Pokémon fans, we’ve all heard it before—the debates over which generation reigns supreme, the passionate defenses of underrated creatures, and the endless arguments about how things were “better back then.” But here’s the truth for all the purists out there: the first generation of Pokémon is the best. No contest. It’s the OG roster—the original 151—that transformed a niche idea into a worldwide phenomenon, and nothing else has come close to hitting the same level of magic since.

Whether it’s the iconic designs, the simplicity of those Red and Blue cartridges, or the cultural impact that still lingers today, Generation 1 has a timeless quality that just can’t be beat. And if you’re ready to take a walk down memory lane or argue vehemently with your friends over why Charizard will always outshine whatever flashy new dragon Game Freak throws out—then this is the article for you.

The Designs Were Simple, Yet Unforgettable

There’s something undeniably special about the way the first-gen Pokémon were designed. They weren’t overly complicated, yet there was just enough detail to make each one feel like its own living creature. Look at Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle—three starters that are impossible to forget. Their designs perfectly complement their themes (a plant dinosaur, a fire lizard, and a water turtle), and that simplicity made them easy to love.

Over the years, Pokémon designs have gotten… busy. Not to say newer designs are all bad, but some of them feel more like cluttered mash-ups than organically inspired creatures. Do we really need ice cream cones (Vanillite), keys (Klefki), or a literal pile of garbage (Trubbish) as Pokémon? Compare that to the elegant power of Mewtwo, the badassery of Gengar, or the adorable-yet-tough vibe of Pikachu. It’s no wonder these legacy Pokémon still show up in modern games and merchandise—they nailed it on the first try.

Then there’s the sheer variety within the original lineup. Generation 1 somehow managed to cover all the bases without going over the top. You had adorable monsters like Jigglypuff and Eevee, tough fighters like Machamp and Hitmonlee, creepy entries like Hypno and Gastly, and legendary icons like Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres. Every player had a favorite, and almost every single design still stands as a classic today.

Simplicity Made the Gameplay Shine

It’s easy to forget, but sometimes less is more. The gameplay mechanics of Pokémon Red and Blue were astonishingly simple by today’s standards, yet they laid the groundwork for everything we love about the series today. Back then, there was no Dynamaxing, Z-Moves, or overly complicated gimmicks. Battles focused on strategy, type advantages, and the joy of discovery.

Choosing moves was straightforward—you got four, and you’d better make them count. The absence of modern mechanics like abilities or mega evolutions meant battles felt raw and direct. Victory wasn’t about memorizing layers of metagame tactics; it was about exploiting type matchups and keeping your team balanced. And there’s something incredibly satisfying about knowing you won because you landed that Thunderbolt at the perfect time—not because you calculated IV spreads for hours beforehand.

The maps were another big win for simplicity. The Kanto region was easy to explore and packed with memorable locations like the eerie Pokémon Tower in Lavender Town or the bustling Saffron City. Even the puzzles, like navigating the Safari Zone or figuring out the Seafoam Islands, were intuitive enough to give players a feeling of accomplishment without throwing them into a spiral of frustration. For many of us, Kanto wasn’t just a game map but a second home.

The First-Generation Pokémon Had the Strongest Cultural Impact

Ask anyone who was a kid in the late ’90s, and they’ll tell you the same thing—Pokémon wasn’t just a game franchise; it was a full-blown cultural phenomenon. The original 151 were everywhere. Trading cards swirled through playgrounds in an endless loop of “I’ll trade you a Gyarados for your holographic Charizard.” The TV show enthralled us with Ash’s adventures, and the theme song (you know the one) became an anthem for an entire generation.

And let’s not forget Pokémon Yellow, which gave us even more reason to be obsessed by letting Pikachu follow us around in-game. Pikachu isn’t just a franchise mascot—it’s the franchise mascot. Its popularity transcended Pokémon, turning it into one of the most recognizable fictional characters in the world, and that was entirely thanks to Gen 1.

From the Pokémon Stadium battles on the N64 to Pokémon Snap making us all amateur photographers, the first generation made Pokémon a shared experience. Even the infamous phrase “Gotta Catch ’Em All” came from this era. And decades later, it’s still the mantra we associate with catching everything the Pokémon world has to offer.

Pure Nostalgia Power

There’s no denying that part of Gen 1’s enduring appeal is nostalgia. But it isn’t just about warm memories of those pixelated sprites on a Game Boy screen—it’s the unshakable connection we still feel to that simpler time. The original Pokémon weren’t just characters we collected and battled with; they were our companions on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Remember the first time you walked into Viridian Forest and encountered a Pikachu? Or the shock of fighting your first wild Abra only to have it teleport away? That pure sense of wonder, awe, and curiosity isn’t something we can replicate years later, but for those of us who were there in the beginning, it’s burned into our memories.

Even today, when Game Freak releases remakes or Gen 1 callbacks (like the Let’s Go Pikachu! and Eevee! games), it’s clear how much the original generation still resonates. People can’t get enough of that retro flavor, and developers know it. Why else would Kanto Pokémon keep popping up in new entries like Pokémon Go or the latest expansions for modern games?

Generation 1 Set the Foundation

Here’s the straightforward truth—without the first 151 Pokémon, there wouldn’t be a Pokémon franchise today. They were the ones that captured our imaginations and proved that the idea could work on a massive scale. They gave us unforgettable rivalries like Ash versus Gary (or Red versus Blue in-game) and legendary battles against gym leaders like Brock, Misty, and Sabrina.

The mechanics, the collectibles, the TMs, the concept of a Pokémon League—everything that Pokémon has built on in the years since was created in that inaugural generation. Sure, later gens might have refined some ideas or added flashier features, but Gen 1 will always deserve credit for building the foundation that made it all possible.

Why Gen 1 Will Always Come Out Ahead

The first-generation Pokémon hold a special place in the hearts of fans because they represent the origins of something extraordinary. They weren’t just “the first;” they were some of the best. Their impact shaped not only the games we play but also the way we think of Pokémon as a franchise.

The designs? Timeless. The gameplay? Straightforward yet brilliant. The cultural wave they created? Unstoppable. And while there’s plenty to love about every generation that came after, nothing compares to the singular magic of the originals.

Whether you’re a die-hard purist or simply someone who grew up begging your parents for Red or Blue, there’s no denying the enduring greatness of the first generation. And for those of us who remember the thrill of catching our first Pidgey or finally evolving that Magikarp into Gyarados, the original 151 will always be the best.