Ranking EVERY generation of Pokémon by GIMMICKS

EVERY generation of Pokemon put into a carefully selected ranking, based on the impact of the gimmicks it birthed.
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[@galariangold]

Thanks for the love on this video guys, I just wanted to pin this comment as a 'community notes' kind of post, to log any gimmicks I missed that you guys have pointed out. I'll update this with any major ones in case we revisit this list in another video in future... - Special/Physical split (gen 4) - Held items (gen 2) - Terrains (gen 6 NOT 7) Currently I don't think this would majorly change my order, but these are some big ones that could impact a revised list after Z-A comes out, so watch this space...

[@amanniyad6930]

Well gen 5 did also have changeable seasons…which I personally like a lot.

[@galariangold]

Me too. I did mention this, it's a cool feature but as mentioned it's kind of just an improvement of the weather system and the day/night cycle. So when ranking gimmicks it doesn't score any major points. Definitely cool though 👍

[@imskyskyhigh]

why did they remove this

[@chasingplatypus]

people already mentioned some important battle gimmicks you missed (like sp atk/sp def and physical/special split) but i’d like to point too that gen 2 introduced HELD ITEMS that is probably completely slept on

[@UnchainedPandoran]

Interesting vid. I initially thought it was gonna be a ranking of battle gimmicks! It is surprising to see how many crucial things were introduced in Gen 2.

[@alec531]

Two of the biggest gimmicks in my mind was splitting special into defence and attack in gen 2 and the physical/special split in gen 4(shadow ball became a special move)-the gen 4 split moved it up to the second position-you can’t call the mechanics introduced in gen 1 gimmicks not mechanics if you aren’t going to call the split a gimmick

[@samable7724]

Also, I think gen 8’s addition of adding NEW evolutions to regional forms really fleshed out that concept, along with introducing regional legendaries

[@johnd6980]

I think the physical/special split was one of the most impactful changes ever made, and I've always been salty that it wasnt done in time for gen3.

[@sunofabob]

I wouldn't call that a gimmick tho

[@Justadudewhoreads]

Terrains were actually introduced in Gen 6, but the Surge Abilities were introduced in Gen 7(and basically no one even knew Terrains existed in Gen 6 so understandable how you didn’t know)

[@galariangold]

Appreciate the comment. Just when you think you've tied all the loose ends and done all your research! 🤦🏼‍♂️ Luckily I don't think this affects the rankings in any major way. Gen 6 and 4 were always close in my mind but not sure this would push 6 above 4.

[@gingergreeney]

Kind of loved having gen 1 be number 1. With the title thought it might not even be included. Got worried when you said gen 4 had some of the best remakes. Thought you meant brilliant/shining for a second 😂

[@TorqueKMA]

Definitely think you did OR/AS dirty. Hands down my favorite and you forgot to mention the pokemon ruffling in the weeds gimmick that introduce the ability to get pokemon with a special move. Loved that idea. Also it bs that Legends arceus got bundled with sword and shield

[@TheWarthogaa]

although gen1 had pikachu, gen 4 brought forth the ability to walk with any pokemon you owned with the gen2 remakes

[@CartoonEric]

Mega evolutions are my favorite.

[@springtrap9038]

same

[@arnaul_de_lapras5853]

You're forgetting special/fisical split in gen 4. Like arguably the bigest changes in the franchise were this one, online battles, habilities and 2vs2. So third and forth gen formed pokemon as we know nowadays

[@galariangold]

@@arnaul_de_lapras5853 I considered the split more of a mechanic development than a gimmick. Maybe it was worth a mention. But gen 3 and 4 were definitely super important for battle mechanics.

[@Fireash007]

Video Starts here 3:06

[@poppyfrancis7338]

I love when people think about the different mechanics added in any given generation that changed how battles are played as gimmicks in the same line as Megas and after, and its insane to think that a mechanic as integral to battles as abilities wasn't here from the start

[@nevets1726]

By the way, terrains were added in generation 6. The "Surge" abilities that set terrain upon entering battle were introduced in generation 7.

[@HexerDexter]

I agree with ur list & learned more than I originally knew before.

[@brianzmek7272]

You missed the gen 3 storage revolution

[@Vitz_atelier]

No mention of the Dream World in Generation 5?

[@chelmrtz]

I like rotation and triple battles. Bring them back!

[@randomedgygamer2191]

Well LGPE did following pokemon better than HGSS but it was a very limited pool

[@natakuu13]

While I do love the looks they gave for mega evolutions. I still can't get behind it. Only giving mega to a few pokemon really hurts and then also it makes it feel like digimon instead of pokemon. Pokemon are supposed to evolve and stay there. Not for a quick battle then back to another form. That was too much of a digi feel for me. TMs having multi use like hms was good. It allowed you to much more personalize your team. Having the moves YOU want not what you are stuck to based on level learned moves.

[@AlexGeorgitsis]

The first 2 gimmicks that I can think of is the HM Whirlpool and HM Dive in gen 2 and 3

[@sonicichigo5962]

I feel main series remakes have been good and bad because people go gen X REMAKE repeatly and it gets really annoying when no where near when the remake should be cough 2027 and people where banging on about gen 5 remakes since 2023

[@dtell3424]

Actually fans have been making "leaks" and other rumors about gen 5 remakes since 2021 when bdsp released. Fans always talk about the next remakes as soon as the current remakes come out

[@justincando1]

I would be happy to leave a gen 5 remake it's by far my least favorite pokemon game honestly z.z just a garbage game and wish community would open their eyes to how bad of a game it actually is

[@sonicichigo5962]

One thing i would like i doubt it will come is a mystery dungeon featuring all pokemon or another MD remake if not i don't mind the last one was good

[@VeGiTo3Po2]

I would switch 3 and 4 generation if only for the special/physical split witxh arguably is mote impactfull even than habilitys

[@nevets1726]

How the heck can you talk about gen 4 and not even MENTION the physical/special split??

[@SquishyOfCinder]

now if we rank every generation by their games gen 1 would be last because the games are broken beyond all hell.

[@sunofabob]

Gen 5 gave us fusion Mons first.

[@MaxWhipple-rd2hv]

gen 9 made single use battle items single use in each battle instead of needing 1000 focus sashes for 1000 battles you only need 1

[@SquishyOfCinder]

14:00 sad

[@MikeSandersonVideos]

Is it a gimmick to have subs in the bottom no matter what?

[@galariangold]

Confirmed

[@randomedgygamer2191]

Gen 6 for ever

[@soul6683]

Gen 5 also brought hidden abilities

[@galariangold]

I did mention that 👍

[@sunofabob]

​@@galariangoldI'm not sure folks are fully watching the video.

[@NellvinCervantes-gt4ot]

I think hidden power was 1stly used in generation 2. Look at the generation 2 random battle tier and it already has hidden power

[@soul6683]

Hidden abilities like serperiors contrary which suddenly makes it usable instead of default grass starter overgrow or sheer force Nidoking

[@Superbuu.fullpower]

💀💀💀 14:37

[@thomasbrewster193]

2 minutes of intro! Got on with it 👎

[@vectorkaiser]

Sorry, but Gen 1 being number 1 IS a copout.

[@galariangold]

Defend!