here's the thing:

gen 1 is great and sure you can argue all it's declined since or got better or whatever...it doesn't matter.

fact is that gen 1 exists and gen 1 will always be around to boost the pokemon franchise whenever because let's face it - as popular as pokemon is, it's no harry potter culturally. people will either think you're a pedophile or a loser if you bring up pokemon passed the age of 20. but somehow just bringing up anything gen 1 immediately erases all of that. as much as i don't agree with gen wunners, no gen 1 wasn't the best in my own opinion, it's the most culturally appropriate one and revives pokemon every few years and the popularity fuels future generations to come for the hardcore fans.