I know it has been a while since I last posted. Four years ago I stopped writing for many reasons which I won’t go into because that is not why you are here. The most important thing is I have not stopped gaming. So what do I want to talk about today, the rise and fall of my most beloved of systems – the Nintendo DS/3DS
Since it has been so long let me explain my gaming history with Nintendo. Born in the 80’s I had the privilege to grow up in the Sega VS Nintendo age. This meant that during my childhood, my family chose a side and you may be surprised to know it wasn’t Nintendo but Sega we chose. In fact, my first Nintendo system did not come until around 1998. By then the Sega had come and gone and the Playstation 1 (PS1) had come around and the Sega was dropped off at goodwill. (I know…I know but we were young.) I never really bonded with these systems so to speak. I remember them fondly because of the time with my family, watching my dad and brother play them. I was never really great at side scrollers…something that has continued to this day as my pathetic attempt to play Vectorman can demonstrate (Poor Vectorman…we cannot even get past level 1). Then Pokémon came into being and I was gifted my first Nintendo system with Yellow. This moment in my history would turn out to be a significant moment for me. The Pokémon path would have me follow the handheld Nintendo systems.
So why would the DS/3DS be such an important system for me? Because it opened more doors to the gaming world for me. I would start to pick games I would have an interest in rather than was recommended for me. More Importantly, I spread out from my pokémon games to other titles and genres. My first DS was actually the lite, a little white one I got when I moved from home to college. I have had some version of a DS for a little over a decade now, from my DS Lite to a DSi to the 3ds to the New 3ds. I have loved most…except for the 3ds which has caused me to implement the rule…never get a system when it first launches. (Sacrifice a Gamecube and a PSP for the 3ds and still pay a significant amount of money for the new system and watch the price drop from 260 to 170 and see how happy you are about it.) This little moment in 2011 did cause me to step away from Nintendo…but, more importantly, it taught me a very important lesson….it doesn’t always pay off to be first to buy something brand new out of the gate. Something that I have applied to both cars and cell phones over the years.
The next question I am sure you are probably asking yourself is aren’t the DS and the 3ds two different systems. I would argue both yes and no. The 3ds is more than capable of playing all the DS games you want (including the downloaded DSi titles with a simple system transfer). Although admittedly trying to play a DS title on the newest 3DS model will cause a little glitch on the 3DS but it is doable with some patience. That being said, unlike previous handheld generations you can play and insert all DS games into the 3ds, However, games will not play on a DS, and I would argue not all 3DS games can play in a normal 3ds…in the last few years, there have been New 3DS exclusives. It’s the fact that all DS games can (but not easily) play in the New 3DS that makes me loop this whole system experience together.
When the DS initially launched it was arguably one of only two handheld systems out there (the Playstation portable being the other one). Back in 2004 however the handheld gaming market was mostly dominated by Nintendo…then something happened. While people were busily playing Mario party on their DS, the Apple iPhone came out and changed the course of gaming forever. Suddenly there was an app store and new games were coming out every day. Smartphones would change the way people played their games, and it began to reflect in the sales data. In almost every instance that you look at Nintendo’s eternal data, the DS and the 3DS outsold their console-based units, with the Wii selling 102 million units (rounded up) and the WiiU which only sold a measly 14 million units, leaving the home console only selling 115 million units as a whole. Compare these numbers to that of the DS and the 3DS, with the DS selling 154 million units and the 3DS (as of June 30th) selling 76 million units, a total of 229.89 million units. Outselling the home consoles by 115 million units. Making them arguably some of the best selling consoles out there. These numbers prove the growing shift in the market to the portable platform rather than the home console. I think Nintendo also saw these numbers and saw the consumer shift from at-home console purchase along with the growing cellphone gaming market and decided to build the Switch which is the Hybrid of the at home and on the go play, striking a nice balance appealing to the at-home players like some of my most lovable friends, to the on the go player who likes to sit in front of the tv and play some pokémon while rewatching some old Star Trek or take their car to the park and enjoy some outdoor time while fishing in Animal crossing (yes I know the irony here).
I purchased my first DS Lite in early 2006 when I first moved into the dorms. Unwilling to have a pink one…because yes I am a girl but I didn’t want it to be too girly I picked a pearl white one. When my DS lite fell off my nightstand in 2007 and its corner joints snapped off and went ripping across my dorm room…and the system still worked I knew I had to replace it…and I did with another white one… A system may be the binding of a book, but it’s the pages inside that tell the story. From page one to the epilogue it’s everything in between that makes up your gaming story.
