After all these years, I think we can finay safely conclude that the true ultimate downfall of Pokémon as a series began precisely in November 2013 with the release of Pokémon X and Pokémon Y.

I know this is difficult information to accept for those of you who grew up playing this as your first introduction to Pokémon as a series. But its your word versus the backing of lived-in experienced veterans dating all the way back to 1998. You just sort of have to accept it, like death and taxes.