I'm thinking about getting into the pokemon games. Where should I start?

Chakas · August 13, 2015, 04:46:59 AM

What games should I start out with and what handhelds do I need to play them?

Zonda · August 13, 2015, 04:52:08 AM

I say any of the Gen 3 games, specifically Emerald or Fire Red. You'll need a Game Boy Advance (although later handhelds might run it too) if you're not interested in running an Emulator.

Or you could start on whatever the most recent release is. I haven't really played after B/W.

Chakas · August 13, 2015, 04:55:16 AM

Quote from: Zonda on August 13, 2015, 04:52:08 AM

I say any of the Gen 3 games, specifically Emerald or Fire Red. You'll need a Game Boy Advance (although later handhelds might run it too) if you're not interested in running an Emulator.

Or you could start on whatever the most recent release is. I haven't really played after B/W.

Why not the first games?

Zonda · August 13, 2015, 05:03:08 AM

Quote from: Chakas on August 13, 2015, 04:55:16 AM

Why not the first games?

They just feel really dated to play, and I know that this really impacts some people's enjoyment of the overall game. Aside from this, they're still fun. Realistically you could start wherever, Gen 3 is just the first one that I had a proper playthrough on. I'm sure a lot of people will recommend the ones they played first.

Spartan · August 13, 2015, 05:05:42 AM

Quote from: Chakas on August 13, 2015, 04:55:16 AM

Quote from: Zonda on August 13, 2015, 04:52:08 AM
I say any of the Gen 3 games, specifically Emerald or Fire Red. You'll need a Game Boy Advance (although later handhelds might run it too) if you're not interested in running an Emulator.

Or you could start on whatever the most recent release is. I haven't really played after B/W.
Why not the first games?

The remakes are just so much better, mainly mechanics wise (which are outdated now, but it's still better than the originals), only real issue with them is that you're limited to Gen 1 pokemon, so even if you get something that evolves into a Gen 2 Pokemon (e.g. Golbat -> Crobat), it will just stop the evolution. Other than that, it has updated visuals and music and I personally thought it was more challenging than the originals.

SecondClass · August 13, 2015, 05:11:42 AM

Quote from: Zonda on August 13, 2015, 04:52:08 AM

I say any of the Gen 3 games, specifically Emerald or Fire Red.

This. I prefer Hoenn, but the Gen I remakes are still really good.

Elai · August 13, 2015, 05:45:08 AM

For some reason, my go-to website for Emulation has lost all it's Pokemon games...

That aside, the best place to start is either:

FireRed/LeafGreen
Platinum
or SoulSilver/HeartGold.

Your total play list ideally should be:

SoulSilver/HeartGold
Platinum
Black/White
Black/White 2
X/Y
OmegaRuby/Alpha Sapphire

Elai · August 13, 2015, 05:49:50 AM

But depending on which game you start with, the play order will change. Let us know which game you decide to play!

Mat Cauthon · August 13, 2015, 05:50:22 AM

Start with Silver/Gold/Crystal, then move to Sapphire/Ruby/Emerald, next on to Fire Red/Leaf Green.
And from there choose yourself. Don't bother with Red/Blue/Yellow, there was a lot wrong with them.

The best way to experience them is from old to new, if you start with the new, you won't get the same enjoyment out of the old.
And anyone telling you to play a new game before an old isn't really thinking about you playing the games, more about what they like.

If you want to emulate the games, I have Crystal, Silver, Emerald and Leaf Green.
I could send them to you.
I also have Soul Silver on a DS emulator, but it's bugged and White/White 2.

Kiwicake · August 13, 2015, 06:24:14 AM

My favourite is probably Platinum, which is 4th gen

I'd probably recommend playing the old ones first though, otherwise you'll likely get used to all the later additions and not enjoy the earlier ones so much, especially if you've never played them

You can emulate the 1st/2nd/3rd gen games, but anything later I dunno if you can emulate, you'll probably need a 3DS

Big Boss · August 13, 2015, 06:31:47 AM

You don't need to play the older ones, really. Yeah the games have changed a lot since then but so? Just play the remakes.

Chakas · August 13, 2015, 07:46:47 AM

Quote from: Big Boss on August 13, 2015, 06:31:47 AM

You don't need to play the older ones, really. Yeah the games have changed a lot since then but so? Just play the remakes.

Which ones are the remakes?

JOHN CENA · August 13, 2015, 07:49:06 AM

Start with HG/SS. Probably some of the best games in the series, but a little dated.

Chakas · August 13, 2015, 08:29:45 AM

Quote from: Actual Cannibal John Cena on August 13, 2015, 07:49:06 AM

Start with HG/SS. Probably some of the best games in the series, but a little dated.

You act like I know what those abbreviations mean.

JOHN CENA · August 13, 2015, 08:36:35 AM

Quote from: Chakas on August 13, 2015, 08:29:45 AM

Quote from: Actual Cannibal John Cena on August 13, 2015, 07:49:06 AM
Start with HG/SS. Probably some of the best games in the series, but a little dated.
You act like I know what those abbreviations mean.

HeartGold/SoulSilver. HG has Ho-Oh as the main legend and SS has Lugia. You can get both in each game, though.

