Does GF and The Pokemon Company underestimate the popularity of gen 3? I mean back in my day it was gen 1 and 2 in early gradeschool, but every one transitioned pretty well into gen 3. In contrast, from gen 4 and onward people started to not give a shit. I think the view count for the Pokemon Generations shorts are a testament to how well the third generation is received. As those episodes have the highest amount of views (aside from The Lake of Rage episode).

I personally think that Gen 1 is overrated and the boomer/zoomer market (at least on an international level) has a more nostalgic feeling for the third generation.