My gaming story with the DS started with a few missteps as I tried to find my identity as a gamer, remember this is my first significant step outside of Pokemon and maybe a few games on the PS1, that were my choices. These games would define me…teach me, reach me, make me smile, laugh, and cry. Some of these games would sit with me like a good story and I would just have to sit there and think about them for a little while…before I was ready to move on to the next adventure. You know what? I think this will be easier if I do this as a list form….everyone likes lists right? Here is how I will break it down, since I arguably have or had played more DS titles then 3DS titles, I will have a top 10 DS titles followed by my top five 3DS titles. Now, these are my top favorites, games I have gone back and played over and over again….or whose stories have sat with me long past the time I played them. I acknowledge the fact that favorite games are a deeply personal thing and my list might not match up your list and that is ok…let me know your top favorites in the comments below. 🙂
DS titles Top 10.
10: Advance Wars Dual Strike: This little turned-based strategy series came to my attention with the GBA (Gameboy Advance). I really enjoyed the gameplay elements of this series…and often find myself longing for it. I did make a solid attempt at Days of Ruin which had a very solid and intriguing story…however I got stuck in one scenario and was never able to beat Days of Ruin. Why is it on the list…because it’s one of those titles that if a new one dropped tomorrow I would absolutely buy it…I may not be able to beat it but I would absolutely buy it. (Side note, there is a Switch title that is similar to Advance Wars called Wargrove…if you are like me and hankering for a little something like Advance Wars give it a try…and yes I got stuck in it as well.)
9: Glory of Heracles: This is a title that got my attention by its opening credits. I was at my local Gamestop when I heard the opening titles…and that just won me over. When I played the game, I found myself really enjoying the story…so much that I replayed it almost immediately upon completing it the first time. Now it’s been about a decade since I last played this RPG, but I still recommend it to anyone who will listen to me about it….and I still love the opening title (very much listening to it now :).
8: Digimon World DS/ Dawn & Dusk: Digimon is a series I have always enjoyed…but the Digimon worlds of the past have always left something to be desired. The Digimon games for the DS both world and Dusk & Dawn is where I felt the series finally hit its stride as a series. There was a story and adventure to go on, and it wasn’t just about fighting Digimon. Yes you could argue they were following Pokemon’s formula…but hey Pokémon’s formula works (sometimes a little too well). If you like Digimon I recommend this series…if you can find them. (If not I recommend Cyber Sleuth complete edition for the Switch which is another solid entry.)
7: Professor Layton: Unwound Future (Lost Future in the EU AND AU): Professor Layton is a series I have stepped away from in recent years…I wasn’t happy with going backwards in the timeline of the series. (I am not fond of this in any series…move forward not backwards people). The first three Layton games are wonderful but Unwound Future is my favorite of the Layton series. The only one to get me straight up bawling at the end of the game…the story was that good. I have never stopped thinking about this game…and sometimes I wish I didn’t step away from the series…but I guess if I returned…I would be going backwards.
6 Final Fantasy IV DS Remake: I didn’t start playing the Final Fantasy series until 7, and by the time IV had come out to the DS I had played 8 and 10. I tried 9 I really did but I had trouble with loading screens (which I later learned is the game just took its time and I was impatient..). Anyways because I had developed a fondness for Final Fantasy by the time 4’s remake came around it was a no brainer. I found like most Final Fantasys the story was fantastic. I can go on and on comparing 4 with its fellow Final Fantasy titles but that is another blog for another day…for now, this was a welcomed addition to my gaming Library. It like Glory of Heracles it also has a wonderful remastered opening sequence the introduces new and old players to this new world.
5 Puzzle Quest…the whole darn series: This combined two of my favorite elements…an RPG story..with the fun of gem-matching (think of bejeweled or candy crush with story elements.). When last year they announced that Puzzle Quest was coming to the Switch…I squealed..yes I actually squealed out loud I was so excited. I even play a version of it on my phone now (Marvel’s Puzzle Quest). While Galactrix played very differently then most of the Quest series it was still an enjoyable entry. The best part is it’s a game you can drop for a few years…and come back to and not be completely lost. Its replay value alone is why I love this series so much.
