Five criteria before looking at the list
Weigh the criteria for your situation. If it is your first time, prioritise prior knowledge and a difficulty curve without many spikes.
A general comparison by generation
The table summarises differences in mechanics and pacing, not a score. Versions of the same generation, and remakes in particular, can differ in encounters and levels.
| Generation | Helps a first run | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 1 (Red, Blue, Yellow) | Simple rules and short games. | No abilities or held items; physical or special depends on the type; some behaviour differs from modern games. |
| Gen 2 (Gold, Silver, Crystal) | Held items and two new types arrive. | Limited variety on early routes and uneven level jumps in parts of the adventure. |
| Gen 3 (Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, LeafGreen) | Abilities and natures; very well documented. | The category still depends on the type, which limits some Pokémon. |
| Gen 4 (Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, SoulSilver) | Physical/special split by move. | Platinum widens variety compared with Diamond and Pearl; check the version. |
| Gen 5 (Black, White, Black 2, White 2) | New species throughout the story in Black and White; Black 2 and White 2 include an unlockable difficulty mode. | If you want familiar species, the early selection may feel unfamiliar. |
| Gen 6 and 7 (X, Y, ORAS, Sun, Moon and their versions) | Plenty of encounter variety and the Fairy type. | Shared experience is strong: decide early how you will handle it. |
| Nintendo Switch | Current games that are easy to get. | In several titles shared experience cannot be turned off, and open worlds make areas and caps harder to define. |
For a first challenge, Smogon University's introduction places Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, FireRed and LeafGreen, and X and Y among the most accessible. Use it as a reference, not a fixed ranking.
What to prioritise for your profile
Start with that one, even if it is on no list. Knowing what comes next reduces planning mistakes.
Look for games with many species in the first areas and define clearly what counts as an area.
Prefer games where you can control shared experience, or follow a level cap from the start.
Think about capture too: console or emulator, one or two screens, and how the team will fit your scene.
If you will stream it, read how to capture the game before committing to a dual-screen title.
Originals, remakes and versions
A remake is not the same challenge as the original. Encounters, boss levels, mechanics and battle options can change: FireRed does not play like Red, nor Omega Ruby like Ruby. Before using an encounter or rival-team guide, confirm it matches your exact version.
The same goes for mechanics: types, moves and abilities have changed between generations. See why you should check your version's mechanics.
A quick list to decide
- Have I finished it before, or do I know its story well?
- Are there enough different species in the first areas?
- Can I control shared experience, or will I accept a level cap?
- Which mechanics does it have (abilities, physical/special split, Fairy type)?
- How will I play it and, if I stream, how will I capture it?
With the game chosen, write your rules and set up the encounter log.