"I want to be the very best, like no one ever was! To catch them is my real test, to train them is my cause!"

Those words have always rang in my mind since I could remember. And for good reason! Where are you played the video games or card games, watch the anime and/or movies, read the Manga, or collected the many different that was available at the time, chances are, you grew up loving Pokémon like I did! And with next year marking the 25th anniversary of the franchise, I think there's no better way for me to celebrate it, then to make my very own top 10 list of my personal favorite Pokémon from the very first generation of games. These are just my own personal preferences as to why I like these Pokémon, based off their impact on the franchise, as well as my own personal reasons for liking these Pokémon. So without further ado and in no particular order, let's get on with the countdown!

10. Ditto

Starting off with my list, we have everyone's favorite transforming blob of pink slime , Ditto! Now a little fun fact for you guys: in the games, ditto was revealed to be a failed attempt at cloning Mew, who is said to be the ancestor of all Pokemon. But since Mew is able to transform into any Pokémon, this means that ditto is able to do the same thing. Of course, as we all know, there is one little quirk about ditto that is the main reason why it's so popular. You see, whenever Ditto need to transform into a certain Pokémon, they usually have to be near that Pokémon in order to get the transformation right. If there isn't a Pokémon nearby, it usually has to go by memory alone, which usually leads to the following result:

 Fortunately for our little shapeshifter, this little flaw is actually Ditto's most iconic trait. So much so, that the Pokémon Company has released a bunch of Pokémon plushies with this unique facial flaw over the years.

Just goes to show you how that even the smallest flaw can be your most endearing quality.

9. Magikarp

Magikarp. Poor, pitiful, pathetic Magikarp. A Pokémon usually known for flopping about, Magikarp is one Pokemon that certain trainers would rather catch and release this little guy rather than add him to their team. Even its signature move, Splash, literally has it does nothing but bounce about. Though, despite its flaws, this little guy does have some redeeming qualities. For example, it can evolve into the most awesome Pokémon around, Gyarados, even though it takes an extremely long time to get there. Not only that, but it has also received its own spin-off game, in the form of Magikarp Jump, where you have to train your Magikarp in order to Mega jump higher then your opponent's Magikarp. Which brings me to one of Magikarp's most impressive feats: its incredible jumping ability! I am not kidding! Even its Dex entry states that it can jump over an entire Mountain! Crazy, right? And did I forget to mention that Magikarp even has his own song?

So let this be a lesson: just because someone is weak, doesn't mean they can't still be amazing. As long as you never give up and give it your all, you can do anything, just like Magikarp!

8. Jigglypuff

 Even if you've never heard of this Pokémon before, chances are you've probably heard her voice before, and most likely fell asleep afterwards. Though, that's not entirely its fault. Jigglypuff's sing attack allowed it to put his victims, or in this case, its audience, to sleep. Unfortunately, be careful when you do fall asleep during Jigglypuff's concert, especially if it's the anime incarnation, who is usually unaware that its singing is putting it's audience asleep and usually assumes they fell asleep out of boredom and uninterest, causing it to frustrated and use its microphone/marker scribble all over the faces of its sleeping audience. Though, Jigglypuff's soothing song has actually helped on numerous occasions, most notably would be the time that Ash and Friends trick Jigglypuff into helping them catch a Snorlax that was eating up crops of grapefruit during the Orange Islands Arc of the anime. Jigglypuff has also been a playable fighter in the Super Smash Brothers series as far back as the original Super Smash Brothers game on the Nintendo 64. Back to the anime for a sec, Jigglypuff even had its own song one point.

So if you ever find yourself as a member of Jigglypuff's audience, make sure you bring a pair of earplugs and some wipes with you, trust me when I say you're going to need them.

7. Psyduck

It is one thing I hate getting in life, other than terrible food, is a headache. So I guess I know what Psyduck is going through, constantly having headaches. Though unlike me, Psyduck's headaches are one of the reasons why it's so popular, especially since it can unleash powerful psychic attacks if is headache is bad enough. Another thing that makes Psyduck so well-known, is that it's one of the Pokémon that Misty, the Cerulean City gym leader, and one of my favorite pokegirls from the anime, has on her team. Psyduck was also the partner Pokemon to Lucy, one of the main characters in the live-action movie, Pokémon: Detective Pikachu. So despite it's flaws, this Dopey yet lovable waterfowl a lot of people's hearts, mine included. Now if only my headaches good make me as popular as Psyduck. Oh well!

