters, nevertheless it’s nonetheless been persistently thought of the most effective starter Pokémon within the franchise. Relating to water Pokémon, Squirtle continues to be some of the standard. That is helped by the truth that Squirtle and its evolutions made it into just a few spin-off titles as playable characters.
Gyarados
Nobody caught a Magikarp as a result of they liked it. Everybody caught a Magikarp as a result of they needed to lift it to stage 20 and use a Gyarados. Gyarados is a fearsome and highly effective Pokémon, however the truth that it evolves from one thing so probably ineffective is why it stays so memorable.
Gyarados did not turn into competitively viable till receiving a Mega Evolution in Gen VI, nevertheless it remained a well-liked Pokemon nonetheless. Its sheer dimension and indignant look have been greater than sufficient for folks to turn into acquainted with it. It was additionally the one Pokémon to resemble a sea monster so vividly, making it stand out.
Gengar
The primary ghost-type within the Pokémon franchise continues to be some of the memorable. Gengar is nearly as iconic as a ghost Pokémon can get with out stepping on Pikachu’s toes. Created as a direct reply to the highly effective psychic sorts, Gengar is a strong and speedy Pokémon who would later have a severe affect on the meta when it acquired a Mega Evolution in Gen VI and a Gigantamax kind in Gen VIII.
Gengar’s design is easy but efficient. A bonus is that it in some way mirrors Clefable’s design, which led to a whole lot of fascinating theories a couple of connection between the 2 species. Sadly, Gengar is a tough monster to accumulate because it’s considered one of a number of Pokémon that solely evolve by buying and selling.
Articuno/Zapdos/Moltres
It is tough to separate these three birds due to how related they’re within the Kanto Area. Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres have been the unique legendary trio within the franchise, and so they get a whole lot of love for that. These three would seem in quite a few different video games that befell outdoors of the Kanto Area, like Pokémon X and Y.
They have been the primary legendary Pokémon that many gamers ever caught and required looking out in icy caves and previous energy vegetation to seek out. This trio was reinvigorated with new Galarian varieties in Pokémon Sword and Protect.
Scyther
Scyther did not have a huge impact on the Pokémon collection, however its design alone made it price a spot on the listing. Scyther was loosely based mostly on a praying mantis, and Sport Freak took a whole lot of inventive liberty with the design. It is imposing, cool, and appears surprisingly threatening.
Contemplating a lot of the bug-type Pokémon on the time have been both cute or simply anime variations of real-world bugs, Scyther was a welcome change of tempo. Scyther would later achieve an evolution in Gen II within the type of Scizor, and an alternate evolution, Kleavor, in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
Dragonair
Whereas Dragonite is the gen 1 Dargon that the majority usually appeared in battle, Dragonair advantages from having a way more fascinating design. Whereas it is based mostly on a serpent just like Gyarados, Dragonair is way more slender and chic.
It reveals off the legendary nature of dragons whereas not being so overdesigned. It is easy, smooth, and exquisite. It is unlucky that its evolution did not mirror any of that. Dragonite is cool in its personal method, however many would have most popular one thing nearer to Dragonair. Many gamers could have missed Dragonair because it’s one of many hardest Pokémon to catch.
Mewtwo
Many years after his creation, Mewtwo continues to be some of the standard Pokémon of all time. That is partially as a consequence of its fascinating visible design and fight effectiveness, however Mewtwo additionally gained followers because the antagonist of the primary Pokémon film in addition to Detective Pikachu.
Mewtwo fought and appeared like no different Pokémon from Gen I, and folks went nuts attempting so as to add it to their group. Mewtwo has since appeared in lots of different Pokémon video games and was the one different Pokemon to be rewarded with two Mega Evolutions that have been each competitively viable.
Chansey
Chansey, also referred to as the Egg Pokémon, has a weird design that is each endearing and extremely odd. As its nickname implies, Chansey, as properly all its child kind, Happiny, and its evolution, Blissey, all have eggs in a pouch on their bellies. This “mother or father” persona is mirrored of their matronly demeanor and penchant for working in Pokemon Facilities.
Chansey is not any aggressive slouch, both. Whereas they will not do a lot injury offensively, their huge well being pool and strong Particular Protection stat make them unbelievable tanks towards Particular Attackers.
Alakazam
Alakazam garnered important consideration from many followers as a consequence of his outlandish Pokédex entries in Pokémon Purple and Blue. This Pokemon catalog claimed that Alakazam possesses an IQ of round 5,000, and that locations it 500 occasions larger than the typical grownup.
Alakazam has waved out and in of the aggressive meta as a consequence of his low Protection/Particular Protection and excessive Particular Assault. Alakazam benefitted from one of many strongest Mega Evolutions within the video games, however their removing has as soon as once more lowered his use in aggressive codecs.
Cloyster
Cloyster wasn’t truly superb when it was initially launched within the first technology video games, however this indignant oyster noticed an enormous leap in viability when it was given Talent Hyperlink, the most effective aggressive talents within the franchise. Talent hyperlink ensures that every one multi-hit strikes land the utmost doable variety of assaults.
Luckily, Cloyster has strong multi-hit strikes to make the most of Talent Hyperlink, equivalent to Rock Black and Icicle Spear. This makes it a strong combatant towards foes with Sturdy or which can be weak to Ice or Rock strikes. Cloyster can also be an awesome defensive tank with a formidable Protection stat of 180.
Lapras
Lapras is a big aquatic Pokémon well-known for its pleasant nature and willingness to let folks journey on its shell throughout water. Lapras was a strong aggressive teammate in technology 1 as properly as a consequence of its well-rounded suite of strikes. Surf and Ice Beam deal strong injury, whereas Confuse Ray and Hypnosis may purchase time for therapeutic or trigger opponents to knock themselves out.
Lapras was given a lift in Sword and Protect when it was given a music-inspired Gigantamax kind. This type got here with a singular transfer, G-Max Resonance, which offers injury and units up Aurora Veil.
