>>28925153Yeah you HAD to you it, but for one single battle that serves to introduce a new big mechanic. You didn't HAVE to even take it.
I'd say it's more forced than Greninja, but that's over 4 generations. Greninja is quickly catching up in just 2. Not only that, but while Lucario's was the poster child to s mechaic given to many Pokemon, Greninja is given le speshill snowflake type of form that has only ever happened once before 1000 years ago (to another Greninja no less).
But above even those two, Pikachu is far above. It had a whole game based on it. You were forced to use it and didn't have a choice for another starter. You couldn't even evolve it. Red uses it as his ace despite being I evolved. And it was given a special item to make it stronger with an effect far surpassing any other mon exclusive item. Said item gives it access to its own signature move. It got not 1, not 2, but 5 new forms with Cosplay Pikachu. It's getting its own unique Z move in SM. And if you extend it to the whole line, there's Spikey Eared Pichu, Pikachu colored Pichu, Alolan Raichu, and Alolan Raichu's Z move. Pikachu shilling has been going strong since Gen 1, but people seem to give it a pass since it's the mascot.