4 Pokémon Black and White: It is no secret I am a huge fan of Pokémon…It has been the driving force behind my system upgrades and the eventual exploration of different gaming titles. The DS was lucky to see two generations of Pokémon and a remake of Gold and Silver. While I adore the remake of Generation 2 of Pokémon…and think highly of Pearl and Diamond…It’s generation 5 Black and White I go back to most often. It was the first Pokémon series that had a storyline that treated me like an adult…and plus it’s the generation that has a lot of my favorite Pokémon in it…including my beloved Joltik. It had NPC’s who I enjoyed interacting with and was the last generation to be a core Pokémon that has some difficulty to it. One last point about this generation…it is the only generation to have the story continue with Black and White 2…all others have been a rehash of the story…so gen 5 rules!
3 Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy. This series is the only one I have bought most often. I played the games first when they were sold individually..then again when they came out as a Trilogy set for the New 3DS…and will eventually break down and again buy it for the Switch…I just love the series. I think I have bought every title in the series at least once. It’s just a smart, quick-witted game. I love the detective elements and the courtroom elements and the Trilogy is just good. (Although I also recommend Apollo Justice as well…we will get to him in the 3ds section.) The rich characters and the stories…this is just a good series…and yes I think I will buy it again when it’s on sale :).
2 Tetris DS: Yes I know girls like Tetris…everyone likes Tetris. Yes, I have Tetris 99 on my Switch and there are a lot of elements in that game that it takes from the DS version…but the DS version will always be my favorite…just because of the hours and hours of fun I had with my friends with this game. That coupled with some Nintendo themed music like Mario and Zelda made me really love this game. It’s sad with the online play cut off now this game doesn’t get played as much as it use too…and like I said 99 is now around for the Switch…so I can get my Tetris fix when I need it…but it’s not the same as playing in your dorm room with your buddies.
1 Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution: I had to give it to this game…the amount of times I have replayed this game and continue to play it is just amazing. The new one confuses and confounds me…but the DS version is just enjoyable. I cannot tell you how many lunch breaks I took playing this game. When my 3DS stopped working briefly and I went back to my DS games, this was the first one I picked back up. I will never ever sell this game. It is easy to pick up…you can win and lose just as easily depending on the moves you make. It’s just a fun game…and eventually, I will figure out the Switch version…or I will just keep playing the DS one.
3DS Favorites top five
5 Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney Dual Destinies: I like this game because of its combination of everything you have been through in the series so far. Both Apollo (who was a spin off character) and Phoenix’s story….In a way, it sort of feels like a goodbye the way it was written. While I hope this isn’t true…the way this series was written and played out…just feels like a love letter to the fans. Time will tell if there will be more…but for now, I will just have to be satisfied with this.
4: Radiant Historia: This was a game sort of like Glory of Heracles in my mind, under the radar at first, unlike Glory which got my attention with a song, Historia was recommended to me. Hadn’t heard of the game before, I looked at reviews to see that this game was a remake and it had such love around it…I had to try it. I fell in love with this game. It isn’t a simple straight forward RPG which I love…there are some back and forth, jumping between different timelines. It’s a game whose world is easy to get lost in and the end game villain is a pain in the butt to defeat…but because it’s just ever so different than the run of the mill RPGs I am used to this is what makes it a great entry to my list and a fun game to replay.
3: Pokémon X&Y: While not my favorite entry in the Pokémon franchise, this one holds its own. Though a victim of the gimmick it does have a pretty interesting side story…which I wish they fleshed out just a bit more. X & Y beat out Sun and Moon because of the friendship element. I spent a lot of time with my friend filling out the Pokédex to get a 100% completion. Plus the addition of Fairy helped make my buddy Bulbasaur really useful once more.
2 Professor Layton VS Phoenix Wright: This was the game I never knew I wanted until it was announced. It was everything I could have wished for and more, somehow combining two different styles of art and writing to create this masterpiece. I took one weekend, essentially locked myself in my room and played it through and it was glorious. If you are a fan of either series I highly recommend it.
1: Fire Emblem Awakening: This was another game that was recommended to me by a very dear friend. I had not played any games in the Fire Emblem series before, I had stayed away because I was afraid it would be a continuing story. I was assured Awakening wasn’t like that…an independent story…and an interesting one at that. Awakening drew me into the series and I have played a couple of different titles now, from Warriors to Fates…but it’s Awakening that will always hold a bit of a special place for me because it introduced me to this world. And no it is not lost on me that it is the same company that was behind Advance Wars…part of my top 10 from the original list is also behind the Fire Emblem series.
