The Changelution of Pokémon



So I’ve finally managed to crawl out of my self-induced Pokémon coma after beating Black (White? Which version did you have?) a few times and finally playing with a grass starter that is actually worth the effort for the first time since Bulbasaur. Realizing that I had to write an article at some point in my lifetime, I decided that my weeks of isolation up in my wilderness retreat in Colorado huddled over my DS and having Bulbapedia opened up on my iPad should actually go towards something (other than contributing to my obvious sex appeal). Realizing that writing an article on Pokémon MUST at some point contain a pun utilizing or implying the word “evolution,” I have decided to take a look back on the oh…(searching Wikipedia) 15 years of Pokémon (look it up) and talk about how the series has… changed over the course of what is essentially my entire lifetime.

Pokémon Red and Blue-

These two didn’t change S$%# about Pokémon.

Pokémon Silver and Gold-

Ahh finally, changes. These two games added a lot to the Pokémon plot structure and gameplay mechanics that are included in pretty much every Pokémon game this day and age.

Changes include time system, day/night Pokémon, baby Pokémon, Pokémon eggs, Pokémon gender, pokégear, berries, held items, berries, dark Pokémon, steel Pokémon, move deleter, more stupid HM’s, shiny Pokémon, different types of pokeballs and the cell phone. Jebus you guys!

And that’s not even counting all of the plot stuff that they added to the games, like the game-specific legendary Pokémon (though you could still catch the other at a later time), the wandering legendaries, the removal of your rival as the final league champion (though I don’t know if that’s so great), and the addition of the entire map from the first game (which they have sadly not repeated).

And that’s not even counting Silver and Gold’s greatest contribution to Pokémon: Cyndaquil (link in ranking Pokémon article).



Pokémon Crystal

The continuation of the Pokemon Yellow strategy towards money making, but actually including something vital to like half of the worlds population (and creepy members of the other half!), the ability to play as a girl, and the creation of the starter animation that we now have in front of every battle.

Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire

There are a lot that these two games did wrong, like removing the day and night system (why?), but we must still speak of what they did add.

The two contributions that these games added were the inclusion of natural abilities for Pokémon and double battles, which have both become staples for the series. Other than that we also got some contest thing, but I don’t really think anyone important actually does those, so…

Pokémon Emerald

Two things here, Gym leader rematches and Battle Tower.

Pokémon Leaf Green and Fire Red

This game is special for allowing us to replay the first games, but did also include a very much notable feature in that it is the first game to allow wireless connectivity in a Pokémon game and included a VS seeker which I think we can all agree was great.

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl

Diamond and Pearl instigated a new method of battle where attacks could be physical or special, based on the attack itself rather than on the type of attack it was; in the past, for example, all fire attacks were special and all ground attacks were physical. This game is also the first game on the DS system, which allowed for a slight improvement to the graphics and a bit more bulge in the scenery.

Pokémon Platinum

It did the distortion world thingy.

Pokémon Soul Silver, Heart Gold

This game gave us the pleasure of finally being able to have Cyndaquil be your starter Pokémon again! On top of that, we were able to replay Gym leaders, the cell phone system is so great that I am actively angry it was removed from the next games , the touch screen interface was awesome and quite frankly it was great to just get to play Silver and Gold again.

Pokémon Black and White

The first Pokémon game based on America, it’s fitting that this is also the first game to make everyone (by which I mean white people) feel a little awkward whenever they talk about this game (it’s cool I’m friends with a guy who owns Black version). In addition to underlying racial tension this is also the first Pokémon game that’s ever had an interesting and compelling plot line too it, Nintendo has also really pushed the Wi-Fi connectivity for the game and I hear that there are new battle types called triple and rotation battles (you only have like two of them in the entire game and which one that you can do is based on the game that you get which actually really irritates me). There’s also a mythical addition to the game called Dream World, but fuck America, so we don’t get it .

It’s also important to note the greatest contribution that this new generation has accomplished, giving us a grass starter that rocks for the first time since Bulbasaur.

There we are, my totally awesome list of all the Pokémon games that mattered (yellow kicked ass at the time, but let’s be honest, it didn’t matter

-Quinn Anderson

What was your favorite Pokémon game? What do you think of the article? How much do you hate this jackass who wrote the article? Post below.