3. Sinnoh’s Pokédex (Generation IV)

Sinnoh Dex
Image: Nintendo Life

Gastrodon may have helped win a VGC World Championship this year, but that doesn’t excuse the slimy slug for grossing us out. Luckily, the vast majority of the Sinnoh Pokédex is much less slimy. This Generation introduced some much-needed evolutions for neglected ‘mons, giving us great designs such as Mamoswine, Weavile, and Honchkrow. Throw Lucario, Garchomp, Rotom, Gallade, and Probopass’s moustache and you’ve got yourself a pretty good Pokédex, despite the inclusion of Mothim and Carnivine.

Unfortunately, the Sinnoh Pokédex fills 14 of the 107 new Pokémon slots with Legendaries. Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina deserve recognition, but we’re not fond of the almost indistinguishable lake trio and the two sea guardians. Arceus and Darkrai, however, make up for other underwhelming Legendaries in this roster.

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Not much else to be said – Sinnoh has a solid Pokédex all around, even if its narrative lacks punch.

2. Hoenn’s Pokédex (Generation III)

Hoenn Dex
Image: Nintendo Life

Mudkip automatically bumps the Hoenn Pokédex up this list and offsets the comparatively weaker designs of Torchic and Treecko. All-star designs from Hoenn include Flygon, Gardevoir, Milotic, Absol, and its pseudo-Legendaries, Salamence and Metagross. We wouldn’t be surprised if many Pokémon fans claimed their favourite Pokémon from this list as a few of our own call Hoenn home. And like every other region, we wouldn’t blame you for forgetting about at least a handful: Illumise, Claydol, and Gorebyss to name a few. Regardless, the ratio between memorable and forgettable Pokémon in Hoenn skews heavily toward the former.

We do have a gripe that drops it out of first place like we dropped Zigzagoon from our team the first moment we could. Hoenn began the unfortunate trend of Legendary bloat; prior Generations had about five while the Regis, Latias and Latios, the super-ancient trio, Jirachi, and Deoxys made ten. That said, the trio of Kyogre, Groudon, and Rayquaza can’t be beat.

1. Kanto’s Pokédex (Generation I)

Kanto Dex
Image: Nintendo Life

To be clear, we vehemently disagree with those that claim only the original 151 Pokémon were good, yet it’s impossible to deny that the Kanto Pokédex has more iconic Pokémon than any other. We could argue that the variety and uniqueness of the original 151 rocketed the franchise into global success as much as anything else. From the obvious icons like Pikachu, Eevee, Charizard, Snorlax, and Gengar, to a tier below filled to the brim with amazing Pokémon like Gyrados, Lapras, and Cubone, not to mention a healthy and modest line-up of Legendaries that feel legendary, there’s little reason not to award Kanto top honours.

Yes, the Kanto Pokédex did introduce a small number of Pokémon that would’ve been forgettable or outright mocked like Klefki and Trubbish often are if they had been added in a later Generation. Others, such as Seaking, Persian, Paras, and Omanyte also leave something to be desired, but these number relatively few.

So, sticking rigorously to our method, Kanto came out on top. Doing our best to account for nostalgia, and acknowledging the brilliance of other 'dexes, it's hard to foresee a time when the Pokédex that started it all won’t rank higher than the rest.

Bonus: Hisui’s Pokédex (Generation VIII.V)

Hisui Dex
Image: Nintendo Life

As Pokémon: Legends Arceus introduces only seven new Pokémon and 16 Hisuian forms, the Hisui Pokédex doesn’t quite reach a threshold where it could fit into this list. That said, of all the new Pokémon and forms added, they’re almost all great. Kleavor and Ursaluna’s awesome designs offset the slightly uncomfortable appearances of Enamorus and Sneasler.

The Hisuian forms – especially of Typhlosion, Samurott, and Zoroark – did exactly what regional forms should do: reinvigorate classic designs or give a new spin on underrepresented Pokémon. If pressed, we’d put the Hisui Pokédex somewhere in the top half of this list.

How’d we do? With Scarlet and Violet coming soon, we hope it challenges Pokédex conventions and introduces a wide variety of unique designs we haven’t seen before. So far, this seems to be the case, but we can’t say for sure where Paldea’s Pokédex will wind up on this list. Down at the bottom with heaps of forgettable Pokémon? Or up near the top with a memorable lineup we’ll look back on wistfully for decades to come?

Are you still itching to admonish us for ranking your favourite Pokédex lower than you expected? We don’t blame you, honestly – one of the greatest things about Pokémon as a whole is how subjective which Pokémon you like and which you don’t is.

Of course, our infallible methods don’t account for your own experience and taste, so definitely sound off in the comments and vote in the poll to correct our grievous wrongdoings.

Which Pokédex had the best new Pokémon?