The DS and the 3DS have played such a significant role in my development as a player and as a person. Some stories have left deep thinking moments…others have helped me pass time through a difficult period of my life. These are the gaming systems of my adult life. In a life that throws constant curveballs, having a safe adventure to go on is important. Although I have the switch now, I don’t feel they are as durable as the DS’s were. Its clam-shaped design made it easy to stick in my purse and take it with me. I cannot say this of the Switch…and while it is hands down more powerful then my DS’s, It will never be as portable, as long-lasting or as diverse as the DS, the predecessor to so much. And while the last game for the 3DS has been produced…the legacy of this system will not be soon forgotten. The little Dual Screen system that stole my heart.
Thank you for reading…I am hoping to do more of these although not on a regular schedule at the moment. Please like and subscribe for more content….and if there is a past article you would like an update on or you have your own personal list of favorite games please feel free to comment below.
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Numbers for this article can be found: https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/hard_soft/
Links in titles will lead to Amazon.
Aaa Spring is in the air, birds are in the air, bugs are buzzing and trees are (oh dear god) pollinating ugh. (I hate allergy season.) Anyways, speaking of getting in the mood of spring, it brings me to a brand new spotlight! I think given the blooming of flowers it’s only appropriate to cover Pokemon’s Grass starters.
Bulbasaur Family: one of the original three of Gen 1 and often times one of the most overlooked of the three starters, it doesn’t grow cannons on the back like Blastoise, nor does it turn into a “dragon” like Charizard. However it is one of the most consistent; balance is the name of the game when it comes to this starters. As I have mentioned before, it was Ash’s Bulbasaur I really fell in love with, along with the fact it helped stick up for weaker Pokemon and refused to change when others did. For me however its poison typing was a bit of a setback for the Pokemon, due to its weakness to the highly over-powered psychic type. The years however have been very kind to this Pokemon – with the introduction of fairy typing in gen 6 plus a new mega evolution this little one’s future is looking very bright.
Chikorita Family: I have a confession to make. While technically Bulbasaur was my first grass starter, since I chose Yellow as my first Pokemon game I didn’t really choose to play him (I collected him, not played him). So it wouldn’t be until Gen 2 that I would make my very first starter choice, and again influenced by the show I picked Chikorita which even I admit is one of the hardest starters to run in Gen 2. While I will admit right now I don’t believe I ever completed Gen 2 with Chikorita, I did run her for more than half of Johto. When you struggle so much in the early gyms, you grow fond of your starter. However despite all of this…I do admit Chikorita is one of the more forgettable starters. Like I said before, the gyms in this game actually work against this Pokemon. Bird, bug, normal, ghost, fighting, steel, ice and dragon….none of these gyms would this starter or its moveset have an advantage in. Sorry Chikorita…
Treecko Family: I honestly do not have too much experience with this particular family. Gen 3 was the generation I went with fire…but I will get to that maybe one day. This is not a bad family though, and the generation has more balanced gyms so there are opportunities to really shine. Like Chikorita, Treecko is a solid grass type, with solid grass moves. There just isn’t much that makes this starter stand out in my opinion. I had really stopped watching the show by this point so it is all personal experience and I am afraid I just don’t have it with Treecko. Hey at least he has a mega form.
Turtwig family: I have a special fondness for this family. I love turtles and this one was the very first that was a totally uninfluenced decision. Turtwig is the first dual type since Kanto, picking up the the ground typing in its final evolution Torterra. Having the ground typing can be both a blessing and a curse. The blessing is it makes getting through Gen 4 easy; I love multiple typing and Pokemon that can learn a variety of moves. However, it now becomes four times weak to ice types, making it not as successful in the competitive world. Still Turtwig is adorable and one of my favorite designs and I played him though not only Pearl but Platinum as well, bonding me pretty tightly to this little guy. I wait long for the day that Torterra can mega evolve!
Snivy Family: Poor Snivy, it’s not its fault that Gen 5 was the generation I drifted away from Nintendo and Pokemon. I did eventually return, and when I did Snivy was my choice. Snivy is another grass starter that I think is destined to be forgotten. Like Chikorita and Treecko it is another solid grass type. I always love Snivy’s final snake-like design; there are really not enough snake Pokemon in the game. The sad fact of the matter is that Snivy’s move pool is limited, and with pure typing there is just not much other than design going for it. I fear as we move further and further into Pokemon this family will grow to be forgotten like the other solid grass types.
Chespin family: Chespin is what happens to chipmunks when they eat too many acorns and they become one. That being said, I think poor Chespin like the rest of Gen 6 starters did not have the chance to shine in game. The reason I say this is before we even get to gym two we get to pick another starter, this time from Gen 1. On top of that, these Gen 1 starters have mega evolutions. Gen 6 starters were overshadowed in their own game, with so many old school Pokemon that I didn’t really give this one a chance. Also I want to note with Chespin that this is the fourth generation to include fighting as part of the dual typing.