6. Gengar

 Since it is October at the time of writing this article, it's only fair that I should have at least one ghost-type Pokémon on this list. And who better than one of the original Ghost types: The Shadow Pokémon, Gengar. According to its Dex entry, it's steals Heat from its victims, making them shiver. Pretty creepy, huh? Despite it being creepy, it is the most famous Ghost type around. After all, Gengar, as well as it's pre evolutions, Gastly and Haunter, were the original Ghost types. Gengar popularity has even led to it a Mega Evolution in Generation 6, as well as a Gigantamax form in generation 8. Even Ash Ketchum managed to catch a Gengar in Pokémon Journeys. So the next time you feel a chill in the air, and a shiver up your spine, don't be scared, that's just Gengar popping in for a visit.

5. Charizard

Fierce, powerful, and very hot-tempered, both literally and figuratively, it's no wonder why Charizard is considered to be the most popular final evolution among the Kanto starters. And that popularity is not unwarranted. As it has not only received not one, but two Mega Evolutions in Generation 6, but has also received its own G-Max in generation 8. There are also a number of trainers to own the own Charizard, including, but not limited to, Red from Pokémon Red and Blue and Pokémon Origins, Alan from Pokémon the series X, Y & Z, Kiawe from Pokémon Sun & Moon, Leon from Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Journeys, and most notably, Ash Ketchum from Pokémon the series. Yes, Ash's Charizard what was the main reason he lost the Indigo League in the first place, but his Charizard has also been a major player in his victory against the Frontier Brains in the Battle Frontier Arc. And let's not forget that Charizard was originally a Pokéball Pokémon back in Super Smash Brothers on the Nintendo 64 and Super Smash Brothers Melee for the Nintendo GameCube, before eventually being upgraded to fighter status as a member of the Pokémon Trainer's team, alongside Ivysaur and Squirtle in Super Smash Brothers Brawl for the Nintendo Wii, and has been playable ever since. Overall, Charizard is one Pokémon you don't want to make mad! Mess with Charizard, and you're bound to get burned!

4. Mew & Mewtwo

I know I'm cheating putting both of them together on here, but it doesn't feel right picking one of the other, especially since they have a bit of a shared history with each other. As mentioned earlier, Mew is the ancestor of all Pokémon, whereas Mewtwo was created to be a clone of Mew, as well as to be the most powerful Pokémon in the world. And like the other Pokemon on this list, they're both popular in your own right. Mew is none but being extremely adorable, whereas Mewtwo is a total bada**, but they are both extremely powerful psychic types! Both Mew and Mewtwo where are the main Pokémon in Pokémon: The First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back, it's computer animated remake, Mewtwo Strikes Back evolution, its TV sequel, Mewtwo Returns, and the 10th anniversary special, The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon. Mew and Mewtwo even starred in their own separate movies; Mew in Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, and Mewtwo in Genesect and the Legend Awakened. Both Pokemon have even received plenty of attention in later generations, with Mewtwo receiving 2 Mega Evolutions in Generation 6, and Mew receiving its very own Z move, Genesis Supernova, in Generation 7. But most importantly of all, both Mew and Mewtwo play big roles in the Super Smash Brothers series, with Mew being a Pokéball Pokémon as far back as Super Smash Brothers on the Nintendo 64, and Mewtwo being a playable character as far back as Super Smash Brothers Melee on the Nintendo GameCube. So while I could have easily pick one over the other, I can tell you for a fact that both Mew and Mewtwo definitely deserve to share a spot on this list!

