Summary
ThePokemonfranchise has always excelled by releasing two versions of the same gameevery time a new generation comes out.While this decision has baffled some fans, it does make sense from a business point of view. When the objective is to collect them all, it is worth keeping somePokemonbehind that need to be traded to evolve or simply obtain.
ThePokemonthat exist within one version of the game are called exclusives, and they are a trend that is still continuing in the franchise today. In fact, some fans will choose the version of a new generation based on what version exclusives are available. That means that some exclusives are better or more popular than others.
Growlithe and Arcanine have been fan-favoritePokemonever since they debuted in generation 1. However, only those who purchased theRedversion had access to this line. Growlithe could be found in thePokemonMansion on Cinnabar Island and could evolve with a fire stone purchased at the Celadon department store.
This fire type is particularly quick, and Arcanine can take out almost anything with a hit from a single Fire Blast. The exclusives inBlueversion, Vulpix and Ninetales, are also great, but they do not hold up as well competitively. Also, there was a time whenArcanine was nearly made a legendaryPokemon.
The problem the developers faced in Gen 2 was deciding which oldPokemonwould be omitted to make room for what was new. Obviously, old favorites like Pikachu and Gyarados made the cut, but some would have to remain as version exclusives.
That is why players can find Mankey on Route 42, but only inGoldversion. Having a solid fighting type on the team is necessary, and fighting Pokemon don’t come more solid than Primeape. The version exclusive forSilverversion ended up being Vulpix from Kanto. However, players did not really need another fire type, especially with one already available as a starter.
Fans were treated to the sight of Donphan in the firstPokemonMovie, long before the second-gen games were released. As such, the tire-elephant quickly became a favorite, Unfortunately, its pre-evolution, Phanpy, was only available on Route 45 inSilverversion.
This detail madeSilverworth buying for a lot of young players at the time.Goldmay have had the cute Teddiursa instead, but most fans were happier running things down with their exclusive Donphan. This ground type is still used in competitive battles as of Gen 9.
Pokemon Sapphire
Pokémon has evolved! Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire, the first of the series for Game Boy Advance, combine the power of the world’s most powerful portable game system with the playability of Pokémon to create an experience that you can’t afford to miss. Featuring an all-new storyline, a massive new world to explore, and a menagerie of new (and many classic) Pokémon to catch, train and battle - Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire are a Pokémon fan’s dream come true. Both games are set in the world of Hoenn - a land filled with cities, caves, lakes and secrets. When your adventure begins, you must choose whether you want to play as a male or female character (both are kitted out with some cool new Pokémon gear) and set out on a mission to become the best Pokémon Trainer that Hoenn has ever seen. Before you begin your quest, you’re given one of three new Pokémon to start you off. You can choose from Treecko, a Grass-type, Torchic, a Fire-type, and Mudkip, a Water-type Pokémon.
Early grass types are always a staple of newPokemongames. However, thesePokemonrarely last on players' teams past the third gym. That is, unless thatPokemonhas a great typing like the Lotad line. Lotad can be found as soon as players reach Route 102 inPokemonSapphire, and the third stage in this line is the beastly grass/water type, Ludicolo.
This dual typing leaves few weaknesses for Ludicolo to worry about, and its high defensive stat makes it a wall in competitive play. A grass/ dark type is cool, but not many players would prefer the Shiftree line inRubyover the chance of using Ludicolo.
The psychic type was not the overpowered game changer in the franchise it used to be when Generation Five was released. As such, it made the choice of splitting the two new psychic types in the generation across versions very confusing. However,Pokemon Whiteplayers were happy when they ran into a Solosis on their first playthrough.
Solosis can be found as early as Route 5 and is a solid, three-stage psychic line to take through the game. It doesn’t offer much else, but fans massively prefer this floating embryo to the psychic Gothita lineavailable in theBlackversion.
Mega evolution was already a big enough talkingpoint when it came to Gen 6 that not many players cared much about version exclusives. However, that all changed when players found out that the games would feature two new versions of Charizard.
There is nothing wrong with the mega version of Charizard inPokemon Y. In fact, no one would have any complaints if it was the only version. Unfortunately, the black version of the starter with blue flames called Mega Charizard X overshadowed its counterpart in a big way.
Every trainer was happy when they ran into the adorable Applin on their journey. It can be found in one of the first patches of grass and has a great type of grass and dragon. Fortunately, both of its evolutions are a great addition to the apple concept.
Each version continues to be both grass and dragon, while one bursts forth from its shell to becomean apple-wearing dragonand another becomes an apple pie. Although the decision as to which version is best is subjective, a lot more fans were initially taken with Flapple who was exclusive toSword.
While many fans probably chose their version ofPokemon Scarlet and Violetbased onthe types of paradox formsavailable in the games, there were some smaller changes made to make version exclusives even more tempting. Take, for example, the dragon and ghost type, Dreepy. It was one of the most popular newPokemonto feature in the previous generation, and fans were looking forward to the chance to use it again.
Sadly, the Dreepy line can only be found inPokemon Violet.It is in a great spot too, as it can be found in the glade right outside the fighting-type Team Star Boss' camp. ManyPokemon Violetplayers have been able to clear this hurdle thanks to a Dreepy in their roster.
