After the Gym Leader and Elite Four Showdown, we’re bringing you a new series: Mascot Pokémon Showdown! We’ll look at the cover Pokémon of the original box art from Pokémon Red to Pokémon Moon (ignoring remakes). Who will come out on top as the top Mascot Pokémon? Let’s find out!
First up, is Kanto. Generation I consisted of four games: Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow. These four installments were the only in the series to not feature a Legendary Pokémon, instead, they each contained an image of a Starter Pokémon. Released in Japan in 1996, and in 1998 in the US, they were the first Pokémon games that sucked us into the world we’re still in today.
Pokémon Red Version
Pokémon Red featured the original Fire-type Starter, Charizard, the Flame Pokémon, on its cover art.
Its design is based on a European dragon as told about in legends. The tip of its tail has a flame that burns hotter as it gains battle experience. Mostly inhabiting mountain sides, Charizard is one of the biggest causes of forest fires, even though it’s not their intention.
Its signature move is Blast Burn, introduced in Generation III, which has now become an exclusive move for every Fire-type Starter. Despite being part Flying-type Charizard wasn’t able to learn Fly in Pokémon Red, Blue, and Green. Both of Charizard’s Mega Evolutions have the highest base stat totals of all non-legendary Fire-type Pokémon. Its name comes from ‘charcoal‘ and ‘lizard‘.
Pokémon Blue Version
Pokémon Blue featured Blastoise, the Shellfish Pokémon. It’s the original Water Starter and it’s based on a turtle with resemblances of a tank.
Because the water jets it shoots from its cannons are so strong, it has to make itself heavy in order to withstand the force – they can even burst through concrete walls!
With the signature moves Skull Bash and Hydro Cannon, Mega Blastoise has the highest Special Attack base stat of all non-legendary Water Pokémon. Its name is a combination of ‘blast‘ and ‘tortoise‘.
Pokémon Green Version
Pokémon Green showed Venusaur on its cover, the Seed Pokémon. 
As the first Grass Starter, it’s based on some form of prehistorian reptile with a Rafflesia Arnoldii on its back. It uses its flower to catch sunlight, which it then converts into energy; making its flower more vibrant.
Its signature move is Frenzy Plant. Mega Venusaur has the highest base stat total and Defense stat of all Poison-type Pokémon. Its name comes from ‘Venus flytrap plant‘, ‘venom‘ and ‘dinosaur‘.
Pokémon Yellow Version
On the cover of Pokémon Yellow is the Pokémon franchise’s mascot: the Mouse Pokémon – Pikachu! This game marked the first and only time where you didn’t actually get to choose your Starter Pokémon – your rival only had one choice as well (although it could evolve into different options), Eevee.
Pikachu is based on various rodents, despite its category suggesting it’s just designed as a mouse. Pikachu stores electricity in its cheeks to release at enemies. It also uses this power to roast hard berries to make them easier to eat.
Volt Tackle is the name of its signature move. Its name comes from ‘pikapika‘, an onomatopoeia for an electric spark, and ‘chuchu‘, which could either be the onomatopoeia for squeaking, or simply a kiss.
That’s it for the first instalment of Mascot Pokémon Showdown. We hope you guys enjoyed the new Showdown format! Keep a look out for Generation II in a few days time!
[poll id=”115″]
X — EVAN
so I was told that I hate women and I’m a typical an because I tried to help a lady today. yep.
Some people are stupid, that’s just the way it is
How did you try to help her?
Um, what happened exactly?
at work there was a water cooler that needed switching out, she had one, and was clearly struggling (she was pregnant, btw) so I came over to offer to help, and she said that to me.
I want to give her the benefit of the doubt that it was just a hard day but she was probably just an asshole
Wow. Way to be rude, lady.
I hope your baby is a boy who grows up to be a helpful man.
Just remember about feminists…they say men are dumb pigs and such, but they also says they’re equal to us in every way, which would include the ways they talk down to men…food for thought.
For the record, I’m for equality, not feminism, and the equality must be based on who you are as a person. As somebody once said “judged by the content of your heart, not the color of your skin”
I have a question for you. Have you ever experienced life-altering discrimination before?
So I’m thinking for my imaginary fan-made Pokemon game, there will be 5 Gym Leaders, 4 Trials, 2 Kahunas, and an Elite Four & Champion. Does this sound right?
It’s so quiet
Wake up America ya losers, I need people to talk to during breaks at school :p
So how bout them poison types
I hate em,
Most Poison Monos should literally be a cakewalk but every one of them coasts on that god awful M. Venusaur and Gengar and they’re very difficult to put down well the M. Venusaur Gengar you just gotta beak the sash or sub (they don’t even carry Poison moves half the time)
Also those Crobat I don’t understand why they’re so bulky these days
And that’s why i hate Poison Types
Even Salandit would whoop those weak ground types.
yeah no, it can’t live one second without an air balloon to stop the inevitable Earthquake, and don’t forget it has a Rock and Water AND Psychic Weakness which are always a factor in today’s competitive
Probably just use HP Grass , or potential Grass Knot, before they even get a chance to move.
I’ll just use a Golem to endure the HP Grass or Grass Knot
It activates Sturdy and Weakness Policy
Then retaliates with Rock Blast which would kill it
Underrated and desperately in need of another buff tbh
I my opinion they should be super effective against water, fairy, grass and should be super effective against steel-types when using acid attacks
I don’t think Water needs a nerf yet but if it does a Poison weakness is the way to go imo
*Groggy stare* https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/1bb27c50afab8e3ac400dbaca9b5e0b9317426c8ced948fc16e80784950551e4.jpg
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/296083c2bb3ec736ee0c38918b3a18513961b1e1226160d65ac2d81e92ecc153.jpg I think this would be a cool crossover like you go to a world based on Pokémon in your Gummi ship.
‘Both of charizards mega evolutions have the highest base stat totals of all fire type Pokemon ?’ What, even more than Reshiram and Primal Groudon?
No
Thatwhat the article says
I’m sorry, that should say “all non-legendary fire-types”.
Volcarona still has a higher BST. 550 > 534. Only when it mega evolves does it have a higher BST
Yeah thats what the article says “its mega evolutions”
Ah, I see that now.
Yeah, that’s untrue. Outside of legendaries and mega evolution, volcarona has the highest BST for all fire types
You know what would be the best crossover ever? Pokémon and Avatar the last airbender
Haven’t read any of these, but it exists:
https://www.fanfiction.net/Pok%C3%A9mon-and-Avatar-Last-Airbender-Crossovers/80/2002/
Did the chat stop working for anyone else I was trying to write a reply but the words wouldn’t show up. It’s fixed now but maybe it’s a mobile problem?
Isn’t ironic that Pikachi is the least favorite mascott here, while it’s in fact THE mascott of the franchise?
I was a little surprised too. I expected him to finish above Venusaur at least.
I suspect oversaturation is to blame here. Like, I was in Walmart and they had some Pokemon cups for sale. One had all the Eeveelutions on it… and right in the middle was Pikachu. The little attention hog has three cups of *just* him, get off the Eevee cup!
I chose Bulbasaur in-game at first to spite Charmander/Charizard (whom I’m really tired of) but I really ended up liking him. See, I really like toads, and he’s basically a blue toad with an onion on his back. Plus, in the anime, I like how Ash’s Bulbasaur is serious and sort of grumpy.
That’s why I picked Venusaur. I had a female in my playthrough of LeafGreen named “Blue”. That’s the best name I could think of at the time. Typically call the males by the good ol’ Southern name of “Bubbasaur”.