So How About Them New Starters? Part III

How did we go from a dinosaur with a bulb, a flaming lizard, and a turtle to... this? I'm not exactly sure, but I think Web 2.0 got in the way as far as design.

Generation I

This is where it all started. Sure, it started with slightly malformed sprites, but the general idea got across. I haven't met many that dislike these guys, mainly for nostalgia reasons. And the fact that they all evolve into insanely powerful reptiles doesn't hurt either.

Generation II

This was the next major step in the Pokémon series in general. Not only did it add another region, but it added a real-time clock, breeding, genders, Berries, new Poké Balls, updated sprites, full use of the Game Boy Color's palette, and so on. Not to mention it also introduced two more reptilian starters as well as the first mammalian one, which just so happens to be my most favorite. The Pokémon from this Generation also mainly resembled the style of the previous one.

Generation III

This is when a lot started complaining and didn't stop, even today. I honestly even forget many of the Pokémon from here, including Relicanth, Tropius, and... um... Whismur, I guess. However, the starters here are still decent-looking, despite some insane design overhaul taking over everything. You have another reptile, a bird, and, for once, an amphibian. Still, many managed to come to terms with this Generation, especially showing a great liking to the Water-type starter.

Generation IV

Now it was apparent that people wouldn't stop complaining. With even more alien designs and several unnecessary evolutions of previous Generations along with several awesome ones, plus a 3D world, this was the oddest Generation yet. Plus, there's a turtle, flaming-butt monkey, and a penguin for your starters. The penguin seems to be designed for hype, as it entered as the penguin craze was on its tail end, and it's the most pushed Pokémon at this point, except for Pikachu. It's also the one that hasn't evolved yet as far as the main characters' team in the cartoon.

I'm not calling the new designs horrendous, but... I think they could have done better. I'll have to examine them in detail later, and there's also the hope-- er... chance that this is an elaborate prank.