Hmm, since this a general Pokemon thread, I have a good question.
I've never played a Pokemon game, but I feel like I should at least try one. Any suggestions for a starting point?
I have a DS Lite and GB Pocket, so I think I'm set up with the necessary hardware.

I would recommend:
FireRed or LeafGreen
Emerald
Platinum
HeartGold or SoulSilver

These are the most "complete" versions of each main entry, and all are playable on a DS Lite. Yellow does have some content that did not make it into FRLG, but it is very minor. Some of Crystal's extra content was included in HGSS, but I am not sure what, if anything, was omitted.

As for "Evil" Pokemon, dark-type's Japanese name can be translated as evil-type. I imagine that Zorua will become the Dark Fox Pokemon in English versions.

Some of Crystal's extra content was included in HGSS, but I am not sure what, if anything, was omitted.

While I too would have preferred Crystal getting an upgrade instead of the new female character they created for HGSS, I would hardly consider the change "absence of old content".

1st Generation: Red > Blue

2nd Generation: Gold/Silver > Crystal who?

3rd Generation: Ruby/Sapphire < Superior Emerald

4th Generation: Diamond/Platinum > Penis Monster

5th Generation: Black < thats_racist!.gif > White

And, for added lulz, there's still that good/evil alignment rumor that needs to be addressed.

As far as I know dark type is known as devil type in japan. Dark types always had that "evil" vibe to them in pokedex entries too.

I like the new names actually, makes it sound classy like some old black and white movie. But that´s just me.

Good news it´s for DS, too, which means I don´t have to buy a 3DS at launch.

I wonder if they´ll have extra features for the 3DS, though? Like Red and Blue had some colors added in when you played them on a GBC.

Lol. Well, when's the release date? Would it be coming out this year? Because I think it could be quite a few years before a 3DS launch.

Scans from Coro Coro. Looks like we finally got actual background for the fights.

New PCs (of course), a look at the new battle interface and what looks like a shop inside the Pokemon Center. Still no release date, we only know that it'll be released in Japan sometime in Autumn.

EDIT: Beaten! 😮

There are 3 things that annoy me about Pokemon:

There are way too many added per game. It's like 500 now.

There should be a way for Pokemon to relearn moves. Instead of making them forget moves, just have them "equip" 4 moves to use in a battle.

There is too much randomness with things like DV making Pokemon of the same species unequal.

Hmm, what an interesting visual perspective. You could say it's almost suitable for... 3D...

POKEMON GRAY FOR 3DS CONFIRMED

Pokemon has absolutely NEVER been my thing, for alot of the same reasons Veckums said. I've tried to get into it, I honestly have, but it was just NEVER my thing. I have a feeling it never will be.

I suppose Vec raises some good points, but I see them as relatively minor quibbles regarding a game that otherwise provides an extremely deep, complex and satisfying experience.

There should be a way for Pokemon to relearn moves. Instead of making
them forget moves, just have them "equip" 4 moves to use in a battle.

Move tutors that reteach old moves have been a common feature since Gen II. Unforturnately, they are usually located in a specific town and require and obscure item as payment.

I agree with Vec's "THERE ARE TOO MANY AAAAAAAH" complaint.

The DV is something I've never focused on. I still enjoy the games fine with out paying attention to it.

Looks like Jeffery took care of my comment on relearning moves... so yeah, I'm done.

YAYZ NEW POKEMON GAMES THOUGH

I totally disagree with both the "TOO MANY" and the random DV stats thing, because when I play Pokémon, I was variety as much as possible for my team. So having just under 500 Pokémon in the game at the moment is really cool to me. And while I do agree the DVs make things a bit unfair sometimes, especially if two Pokémon of the same species are fighting, but to me, it encourages trading and cooperation among friends.

P.S. I do think the whole way the moves are set up at the moment is pretty stupid though. I don't think vec's right with what would "solve" it though...

looks nice.... but who is that main character? looks like a girl.

all of the pokemon games since crystal had girls in them

Even more bloody Pokémon?!

Unless they do add the above feature into the games, then

I hope this actually does something different with the franchise and doesn't feel like you're playing the same game for the fifth time in a row. The fact that the same shortcoming still haven't been addressed always bothered me, too. At least 4th generation somewhat touched upon that and the new screens give me a bit of hope, so that's good.

I will be waiting for the inevitable 3rd version, though. That's for sure.

looks nice.... but who is that main character? looks like a girl.

Looks like a couple of things, actually.

As far as I know dark type is known as devil type in japan. Dark types always had that "evil" vibe to them in pokedex entries too.

I like the new names actually, makes it sound classy like some old black and white movie. But that´s just me.

Good news it´s for DS, too, which means I don´t have to buy a 3DS at launch.

I wonder if they´ll have extra features for the 3DS, though? Like Red and Blue had some colors added in when you played them on a GBC.

I think they're more "dirty fighters" than outright maliciously evil.

