>>38688744While I don't really complain about it because it is an overall minor issue in the grand scheme of things, it does kinda bug me from a narrative standpoint when the Champion's strongest Pokémon is an underleveled level 50 Dragonite (and his other two are even more underleveled). While it can be said that Gen II's true ending is defeating Red since Johto is a smaller region than most and the pacing is different to make up for Kanto acting as the final third of the game, the narrative set at the beginning of the game feels like it culminates with Lance. Kanto feels more like a victory lap as a huge thank you for playing bonus. Defeating Red after defeating the Kanto Gym Leaders feels even more satisfying than just beating Lance. It's just hard to pace the leveling to properly account for the sense of scale you should be feeling. I don't think people would have as much of a problem if there were better rematches than the PokéGear and League, and in a greater quantity, though HGSS does improve on this a bit.
Another gripe I can understand is that not every Johto Gym Leader even uses Gen II Pokémon.
Falkner: Hoothoot, Noctowl
Bugsy: Ledyba, Spinarak, Heracross
Whitney: Cleffa, Teddiursa, Furret, Miltank
Morty: Gastly, Haunter, Gengar, Misdreavus
Chuck: Tyrogue, Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan, Hitmontop
Pryce (Gym 6): Swinub, Piloswine, Delibird, Sneasel
Clair (Ground, Gym 7): Donphan, Quagsire, Gligar, Larvitar, Pupitar
Jasmine (Gym 8): Steelix, Forretress, Skarmory, Scizor, Magneton
Koga (Elite Four 1): Crobat, Ariados, Qwilfish, Muk, Weezing
Bruno (Elite Four 2): Poliwrath, Primeape, Machamp, Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan
Will (Elite Four 3): Xatu, Wobbuffet, Espeon, Girafarig, Slowking
Karen: Tyranitar, Murkrow, Houndoom, Umbreon, Sneasel
Lance: Dragonite, Charizard, Gyarados, Aerodactyl, Kingdra, Ampharos
