ITT: Games (plot), protagonists, and trainer/starter pairings that you consider prevalent in each gen.

>Gen I
Game: Red
Protagonist: Red
Pokémon: Charmander

>Gen II
Game: Gold
Protagonist: Ethan
Pokémon: Cyndaquil

>Gen III
Game: Emerald
Protagonist: Brendan
Pokémon: Treecko

>Gen IV
Game: Platinum
Protagonist: Dawn
Pokémon: Dawn/Piplup; Barry/Chimchar; Lucas/Turtwig

>Gen V
Protagonist: Hilda -> Nate
Games: White -> White2
Pokémon: Hilda/Oshawott; Nate/Tepig