What is Pokemon?
If you have been living under a rock for the past 18 years.... Pokemon is a game series, a TV/Movie series, trading card franchise, apparently amusement park basis, and tons of merchandise. But for this site we tend to stick more with the games. A Pokemon is a creature that has fantastic powers and will either be your best asset or the bane of your adventure. Some are super strong, others are super weak and cute; either way, a Pokemon is a Pokemon. The regions (Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, and Kalos) tend to have different Pokemon available in the wild. To keep track of all these Pokemon, you will be given a Pokedex; this is used as an "automated electronic encyclopedia." However, from personal experience, it more or less tells you where a Pokemon can be found. For detailed information on individual Pokemon, I suggest consulting Serebii, Smogon, or Pokemon Database (see links on Home Tab). Each region has 8 gyms and a Pokemon league which includes the Elite Four and the Champion; each of which has a type that they specialize in. Also throughout the game you will encounter and be required to fight and defeat both an evil crime organization and your rival. In order to accomplish these goals, you must catch Pokemon using pokeballs and train your Pokemon to higher levels. Higher levels can lead to evolution and more attacks. There are lots of nooks and crannies along the way such as methods of evolution, special locations of certain Pokemon, and strategies for winning in an optimal manner; all of which will be covered in the next section: Trainer. There are a ton of games out there divided into generations and regions. Here is a chronological list:
Gen 1: Red, Blue, (Green; Japan), and Yellow: These games started it all. The games take place in the wonderful region of Kanto. The evil organization is Team Rocket and your rival is probably the best rival possible. If you are planning on starting from the beginning, start here. However, the graphics are the worst in the entire series and the mechanics are fair rudimentary. Many love this generation for it's nostalgia value and its simple style. There are only the original 151 Pokemon in this game. Start here for the most respect for the series progression or for getting a feel of the basic layout of a game. You can find these games all on the website link "Retro Games" on the home page. There are 15 types which will be discussed later.
Gen 2: Gold, Silver, Crystal: These games take place a few years after gen 1. Team rocket is trying to get going again, but you are there to stop them with your arsenal of 100 new Pokemon on top of the original 151. Your rival is a heartless child that will destroy you without thinking twice; you develop a slight hatred for him as he seems to be the evil version of what a trainer should be. He is not nearly as antagonizing as the gen 1 rival. Also 2 new types have been added; Steel and Dark. The games are fairly similar otherwise. However upon beating the Pokemon League the first time, you are able to travel to Kanto where the gyms have been revamped and are waiting for your challenge. This game is praised for it's insanely long story line which includes 16 gyms, two rounds of the Elite Four and Champion, as well as a final battle with Red, the main character from gen 1. Also the rival in gen 1 is now a gym leader. This is a great game to play after you have played gen 1. These games can also be found under the "Retro Games" link.
Gen 3:
-Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald: Ah Hoenn... Such a lovely region with tons of new Pokemon, double battles, new gyms, two evil crime organizations, and water... lots and lots of water. Hoenn is an island region that experienced a radical change in graphics from gen 2 including higher resolution, ability to run using running shoes, two types of bikes, under water, the battle tower/battle frontier, and much much more. Many have started in this generation, which is fine, however after playing with these graphics and mechanics, it is very difficult to go back and appreciate the previous generations. This generation is super user friendly and definitely recommended for any player.
-Fire Red, Leaf Green. These two are remakes of gen 1's Red and Blue. They follow the same story plot, but use the updated mechanics and graphics. This game includes a new section called the Sevii Islands. These islands are an adventure in themselves. Upon first completion of the Pokemon league, the play is able to find and catch Pokemon from all the generations, not just generation 1.
Gen 4:
-Diamond, Pearl, Platinum: Don't start here. Please don't start here. I beg you not to start here. This region known as Sinnoh is quite difficult if you have never played Pokemon before. It has new evolutions and new Pokemon, updated mechanics, and much more that will either drive you nuts or make you fall in love. Personally I hate the story plot, the layout, the NPC relations, BUT the battle mechanics are awesome. The game is definitely worth playing, but I repeat, do not start here.