3. Meowth

That charm! Those claws! That Brooklyn accent! It's the walking, talking cat scratch Pokémon himself, Meowth! Anyone who has watched with the Pokémon anime or movies knows who is this fast-talking fuzzball is. The main reason that he's so popular, is that he's 1/3 of the main antagonists of the Pokémon anime: Team Rocket! Together with his literal partners in crime, Jessie and James, they are always flirting the catch up the world's most rare and powerful Pokémon to give to their boss and leader of Team Rocket as a whole, Giovanni. There is one Pokemon that seek to capture above all else, but we'll get to that one later. Of course, Meowth has been seen in more than just the Pokémon anime. He also has been seen in the Pokémon games. Yes, his species is one of the many species of Pokémon available in the Pokémon games, but his anime incarnation has his own special resume. For starters, Meowth, as well as Jessie and James, has appeared in Pokémon Yellow Version, which, for those that don't know, is based off the anime itself, as well as its remakes, Pokémon Let's GO, Pikachu and Pokémon Let's GO, Eevee, both for the Nintendo switch. Meowth has even been featured in the Nintendo GameCube title, Pokémon Channel, where he's an on the scene reporter for the Pokémon News Network, as well as one of the main characters in the Pokémon channel exclusive OVA, Pichu Bros in Party Panic, where he not only throws a party, but also performs in a CG animated music video. When he's not hoping Jessie and James still Pokémon in the name of Team Rocket, he's usually having his own Misadventures with some of Jessie and James' other Pokémon in the Pikachu shorts. Not only that, but Meowth has two Regional variants, one in alola, which is a dark type; and one in Galar, which is a Steel type. And speaking of Galar, Meowth even has his own G-Max form! Oh, and there's one little talent that puts Meowth a cut above other Pokémon: he can talk! That's right! One of the reasons why Meowth is so iconic in the Pokémon anime, is that he can actually talk. And I'm don't mean like how the Pokemon in the movies can talk to the characters through telepathy. He can talk just like how you and I can talk. As for how he can talk, basically he taught himself to do so. Thanks to this ability, Meowth is able to understand Pokemon speech and act as a translator to Jessie and James, as well as to Ash and Company, and even the audience. Speaking of the audience, there's a possibility that team Market might be aware that they are characters in a TV show, and have on multiple occasion broken the fourth wall. I'm not going to go over the details, though. I've already taken too much time talking about this entry. Just let me finish off by saying that, for these reasons and others, Meowth is one cool cat!

2. Eevee

Anyone who has played Pokémon Yellow Version, know that this little cutie patootie was is the Pokémon that your rival chose, and it's also your starter Pokémon in Pokémon Let's GO Eevee. The one major thing that Eevee is known for, other than being super adorable, is that it can evolve into one of eight different evolve forms, depending on the method. Want a Flareon? Give Eevee a Fire Stone. Prefer a Vaporeon? Just give Eevee a water stone! Rather have a Jolteon? Use a Thunderstone! Perhaps you want an Umbreon or Espeon. Just simply evolve an Eevee with a high amount o friendshipf in the night or day respectively. Maybe a Leafeon is more your style. Just have it level up near a moss covered rock or just give it a leaf stone. Or perhaps you want a Glaceon instead. Either have Eevee level up near a ice covered rock or just give it an ice stone, which is an evolutionary Stone introduced in Generation 7, by the way. Or maybe you want a Sylveon. Just shower your precious Eevee with lots of love, like Serena did with her Eevee! Or perhaps you just want your Eevee to stay the way it is. Just have it where an Everstone. Maybe it's a good thing that Eevee should stay the way it is, otherwise it wouldn't be able to use its own unique Z move, Extreme Evoboost, in Alola, or be able to have it transform into it's G-Max form in Galar. Even as a giant, Eevee is absolutely Kawaii. (Kawaii is the Japanese word for cute, by the way.) Eevee and its Eeveelutions have even starred in a Pikachu short entitled "Eevee and Friends." So whether you want to evolve it into its many Eeveelutions, or just keep it the way it is, there's endless possibilities of cuteness to have with Eevee! Did I mention how cute it is?

