For more than two decades, Pokémon has remained one of gaming’s most beloved franchises. With each new generation, the series evolves—sometimes in exciting ways, sometimes with missteps. Fans have grown up with these games, and many still debate which features were unforgettable and which ones should’ve never been left behind. Let’s take a look back at what each mainline generation brought to the table—and what we’re still hoping makes a comeback.
1. Gen 1 vs. Gen 2: A Tale That Stuck With You
The old Red, Blue, and Yellow may look outdated now, but the design of their stories is still iconic. The path was simple: level up, fight Team Rocket, and defeat their boss, Giovanni. It wasn’t complex, but it had substance and simplicity. While Gold, Silver, and Crystal were praised for continuing the story and introducing fresh mechanics, the rest of the fans bemoaned that they lacked Gen 1’s razor-sharp narrative drive. Sequel-paced it was, but somewhat less so.
2. Gen 2 vs. Gen 3: A Gold Standard in Post-Game Content
One of Gen 2’s best things was its post-game: venturing from Johto to Kanto to battle the original Gym Leaders and battle Red at Mt. Silver. It doubled the experience and gave players a reason to keep exploring long after the credits had stopped rolling. Gen 3, with its vibrant Hoenn region, was adorable in its own right, but its post-game was less meaty by comparison—unless you played Emerald, which added the wonderful Battle Frontier.
3. Gen 3 vs. Gen 4: Early Game Fun
Hoenn performed superbly in getting its world to feel vibrant with fresh Pokémon around every corner. After Route 101, players encountered new faces that welcomed trying new things and brought diversity. By contrast, Diamond and Pearl delayed introducing most of their Gen 4 species until the latter half of the game, so their initial routes felt stale rather than exciting. While Platinum addressed this somewhat, Hoenn’s initial freshness made a lasting impression.
4. Gen 4 vs. Gen 5: Legendary Events and Unforgettable Extras
Generation 4 had possibly hit its peak when it came to Legendary Pokémon. These weren’t simply event-only giveaways—they usually also carried deep background stories and special in-game events. And remakes HeartGold and SoulSilver introduced delightful features such as Pokémon trailing your character, ball capsule personalization, and a healthy photo mode. Gen 5 streamlined many of these features in the direction of a sleeker experience, clean but a step back regarding immersion and personality.
5. Gen 5 vs. Gen 6: Soundtracks That Told a Story
Gen 5’s dynamic soundtrack remains popular. Gym battles became more intense with layered soundtracks, and certain characters even had their own musical identities that enhanced the depth and tension. Black 2 and White 2 even provided each Gym with its theme. Although Gen 6’s X and Y were great on the 3DS, the magic of dynamic, moment-based audio suffered, and the music—although catchy—was less emotionally connected to the moments they preceded.
6. Gen 6 vs. Gen 7: Side Stories and Character Arcs
X and Y had a thoroughly compelling detective side plot with the Looker Bureau in Lumiose City—a hard-boiled mystery that provided something radically different from the main narrative. Sun and Moon’s Ultra Beast clean-up story was interesting, but more mechanical than emotional. Likewise, whereas the Delta Episode in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire attempted to impose narrative gravitas post-game, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon’s Episode RR relied heavily on nostalgia rather than new storytelling.
7. Gen 7 vs. Gen 8: Iconic Boss Battles and Side Content
Sun and Moon brought some of the series’ most rigorous boss battles—Totem Pokémon, the Lusamine fights, and Ultra Necrozma, just to list a few. These battles weren’t merely about looking pretty; they were tough. While Sword and Shield served up showy Gym battles and charming characters, overall difficulty was dialed back. Side activities suffered as well—Gen 7’s Poké Pelago was a quaint utility, while Gen 8’s job system was more passive and less stimulating.
8. The Pokéémon Game to End All Pokémon Games: A Fan’s Fantasy
Years have been spent daydreaming about what would be a perfect Pokémon game. A world where the dual-region adventure of HeartGold and SoulSilver, the intimate storytelling and villains of Black and White, the rich, untamed battles of Legends: Arceus, and the complexity of the Battle Frontier are combined. Add in dynamic music, a challenging Elite Four, a full National Dex, and mechanics like Mega Evolution, and you’d have a dream game that blends nostalgia with innovation. It’s ambitious, but it’s also what keeps players coming back.
Every Pokémon generation brought something to love—and something we’d rather it had left behind. No game is perfect, but everyone contributed to the constantly evolving legacy of the series. You’re either a Gen 1 original or someone who joined with Sword and Shield, but this much is true: Pokémon’s history is deep, and its future is bright.