Diglett & Dugtrio: I loved these little ground dwellers. I remember reading in my first Pokemon walkthough a Versus book (which sadly doesn’t exist anymore) that speed wins battles and if there is one thing this little mole Pokemon has, it’s speed. During the course of gen 1 this little guy would more than earn its place on my team. It is also one of the only Pokemon i can consistently draw and when I get bored you can find one or two on the page of a notebook. I wished it aged as well as my love for it because as the generations grew this Pokemon fell out of favor in my teams, to stronger ground types. However, Diglett will always hold a special spot for me. 
Pikachu: So cliche, I know, but Pikachu was the first “rare” Pokemon I ever caught. I remember the first one I saw in Viridian Forest, being surprised at never having seen one before (and how cute it was), and then quickly realized how rare it was to encounter one. This little electric mouse may have never made it as a permanent member of any of my teams, but its charm and personality have stuck with me from the very beginning. (Ash’s Pikachu is infinitely adorable too.)
Zapdos: Out of all of the legendary Pokemon in this generation, Zapdos was by far and away my favorite. This wonderful little electric Pokemon would be a firm fighter for me. With Zappy (yes that’s what I named it) by my side I always knew I would make it through. In game Zapdos is truly the key to getting the other legendaries, We zapped Moltres and Articuno and drill pecked Mewtwo. Whenever I see the Zapdos in future games my heart jumps a beat because I know with this bird at my side…nothing will stop me. 
Pidgey, Pidgeotto & Pidgeot: Pidgey was one of two bird Pokemon you could catch at the very beginning of the game, and I always liked Pidgey’s design better than Spearow’s. As this little bird evolved, he became my Flyer and a very reliable member of my first team. In a recent playthrough of Soul Silver, I made it a point to use one, and while he had a period where he was close to useless, now he has proven himself to be a core member of the team. There have been many new bird Pokemon introduced since Gen 1, but they will never replace the Pidgey family for me.
Rapidash: When I was looking over the list of the original 151, and looked at good Rapidash and Ponyta I got this warm happy feeling. Like most little girls, I grew up loving horses. I can’t tell you how it absolutely blows my mind after 20 years and 722(?) Pokemon that there are only 3 horse type Pokemon. Rapidash is too often overlooked in my opinion as a fire Pokemon, but it has something that is so key, the same reason i love Dugtrio: speed. It’s not only that. I loved encountering it in Snap. It is beautifully designed, and has the moves and the stats to be a great Pokemon, and she really is. 
Butterfree: Yet another Pokemon found close to the beginning of the game! I loved Butterfree even though she was always swapped out later for something more useful. I think it’s because I loved butterflies as a kid, and hated bees (Beedrill is the Pokemon opposite Butterfree). Leveling up a Caterpie or Metapod and then seeing this beautiful Butterfree emerge was always immensely satisfying. 
Eevee & Flareon: Ok, another cute choice, but this Pokemon is not found until much later in the game. You can only get one Eevee, and then you find that Eevee can evolve into one of three Pokemon depending on what kind of stone you give to it. Eevee is cute enough already, but Flareon’s design always attracted me more than the other two options. Flareon just looks so fluffy! Eevee has consistently been a team member in later games, sometimes as its original form, and much more often in one of its now EIGHT evolution choices. 
Lapras: By now are you really that surprised to see Lapras here? If you have read my past blogs you know I absolutely love this Pokemon. She has carried me through so many games, but it was Yellow where I first met her. Once I had her by my side I dropped my Blastoise for her and I have never looked back. Lapras has been at my side since the beginning, My love for this Pokemon goes longer and deeper, met in gen 1 and by my side until the end. Beautiful, serene, defensive and strong this one has gotten me though many Elite Fours. 
Charmander: I’m sure you can guess by now which Pokemon I got while my brothers got the other two. Charmander has always been my favorite Pokemon, partly because he was the one that started it all. I remember that I didn’t want to evolve my first Charmander, but eventually gave in and Charmeleon and Charizard became heavy hitters as I faced the Elite Four. But in every game since then, I have tried to have a Charmander on my team and never evolve him. There is something about this cute little lizard that makes me happy to have him by my side. Perhaps part of it is seeing Ash’s Pikachu and wanting my Charmander to be the same kind of friend. Ash’s Charmander may have evolved into a stubborn Charizard, but my Charmander will always be my faithful companion.
