The Ultimate Pokemon Generation Ranking List

Highlights

The Pokemon games of Generation 4 (Sinnoh) and their remakes (HeartGold and SoulSilver) are widely acclaimed for being some of the greatest in the series. They feature a meticulously crafted region and iconic dungeons that are held in high esteem by fans.

Content-rich games in Generation 5 (Unova) managed to regain a positive reputation among fans, despite facing initial criticism as some of the worst games in the series.

The Game Boy Advance era marked Generation 3, which introduced significant changes to the series including abilities and double battles. The remakes FireRed and LeafGreen also brought quality-of-life improvements.

Pokemon has become one of the world's largest video game franchises, with nine generations of main series games spanning over two decades. To maintain its relevance, each new generation of Pokemon introduces unique elements such as new Pokemon, formula innovations, and enticing gimmicks that continuously attract curious fans.

Many gamers have experienced at least one Pokemon game in their lifetime. However, for those who haven't, it's helpful to identify which generations are considered the best ever. While various Pokemon side games exist, we will primarily focus on the core games, including both the new releases and remakes that have been released in each generation.

S Tier

Generation 4:

A Tier

The Sinnoh region and its games have both supporters and critics, but the majority of the fanbase can agree that these entries served as solid introductions for Pokemon on the Nintendo DS platform. Sinnoh itself is widely regarded as one of the most brilliantly crafted regions in the game, and the Reverse World featured in Pokemon Platinum is held in high esteem as a revered dungeon. HeartGold and SoulSilver are widely regarded by much of the fanbase as the finest remakes and overall some of the greatest Pokemon games ever produced.

In recent years, there has been a resurgence in the reputation of the Unova games among the Pokemon fanbase. Initially, both Pokemon Black and White and its sequel games were criticized as some of the worst in the series, leading many to believe that the franchise was in decline. However, the fans who did enjoy this generation were fiercely defensive, and over time, more people began to recognize that Generation 5 offers a wealth of content, making it one of the most substantial in the entire franchise.

Generation 3: The Game Boy Advance era of Pokemon games signifies numerous significant changes for the series. While it may appear that there are too many drawbacks, such as the removal of the day and night cycle and the inability to transfer Pokemon from earlier games which were essential in Generation 2, Generation 3 actually introduces just as many enhancements. These improvements to the battle system, including abilities, double battles, and natures, have laid the groundwork for the current Pokemon competitive scene. Additionally, FireRed and LeafGreen, the first remakes for the GBA, provide the opportunity for players to access many Pokemon that were absent in Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, while also introducing various quality-of-life improvements to the original Generation 1 games.

B Tier

With Generation 2, Pokemon Gold and Silver took the concepts introduced in the first generation and expanded upon them in a multitude of unique and innovative ways that have since become iconic elements of the series. Notable additions include Pokemon that vary depending on the time of day, as well as the introduction of the Dark and Steel types. However, like the previous generations, there are certain aspects that have become outdated. Interestingly, this generation's companion game, Pokemon Crystal, is perhaps the only installment that may feel like a step back from its predecessors, as it inexplicably omits 10 previously obtainable Pokemon.

Generation 1: Some die-hard Pokemon fans may find it sacrilege to put the generation that started it all below any other games in the series. However, the truth is that playing the original Red, Blue, and Yellow games nowadays can feel outdated. While they should be acknowledged as the building blocks of the Pokemon universe, subsequent generations have improved and refined upon the groundwork laid by this generation.

Generation 6: This generation made the leap from 2D to 3D, and it introduced notable features such as Mega Evolutions and Fairy-types in the X and Y versions. Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, the Gen 3 remakes, are respectable though not as impressive as the Gen 2 remakes. However, this generation is criticized for lowering the franchise's difficulty to an unprecedented level. The lack of content, especially post-game content in X and Y, combined with the need for players to go out of their way to create any semblance of a challenge, unfortunately diminishes the overall experience.

C Tier

Generation 7: Although Sun and Moon and their sequels brought welcome variation to the established Pokemon formula with new features such as replacing HMs and gym leaders, the region of Alola being creative and enjoyable to explore,

D Tier

, there are significant downsides. The excessive hand-holding in the series reaches an unacceptable level, Z-Moves fail to capture the same excitement as Gen 6's Mega Evolutions, and Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee are widely perceived as lackluster remakes.

Generation 9 remains an ongoing chapter, making it premature to assign it a definitive place in Pokemon history. Its future developments could significantly influence the overall perception. Nonetheless, the current state of Gen 9 sparks controversy. Its ambitious attempts, including an expansive open-world environment, diverse means of traversal, and the introduction of intriguing concepts like Paradox Pokemon, deserve recognition. However, these ideas come with shortcomings, and the initial launch of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, plagued with unresolved issues still awaiting adequate patching, cannot be disregarded by the majority.

In Generation 8, Pokemon Sword and Shield were supposed to be a significant advancement as they moved away from the handheld realm. However, they fell short in several aspects. The absence of a National Dex and lackluster animations, which closely resembled those of previous generations, seemed like a step backward. Despite some positives such as the exciting Wild Area and the highly praised Legends: Arceus, which demonstrated innovative progress, many fans felt uneasy about the direction of the Pokemon franchise in Gen 8.