-Heart Gold, Soul Silver: These are remakes of gen 2 with updated mechanics. These games are arguably the best in the series. **I'll have to update this section later.
Gen 5:
-Black, White: Wow. Just wow. These games blew the socks off my feet. There was so many new Pokemon, a great story line which left you wanting more. These games take place in Unova, which just so happens to be based on New York. In here they introduced triple battles, which are okay; there are also updated mechanics. **More will be added later.
-Black 2, White 2: Nintendo got the memo that these games were great, however this ruined the streak of remakes, enraging players to no end. The story picks up where Black and White ended. You are a different character starting in a different town. The gyms are slightly different, but the over all theme is the same. This game combined with Black and White arguably creates the best story in the Pokemon series.
Gen 6: X, Y: This game is the newest installment taking place in the Kalos region which is designed to be based on Paris.Personally, I have played through the game once and can say that the story plot is awesome! I highly suggest this game, but would still start on a different generation. There is a lot still to be discovered in this game, so for now.... have fun exploring and using Mega-evolutions and the new Fairy Type! **To be completed
Gen 1: Red, Blue, (Green; Japan), and Yellow: These games started it all. The games take place in the wonderful region of Kanto. The evil organization is Team Rocket and your rival is probably the best rival possible. If you are planning on starting from the beginning, start here. However, the graphics are the worst in the entire series and the mechanics are fair rudimentary. Many love this generation for it's nostalgia value and its simple style. There are only the original 151 Pokemon in this game. Start here for the most respect for the series progression or for getting a feel of the basic layout of a game. You can find these games all on the website link "Retro Games" on the home page. There are 15 types which will be discussed later.
Gen 2: Gold, Silver, Crystal: These games take place a few years after gen 1. Team rocket is trying to get going again, but you are there to stop them with your arsenal of 100 new Pokemon on top of the original 151. Your rival is a heartless child that will destroy you without thinking twice; you develop a slight hatred for him as he seems to be the evil version of what a trainer should be. He is not nearly as antagonizing as the gen 1 rival. Also 2 new types have been added; Steel and Dark. The games are fairly similar otherwise. However upon beating the Pokemon League the first time, you are able to travel to Kanto where the gyms have been revamped and are waiting for your challenge. This game is praised for it's insanely long story line which includes 16 gyms, two rounds of the Elite Four and Champion, as well as a final battle with Red, the main character from gen 1. Also the rival in gen 1 is now a gym leader. This is a great game to play after you have played gen 1. These games can also be found under the "Retro Games" link.
Gen 3:
-Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald: Ah Hoenn... Such a lovely region with tons of new Pokemon, double battles, new gyms, two evil crime organizations, and water... lots and lots of water. Hoenn is an island region that experienced a radical change in graphics from gen 2 including higher resolution, ability to run using running shoes, two types of bikes, under water, the battle tower/battle frontier, and much much more. Many have started in this generation, which is fine, however after playing with these graphics and mechanics, it is very difficult to go back and appreciate the previous generations. This generation is super user friendly and definitely recommended for any player.
-Fire Red, Leaf Green. These two are remakes of gen 1's Red and Blue. They follow the same story plot, but use the updated mechanics and graphics. This game includes a new section called the Sevii Islands. These islands are an adventure in themselves. Upon first completion of the Pokemon league, the play is able to find and catch Pokemon from all the generations, not just generation 1.
Gen 4:
-Diamond, Pearl, Platinum: Don't start here. Please don't start here. I beg you not to start here. This region known as Sinnoh is quite difficult if you have never played Pokemon before. It has new evolutions and new Pokemon, updated mechanics, and much more that will either drive you nuts or make you fall in love. Personally I hate the story plot, the layout, the NPC relations, BUT the battle mechanics are awesome. The game is definitely worth playing, but I repeat, do not start here.
