I liked having them.
>Pichu, Cleffa, Igglybuff, Smoochum, Elekid, and Magby in Gen II
You have to get Pikachu, Clefairy, Jigglypuff, Jynx, Electabuzz, and Magmar first, so it's more like they're Pokédex rewards for experimenting with the new breeding mechanics
>Tyrogue in Gen II
Reward for exploring an optional area and gives you access to a renewable source for Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan, and the new Hitmontop when the latter two were a finite choice between each other in previous games.
>Togepi in Gen II, Wynaut in Gen III, Happiny and Riolu in Gen IV
Story gifts that reward you with rare interesting Pokémon if you put the time into it
>Wild baby Pokémon that are common in the early game
Kind of lame and takes away from what made them special to other Pokémon. Without being rare, any Joe Schmoe can get one at any point with no thought. Not as bad when it's a post-game thing like the Backlot Garden or Togepi in Sinnoh because at least it feels like a reward for putting in the time to get to that point.
