For me it’s definitely gen 4 (heartgold and platinum are just. top tier), but gen 5 is really close. Really polished and challenging games all around
I also think gen 7 is pretty underrated, especially USUM which got a bit of hate for being too similar to Sun and Moon. Which is kinda true…but I think the end result was pretty good all things considered.
As incredibly flawed as Scarlet and Violet are, they make Gen 9 really compelling for me. Love the new Pokemon, playing through with a friend in multiplayer was a blast and being able to have my Pokemon walk with me is great. It’s an unfinished and laggy game but I haven’t had so much fun in Pokemon since Gen 5. Completely get why not everybody likes it, but I’ve had so much enjoyment from it.
As for Gen 7? I agree. USUM’s only major flaws are linearity (which I would argue was mainly bad for replays but fine overall), and that it removed what made SUMO so nice on its story. Ultra Beasts remain my favorite idea the series has done and the games had all Gen 1-7 mons plus megas plus Z Moves and the music was amazing and Battle Royale is my favorite multiplayer mode. Massively underrated, will be popular in three years when everybody suddenly loves it because old thing good, new thing bad. Mimikyu’s amazing.
Gen IV, solely because of HGSS. Gen II holds a special place in my heart. Gen I is were I started, but I found Gen II to be everything I ever wanted in a game. Until HGSS changed that by making it almost perfect.
Honorable mentions: I’ve really like gen XI because of all the quality of life changes, the story was surprisingly emotional (not great, but better than any other gens as far as I’m concerned), and the terastilization is cool as hell. It genuinly changes up how I plan my teams and I get to experiment with Pokemon I don’t usually like or that have types that ruin them. Gen VI was dope too. Megas were awesome and ORAS is the definitive way to experience gen III.
Edit: Also, Gen VIII because legends Arceus was refreshing as heck. Genuinly made meaningful changes for the better and felt good to play. Despite being a much more limited experience. It was focused and fun. Probably my second favorite Pokemon game. SHSW were pretty weak, all things considered, but Legends Arceus was special.
3 was my first, 5 was the first (and only) one I legitimately own
I have fond memories of both, though 5 edges 3 out by a bit
Gen 5, pretty easily. It was the only time theyve ever tried to make a new game instead of iterating on old ideas. The story is about as good as you can get for a pokemon game too
Subjectively, I love Hoenn. It has that feeling of being at home when I’m there (especially the originals).
Otherwise, I loved HGSS, they really made the originals shine.
I was bored playing SUMO. Had to stop for a year before taking it back again, like XY. Not enough exploration. That being said, I miss this region. Alola had a slightly different feeling than all the other region. Something chill, made me feel being on vacation, ahah.
SWSH was pretty bland. I managed to finish it without dropping it but I never bother returning to it after the story ended. In the end, I sold it. I never sold a Pokemon game before, knowing that I have each generation physically.
Legends Arceus was great. Weak technically, but it was so fresh and fun. That’s the first time since a long time that I want to complete the Dex.
I’m waiting for the price of Violet to drop before giving it a shot.
EDIT : I didn’t mention BW and BW2. I really loved the idea of not having pre-gen 5 Pokemons until endgame. It helped to have a better feeling of discovery and freshness.
