I have not had much Pokemon interest in the past, but I have an extended trip coming up and am looking to give it a try. I've spent my life learning enough about other magical universes, but just never got on the Pokemon train. My concern now is that I am obviously coming into the phenom quite late, so most things related to the Pokemon universe are foreign to me. I like to know all the lore (if that exists in this universe), and not miss important things in the series.
Am I gimping myself and my understanding of the series if I start with a certain title?
What would be the best path in order to start playing without digging my GameBoy out of the basement to play Red/Blue/Green?
Best Answer
I don't think there's anything lost by not playing previous generations; just buy the newest games. All the newest DS games (Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, and SoulSilver) can connect to each other.
The battle mechanics were hugely overhauled after the "Advanced Generation" (Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, LeafGreen), so I would not recommend starting with those games. If you do, it will take a little time to adjust when you start playing the DS games.
Pokemon Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Gold, Silver, and Crystal cannot connect to the newer games, so if you think you will become attached to the Pokemon you catch and train in them, it's not a good idea to start with them. Pokemon from the GBA games can be "migrated" to the newer DS games, but you need to have a DS with both a DS and GBA slot (the original DS and the DS Lite).
In short, I suggest you start with either HeartGold or SoulSilver, as those are the newest games.