>>20292043I feel you can't simply talk about a starter's design without taking into consideration what make a good STARTER design.
For the first generation of pokemon, the concept of starters are introduced as a way of introducing players to what pokemon are and what they are about. This makes starters uniquely important. In order for a starter to be effective design wise, I feel it has to be aesthetically attractive.
Sure bulbasaur starts out seemingly pretty simple. But upon closer inspection you see there is an odd protrusion on its back. What could it be? Then you find out it is a bulb, like a plant bulb. This does to things well, I feel. It introduces;
1) The link between a pokemon's type and what the creature is
and
2) What you should expect of pokemon, creatures similar to ones in real life but with an interesting fantastic twist
Also a starter is supposed to be your special "first partner pokemon" and thus players are supposed to form an attatchment to it. This is why it has to be aesthetically pleasing. The cutesy anime big eyes and smile help pull that off. The colors go well together and represent the typing well.