Big Boss · August 13, 2015, 09:28:05 AM

Quote from: Chakas on August 13, 2015, 07:46:47 AM

Quote from: Big Boss on August 13, 2015, 06:31:47 AM
You don't need to play the older ones, really. Yeah the games have changed a lot since then but so? Just play the remakes.
Which ones are the remakes?

FireRed/Leafgreen
Heartgold/Soulsilver
ORAS

Pippen · August 13, 2015, 09:33:09 AM

Quote from: Revolver Snake on August 13, 2015, 05:45:08 AM

For some reason, my go-to website for Emulation has lost all it's Pokemon games...

That aside, the best place to start is either:

FireRed/LeafGreen
Platinum
or SoulSilver/HeartGold.

Your total play list ideally should be:

SoulSilver/HeartGold
Platinum
Black/White
Black/White 2
X/Y
OmegaRuby/Alpha Sapphire

This, this and this.

I started at Diamond, but went straight to Heartgold, then followed up until X/Y...don't have a 3ds...

Chakas · August 13, 2015, 10:24:27 AM

Quote from: Big Boss on August 13, 2015, 09:28:05 AM

Quote from: Chakas on August 13, 2015, 07:46:47 AM
Quote from: Big Boss on August 13, 2015, 06:31:47 AM
You don't need to play the older ones, really. Yeah the games have changed a lot since then but so? Just play the remakes.
Which ones are the remakes?
FireRed/Leafgreen
Heartgold/Soulsilver
ORAS

What handheld/console do I need?

Chakas · August 13, 2015, 11:30:45 AM

Why won't anyone tell me what I need to play these games?

Verbatim · August 13, 2015, 11:41:02 AM

Quote from: Chakas on August 13, 2015, 11:30:45 AM

Why won't anyone tell me what I need to play these games?

because you can just look it up

FR/LG are GBA games that can be played on a DS Lite.
HG/SS are DS games that can also obviously be played on a DS Lite, as well as a 3DS.
OR/AS are 3DS games.

So, get yourself a DS Lite and a 3DS XL.

Elai · August 13, 2015, 11:53:39 AM

Or you can emulate anything pre-DS and just buy yourself a 3DS.

Emulate anything that came out before Diamond and Pearl (FireRed/LeafGreen/Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald).

CK97 · August 13, 2015, 11:59:12 AM

Start off with FireRed/LeafGreen since they are remakes of the very first games, you'll need an emulator.

You'll need a 3DS to play all the newest games (Generation 6) and it's backwards compatible with DS games (Generation 4 and 5).

Verbatim · August 13, 2015, 12:03:04 PM

Quote from: CK97 on August 13, 2015, 11:59:12 AM

you'll need an emulator.

No he won't.

Verbatim · August 13, 2015, 12:03:50 PM

Quote from: Revolver Snake on August 13, 2015, 11:53:39 AM

Emulate anything that came out before Diamond and Pearl (FireRed/LeafGreen/Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald).

or you could pay money for it like everyone else

I can only forgive emulating Gen I. Maybe Gen II. Because a lot of times, the battery goes dry, preventing you from saving. But it's an easy fix--just replace the battery.

Chakas · August 13, 2015, 12:05:17 PM

Quote from: Revolver Snake on August 13, 2015, 11:53:39 AM

Or you can emulate anything pre-DS and just buy yourself a 3DS.

Emulate anything that came out before Diamond and Pearl (FireRed/LeafGreen/Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald).

What is an emulator and what does it do?

Verbatim · August 13, 2015, 12:07:12 PM

Quote from: Chakas on August 13, 2015, 12:05:17 PM

Quote from: Revolver Snake on August 13, 2015, 11:53:39 AM
Or you can emulate anything pre-DS and just buy yourself a 3DS.

Emulate anything that came out before Diamond and Pearl (FireRed/LeafGreen/Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald).
What is an emulator and what does it do?

It's a downloadable program for your PC that allows you to emulate a game's ROM for free.

It's stealing.
As in, illegal.
As in, bad.

Don't do it if you have any self-respect.

Elai · August 13, 2015, 12:09:17 PM

Quote from: Verbatim on August 13, 2015, 12:03:50 PM

Quote from: Revolver Snake on August 13, 2015, 11:53:39 AM
Emulate anything that came out before Diamond and Pearl (FireRed/LeafGreen/Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald).
or you could pay money for it like everyone else

You can't buy those games new.

Verbatim · August 13, 2015, 12:09:37 PM

Quote from: Revolver Snake on August 13, 2015, 12:09:17 PM

You can't buy those games new.

I don't care.

CK97 · August 13, 2015, 12:10:11 PM

Quote from: Verbatim on August 13, 2015, 12:03:04 PM

Quote from: CK97 on August 13, 2015, 11:59:12 AM
you'll need an emulator.
No he won't.

GBAs and games are practically impossible to find, and if you do find one, it's overpriced as shit. Besides, the money wouldn't be going towards Nintendo anyway since neither of the aforementioned products are still being printed.

Elai · August 13, 2015, 12:12:28 PM

Quote from: Verbatim on August 13, 2015, 12:09:37 PM

Quote from: Revolver Snake on August 13, 2015, 12:09:17 PM
You can't buy those games new.
I don't care.

What's the benefit of giving money away to people who did nothing to produce it?