Pidgey’s family: Pidgey is probably the most famous out of all the birds on the list, well known to fans of the anime and gamers alike. Pidgey is the only bird in this group of starter birds that not only gets two evolutions (pidgeotto at 18 and pidgot at 36) but it also gets a mega evolution. That is high praise in deed, from both fans and the pokemon company to give one of the first bird types that most players run into a mega. The train doesn’t stop there either for pidgey, no this birds fan base grew even more when earlier this year Twitch played pokemon. A whole lore built around the game and Pidgey became so much more to people. it became bird jesus…the protector of the helix. I tell you out of all the starter birds here…pidgey’s fame beats all of them.
Spearow: poor forgotten and neglected Spearow. This bird was released the same generation in the same areas as Pidgey, but this guy is often neglected and forgotten for one of two reasons. One likly reason, gen one is oozing with birds and it just gets worse after. two Pidgey has two evolutions Spearow just has the one fearow. dispite all this, fearow is a really decent flyer who learns one of my favorite flying moves drill peck. This is a ferce bird type that deserves just as much love as pidgey. Sadly though…i think pidgey got a better agent.
Hoothoot: I honestly don’t have much to say about this guy, all my playthoughs in gen 2 i rocked spearow all the way though. I really can’t think of single time i really played with this guy. i will say this though, i really like owls so i have always been a big fan of the design. Its kind of sad though that this is the only instance of owls in the game. I have used this bird to breed with snorlax though, Noctowl learns zen headbutt, one of my favorite psychic moves, breeding it with a snorlax (holding a full incense) you will get a little munchlax born that knows this move. It is a difficult process but to me makes this starter bird worth having around.
Wingull: Oh wingull so cute…so damn annoying. Its only when playing oras did i remeber how annoying this bird is, and how much fun it is to electrocute the crap out of it when i run into it. Most starting birds have it rough with electric, ice and rock out to get them, but add water to the mix, wingull can’t even look at an electric pokemon with out fainting. Do not even get me started on Pelipper, I just have never been a big fan of its evolution. Sure its nice the game gives you a water type, especially since the first gym you come across is a rock type, but no.
Taillow: this is another generation 3 starting bird and honestly the better of the two. Taillow has a little more durbility then wingull ever had, but i am afraid unlike wingull if it wasn’t for ruby and sapphire rerelease this might fall into to the forgotten bird catigory. like wingull and hoothoot this little one only has a single evolution. I honestly forgot this pokemon existed until i was trying to complete my dex in Y, that is really sad, because taillow was also featured in the anime as on of ash’s pokemon. the problem here i think is its move pool is very shallow and the first three gyms where starting birds can really shine. Hoenn is just not a good place for starter birds with shallow move pools and gyms that don’t really take advantage of thes starting critters, gen 3’s starter birds just get obscured. so while design wise taillow is one of my favorites, it never really makes into a party.
Starly: in gen 2 and gen 2 the starting bird types have ranged from not choosen because there were better and more familer options there, to competly useless and forgetable. When Pearl and diamond rolled around i think many pokemon fans were looking for a change in this trend, and what we got was starly. For me at least this little bird impressed the heck out of me, staying on my team though the elite four (five). This was the first starter bird in a long while that had pretty unexpected natually learned moves. I mean it learns close combat, then it has a pretty nice arrary of teachable moves as well. Plus this little guy is tough, i played though gen 4 twice, and both times i had a starly at my side. This one is one of the few starter birds you can take to the elite four and know they will be right there till the end. This is the only one on this list, i want to have a mega evolution to.
Pidove: this derpy thing, I can’t blame its design, honestly unova is more of a city scape, and supposdily designed around good old NYC. You can’t go a block in nyc without running into a pigion, so to have one in the game espeically in gen 5 must have been a no brainer to the designers or unova. My complaint with this isn’t pidoves design even though i really hate the male design, but thats ok i primarily go female anyways. My complaint with this guy, is more to the fact given how awesome starly was in gen 4 pidove is kind of a let down. no where near as strong as its predecessors i think pidove is doomed that as the years drag on to be forgotten like little taillow and hoothoot. Unlike hoenn though, unova has a few more bird types later game, so if you havn’t ditched by then you likely will by the end of game. its design is great its just if your a player like me who has been there for every generation, to see how stater birds can excel then the following generation we return to mediocrity. poor little pidove.
