In its 25 years of existence, the Pokemon franchise has grown from a humble experiment on the original Game Boy, to a ballooning multimedia phenomenon that has permeated nearly every aspect of modern society. Between the main games, the iconic anime, and the global popularity of the trading card game, Pokemon is one of the most recognizable properties to come from the video game industry. Few can say they've had similar success, and the property shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.
With how massive Pokemon is today, it's easy to forget that the franchise started with just one pair of games. Generation 1 of the Pokemon franchise had humble beginnings compared to the most recent entries, as Pokemon Red and Blue laid the foundation for what would become the Pokemon that fans know and love today. Everything from gameplay to the usual story structure was fleshed out in these first games, but the most influential aspect of Gen 1 was the Pokemon themselves. While there may not have been many compared to what's available today, the Pokemon in Gen 1 have left a lasting impression on the series.
The Design Philosophy Of Generation 1 Pokemon
When looking at the Pokemon in Generation 1, there is an evident simplicity to the design of most of them. Many of the Pokemon are based directly off of real-life animals, with many of them looking like various insects, birds, or sea creatures. These designs ended up greatly influencing future Pokemon games, as almost every Generation since has featured a unique bird or insect that is available early in the game. Gen 1 also introduced some of the more creative designs that the series is known for, particularly for the Dragon-types. Moving down the list of Gen 1 Pokemon, a progression of the creativity for each design becomes apparent.
- Bulbasaur
- Ivysaur
- Venusaur
- Charmander
- Charmeleon
- Charizard
- Squirtle
- Wartortle
- Blastoise
- Caterpie
- Metapod
- Butterfree
- Weedle
- Kakuna
- Beedrill
- Pidgey
- Pidgeotto
- Pidgeot
- Rattata
- Raticate
- Spearow
- Fearow
- Ekans
- Arbok
- Pikachu
- Raichu
- Sandshrew
- Sandslash
- Nidoran♀
- Nidorina
- Nidoqueen
- Nidoran♂
- Nidorino
- Nidoking
- Clefairy
- Clefable
- Vulpix
- Ninetales
- Jigglypuff
- Wigglytuff
- Zubat
- Golbat
- Oddish
- Gloom
- Vileplume
- Paras
- Parasect
- Venonat
- Venomoth
- Diglett
- Dugtrio
- Meowth
- Persian
- Psyduck
- Golduck
- Mankey
- Primeape
- Growlithe
- Arcanine
- Poliwag
- Poliwhirl
- Poliwrath
- Abra
- Kadabra
- Alakazam
- Machop
- Machoke
- Machamp
- Bellsprout
- Weepinbell
- Victreebel
- Tentacool
- Tentacruel
- Geodude
- Graveler
- Golem
- Ponyta
- Rapidash
- Slowpoke
- Slowbro
- Magnemite
- Magneton
- Farfetch'd
- Doduo
- Dodrio
- Seel
- Dewgong
- Grimer
- Muk
- Shellder
- Cloyster
- Gastly
- Haunter
- Gengar
- Onix
- Drowzee
- Hypno
- Krabby
- Kingler
- Voltorb
- Electrode
- Exeggcute
- Exeggutor
- Cubone
- Marowak
- Hitmonlee
- Hitmonchan
- Lickitung
- Koffing
- Weezing
- Rhyhorn
- Rhydon
- Chansey
- Tangela
- Kangaskhan
- Horsea
- Seadra
- Goldeen
- Seaking
- Staryu
- Starmie
- Mr. Mime
- Scyther
- Jynx
- Electabuzz
- Magmar
- Pinsir
- Tauros
- Magikarp
- Gyarados
- Lapras
- Ditto
- Eevee
- Vaporeon
- Jolteon
- Flareon
- Porygon
- Omanyte
- Omastar
- Kabuto
- Kabutops
- Aerodactyl
- Snorlax
- Articuno
- Zapdos
- Moltres
- Dratini
- Dragonair
- Dragonite
- Mewtwo
- Mew
Looking at the whole list of Pokemon for Gen 1, it's clear that the franchise was just getting its footing, as the designs are fairly simple and grounded. While Legendary Pokemon had been established with the Bird Trio and Mewtwo, there was not a Legendary that was specific to Red or Blue. Because of some less than memorable designs, many of the Pokemon in Gen 1 have also gone forgotten by fans in favor of some more visually striking creations. Nevertheless, without the Gen 1 Pokemon, the Pokemon franchise as a whole would never have become what it is today.