>>13519031HGSS, BW1+2 were on the DS and were outsold by the 3DS games (except for Ultra SuMo)
According to Wikipedia DS sold like 150m units, Switch is at 90m while 3DS sits at 75m
>>13519095You can't really pick a wrong game. No reason to play the original GB games since they're obsolete but if you want to, go for it. You'll see how it evolved over time.
But here is my stupid opinion that got way too long because I got carried away out of boredom
Start with FireRed/GreenLeaf -> HeartGold/Soulsilver, Platinum or Black/White
Yellow is an anime-inspired Red/Blue.
Red/Blue got good remakes for the GBA (FireRed/GreenLeaf), which makes the originals obsolete
>Gold/Silver/Emerald This gen is an improvement and excellent sequel. The DS remakes are amazing. They even brought back a Pokemon partner following you, they did the sprites for every single Pokemon available at the time alongside mechanic balances/updates. Honestly, it's one of the best games in the series and probably the game they put the most effort in.
But I recommend playing FireRed/LeafGreen before because you get to visit the region from the first game.
>Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald It's good. Introduced new pokemon, doubles, and trumpets and the GBA games are pretty fast. Combat/turns don't take long.
They got a 3DS remake which I didn't play.
>Diamond/Pearl/PlatinumBrought heavily needed updates/balance to the mechanics. The issue I have with this gen is that it's painfully slow. Like it takes forever for HP bars to deplete, combat is thus a slog.
Platinum is much better than the base game and a bit faster
>Black and White Pretty good and the sequel is better. It's well known for telling you to use one of the new pokemon instead of your favorite from your childhood. It gives you the ability to catch them after you beat the game's story.
BW2 is also one of the best games in the series.
>X/Y exists. Give it a shot after some games to experience wasted potential
>Sun/Moon It's alright, best game since they transitioned to 3D
>Let's Go Evee/Pikachu Basically a soulless Yellow remake.
>Sword/ShieldPeople always have high expectations for Pokemon games but the company is aware that they can half-ass it and get away with it.
