For some people, the first set of Pokémon designed by Game Freak might as well be the only Pokémon that exist.
This post was originally published on February 12 2016
Given that this year those OG Pokémon turn 20 years old, what better time to mercilessly judge them against one another? Here is the definite ranking of the original 151 Pokémon, from worst to best.
Zubat
Oddish
Electrode
Voltorb
Seaking
Fearow
Goldeen
Tauros
Muk
Raticate
Dugtrio
Magneton
Paras
Spearow
Goldbat
Tentacool
Kabuto
Parasect
Magnemite
Drowsee
Jynx
Hypno
Weezing
Krabby
Metapod
Kakuna
Caterpie
Weedle
Bellsprout
Horsea
Doduo
Dodrio
Seel
Kingler
Cloyster
Tentacruel
Golem
Vileplume
Venonat
Golduck
Venomoth
Dewdong
Staryu
Persian
Eevee
Poliwag
Graveler
Machop
Bulbasaur
Chansey
Wigglytuff
Poliwhirl
Arbok
Starmie
Magmar
Tangela
Exeggutor
Machoke
Shellder
Beedrill
Gloom
Seadra
Geodude
Venusaur
Clefable
Pidgey
Vaporeon
Omastar
Ditto
Ivysaur
Rattata
Nidoran♀
Nidoran♂
Sandshrew
Kabutops
Nidorina
Nidorino
Diglett
Abra
Jigglypuff
Primeape
Mr. Mime
Rhyhorn
Charmeleon
Pinsir
Hitmonlee
Machamp
Poliwrath
Mankee
Kangaskhan
Flareon
Aerodactyl
Rapidash
Butterfree
Koffing
Grimer
Victreebell
Farfetch’d
Dratini
Haunter
Clefairy
Vulpix
Moltres
Weepingbell
Ponyta
Growlithe
Lickitung
Onix
Slowbro
Sandslash
Articuno
Arcanine
Exeggcute
Alakazam
Hitmonchan
Omanyte
Pidgeotto
Ekans
Dragonair
Blastoise
Meowth
Pidgeot
Pikachu
Gastly
Charmander
Ninetails
Zapdos
Electabuzz
Nidoqueen
Marowak
Slowpoke
Psyduck
Jolteon
Gyarados
Wartortle
Kadabra
Rhydon
Squirtle
Scyther
Snorlax
Raichu
Lapras
Cubone
Charizard
Nidoking
Mewtwo
Magikarp
Dragonite
Mew
Porygon
Gengar
Comments
55 responses to “The Original 151 Pokémon, Ranked”
Magikarp is where now? I know it evolves into Gyrados, but until it does it’s useless. You have to mindlessly grind it out. And Oddish at second worst? Come on man, did you forget about stun spore and sleep powder?
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRXQfFOiEuWdmIMNYUY_DG6de7wQVmaNwXFMh86EdI5N4aUXOrZy0xDE3kHVg
And then after Magikarp evolves it moves down to #18.
Was Patricia making a joke? (“But it failed!”)
Her joke wasn’t very effective.
By what criteria? I can’t think of any criteria that would put Magikarp at number 5.
Effects on pop culture.
Came to check that Gengar was number 1. Was not disappointed.
With consistently being OU/Uber tier in the video games. I would be disappointed if Gengar wasn’t.
Gengar is a boss, but Squirtle is where it’s at.
First 151? You mean the only pokemon, right?
Yeah, i think it was a simple typo
Yeah, mostly came here to correct the typo.
Scizor, Flygon, Galvantula, Froslass, Houndoom. So no. You shush your mouth. =P
I have no idea what any of those are, and thus – they are not cool and do not exist.
They must be some kind of Digimons
That makes sense.
they sound like moves that two men enjoying coitus would use.
Sorry, I never got that far in to yu gi oh. lol
based on what? you can’t just be like from worst to best just because.
List is wrong, Blastoise is #1.
I love it.
Went with the approach that no matter what order they’re in people will disagree so just rank them arbitrarily.
Nice work.
I pretty much view this article as “let’s just chuck it out there and see how many people it annoys”. I expect it will be spectacularly successful. Magikarp was a nice touch.
