Worst to best, actually, because SUSPENSE
- 8. Johto’s Pokédex (Generation II)
- 7. Kalos’s Pokédex (Generation VI)
- 6. Unova’s Pokédex (Generation V)
- 5. Alola’s Pokédex (Generation VII)
- 4. Galar’s Pokédex (Generation VIII)
Image: Nintendo Life
Depending on how you feel about food and motorcycle themed Pokémon, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s Paldea region looks to have one of the more creative Pokédexes in recent memory. Both Lechonk and Fidough have garnered an unhealthy amount of obsession across the internet, and all three starters have received near-universal praise, which didn’t extend to our attempt at designing their evolutions.
While the Paldea Pokédex shows promise, how did the Pokédexes of the other eight regions fare? From Kanto to Hisui, we thought we’d take a look back at both the standout and more forgettable ‘mons added to each – a tall task with over 900 of the creatures to date.
Keeping in mind that liking a Pokémon or not is entirely subjective (except for like Bruxish and Greedent, right? They’re just terrible), we analysed each Pokédex based on what they have in common: the Starters, the Pikachu-like cute rodent, the fossils, the pseudo-Legendary, the Legendary trios, and so on. Then, we looked at the designs from that Generation that stood out and compared them to how many utterly unremarkable Pokémon filled up that specific ‘dex.
Remember, we’re ranking (collectively) the new Pokémon added to each game, not the game itself. Also, there’s a poll at the end, so feel free to have your say and vote for your personal best ‘dex there.
Ready? Read on to find out which Pokédex our infallible methods placed where, from worst to best.
8. Johto’s Pokédex (Generation II)
Image: Nintendo Life
We love the Johto region for so many reasons, but its Pokédex is not one of them. We’d argue that of the 100 new Pokémon added in Johto, three-quarters of them failed to leave an impression. Ledian, Stantler, Pineco, and Sunflora feel like uninspired rejects from Kanto. Some, such as Murkrow and Piloswine, wouldn’t receive viable evolutions until two generations later. Baby Pokémon, while cute, garner about as much excitement as a low-level Sentret.
Before you get out your pitchforks and storm Nintendo Life HQ like a horde of incensed Miltank, the three starters (yes, including Chikorita) and their evolutions aren’t bad, and the Johto’s Legendaries – Raikou, Entei, Suicune, Ho-Oh, and Lugia – rank near the top. Johto also deserves credit for introducing Espeon and Umbreon and the Tyranitar line, the latter being one of two non-Dragon pseudo-Legendaries.
Yet other than these and a handful more ‘mons (like Scizor), the unfortunate truth remains: compared to other regions, the majority of new Pokémon introduced in Johto are disappointing.
7. Kalos’s Pokédex (Generation VI)
Image: Nintendo Life
The Kalos Pokédex gave us the smallest amount of new additions at 72, mostly because Mega Evolutions padded things out. While this smaller sample size isn’t a problem in itself, it becomes one when forgettable ‘mons filled the Pokédex along with lacklustre Starters outside of the Greninja line. In fact, we’d argue that Kalos has the worst Starter line-up in all of Pokémon. The likes of Malamar, Carbink, and Aromatisse didn’t help.
Xerneas and Yvetal serve as Kalos’s Legendary duo, and while their designs still impress, Zygarde, Diancie, Hoopa and Volcanion never received enough of a spotlight to cement them as memorable Legendaries. Other ‘mons, such as Noivern, Hawlucha, and Sylveon we love to see included in later games, but the fact remains that much like Johto, the majority added in Kalos are forgettable.
6. Unova’s Pokédex (Generation V)
Image: Nintendo Life
We must give credit to the Unova Pokédex for its record-setting 156 new Pokémon, and at the same time, we have to take some credit away for introducing the second-worst starter lineup. While Oshawott ain’t so bad, the Snivy and Tepig lines (more Fire/Fighting!) fail to live up to the Fire and Grass types that came before. Similarly, the recurring themes, such as the rodent Patrat, the plain bird Pidove, and even the pseudo-Legendary dragon Haxorus, all fall short of their counterparts in other Pokédexes.
The Unova Pokédex does redeem itself with a few stellar designs. Lilligant, Darmantian, Minccino, and the regalness of Volcarona, made an impression. Unova suffers from what we like to call ‘Legendary bloat’ with 12 in total. Furthermore, the box Legendaries, Reshiram and Zekrom, feel rather plain compared to their counterparts, though the Forces of Nature – Tornadus, Thundurus, and Landorous – make up for this with their unique genie-like designs. Still, the more there are, the less legendary they feel.
5. Alola’s Pokédex (Generation VII)
Image: Nintendo Life
The Alola Pokédex introduced the first regional variants, yet Game Freak still managed to pack in a respectable 88 completely new Pokémon along with the 18 Alola forms of Kantonian Pokémon. Its Starters of Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio we place above average only because Rowlet is the best. He’s just so round.
The rest of the Pokédex stands out as having a high ratio of memorable Pokémon such as Mimikyu, Lycanroc, and Tsareena. A handful of oddball designs also add to the Pokédex’s personality – Gumshoes, Crabomidable, and Sandyghast come to mind – but the less said about Bruxish and Komala, the better.
Unfortunately, Alola suffers from the worst Legendary bloat of all Pokédexes with the inclusion of Ultra Beasts, which, while we appreciated the creativity, were a little too wacky for our tastes. Together with traditional Legendaries, including the well-designed Solgaleo and Lunala, Alola hits 18 total, cutting its Pokédex down to 70 regularly occurring ‘mons. We’re glad Game Freak cut back on Legendaries after this Generation.
4. Galar’s Pokédex (Generation VIII)
Image: Nintendo Life
Surprised to see the Pokédex that brought us Dexit so high? When we went through and looked at all the Pokémon added in Galar, we were too. Say what you will about Starters’ bipedel, human-like evolutions, the rest of this Pokédex is brimming with great designs. The wicked designs of Corviknight, Toxtricity, and Coalossal pair well with the adorableness of Morpeko, Wooloo, and Snom. Yes, Greedent’s stupid berry-eating face should be erased from existence, and most detest the three chimeric fossil Pokémon, but then we have the Dragapult line, which we’d argue gives Dragonite and Garchomp a run for the title of best pseudo-Legendary with how it shoots Dreepy from its horns.
The Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra DLC introduced the stellar Kubfu and Urshifu. We’re indifferent to Calyrex’s massive noggin, but the horses it rides, Glastier and Spectrier, grew on us quickly. We appreciate how the Galar Pokédex kept the Legendary bloat to a minimum even with the DLC, though we can’t say Zacian, Zamazenta, and Eternatus stack up well to other Legendary trios like Groudon, Kyogre, and Rayquaza.
A handful of uninteresting Galarian forms – Stunfisk, really? – round out this Pokédex that might’ve placed higher if the top three were stronger.