Worst to Best Pokemon Generations

Pokemon is great. Mostly. So here are the Pokemon generations ranked from worst to best. Also, ratings on each generation for a highest rating by points at the end (scale of 1-10 in six categories).


*Disclaimer* I am aware that your opinion differs from mine. This is fine.

6. Generation V
Oh, Gen V. You had the misfortune of coming directly after the masterpiece that was Gen IV. A poor spriteset, an overcomplicated evil team, and very pixelated graphics, along with making no mechanical improvements (I wouldn't exactly call triple battles an improvement) make this generation sort of redundant.



And another thing: I found the region to be extremely linear and boring. Also, Gen V bucked the remake trend with sequels rather than the Grey Version we all wanted. Don't get me wrong: I like parts of Gen V. I like the legendaries, Zoroark, some of the gyms. I just feel like they took too many risks with these games and as a result, it falls short. I'm sorry to all the Gen V fans, but this Gen is the worst.



Pokemon: 6
Music: 4
Region: 3
Evil Team: 3
Graphics: 6
Mechanics: 1
Total: 23/60




5. Generation I
The generation that started it all. I've never played the original games, but as I understand it, they were filled with glitches, broken enemy AI, and an unbalanced typing system. Also, the Special stat. Enough said. Now don't get me wrong--I love Gen I a lot. It's the reason all the greater games came along and they're cultural classics. All Pokemon Generations are great (except for V), but one of them had to take fifth place.

Anyhow, I've explored the remakes thoroughly enough, and I found that Kanto is a great enough place, but with Gen III graphics and mechanics, it's even better than before. In closing, the first region is great, but the first games aren't.











Pokemon: 10
Music: 7
Region: 9
Evil Team: 7
Graphics: 5
Mechanics: 6
Total: 44/60



4. Generation II
Gen II fixed many of the mechanical problems with Gen I by introducing the Dark and Steel types and by splitting Special into Special Attack and Defense. These games include two regions, sixteen gyms, the final battle with Red. It also brought many great Pokemon to the roster. Not to mention color graphics.




One issue I do have with this generation is that the region isn't quite as good, the storyline is still fairly weak, and the team (remnants of Rocket) is even more forgettable than the first time around. Gen II has several amazing things going for it; however, they are outdated at this point. Nostalgia makes these games seem better than they are. Just play the remakes. They're the same games, but better in every way.




Pokemon: 10
Music: 6
Region: 7
Evil Team: 4
Graphics: 8
Mechanics: 10
Total: 45/60



3. Generation VI

Ah, yes. Finally, handheld consoles have the three-dimensional graphics capabilities that we saw on the GameCube so long ago. While Pokemon X and Y have no real postgame and add only 70 Pokemon to the roster, they handle the jump to 3D quite well and fix many of the graphical issues that plague Gen V. Not to mention Mega-Evolution and Super Training. Team Flare could be less silly, but it's just fine in my book. All in all, a great set of games. (Pokemon Z, please). They also set the stage for even greater games (Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire).

Pokemon: 7
Music: 7
Region: 8
Evil Team: 5
Graphics: 10
Mechanics: 7
Total: 44/60



2. Generation IV
Gen IV was a milestone in Pokemon. The first games to have built in wireless connections. The Physical/Special move split. The introduction of huge number of awesome Pokemon to the roster. Many accuse Gen IV of playing it safe and not taking any risks, but risks are precisely what made Gen V so outlandish and bad. Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum are standard and by-the-numbers Pokemon games, but they're so well done you can't complain.



Granted, Diamond and Pearl have their fair share of problems, but any of those problems were more than rectified in Platinum. It's what Emerald was to Ruby and Sapphire: it took two decent games and perfected them by fixing their several errors. All in all, Gen IV has great mechanical advancements, great Pokemon, and a great third game that has a bigger and better plot. The Gen II remakes don't hurt Gen IV either. It would be my number one if I didn't like the next generation on this list even more.





Pokemon: 10
Music: 8
Region: 10
Evil Team: 10
Graphics: 9
Mechanics: 10
Total: 57/60


1. Generation III
All right, complaint time! Too much water! Stupid villainous teams! A weak spriteset! Child, please.
Gen III is amazing. It's the region that feels less urban and more like an adventure. The other generations are about bouncing from city to city. This place has tiny towns. It focuses you on going places like a volcano, a desert, even the seafloor. Granted, Ruby and Sapphire aren't amazing, but Emerald took their problems, fixed them, and blew Ruby and Sapphire out of the water.

Gen III was very mechanically groundbreaking. Overhauling EV's and introducing natures, abilities, berries, and double battles hugely expanded the way you could battle. Not to mention all the great Pokemon. Who said that Gen III's spriteset was weak? Best starters, best legendaries, best everything. Also, Gen III is the first game to truly have an amazing plot. The evil teams, their impact on nature, and (if you played Emerald) the final showdown between the legendary Pokemon is still the best story in Pokemon to date. Anyway, this Gen has several great Pokemon and utterly amazing music. TRUMPETS. It's my favorite Gen and the greatest.






All right, call me nostalgia blind if you want, but I still prefer Emerald to Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. Now, I know I'm contradicting myself because I said the next generation remakes are better--and they are. No question, these are the better games, but Emerald is still my favorite, if that makes any sense. Anyway, these great games only further prove how great Generation III truly was and is.


Pokemon: 10
Music: 10
Region: 10
Evil Team: 8
Graphics: 9
Mechanics: 10
Total: 57/60

The ranking by points differs from my favorite games, but rather where I think they rank in the grand scheme of Pokemon. (Okay, it's slightly influenced by my opinion. Be quiet.) 

Point Rankings:

6. Gen V (23/60)

5. Gen I (44/60) tied

4. Gen VI (44/60) tied 

3. Gen II (45/60) 

2. Gen IV (57/60) tied 

1. Gen III (57/60) tied