Retro Replay Retro Gaming History, Reviews & Emulation
I’ve played plenty of Pokémon over the years, but the original games are still my favorites. Maybe it’s nostalgia, maybe it’s the simplicity, or maybe there’s just something special about those first adventures through Kanto. Whatever the reason, none of the newer generations have quite replaced them for me. But that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate how far the series has come!
On 12 October 2013, Pokémon X and Y launched for the Nintendo 3DS, bringing the franchise into a new era with fully 3D environments, a new region, and some major changes to the familiar formula.
The Kalos region, inspired by France, introduced 72 new Pokémon, the Fairy type, and Mega Evolution, which allowed certain Pokémon to temporarily transform into more powerful versions of themselves. It was also the first mainline generation to offer extensive trainer customization, letting players put a little more personality into their adventures.
For the record: X and Y were the first mainline Pokémon games to launch simultaneously worldwide. And for those of us who grew up with the originals, there was a nice little bonus: players could choose one of the original Kanto starters alongside their new Kalos companion.
Thirteen years later, I still prefer the original Pokémon experience. But X and Y deserve credit for helping modernize the franchise without completely abandoning what made it special in the first place.
What’s your favorite Pokémon generation? Are you still loyal to the originals, or has something newer earned the top spot?
