HG/SS for an RPG introduction. No crazy generation mechanics like dynamax, mega, or terrastilize that you need to learn. Yes full support for doubles and singles. G/S has a well designed difficulty curve with lots of extra content HG and SS expand on it.

Champions if you just care about the competitive battles and not the RPG elements. Straight to the point PvP only, no breeding and farming required. Format based (they call them Regulations) so there's a limited selection of pokemon+items in the game with an evolving and changing banlist.

FRLG because it introduces Pokémon the way it was meant to be introduced, with Pallet Town and Team Rocket, which are cultural references people will hear elsewhere, without being as completely outdated and awkward as gen 1.

1. Black & White 1. People complain about not having access to older Pokémon until the post-game, but IMO that is a GOOD thing for a new player. Having a limited roster allows for much tighter game design. It is also easier for a new player to only have to learn 150 Pokémon with their type matchups and abilities as opposed to the ~400-600 that are commonly used in most other games. Remember that it is nkt just about the 6 Pokémon in tbr player's party, but also the Pokémon they are battling AGAINST that a player needs to understand to play the game.

For every single gym, there is an area where you can catch a Pokémon to counter it nearby. Very often you encounter a trainer who shows you a new Pokémon, and then it is available on thr next route.

With older gens you might not have all of the great improvements the series has made over time. Physical/special split, abilities, held items, color, multiple bag pockets, etc. Big Stadium and Small Court are available early as a source of exp and money farming that scales. The battle subway is great. The experience curve was re-worked and is much better. The games run and move a lot faster than Gen 4 and anything that came later.

The only downside is that, as DS games, it is annoying to have to emulate the 2nd screen and touch it occasionally. These games use that screen less than most DS games though.

2. FRLG. Really polished, no second screen. Sucks that there is no physical a special split, but other than that has most of the important mechanics and is still a polished experience.

For me it depends on what I’m looking for in a Pokemon game.

Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald is just a good all rounder, though some of its battle mechanics are outdated.

Diamond/Pearl/Platinum is the best if exploration is your Jam

Black/White/Black2/White2 is the best for combat and battle mechanics

Heart Gold and Soul Sliver if you want an excellent post game

I'm going to check back on this post in a couple of days, see what the consensus seems to be, and play that game through.

Little background: I've never liked Pokémon. No idea why. I generally enjoy JRPG's. I tried one of the first Gameboy games when it came out. And I had some friends that liked it so general sentiment around me was positive. I've also tried one on the Gameboy Advance games (don't recall which) and Pokémon Go when that first came out. Neither hooked me. But it's been years since I gave it a chance.

My favorite is Emerald. But I also really enjoyed Sword and Shield, as well as Violet (i have not played Scarlet).

Pokémon Gold/Silver for sure. The QoL updates over Gen1 (RB) and 1.5 (Y) are just enough, although RBY was actually challenging at times GSC reduced the difficulty a tad. But the map is better, bunch of side quest options that aren't too grindey, good callback to Kanto. I haven't played the remakes but I'm sure they would be just as great.

I played the Brilliant Diamond one after not having played Pokémon for quite a while, played the gen3 ones on emulator a bit (Emerald in this case, quit when the difficulty was way too low until you got to the League, suddenly you actually had to work for it). Played Shield as well but didn't even really feel like a Pokémon game to me.

So yeah I'm a typical genwunner but I prefer the second gen games. Crystal was neat but I don't prefer it over Silver/Gold.

The answer is almost certainly “whatever game you first played as a kid”

I implore you to try Black 2/White 2. In terms of pacing, flexibility with team-building, difficulty, variety of Pokemon, post game content (especially if you still have your copy of BW1), visual style, and storytelling, I personally believe this is where the Pokémon games truly peaked.

So yeah, BW2 is my favorite, and what I consider to be the best in the series.

Gen 3 is definitely my pick, doesn't really matter which one. Haven't played them, but I assume the remakes would be contenders as well.

Gen 4 (platinum) as it was the most recent one ive played. Gen 3 are great too, but lacks the physical/special split

black and white1 and 2. most anything before gen 7. gen 7 and on is total slop and kinda low effort, per masudas decisions i played most of them before the slopfication began with SWSH. i played some of the spinoffs games.

The mainline games I've tried are:

• Red
• Crystal
• Fire Red
• Platinum
• Soul Silver
• White 2

Out of these, my top 3 are:

1. Soul Silver
2. Fire Red
3. White 2

I should try Emerald one of these days...