Fletchling: Well we have seen it all with starting birds, from gods, to forgetable and everything in between, but until gen 6 we hadn’t seen a starting bird quite like this one. Until fletchling all starting birds were normal flying with wingull being the only exception, now we have this one that as it evolves gains fire typing. None of these birds had been featured in a story. this all changed with the latest entry into the pokemon universe. the game starts off with as i would call it a smart ass little fletchling waking up out character, and when the game closes out we see probably the same smart ass fletchling flying away, talk about a good agent, (must be using pidgys). For a starting bird fletchling is probably the most useful bird on this list, not only does it gain a fire typing, it gets flame body, making talonflame the perfect pokemon mother(or father) to what ever pokemon you might be trying to hatch. Example pick up five eggs from the breeder, fly to Luminous city to bike around in a circle, until the five hatch, (hatching faster due to flame body) then taking flying to the next city to check on your new babies potential, just to start the process over again.
: I started to play the series when i went away to my five year college, I was on my own for the first time and really really bored. i went into the five year college mid year (in January and older student at the time, my room mate was 18 (shudders) and i was already in my early 20s by then (around 23) at the time. Thats a pretty significant age gap in college life so i buried myself in things to do. So i used the money i had and made two purchases for my dorm room, One i bought myself a ps2 (the skinny one…yeah i know) my brother had taken our ps2 with him i took the game cube. I also bought my first ds lite, a little white one. (the only choices at the time was pink or white and there was no way i was going girly) There was no real pokemon games for the ds out yet, so i ended up with some lousy games to start off with and one really good one. Phoenix Wright was that good choice.
Why do i enjoy this series so much, its hard to say there is a lot about it i really enjoy. While i love Pokemon the ace attorney series treats me like an adult which is good because i think that is what this series is more geared towards. Almost every case I am involved in, is some sort of murder. The witnesses are almost always weird and quirky, but pale in comparison of the prosecutors. Almost all of the prosecutors find there way to punish you when you make inroads on there case. Either by whipping, slicing or throwing coffee at our beloved attorney. The stories are so very interesting and with the latest addition Duel Destinies you do get some cut screens. For the most part most of the clients are innocent wrongly accused or framed. The story over the years while it can be easy for new players to come into the game, it also rewards players who have played the series all along giving cameos or shout outs to recurring characters.
The series has changed over the years and there are some changes that ate hard to ignore. In the First three games it was mainly just Phoenix Wright and Maya Faye (a Medium with a power to see whats in peoples hearts) Then as the series grew the cast did, eventually adding Apollo Justice who would get his own game, and in the latest version Athena Cykes. In My opinion every new addition to the family had helped improve and flesh out not only the original chracters but add to the growth of the series as a whole. We see Ace and Rival/Friend Prosecutor Edgeworth grow and respect each others ways but continue to press to do there job. When the stakes are really high some times the two even work together to see the correct outcome (always a win for the player)
Scizor: Somehow this guy always finds his way on my teams. its no secret that i like bugs i always have ever since i was a little kid, so finding a praying mantis pokemon like Scyther was a real score. In generation 2 it evolved into Scizor and with that often found a place on my team. Its a tough bug and has proven itself at my side over and over again. I know it will always be there an now with a new mega evolution i know it will continue to have my back.
Greninja: When X and Y initially came out i was on team Chespin being someone who almost always picks grass starters it seemed only natural for me to continue down this path. To say i was disappointed in little Chespin is an understatement. fortunately for me i decided to play both versions of the game, and the second go around i got to know froakie. Boy did this froggie ever make an impression on me. i named my first one Kitt after a bullfrog i had had in my youth. I have since gone on to breed a competitive one that knows the annoying to go up against but super fun when its on your side ability protean. It being a frog doesn’t hurt its case either, for me this is the stand out starter of and X-Y and you better believe when i play smash its also one of my go to characters.
Chandelure: To say i am not a big user of ghost (or fighting) types is an understatment. It in most cases is because i never really take the time to get to know them the case with most fighters there is never a design i really like. For me I have always thought myself as someone who likes to go against the crowd as well so i tend to for this reason stay away from popular and over used pokemon such as gengar. i am not really sure what it was about litwig that i really liked. For some reason it apealed to me and to be honest i wasn’t really that disappointed. In most generations Fire types are often few and far between so when you find one you stick with it, and when you find a good one you are rewarded. I have used this guy a couple of times now both in game and casual compitition and i have yet to be disappointed. A lot of generation 5 pokemon are overlooked for no good reason and Chandelure is very much a hidden gem.
