Pokemon - where to start?

[Battenberg]

So with the release of X and Y I want to find out what all the fuss is about with pokemon. It's always seemed like something I would enjoy however sadly I really missed out when I was younger because I couldn't afford to get a Gameboy making my previous experience essentially nil which is why I'm asking the Escapist where I should start in order to get the most out of pokemon. Should I got all the way back to the original Red/Blue/Yellow games? Are Black and White a better starting point for a latecomer? Or is too late to catch up with the older games and should I just go straight for X/Y (although I likely won't do this as I only have a DS and currently no spare cash for a 3DS).

Also I've never been too clear with the different simultaneous releases - are they vastly different games that make it worth getting all available versions (e.g. both black AND white) or is there no point getting more than one game from each generation?

For additional discussion value do people have a favourite generation? A golden age where they think Pokemon hit its best and which hasn't yet been exceeded?

 

[ShinyCharizard]

There is no need to go back to any of the previous generations. Bar a few minor changes here and there they are all pretty much the same. You might as well just jump into X and Y. However since you lack a 3DS I'd suggest you pick up a copy of either SoulSilver or HeartGold.

As for version differences it usually comes down to a few pokemon can be found exclusively on one version or the other and the legendary pokemon you receive is usually different. Other than that though it is the same game across each version.

My favourite generation is gen 2. Mainly because it let you explore both Kanto and Johto, and fight all sixteen gyms. Also because Feraligatr

 

[sextus the crazy]

Just play the newest ones. Game Freak just keeps polishing them, adding and tweaking new features. You can't really go wrong with any of them (okay the 1st Gen ones red, blue, yellow have aged horribly).

 

[Raine_sage]

So with the release of X and Y I want to find out what all the fuss is about with pokemon. It's always seemed like something I would enjoy however sadly I really missed out when I was younger because I couldn't afford to get a Gameboy making my previous experience essentially nil which is why I'm asking the Escapist where I should start in order to get the most out of pokemon. Should I got all the way back to the original Red/Blue/Yellow games? Are Black and White a better starting point for a latecomer? Or is too late to catch up with the older games and should I just go straight for X/Y (although I likely won't do this as I only have a DS and currently no spare cash for a 3DS).

Also I've never been too clear with the different simultaneous releases - are they vastly different games that make it worth getting all available versions (e.g. both black AND white) or is there no point getting more than one game from each generation?

For additional discussion value do people have a favourite generation? A golden age where they think Pokemon hit its best and which hasn't yet been exceeded?

I reccomend Heart Gold or Black/White as starting points for late players. They're both the most solid games in my opinion and a good barometer for whether you'll like the series as a whole.

Black and White also make trading much easier (you need a WEP security code to use the online in HG/SS) since you can use the internet/global link to hunt for pokemon you want on your team. I don't think global trading in available in HG until after you beat the game.

I would recommend Emerald version if you can find a copy and you liked the above games. Gen 3 had some of my favorite designs.

Edit: As to getting separate versions, the only differences are a few aesthetic changes and which legendary you'll be able to catch. Each version has some pokemon that only appear in that version. This is to promote trading with friends between games. Just get the version that has the monsters you want most, don't worry about the other one. For older games getting the third in the series is the best option. For example get platinum, not diamond or Pearl.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

Since they're all essentially the same game there's no reason for you to go out of your way and play them in any particular order (or for that matter play more than just a couple, if you're starting up just now). 1st generation might be a little outdated in the graphics department. 2nd generation gets a lot of good rep. 3rd generation I haven't played and hear it's quite weak. 4th & 5th generations are solid entries, and they put a little more effort in animation and stuff like that.

I'd go with either 2nd generation just because it's so massive and engaging or jump straight to X/Y.

 

[shootthebandit]

Download a gameboy colour, you can download one onto your smartphone or PC and then just download any pokemon game

Ive only played the orginal (red/blue). I downloaded it for a nostalgia trip. Id recommend the originals mainly because of the retro feel

 

[HalfUlsterOtaku]

I'd recommend getting HeartGold/SoulSilver or maybe Black/White(or their sequels). HG/SS are the most expansive games in the series by far, though.

 

[Saika Renegade]

To echo the previous statements, if you're starting new and want to see more of the world, HG/SS is the way to go. It has most of the mechanics you're already familiar with--not all, but most. If you want to go back to what it felt like in the franchise's earliest days (minus some of the frustration, slower pace, and severely broken balance), FireRed or LeafGreen is a safe bet.

 

[shootthebandit]

If you want to go back to what it felt like in the franchise's earliest days (minus some of the frustration, slower pace, and severely broken balance)

You are not wrong however there is so much charm in blue/red that they are almost forgiven.

Id definately recommend red/blue. This is where the game starts and its got a real retro charm to it

 

[Hero of Lime]

Since you have a regular DS, I would definitely recommend Black, HeartGold, and Platinum. Outside of X and Y, these are the most modern and polished games. I'm sure you could find the game boy and game boy advance games easily as emulators on the internet too if you want.

 

[shootthebandit]

Since you have a regular DS, I would definitely recommend Black, HeartGold, and Platinum. Outside of X and Y, these are the most modern and polished games. I'm sure you could find the game boy and game boy advance games easily as emulators on the internet too if you want.

Theres some good GBA and GBC emulators on the google play store for android. So if youre amongst the 99% that has a smart phone you can have it as a portable game

 

[Hero of Lime]

Since you have a regular DS, I would definitely recommend Black, HeartGold, and Platinum. Outside of X and Y, these are the most modern and polished games. I'm sure you could find the game boy and game boy advance games easily as emulators on the internet too if you want.

Theres some good GBA and GBC emulators on the google play store for android. So if youre amongst the 99% that has a smart phone you can have it as a portable game

I've heard people say that they played Pokemon on their phones, but I didn't know there were apps for emulators. I suppose I'm also the 1%! I don't have a smart phone, nor do I really need one, my 5 year old flip phone still gets the job done.

 

[Eggsnham]

I've always been a fan of the Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald games. Emerald being the one that gives you the most bang for your buck. That said, unless you've got the time and money to hunt down an Emerald cartridge, you'd probably just be better off playing it on an emulator.

Otherwise, there are a whole bunch of Pokemon games released for standard DS consoles, so you could just look around and figure out which one of those suits you best.