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Pokémon Generation 9 Countdown: The Best of Generation 5
Welcome to Part 5 of my series where I take a look back at each of the eight Pokémon generations we have experienced so far prior to the start of Generation 9 when Pokémon Scarlet and Violet come out in November. This entry will cover the collection of games headlined by Black and White.
If you missed one of the previous entries, check out the links below:
All release dates are North American (this is the last Generation where this distinction is important, as from Generation 6 onwards release dates are globalized)
Generation 5 is an interesting generation to look back on because its perception over time has shifted. Several risks were taken, the spinoffs weren’t as universally loved within the hardcore Pokémon fanbase as the two generations prior, and it coincided with the least popular corresponding anime series. As time has passed, and partially due to the criticism each subsequent generation has received, Generation 5 has been perceived more positively. This is important considering the theme of this countdown series: while no game is immune to criticism, there is still merit in finding things we enjoyed in them even among imperfection.
One of the strongest elements acknowledged even during this generation was the story and themes, about looking beyond a binary perspective in life…
