Pokemon

Pokemon is a series of monster-raising games. The mainline games have you playing as a young trainer who is just setting out on their Pokemon journey and aspires to become Pokemon master by beating the Pokemon League.

Game Boy/Game Boy Color

Pokemon TCG

This game is basically the Pokemon trading card game base sets in video game form. You play as a trainer on a quest to beat the Pokemon TCG league. The game received a Japan-only sequel that among other things features more cards, a more in-depth story and larger in-game world.

Pokemon Yellow

While it's set in the Kanto region as well, this version has some important differences from the preceding games, Pokemon Red and Blue. Your starter is a Pikachu who follows you and you can interact with to see how happy it is, and there are several nods to the pokemon anime in the game. For instance, your rival Gary now has an eevee as his starter Pokemon. The game contains a glitch that actually allows you to catch Mew. That being said, I've always had a fondness for elaborate fake descriptions of how to catch Mew in Red and Blue.

Yellow also has the bonus of an adorable intro:

Pokemon Silver

Kicking off the second generation of Pokemon, the Silver version has Lugia as its titular legendary (the Gold version featuring Ho-Oh).

Along with more Pokemon to collect, the game brought other new features to the table. The Pokegear enabled the player to listen to the radio, exchange numbers with other trainers who occasionally could request a rematch, and other things. After making enough progress the player is also able to travel to Kanto to challenge the eight gyms from the original games as well as see how the region has changed.

The intro predominantly emphasizes Pokemon in their natural habitats:

Game Boy Advance

Pokemon Sapphire

One of Ruby/Sapphire's really fun features is secret bases, which you can build in various spots around the game world and decorate. The spots range from easily accessible to requiring a specific bike and HMs, taking considerable effort to access. Exchanging data with another player allows you to visit their secret base.

The game also features Pokemon contests. In these contests trainers enter their Pokemon to impress a panel of judges. Pokemon can compete in several categories and have to use moves suiting the theme of the contest. Moves can also affect the competition, such as changing the turn order, so trainers have to use them strategically in order to win higher-rank contests.

Diving was also introduced, allowing the player to explore underwater. At certain points in the story, diving was required to progress.

Favorite Location: Mt. Pyre

Pokemon White 2

I can't remember much about the game itself but I think it had nice locations. I remember enjoying it, and that it felt very welcoming.

3DS

Pokemon X

A major new feature was players finally being able to customize their trainer. A variety of items are available for dressing up, and eye color and hairstyle are selectable. It also introduces the fairy type, and contains a fairytale-themed town that is expectedly adorable.

Pokemon Sun

The game retains the customization feature introduced in X and Y. Instead of gyms the player participates in trials this time around. Some moments are quite amusing.

Rather than relying on HMs for things like flying, the game features a system where the player is able to ride different Pokemon depending on their needs. For example, a Charizard will transport them to previously visited locations.

Favorite location: Mount Lanakila

Teams

Pokemon teams created according to various concepts. The picks are made based off Pokedex entries and I try to keep comments in line with those (some speculation occurs).

Sun/Moon Anesthesia Team

Concept: A Pokemon team that could conceivably be used to render anesthesia care.

Blissey - essential assistant

Oricorio (Pompoms) - helps cheer up nervous patients, but can also aid in testing nerve potentials and determining recovery from muscle relaxing agents

Scolipede - while its poison is deadly, it can be applied therapeutically in small amounts, can also paralyze a patient when muscle relaxation is necessary

Shiinotic - puts patients to sleep with its spores

Alomomola - its healing powers come in handy for emergencies

Comfey - its aroma may help to calm nervous patients, and its healing abilities are helpful for lesser injuries

Halloween Team

Concept: A Halloween team where half the Pokemon are dedicated to "trick" and the other half to "treat".

Misdreavus - its prankster nature goes well with "trick"

Whimsicott - as a prankster who likes to sneak into houses and move furniture and hide things it's a natural member of the "trick" team.

Rotom - Final member of the "trick" team. Its ability to engage in digital mischief seems perfect in this age of everyone having a phone.

Ribombee - Creates highly nutritious pollen puffs. While the Pokedex entries say nothing on this I'm assuming that it's also capable of making a sweet-tasting variety, thus earning it a place on the "treat" team.

Delibird - Always carrries food, thus suited for the "treat" team.

Togetic - Shares its happiness with kindhearted people. Though it's less physical than candy, happiness seems like a very special treat. Belongs to the "treat" team.

Spinoff Games

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team

The game employs mechanics of a roguelike, with randomly generated dungeons and turn-based movement. However it's much more forgiving and features leveling and recruiting all sorts of Pokemon who will be available to bring along for future adventures. Has some very cute features, an adorable pixel art style, and some neat story moments. Highly recommended!

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