I don't remember enough Dark-type moves and what they do so I'm just gonna go ahead and copy and paste this from tvtropes, aight?

The Dark Type is characterized by attacks that involve fighting very
dirty in order to win, to the point where some of the moves seem to
constitute outright cheating. Some options from the Dark Type movepool
include: punishing the opponent for raising their stats (Punishment),
false crying (Fake Tears), slugging the opponent as they ready an attack
(Sucker Punch), beating up an already hurt opponent (Assurance),
throwing foreign objects (Fling), denying the opponent use of their held
item (Embargo and Knock Off), stealing the opponent's item
(Thief), stealing the opponent's stat changes or healing attempts
(Snatch), switching held items (Switcheroo), pissing the opponent off
enough to force it to use only attack moves (Taunt), banning the
opponent from using moves twice in a row (Torment; wreaks hell on Choice
Band/Specs/Scarf users!), hitting an opponent hard as they try to
retreat (Pursuit), and calling on the other Pokémon on your team to
beat up on the opponent (Beat Up).

Mwahahahahahahaha!

Is that the first time they've ever come out and say a
Pocket Monster was 'evil'?

Well, if you read some of the Pokedex entries some of the Pokemon  do some pretty evil stuff.

Drifloon: "It tugs on the hands of children to steal them away. However, it gets
pulled around instead." "It is whispered that any child who mistakes Drifloon for a balloon and
holds on to it could wind up missing."

Gastly: "Born from gases, anyone would faint if engulfed by its gaseous body,
which contains poison." (Though some entries say it just induces fainting.)

Haunter: "By licking, it saps the victim's life. It causes
shaking that won't stop until the victim's demise." "It hides in the dark, planning to take the life of the next living thing
that wanders close by."

Gengar: "

Hypno: Nothing in the Pokedex here but I heard it leads children away and they're never seen again. In FireRed/LeafGreen there's a child lost deep in the forest that's being stalked by one and stuff... so yeah.

Gorebyss: "Although Gorebyss is the very picture of elegance and beauty while
swimming, it is also cruel. When it spots prey, this Pokémon inserts its
thin mouth into the prey's body and drains the prey of its body fluids." Not really evil since it HAS TO EAT but... yeah, the pokemon world's not as nice as you think.

Frosslass: "It freezes prey by blowing its -58 degree F breath. It is said to then
secretly display its prey."

and the list goes on and on and onandonandonandonandonand...

I understand why some people do not like the addition of more new Pokémon, but I actually like having MOAR to collect!

Makes completing the Pokedex always a new challenge, not to mention it reshuffles the competitive metagame a bit. It´s boring how it´s always the same Pokémon that get put onto teams, variety is good! >=D
My interest in battling is usually highest right before and after a new gen gets released, when new strategies get worked out and people try using different Pokémon, then it wanes when the metagame stabilizes and the same 20 or so Pokémon get used in every team.

Furthermore, since Pokémon are supposed to be the animals of their world, it´d make sense there´d be bajillions of them. At least one for every species!

But I do have to agree with the need of refreshing the game formula. I´m not saying they should remove Gym Leaders and the Elite Four altogether, but maybe try to be a bit more creative in how the "story" progresses?

Perhaps collecting the 8 gym badges should be more of a sidequest like the Kanto badges were in Gold/Silver and have the main goal be something else?

Count me among those who wishes they'd stop (or at the very least slow down) adding new Pokémon. As it stands, completing the Pokédex is an entirely unreasonable goal. At this rate by the time my children are playing the games there will be well over a thousand if not two thousand, and that just seems cruel.

And they also need to stop making so many legendary Pokémon.

There were 5 in Generation I.

They added 6 more in Generation II.

They added 10 more in Generation III.

They added 14 more in Generation IV.

It's just stupid. It completely dilutes the brand. More is not always better.

I dunno, now that I think about it, maybe I should sit this one. I'm so insanely happy with Pokémon SoulSilver, in a way I haven't been since the original Pokémon Silver, so I might prefer just stopping here.

As it stands, completing the Pokédex is an entirely unreasonable goal.

Not really, seeing as you don't have to catch them anymore, just SEE them. SEEING them isn't anywhere as hard as catching them. If you ARE trying to catch them all you put that burden on yourself and thus shouldn't blame GameFreak. You can just pick and choose the Pokemon you want/think you might want later now.

And they also need to stop making so many legendary Pokémon.

There were 5 in Generation I.

They added 6 more in Generation II.

They added 10 more in Generation III.

They added 14 more in Generation IV.

It's just stupid. It completely dilutes the brand. More is not always better.

I disagree.

Yeah, just gonna say that. No argument or anything. I just... don't think it dilutes their awsUmn3ss.

one of my friends has recently "caught them all"... which is unimaginable

If I were to give the series a second chance... what game should I buy? What do you think is a game that's fun, good for newcomers to the series, and is relatively cheap...?

