It is undeniable that after all this time, the first generation of <em>Pokémon</em> games remains immensely popular. In fact, some of the most beloved Pokémon of all time are included in the original lineup of Kanto creatures. With the 30th anniversary celebration underway, many of these Gen 1 Pokémon are receiving new designs and/or new merchandise focused on them. This is not surprising, given how popular Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow are (and how significant they are to Pokémon‘s legacy). Some of these Kanto Pokémon have the distinction of being the most widely adored.

A significant portion of Pokémon’s 30th anniversary celebration has centered on Gen 1. With the exception of Rayquaza, the franchise’s collaboration with Adidas focused solely on Kanto Pokémon like Gengar, Charizard, Mewtwo, and Pikachu earlier this year. Even the Pokémon TCG‘s 30th Celebration set leaned into the original 151. FireRed and LeafGreen were even released on Switch and Switch 2 via the eShop, offering fans a chance to return to the Kanto region in 2026.

From all this, one thing is clear: Pokémon fans adore Gen 1. There are numerous beloved ‘Mon from Kanto, but a few stand out as the best of the best, frequently featured on official merchandise and becoming faces of the franchise. After 30 years, these Pokémon might be even more beloved today than they were in the ’90s.

5

Eevee

An argument can be made that Eevee’s evolutions, particularly Espeon and Umbreon, might be even more popular than Eevee itself. However, none of those so-called Eeveelutions would exist without the base Eevee from Gen 1. In Kanto, Eevee can evolve into Vaporeon, Jolteon, and Flareon thanks to Evolution Stones. Perhaps it was the variety or perhaps it’s the outlandishly cute designs, but whatever the reason, Eevee and its evolutions have remained popular parts of the Pokémon franchise.

In recent years, Eevee has taken on a role as a co-mascot alongside Pikachu, frequently appearing on holiday merchandise and even starring in its own Let’s Go, Eevee! video game for the Nintendo Switch in 2018. More than any other Pokémon besides Pikachu, Eevee has become ubiquitous to the franchise over three decades.

4

Mewtwo

Mewtwo is a Legendary Pokémon and also one of the most talked-about Pokémon of all time. When the Gen 1 games first launched, Mewtwo was considered the ultimate Pokémon to catch. It even had its name featured in the title of Pokémon‘s first movie, Mewtwo Strikes Back, captivating millions in theaters worldwide. For those who saw the movie when it was new, Mewtwo’s coolness is likely permanently etched into their memory.

Over the past three decades, Mewtwo has been featured on some of the coolest Pokémon cards and has been central to the franchise’s marketing efforts. Including Mewtwo in a game—whether it’s a mobile title like Pokémon GO or a console exclusive like Legends: Z-A—has always generated significant excitement. Wherever Mewtwo appears, hype is sure to follow.

3

Pikachu

This may be obvious, but Pokémon‘s mascot is undoubtedly its most famous character. Disney has Mickey Mouse, Nintendo has Mario, and Pokémon has Pikachu. Even individuals who do not play the games recognize Pikachu. As Pokémon has risen to become one of the most popular IPs globally, Pikachu’s prominence has similarly increased. The adorable Electric-type mouse has been the face of the franchise for three decades, solidifying its stardom as Ash’s sidekick in the Indigo League anime.

No celebration of Pokémon is complete without Pikachu, including games and events. In addition to being featured on the 30th anniversary logo, Pikachu also received a mini-collection of 30 cards within the 30th Celebration set in the Pokémon TCG. While there is no denying that Pikachu is the most famous Pokémon ever created, very few fans seem to rank it as their all-time favorite—this is why Pikachu does not rank higher on this list.

2

Gengar

The longevity of Gengar within the Pokémon franchise may come as a surprise to some. The Ghost-type could only be obtained via a Link Cable trade in the ’90s, making it one of Kanto’s hardest Pokémon to acquire. Despite only a few memorable appearances in anime episodes, Gengar’s popularity seems to stem from its sheer coolness factor. Perhaps it’s due to its purple hue or spooky appearance that people love Gengar’s design—it has become one of Gen 1’s most adored Pokémon.

A wide range of merchandise featuring Gengar exists—from shoes and shirts to gaming chairs and controllers—making it one of the most recognizable characters in pop culture. Gengar also frequently appears during Halloween-themed events and products which may contribute to its enduring popularity. A cool Mega Evolution has further solidified its place among fans’ favorite Pokémon—after three decades, Gengar seems to be gaining even more popularity.

1

Charizard