Pokémon-short for pocket monsters-is a franchise loved by both children and adults alike for 30 years. Pokémon has expanded to a series, games, toys, and trading cards. Pokémon has made plenty of childhoods and many adults continue to enjoy the games, series, and everything that comes with it. Throughout it’s 30 year run, many have discussed which was the best generation, what three starters are on the top and which fall flat?

10. Generation 8

Generation 8 was introduced in Pokémon sword and shield (2019) and expanded into Legends: Arceus (2022). Gen 8 takes place in the Galar region and features 96 new Pokémon including Galarian forms of past Pokémon like Meowth and Ponyta. The Galar region features three starters; Grooky (Grass type) who evolves to Thwackey at level 16 and then Rillaboom at level 35, Scorbunny (Fire type) who evolves into Raboot at level 16 and Cinderace at level 35, lastly Sobble (Water type) who evolves into Drizzle at level 16 and then its final form Inteleon at level 35.

9. Generation 2

Generation 2 takes place in the Johto region and was introduced in Pokémon gold and silver and is seen in

season 3-5 of the series. Gen 2 adds 100 new Pokémon to the series including new stages in evolution and pre-evolution for some of the original 151 Pokémon like Onix and Pikachu. The Johto region features three new starters; Chikorita (Grass type) evolves into Bayleef at level 16 and Meganium at level 35, Cyndaquil (Fire type) who evolves into Quilava at level 14 and then Typhlosion at level 36, and finally Totodile (Water type) evolves into Croconaw at level 18 and then Feraligatr at level 30.

8.Generation 10 

Generation 10 is the upcoming Pokémon winds and waves. The region is unknown but it is thought to take place in a massive tropical archipelago region inspired by Southeast Asia. Gen 10 Features three starters just like the other generations; Bowt (Grass type), Pombon (Fire type), Gecqua (Water type). While we dont know much about this generation yet there are plenty of rumors to keep fans anticipating what’s to come. Some fans believe we will be getting a new Eveelution or regional variants to some past Pokémon.

7.Generation 5

Generation 5 is set in the Unova region and is based off of  New York City metropolitan area. Gen 5 has four games, Pokémon Black & White and their sequels Pokémon Black 2 & White 2, along with the games Pokémon: Black & White featured gen 5 from seasons 14 to 16. The Unova region featured 3 starters; Snivy (Grass type) who evolves into Servine at level 17 and then serperior at level 36, Tepig (Fire type) who turns into Pignite at level 17 and finally evolves into Emboar at level 36, Oshawott (Water type) evolves to Dewott at level 17 and Samurott at level 36. Gen 5 is known as the “soft reboot” of the series because it features only new Pokémon into the main story, echoing the feel of generation 1. Gen 5 also has a more mature feel and dived into deep topics like the ethicality of Pokémon battles.

6.Generation 7

Generation 7 was introduced in Pokémon sun and moon and expanded into Pokémon sun ultra and moon ultra, along with Pokémon sun and moon season 20. Gen 7 was set in the Alola region and brought 86 new Pokémon to the franchise along with regional Alolan variants of past Pokémon like making Vulpix white and an ice type  instead of red and a fire type. Gen 7 would be the first to add regional variants, a trend that would continue in later generations. The Alola region featured three starters; Rowlet (Grass/Flying type) who at level 17 evloves into Dartrix and then at level 34 Decidueye, Litten (Fire type) then turns into Torracat at level 17 and finally Incineroar at level 34, the final starter is Popplio (Water type) which turns into Brionne at level 17  and Primarina at level 34.

5. Generation 4

Generation 4 was apart of Pokémon diamond, pearl, platinum plus Pokémon season 10 to 13 of the series in the Sinnoh region. The sinnoh region features 107 new Pokémon along with pre-evolutions and evolutions for past Pokémon. The starters for the Sinnoh region are; Turtwig (Grass type) who evolves into Grotle at level 28 and Torterra at level 32, Chimchar (Fire type) turns into Monferno at level 14 then INfernape at level 36, Finally Piplup evolves into Prinplup at level 16 and Empoleon at level 36.

4. Generation 3

Generation 3 takes place in the Hoenn region and is featured in Pokémon ruby, sapphire, and emerald along with

remakes Firered and Leafgreen. In the Pokémon series Gen 3 was in Pokémon: Advanced Generations and adds 135 new Pokémon to the series. Gen 3 is known as the first Generation to not feature any new Eeveelutions along with introducing a few new mechanics to the games. The Hoenn region has three starters; Treecko (Grass type) evolves into Grovyle at level 16 and Sceptile at level 36, Torchic (Fire type) who turns into Combusken at level 16 and at level 36 Blazikin, and fianlly Mudkip (Water type) evolves at level 16  into Marshtomp and Swampert at level 36.

3. Generation 9

Generation 9 is placed in the Paldea region and features in the show Pokémon: Horizons and the games Pokémon: scarlet and violet. The Paldea region features 100 new Pokémon and is the only open-world RPG in the series, Paldea also features regional forms like Paldean Wooper and Tauros. Gen 9 is also known as the first generation to not introduce a new fossil Pokémon, all other generations introduced at least one. The Paldea region has three new starters; Sprigatito (Grass type) evolves into Floragato at level 16 and then into Meowscarada at level 36, Fuecoco (Fire type) evolves into Crocalor at Level 16 and later evolves into Skeledirge at Level 36, Quaxly (Water type) evolves into Quaxwell starting at level 16 and then evolves into its final form Quaquaval at level 36.

2. Generation 6

Generation 6 is in the Kalos region and was introduced in Pokémon: X & Y  and the upcoming Pokémon Legends: Z-

A. The Kalos region brought 72 new pokemon into the franchise and was the first to shift into 3D graphics instead of traditional 2D, also Gen 6 was the first to introduce Mega evolutions. Kalos introduced the fewest pokemon into the series but still introduced three starters; Chespin (Grass type) evolves into Quilladin at level 16 and then into Chesnaught at level 36, Fennekin (Fire type) evolves into Braixen at level 16 and subsequently into Delphox at level 36, Froakie (Water type) evolves into Frogadier at level 16 then evolves into Greninja at level 36.

1. Generation 1 

Generation 1 was in Pokémon: Red, Blue, and Yellow and featured the Kanto region along with being in season 1 and 2 of the series. Gen 1 brought us the first 151 Pokémon and set the base for all future generations. generation 1 set a standard for all future generations and is by far the best generation in the whole franchise. The Kanto region gave us a multitude of well known characters and Pokémon like Brock and Misty or Pikachu and Eevee, also the most well known starters in the series; Bulbasaur (Grass type) evolves into Ivysaur starting at level 16 then evolves into Venusaur starting at level 32, Charmander (Fire type) evolves into Charmeleon at level 16 who then evolves into Charizard at level 36, Squirtle (Water type) evolves into Wartortle at level 16 and then into Blastoise at level 36.