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
Dang I didn’t know so many people liked Blastoise… well there’s till time for Charizard to take its rightful throne!
Cuz Blastoise count as American symbol.
Because of the cannons? If not how so?
No …….blue had been posted in America at first place………Red and Green in Japan .
Charizard!!!
Squirtle is the one starter I’ve never had any interest at all in picking. Dang I dislike Blastoise so much.
Love Squirtle and Wartortle, but absolustely hate Blastoise. I don’t even understand it. I love turtles, but not that one. >.>
Anything but Charizard. But I don’t know who to pick out of them :C Pikachu isn’t as good as raichu, Blastoise is cooler in its first two stages, and Venasaur is well its venasaur
If this continues… Charizard, Suicune, Groudon, Dialga, Reshiram(x2 ;D), Xerneas.
Lunala… for now. (Though I don’t know if they’ll do a 3rd entry)
are these your picks? or what you think will win?
Indeed!
Venusaur is easily my favourite starter, I used all 3 in my playthroughs of Pokemon X and I easily had the most fun using Venusaur than any of the others
Here have some art https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/7d525f363099c1958eef5055719a3b6645ce1befc731941f98bc6f84cc28dc8f.jpg
By Versiris on Deviant Art
I can’t wait for the B2/W2 edition! I just know Kyurem is gonna win!
LOL
But WHICH Kyurem?
Charizard should extinct or should have been never existed.
What format do you guys prefer for the Showdown-series?
Charizard is the only starter to have the potential to be part Dragon type. Therefore it’s objectively the best.
‘Objectively the best’
Stealth Rock says otherwise :p
I went with my fav starter Charizard (even if I started with Yellow). I just love it too much <3
Charmander/Charizard was the worst starter in gen 1. After it learns ember at level 9, it doesn’t get Flamethrower until level 46 and you don’t get Fire Blast until Blaine gives it to you. Bulbasaur way outclassed the other 2 back then, but at least Squirtle eventually gets Surf in comparison to Charmander. I do like all 3 though, just putting the facts out there.
Charmander was weak to the first Two Gyms and only has One that it had a type advantage over. Charmander was Hard Mode.
It was hard because it was bad xD
VENUSAUR! underrated & underappreciated.
Lost out to Charizard and Blastoise hype
That’s mainly the issue with Grass starters tbh
I thought this was going to be unfair but it appears that Charizard is actually having to fight for the win for now.
No love for Venasuar huh?
It’s pretty disgusting that it’s tied with Pikachu. Get that rat out of here
It’s always been Charizard and Blastoise.
There were only two starters in Gen 1
Sad really
Well, my Pokémon red nostalgia tells me charizard.
Two things
First how is Pikachu Losing!… I choose you Pikachu!
Second will Gen.2 only Ho-Oh and Lugia and Suicune or will it have Feraligatr, Typhlosion, and Meganium as options? Sadly I would rather vote starter than Legendaries
It’ll feature the Pokémon on the cover.
Aww! Can after we do starter fight
I mostly never use Legendaries so I don’t go in depth with loving many in particular (except Suicune, Dialga, just about every small mythical (Mew, Celebi, ect.) and The lake guardians)
The first Showdown featured the starter Pokémon, but it involved them being in their first stage. Maybe there will eventually be one involving their last stages.
Yay!!! Oh right I just remembered that
Gen 2 had the worst starters though
Ho-oh and Lugia were epic.
Suicune was pretty meh.
excuse you, gen 2 had the hands down best starters of any gen
I’d put them close second under Sinnoh but I’m with you on this
I will say nothing of sinnoh starters, but the pokemon in the sinnoh dex, like the regular ones I always thought had a certain design element that connected it to gen 2
Yeah they are the best connected origins regions I’ll be happy for a remake of either
No excuses necessary. Hands down the most terrible I have ever laid eyes upon. Although Gen 5 gave them a run for their money.
:O Gen 5 also had good starters though, one of them was iffy sure but they were still good starters
My opinion is for starters
Sinnoh
Johto
Unova
Kanto
Kalos
Hoenn
Sinnoh
Hoenn
Kanto
Unova
Alola
Johto
Kalos
Oh right Alola is third on mine
Johto
Hoenn
Unova
Kanto
Kalos
Alola
Sinnoh
Based on how many of the starters I like of the 3, johto I like all three, and Sinnoh I only choose Chimchar because I have to
Exactly my thought! I choose you Pikachu, always have, always will! X3
I love Blastoise but I don’t use him because of his shi**y stats. Charizard for the win
Send that weed to the mulcher because Charizard is always the fan favorite
Pikachu
That’s not what the polls say
I wish that’s what they’d say
Are you glad it’s not a “who’s the hottest”-contest anymore?
Well don’t sell yourself short there all it takes is one Google search to find these powerful Pokemon in suggested images
Well technically….
wtf why is charizard pulling ahead
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07So_lJQyqw
^This is me on a daily basis tbh
It’s probably gonna end up as:
Charizard
Suicune
Rayquaza
Giratina
Zekrom
Yveltal
Can’t tell between Solgaleo and Lunala but my money is on Lunala
I always thought Xerneas was more popular than Yveltal tbh, and I think so far Lunala is more popular than Solgaleo
Yveltal has got the cooler look. But Lunala probably has the edge over Solgaleo but too early to tell
Agree to disagree on that first part, Im so glad we have such a diverse fandom
Awww man. Which idiot would pick Suicune in a poll that contains Ho-Oh and Lugia?
I’ve noticed the series pushes Suicune more than the birds. Shame
Me.
Exactly. In terms of awesomeness dog/leopard thing trumps birds
People who happen to have different opinions from you
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/44a0c3146e06cda5bcb2aab35d086b8e5b6ec5fde65968fe6799cad506a06eb7.gif
How dare they?
Not their fault they have the superior opinion :p
That is completely their fault. Who said they were allowed to even form an opinion?
Smh
This is how I would rank, MY favorite to least favorite.
Suicune
Lunaala
Xerneas
Yveltal
Solgaleo
Reshiram
Ho-Oh
Rayquaza
Charizard
Lugia
Pikachu
Venusaur
Kyogre
Blastoise
Giratina
Dialga
Groudon
Palkia
we gotta wait 7 more weeks until we finally see Cynthia demolish the other champions:(. Anyways, if you vote for Charizard you are basic. Blastoise is the best. and Pikachu flop should not even be there
basic like cynthia 😉
as if. choosing Cynthia is the correct answer for everything
Do we even need a poll to show that Cynthia is better? Either everyone already knows she is or they’re in denial.
Yaaasssss! Blastoise all the way!
I voted for my dude Blastoise, cus it was my first starter Pokemon. Blastoise forever!