In what kind of sick world is Jolteon rated higher than Vaporeon?!? Madness I say!
Jolteon is amazing.
Versus people back in the day, everyone loved them some psychics. The kicked butt, were super effective against a lot of things, and really only awful versus bugs.
However, bugs almost always had a second type that psychic were awesome against, so, typical bugs still got messed up because of it. Bug type moves were great, but offensive ones were lacking, typically only doing things like sleep or stun.
Except for Pin Missile. Pin Missile was great, but alas, bugs with it (maybe just beedrill from memory, not totally sure) were also flyers, and psychics messed them up.
Enter Jolteon. Super fast, of lightning type (no bonus for psychics), and, learns Pin Missile.
Jolteon wrecked the place, because the other kids liked to fill their teams with things Jolteon eats for dinner.
It was actually poison type, not flying, which Psychic was super-effective against.
Cheers for the correct. Memory slightly faulty, overall point still the same. Jolteon awesome.
Charizard not at No:1 is a crime. Sorry you are wrong Top six in descending order is
Butterfree
Primape (or Scyther)
Arcanine
Pidgeot (Non-negotiable)
Nidoking (Non-negotiable)
Charizard (Non-negotiable)
Other contenders for the top 10 are Tauros, Pikachu, Alakazam and Hitmonchan.
but how can you have a list that is wrong and not be negotiable? 😛
Well my list is like this because of the cool factor and that makes it right haha. Like everyone knows Dragonite is superpowerful but he is so doofy looking he doesn’t make the cool list.
If you don’t believe Charizard, Nidoking and Pidgeot are some of the coolest looking 151 Pokemon I don’t know if you can be helped :P.
Lat time i played Blue i ran 5 squirtles and a dragonite.
I do agree pidgeot is one of the coolest looking, but never been a fan of charizard, but i dislike all fire pokemon.
Someone who agrees with me that Butterfree is a top-tier Pokemon? Man. Man. That never happens.
All the status effects you chuck on that guy messes the other guys up. Sleep, stun, poison, confusion. Loved Toxic as soon as I got it it went on this guy. Oh yeah and Megadrain and Solarbeam.
True to life the female is ranked lower than the male (nidoran)
just wanted to say, i down-voted.
Just wanted to say, I don’t give a shit
i know, thats why i down voted you…..
… twice.
Ouch
touché….
Sorry all wrong, Ditto is number 1.
I dear anyone to beat a team of 6 lvl 100 Dittos. You will fail.
Don’t Dittos take a turn to change? If so that puts the advantage with the other guy in every match up in that situation.
Renta’s List Of Frustrating Things (In Order Of Least To Most):
– Battling a party of six Wobbuffets.
– Wild Shiny Abra using teleport.
– Kotaku’s list.
What is this list? How is Kadabra rated higher than Alakazam? And why the f*** is Blastoise so far down the list???
Did anyone else start hearing the PokeRap in their heads as they read through them?
Yes now it won’t leave 🙁
Poliwrath tops my list. All others are equal in their inferiority.
Love it. Especially all the science.
Squirtle at 14?
You bloody what?!
Squirtle’s crap, Charizard much higher and frankly if an unevolved Pikachu isn’t number 1, there’s something wrong with your list, Ash.
Patricia best girl xD
Charizard not even in the top 5? Blasphemy m8
This list is quite arbitrary. On what grounds/specifications/parameters are they ranked? Am I going to have to start deserting Kotaku because of the emergence of possible clickbait articles?
This is a kotaku US thing that is a regular feature.
The purpose of the lists it to stimulate discussion and have a bit of a laugh
They don’t provide the reasoning as the purpose of this is to stimulate debate not be an this is right, this is wrong thing.
Pikachu’s not #1. Move along, nothing to see here.
#pikafan
I get that Christmas is slow but surely there’s better stuff to re-post than garbage unexplained lists like this.
I think Squirtle should be number 1 on the list followed by Charizard, Jigglypuff, Ivysaur Pikachu and even Venusaur. I mean what the fuck is wrong with you Game Freak?! You guys have got the Pokémon list all bloody wrong.