Honorable mention: Missingno

Before I move on to my number one pick, I want to go over my honorable mention right quick. and that's the literal glitch Pokémon, Missingno! Yes, I know. Missingno is just that, a glitch, not an actual part of the game. But Missingno is still an important part of the franchise's history, so I think it deserves a mention. Now for those who don't know, Missingno, which is really short for "missing number" by the way, made its "debut" in Pokémon Red and Blue, and was meant to be a normal and bird type, with the latter being what the flying type was originally known as. Like certain other Pokémon, Missingno has alternate "forms": a ghost-like form, which is actually the ghost sprite from the Pokemon Tower in Lavender Town, 2 skeletal forms that resemble Aerodactyl and Kabutops, which are actually their fossil sprites that can be viewed at the Pewter City Museum; and an alternate normal form for Missingno in Pokémon Yellow Version. And also just like any other Pokémon, it can use moves, water gun and Sky attack just to name a few. But with it being a glitch, it has a cause cause some problems in the game. Stuff like duplicating setting items, interfering with the save data, and in the case of Pokémon Yellow, causing multiple sprites of the player character and numerous NPCs to walk across the screen, are just some of the problems that Missingno has caused. And apparently the Pokémon Company and Game Freak, and probably even Nintendo, don't seem to acknowledge Missingno's existence. But despite the glitches that it caused, and the games' companies not even acknowledging its existence, Missingno has gained quite the cult following! From fan made TCG cards, to fanart of what Missingno would be like if it was actually in the games, there are a lot of people who just love this little glitch. Heck, there are even some fan-made plushies Missingno that people have made. There are even listings for these things! Here's a picture of a plushie so you guys know that I'm not messing with you:

Even though there's a 0% chance of the Pokémon company ever acknowledging this thing, but at least we can take comfort knowing that Missingno has a pretty dedicated fanbase. And yes, I know there are some of you that felt there was no reason for me to even add this staying on here. Heck, even I felt like it was a waste of time putting this on here. But the way I see it, Missingno is just as iconic as any of the Pokémon on this list, even if it's not an official Pokémon, probably even more iconic then some of these Pokémon. But Missingno is my honorable mention for a reason. it may have his own fanbase, just like any other Pokémon, but it's still a glitch, it will never be more than just that. besides, I felt like I needed to make Missingno my honorable mention, just to show people how popular it is. Oh, well. Here's to Missingno, that crazy son of a glitch!

1. Pikachu

I'm sure a lot of you probably seen this coming a mile away, but my number one favorite Pokémon is none other than the face of the franchise as a whole. The one, the only, Pikachu! Why wouldn't I make this little guy my number one! Arguably the best Pokémon in the world, Pikachu, like the 150 other original Pokémon, made its debut in Pokémon Red and Blue for the Gameboy, and ever since then, Pikachu's popularity, as well as the popularity of the Pokémon games, skyrocketed! Fun fact: did you know that Clefairy was originally supposed to be the mascot of Pokémon instead of Pikachu? There was this manga that starred red, Pikachu and a very vulgar Clefairy. Fortunately for Pikachu, the Clefairy character in the manga was vulgar, that they decided to make Pikachu the mascot instead. And we're all glad that they did. Since the first two games, did you manage to get his own game in the form of Pokémon Yellow, which, as I told you before, was based on the Pokémon anime. Pikachu was also the main character of other Pokémon games, like Hey You Pikachu and Pokémon Channel. Pikachu received 2 Z moves in generation 7: Catastropika and 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt. It also has its own G-Max form in generation 8. There are even some special cosplay Pikachu in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, as well as special event Pikachu sporting the different hats that Ash has won in the anime over the years, that were not only available in Pokémon Sun and Moon, but at the time of writing this, they're also available in Pokémon Sword and Shield. But my favorite reason why I love Pikachu so much, is that it's the very first Pokémon that Ash has ever received in the Pokémon anime. and let's not forget all of the merchandise Pikachu has of itself. Heck, Pikachu probably has more merchandise than any other Pokémon in the franchise. I could go on forever as to why I love this little guy, but I think I have gone on long enough. while I'm sure they're other Pokémon out there that are even more popular than Pikachu, I will always standby fact that Pikachu will always be my personal favorite.

And there you have it folks! My 10 most favorite Pokémon. This was a lot of fun for me to make, and I hope to do something similar to this in the near future. In fact, I might just do a top 10 list for why Pikachu is my favorite Pokémon, probably even one for my top 10 favorite Gen 2 Pokémon. Again, these are my personal favorites, and I know you have your own. So let me know in the comments section below who your 10 most favorite gen 1 Pokémon.

Until then, in the words of Blue, I will smell you later!