-Heart Gold, Soul Silver: These are remakes of gen 2 with updated mechanics. These games are arguably the best in the series. **I'll have to update this section later.
Gen 5:
-Black, White: Wow. Just wow. These games blew the socks off my feet. There was so many new Pokemon, a great story line which left you wanting more. These games take place in Unova, which just so happens to be based on New York. In here they introduced triple battles, which are okay; there are also updated mechanics. **More will be added later.
-Black 2, White 2: Nintendo got the memo that these games were great, however this ruined the streak of remakes, enraging players to no end. The story picks up where Black and White ended. You are a different character starting in a different town. The gyms are slightly different, but the over all theme is the same. This game combined with Black and White arguably creates the best story in the Pokemon series.
Gen 6: X, Y: This game is the newest installment taking place in the Kalos region which is designed to be based on Paris.Personally, I have played through the game once and can say that the story plot is awesome! I highly suggest this game, but would still start on a different generation. There is a lot still to be discovered in this game, so for now.... have fun exploring and using Mega-evolutions and the new Fairy Type! **To be completed
Places to Know
I know this task can be daunting... but try to learn the names of towns and cities. You don't have to know them all, but you should know the ones with gyms or major plot points. Also, the safari zone location is also quite helpful. What is the safari zone? It a a magical place that has slowly lost appeal since gen 1; originally it was a place where really cool Pokemon like Chansey, Tauros, or Kangaskhan could be found. Unfortunately over time it has adopted new themes such as the great marsh which I believe is quite the step down. With that said, here are places you will need:
Pokemon Center: This is the red-roof building that has some sort of signification that it is the Pokemon Center. This building is where you go to heal Pokemon, trade, and manage your PC. The PC is a system used to store Pokemon and items that you don't need at the current moment. Trading is, to be honest, only used for completing the Pokedex. Healing is important because your Pokemon will get hurt from battle, whether that is use of moves or taking actual damage.
PokeMart: This blue-roof building eventually combined with the Pokemon Center, but it is still the place where items such as Pokeballs, Potions, and Repels can be bought. In other words, it's a store. However each city/town has more or different items for sell.
Gyms: Gyms are not where you go to workout. What? Since when? In fact, you go into tall grass to train and then battle the gym leaders at the gym. To enter the Pokemon League, you must defeat 8 gym leaders. Each leader specializes in a certain type or theme, so a little research with the Type Chart will give you a swift victory due to type trumping (ex. Fire is strong against Grass, Grass is strong against Water, Water is strong against Fire).
Pokemon League: This is where you will face the Elite Four. If you can defeat these four incredibly strong trainers, then you can go on to face the Champion. Should you conquer this final challenge, you will win the game.
Pokemon Center: This is the red-roof building that has some sort of signification that it is the Pokemon Center. This building is where you go to heal Pokemon, trade, and manage your PC. The PC is a system used to store Pokemon and items that you don't need at the current moment. Trading is, to be honest, only used for completing the Pokedex. Healing is important because your Pokemon will get hurt from battle, whether that is use of moves or taking actual damage.
PokeMart: This blue-roof building eventually combined with the Pokemon Center, but it is still the place where items such as Pokeballs, Potions, and Repels can be bought. In other words, it's a store. However each city/town has more or different items for sell.
Gyms: Gyms are not where you go to workout. What? Since when? In fact, you go into tall grass to train and then battle the gym leaders at the gym. To enter the Pokemon League, you must defeat 8 gym leaders. Each leader specializes in a certain type or theme, so a little research with the Type Chart will give you a swift victory due to type trumping (ex. Fire is strong against Grass, Grass is strong against Water, Water is strong against Fire).
Pokemon League: This is where you will face the Elite Four. If you can defeat these four incredibly strong trainers, then you can go on to face the Champion. Should you conquer this final challenge, you will win the game.
Type Chart
Monotype Basics:
****For Duel-Type match ups, check out Serebii at http://www.serebii.net/xy/typechart.shtml