Espeon and Umbreon: I always seem to cheat a bit when it comes to these two. I like most eeveelutions but for me these two are hands down my favorite. When it comes to battling however it is almost always my espeon that is by my side, back in the day it was one of the best Psychic pokemon out there, and even today a lot of other blogs and players still use this guy in competitions. I use it because it really is still to this day one of my favorite psychic pokemon, and it doesn’t hurt it reminds me of a cat. So if I use Espeon all the time, why does it share the number seven spot with Umbreon. For me Umbreon is more of an emotional attachment. Some of you know and can see in my icon a black cat, that’s my buddy blizzard, and for some reason when i see Umbreon i think of him. I can’t help it, and blue i have always loved its design even its shiny as rare as that is to find. So for me i cannot separate these two, you can’t have light with out darkness, nor darkness without light after all.
Inkay: Inkay is different then the others i have featured on this list so far. Its not really on here because of its battling skills or its ever so weird type combination, no its on here because i am completely and utterly in love with its design. I am a huge fan of squids and octopus’s so when i met Inkay in the wilds of X I fell head over heals in love with this thing. While i am not as impressed with its evolution malamar, the way it evolves is kind of fun for me too. No Inkay is one of the few pokemon who earn a spot on this list because I just think its adorable.
Torchic: remember that hiccup I just mentioned, yeah Torchic is that hiccup. How could i resist such a cute little pokemon, i mean really. Torchic would mark the first and pretty much only occasion i would wonder away from the grass starter (for the first round of play) line. This little guy has never disappointed me, with a great move pool and lets be honest so few fires to pick from in gen 3 this was my best option and never one i was disappointed in. In every game i have had this guy in, it has come though for me, sure we have lost a few times to friends but i always had a good time. Lets be honest here Blaziken Torchic final evolution just keeps getting better as the years pass, and with ORAS around the corner i look forward to kicking ass and taking names once again with my little orange chicklet by my side.
Crobat: Crobat didn’t even make the list last time, because honestly i forgot it, years away from the game i had forgotten my history with this little bat. it wasn’t until X-Y did i get a reminder of why i like this creature so much. Since i mentioned it recently in another post i will try to keep it brief. Crobat has speed, and some power behind it. more importantly its a bat, and as you guys have gotten by now i was a weird little girl who like creatures most girls did not, and one of those things were bats. So of course Zubat once again falls into the catagory of weird creatures i should like but i do so there. Crobat has earned its time in the sun and a place on my list, with a promise to never forget it again.
Lapras: this one should come as a surprise to no one who has read my blogs before, i just love this pokemon. Lapras has been at my side since the beginning and in almost every single generation i have depended on her to get me though the end of the game and the elite four. Lapras only drops to number 2 on my list because the years have not been kind to my old friend. while in game she always helps me, in the world of competitive she just has to many flaws to ignore. I am just starting to break into this world, and i would love to have my old friend at my side, but to use her would be a mistake, so i am forced to sideline her with the hopes that one day maybe with a mega Lapras will rise again.
Joltik: Yup that’s right this adorable tiny bug pokemon has unseated lapras from the number one spot. How the heck did that happen you might be wondering. after all me and lapras have had a decade with one another and this little upstart just showed up about four years ago. Well here is how it happened, as it probably quite clear to you all by now i love bugs and other weird little things, So when i met joltik about a year ago i fell instantly heads over heels in love with this thing. However unlike the ultra cute inkay, Joltik quickly set about proving its worth in my team. Its Evolution galvantula is touch and its excellent in the world of competitive. no one knows what to make of this little eletric tick, and the fact i think the generation five is so unpopular makes this little guys a bit of a surprise when the meet it. Joltik just fits all my needs for eletric, bug, grass and what ever else i need in one adorable package. In the short time i have known this little bug it has proven itself over and over in game and in the competitive field. That is why joltik has earned a number one spot on my list.
I dabbled a bit with the little creature, but it became in valued part of my team set ups when i started challenging people all over the world with the system. It was there battling against others that i saw the true potential of a Gliscor. Suddenly to me this doofy little pokemon went from cute to powerful. I had unlocked finally its true potential on the world stage and unlike my poor little Crobat this one actually holds up without a mega evolution, (not that i would turn one down.) The best ability with this little guy is poison heal which you can get breeding or catching a Gligar with immunity. I have not been let down but this little pink flying scorpion and if you give the family a try i doubt they would fail your either.
Gamerwoman 