Pokemon's first-ever battle was weird, man...

[SamanthaSamantha's icon]

Let me ask you a question: Do you remember the first Pokemon battle you ever witnessed? Yes, you do — it was this gem from the opening cinematic of many of the mainline games that was also featured in the first episode of the anime:

Gengar vs Nidorino is as classic as anything in the franchise.

... But it's also kind of bullshit, and a really weird introduction to the franchise as a whole.

I never really thought about it, but based on Gen I rules and stats, Nidorino stands NO CHANCE against Gengar... like, at all.

Kind of a weird way to kickstart a franchise (but, then again, many programming errors and misinterpretations of the guidelines made Gen I a nonsensical package, so I guess it's fitting for it to start out like that).

Yes, this is as trivial and unimportant as it gets... but I seriously couldn't stop thinking about it since the battle's complete imbalance was first pointed out to me.

 

[Dakarus]

You are everywhere, man

 

[JustLooking123]

I never really thought about it, but based on Gen I rules and stats, Nidorino stands NO CHANCE against Gengar... like, at all.

Well, the scene fades out before the attack of Nidorino lands... so probably it's a way of showing how bravely Nidorino fought against Gengar... and got defeated!

 

[ConanTheDestroyer]

That's one way to show that some of the fights in the game are going to be a complete mismatch but I'm probably looking too deep into this.

 

[Fietto!]

Don’t forget the Puff!

 

[Sheepy765]

I'd be willing to bet it's because they look cool, but yeah it doesn't make much sense.

 

[Zeo]

But what if the Nidorino level is way higher than Gengar and the trainer just couldnt get the evolution stone for a Nidoking?

That said, first season Pokemon (both anime and game) will always be the test of many stuff that got changed over the years

Like how Ash got his gym badges or that there are more than 10 in Kanto as far as Gary can flex

 

[Ikagura]

I still prefer this one from the game

I like how it tried to show how the combats actually went in-universe.

I never really thought about it, but based on Gen I rules and stats, Nidorino stands NO CHANCE against Gengar... like, at all.

Kind of a weird way to kickstart a franchise (but, then again, many programming errors and misinterpretations of the guidelines made Gen I a nonsensical package, so I guess it's fitting for it to start out like that).

Yes, this is as trivial and unimportant as it gets... but I seriously couldn't stop thinking about it since the battle's complete imbalance was first pointed out to me.

Maybe because they probably haven't thought of their respective stats yet?

Yeah, Gen I had many issues (such as imbalance and many glitches) yet it still has charm and is impressive for an ageing hardware that the Gameboy was.

 

[SamanthaSamantha's icon]

Maybe because they probably haven't thought of their respective stats yet?

Maybe.

Funny thing is... Nidorino can't even harm Gengar on a regular Gen I battle xD

 

[Graw]

Maybe whoever programmed the cutscene thought those two pokemon looked the coolest?

 

[Ikagura]

I still remember that one theory about how Gengar and Clefairy were linked in some way.

I wish they used that pink mon and not the other one.

Do you think Jiggly being in smash is also partly because you see one in the intro?

 

[SamanthaSamantha's icon]

Do you think Jiggly being in smash is also partly because you see one in the intro?

I think it's more because the original Smash had, like, zero female characters to play as — you gotta account for everyone!

 

[Ikagura]

I think it's more because the original Smash had, like, zero female characters to play as — you gotta account for everyone!

Jiggly's gender has almost always been ambiguous I think and you forgot about Samus.

On the other hand I just remembered that they chose this Pokémon as they had a similar shape as Kirby (and why it could do multiple jumps like him) so they could quickly produce this character like how they made Luigi and Captain Falcon (as he's humanoid like Samus).

Smash Bros in the early days had to make many compromises and tricks to include characters.

 

[SamanthaSamantha's icon]

Jiggly's gender has almost always been ambiguous I think and you forgot about Samus.

I DID forget about Samus.

But, at least on my circles, Jiggly was always seen as the "girl Pokemon".

 

[Fietto!]

Always?
There’s a male Wigglytuff in PMD.