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.
: 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.
Carbink: Part of the problem with this group being so small, is there a Lot of good idea just poorly executed, its pretty darn cute, but sadly i just could not find a place for it.
Spritzee: So many new faeries, so many useless additions, here is candidate number 2. this isn’t the worse looking one. just not one of the useful ones.
Klefki: Ok i am sorry i maybe one of the few that actually like Klefki, my problem with it because it doesn’t feel complete. It needs and evolution or a power boost or something to really make this something to watch out for. This also feel like instead of a fairy maybe this should have been a ghost type. Something that steels a keys i will buy that.
Swirlix: No Game no, bad game. Stop making food based pokèmon. This one is a little more on the disturbing side.
Bunnelby: I have not seen such a disturbing evolution in quite a long while. Diggersby is the reason i don’t like Bunnelby. its not a bad starter but just..(shudder).
Furfrou: I don’t understand why this was necessary, to have a pokèmon who you can change its looks with. Then again i have said it before there seems to be one gimmick pokèmon per gen, this one is it. Do yourself a favor and box it.
Fletchling family: If Starly family was the number one starter bird before then this family is number two. It doesn’t have a single bad looking evolution in the family, and its flame body ability makes it an ideal partner when hatching babies.
Inkay: I fell instantly in love with this creature when i saw it. I love octopus and squids and meeting this guy. i name Bloop, After Blooper from the squid from Mario. This is probably one of the more odd type matches but i will take it.
Honedge family: about time we got a Sword Pokèmon, and this one is pretty darn good. This steel ghost is also a great false swipe user. Lust like Scizor this one is great for helping fight and catch pokèmon.
Flabèbè family: Here we go, now this is a fairy pokèmon, not only adorable but powerful. While not a fan of Florges the final evolution Flabèbè and Florette are real cuties. The fact they come in different colors also doesn’t hurt this little ones case. Pick a flower and she will be at your side until the end of the game.
Mega Charizard Y: I was never a charizard fan honestly at first but with this gen i became a fan and this is my favorite version of it.
Mega Scizor: So i have always been Scizor fan, so seeing a mega form to one of my top pokèmon made me excited. However its evolution i dunno i am not overly excited about this look, but it powers up a fav so i can’t be that offended.
Mega Venusaur: With fairy becoming a new threat having a kick ass poison as an ally is necessary. Plus i have always loved bulbasaur. i am not over the moon about this mega evolutions look, i mean it has a butt flower, i think this guy got shafted.
Mega Lucario: Before this game i never played with Lucario, i had seen it around but fighting in general doesn’t make it into my team very often. This game made me finally take notice of this guy and how powerful Lucario is both in mega and non mega forms. This is also one of the more sleeker new evolutions, i am a fan.
Mega Garchomp: This is another one i did not use until this game. Garchomp impressed me though out the game, and once i got her, her mega evolution i was impressed by the look and the power she got. (hey Game freak give sharpedo a mega too!!)
Mega Blaziken: One of my favorite pokèmon got a mega form. Blaziken has always been kick ass, and its even more kick ass, the design is great and it makes it look like more of a threat.
Durant: This isn’t a bad Pokèmon, its on the list mainly because i am absolutely terrified of ants. When i was a little girl visiting my great aunt and uncle in texas. Me and my brother were playing with an ant hill, that ant hill turned out out to be fire ants. To this day i remember its pain they inflected. Since then i have been scared of ants, and Durant is an ant, so its on the list.
Pidove Family: This isn’t necessarily a bad bird, its just a huge let down after the predecessor Starly. Starly’s family in generation IV was just so good for a starting bird, and as it grew it got better. This guy in comparison is just not all that good.
Patrat: Another victim of two many better pokèmon out there. This one also freaks me out a bit. Those Eyes..i am just not a fan of it. At least Rattata was cute, and sort of stayed cute when it evolved. those crazy eyes….i just can’t deal with them.
Sigilyph: Ok this one just pissed me off. I battled it many times, and it always gave me a hard time. There in every generation that one Pokèmon that is over used by npc, that piss the crap out of you. For me its Sigilyph.
Tornadus, Thundurus, Landorus: I wouldn’t mind these three if they were not so difficult to get them. In a single black game you can only get two out of the three. In black 2 i could catch them using Dream radar, they were a pain to catch there, but at least they got me moving i guess. Still i am not a fan of these three.
The Pan family: I really don’t like the monkey pokèmon, and these three are annoying. I just don’t like these guys, and there evolutions don’t help. I really don’t like these guys.
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Golurk: This huge golem of a pokèmon, showed up for me in black and White, but i never played him until Y. He is very impresive for a ghost pokèmon. he actually scared me a bit when i first met him due to his huge side, but Golurk can be a gentle giant who can put a sever smack down on your opponents. I was very pleased to have him on my side on Y.
Haxorus: This seems to be a running theme for these first three. pokèmon whose power i would have never known if it wasn’t for Y. while i wrote up my reviews for X i also played Y shortly after i finished X. In Y Haxorus and Golurk became strong members to my final team, Neither one disappointed me, when i needed them the most. Something she reminded again recently when i did an online battle with a friend, and with half my team down she came though and protected me again.
Stoutland: Pokèmon is just full of normal type pokèmon, In every generation you get a couple of them, most are decent to useless with very few stand outs. This is a stand out of the normal family. This is just a power house, and if breed correctly you can have an elemental powerhouse that can leave your opponent crying. On top of it, this one really doesn’t have an awkward middle phase which makes this guy even better.
Joltik: By now i am sure you guys think i am crazy, I am terrified of ants but don’t have a single issue with spiders. I think by now you guys know i love this family and i have one currently on my Y cartage that i am working with. While its not the strongest of the bugs, its one of the cutest and one of my favorites to come out of this generation.
Hydreigon: I have said it before and i will say it again, you don’t spend 64 levels with anything and not grow a little attached to it. I first met Hydreigon fighting the final boss in Black Ghetsis, That sucker was tough and had a counter for half my team. This is a powerful Pokèmon, but a high level evolve. I knowing i was bouncing to black 2 quickly bred and sent over a baby Deino over to my black 2 game. Smart move on my part and it became a powerful ally, and honestly out of everyone on this list, he needs a mega.
Glaceon: This one almost got bumped from a list, but a friend argued with me and won. Glaceon is another eeveelition, its defiantly one of the prettier ones. Now we are getting into the more interesting way to evolve an Eevee, you have to be around a cold stone to get your new frozen friend. This is not one of my top eevee’s for one reason only, its sibling vaporeon can do most of what glaceon does. It is a beautiful pokèmon no doubt about it.
Mamoswine Family: This Ice ground type started off life in pokèmon with just two evolutions, then they added mamoswine, this ice tank is a pretty solid critter. While he isn’t as much fun to ride on on x as rhyhorn still a solid pokèmon and with a move pool to back it up this is a good one to have on your side.
Avalugg: Avalugg and Bergmite are new to the world of pokèmon. He impressed me while i was working on raising Bergmite up. he proved to have a solid defense and could take a blast from a flame thrower and stand for one more round, not many pure ice times can say that. He looks a little strange at first with his flat back, but you know by now you think strange would be nothing new in my world.
Walrein Family: speaking tanks, Walrein at first glance when introduced in Gen III reminded me of another water ice Seel from generation one Seel and dougong, and i promptly named it seel once i caught it. However it turned out to be much more impressive then Dougong ever was. This one has solid stats and the defense to back it up its a solid family who would make any trainer lucky to have it on their side.
Aurorus: Making her second appearance on the 
Gamerwoman 