If I were to give the series a second chance... what game should I buy? What do you think is a game that's fun, good for newcomers to the series, and is relatively cheap...?

i liked pokemon on the N64 to be honest..... but if you should choose i guess gold or silver are your best choice, but really if i were you i'd buy the latest. we're not like before, we'd get bored easy with less attractive graphics. it might cost more but you'll enjoy it and that's the main point.

and psxphile thanks for the pic she looks cute but nothing special though... i wish they added more to her design.

ChaoRcute wrote:

I will be waiting for the inevitable 3rd version, though. That's for sure.

lol, will it be called Pokemon Gray?

Pokemon: Michael Jackson Version.

I want that now.

EDIT: Why did my last post disappear for a minute there? 0o

If I were to give the series a second chance... what game should I buy? What do you think is a game that's fun, good for newcomers to the series, and is relatively cheap...?

Any of them. None of them are particularly hard.

...But I heard Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald are pretty easy in comparison to the rest of the games.

I had them and I think I sort of agree. I could just breeze through the Gyms since it was easy to over-level your pokemon. In HeartGold...yeah... not so much.

ROFLMFBAAO MICHAEL JACKSON HAHAHAHAH.

Yeah. Coming with the "This Is It" XBOX 720 edition.

EDIT: Why did my last post disappear for a minute there? 0o

to make you double post

CTSucks 666 wrote:

Not really, seeing as you don't have to catch them anymore, just SEE them. SEEING them isn't anywhere as hard as catching them. If you ARE trying to catch them all you put that burden on yourself and thus shouldn't blame GameFreak. You can just pick and choose the Pokemon you want/think you might want later now.

Okay, yeah. D/P/Pt sort of move the goalpost so that you only have to "See" them for Your Pokédex to be considered complete (HG/SS ignores that, as far as I can tell so far, but let's put that aside for the moment). 

Despite being about 20 species short of a full-set, I find simply catching every species to be a little too easy. That is why I am in the process of catching a (nearly) complete set using nothing but premier balls. Of course, being able to migrate all my Gen III Pokemon* helped tremendously with getting my caught number up in Pearl. I just wish massive, asymmetric trades were a standard feature in the main games.

*In Gen III, I was ultimately missing only Chikarita Family, Cyndaquil Family, Raikou, Celebi, and Jirachi.

Yes. See I just want the ability to port my Pokedex data over. No more Pal park 6 Pokemon a day crap. Port my dex, let me have to work to get the new ones, and I'm good to go. Aggravating. Im gonna get the ones I wanna train, and that's it.

But that's LAME. It's clearly a less thrilling, cheapened way of looking
at the game. My twelve-year-old self would be disgusted.

I don't think the majority of people feel that way, though, so I think it's more of a personal issue you have. Try thinking of it like this: The pokedex is basically a Pokemon dictionary, right? So you don't necessarily need to catch the Pokemon, just observe and study them, which, in-game, is reflected through your encountering them since doing all that scientific %!!% would take waaay too long.So... yeah. I don't know why you prefer catching them so much but I hope that helped...

...nor would we have had the problem of the monster design degrading
with each passing generation, which is a different issue entirely.

. . . How dare you.(just kidding)

But seriously, though. There's no way we can objectively determine if their designs are "degrading" or not so it's all just realllly subjective.
I think it's good for the series that the generations look so different, though. Animals look different in different regions of the world so Pokemon should different in the different regions of Kanto and stuff... so yeah.

Its been a while since I played Pokemon. Leaf Green was the last one I played. Can the trainers walk diagonally yet?

Its been a while since I played Pokemon. Leaf Green was the last one I played. Can the trainers walk diagonally yet?

lol why would you want to?

All the cool kids are only walking up-and-down and left-and-right.

Walking diagonally's for squares, maaaan...

Can the trainers walk diagonally yet?

Only Pokemon Rangers have the dexterity to achieve diagonism. Trainers can be Masters, but they can only really think in 4 directions, whilst those of the elite class known as Rangers have mastered 8 directional thinking!

Can the trainers walk diagonally yet?

Nope, though as of HGSS, you can run without holding B.

You're such a tease, Ninty.

Yeah just watched Pokemon Sunday -.-....Yay for 3 starters. Why does the Grass Starter look like a dumb pig >_O

EDIT: Err no left one looks to be grass. Top looks to be Fire Pig (>p) and Water...I dun even wanna take a guess.

EDIT:

came pretty close in a few instances

Apparently they're not 10 year olds.

More info dump here. Includes more screens.

I like the grass starter the best. Might end up picking him.

I'd probably pick the Fire starter (and I never do) if only to name it P-chan.

EDIT: lol stephen king

"Smugleaf"

"Piglit"

"Wotter"

White & Black.

They fight crime.

(actually, I'm not sure which is which)

direct-feed screenshots:

The "Isshu" region's Hiun City.

Reminds me of Persona 3's Port Island... even has its own Moonlight Bridge.