Highlights
- The exclusives in Pokemon games are highly sought after by fans and can influence their decision on which version to purchase.
- Certain version exclusives, like Arcanine and Primeape, are considered better and more competitive than others.
- Exclusive Pokemon, such as Donphan and Ludicolo, can be valuable additions to a player's team in both PvE and competitive battles.
The Pokemon franchise has always excelled by releasing two versions of the same game every time a new generation comes out. While this decision has baffled some fans, it does make sense from a business point of view. When the objective is to collect them all, it is worth keeping some Pokemon behind that need to be traded to evolve or simply obtain.
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The Pokemon that exist within one version of the game are called exclusives, and they are a trend that is still continuing in the franchise today. In fact, some fans will choose the version of a new generation based on what version exclusives are available. That means that some exclusives are better or more popular than others.
8 Arcanine
Pokemon Red
Growlithe and Arcanine have been fan-favorite Pokemon ever since they debuted in generation 1. However, only those who purchased the Red version had access to this line. Growlithe could be found in the Pokemon Mansion on Cinnabar Island and could evolve with a fire stone purchased at the Celadon department store.
This fire type is particularly quick, and Arcanine can take out almost anything with a hit from a single Fire Blast. The exclusives in Blue version, Vulpix and Ninetales, are also great, but they do not hold up as well competitively. Also, there was a time when Arcanine was nearly made a legendary Pokemon.
7 Primeape
Pokemon Gold
The problem the developers faced in Gen 2 was deciding which old Pokemon would be omitted to make room for what was new. Obviously, old favorites like Pikachu and Gyarados made the cut, but some would have to remain as version exclusives.
That is why players can find Mankey on Route 42, but only in Gold version. Having a solid fighting type on the team is necessary, and fighting Pokemon don't come more solid than Primeape. The version exclusive for Silver version ended up being Vulpix from Kanto. However, players did not really need another fire type, especially with one already available as a starter.
6 Donphan
Pokemon Silver
Fans were treated to the sight of Donphan in the first Pokemon Movie, long before the second-gen games were released. As such, the tire-elephant quickly became a favorite, Unfortunately, its pre-evolution, Phanpy, was only available on Route 45 in Silver version.
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This detail made Silver worth buying for a lot of young players at the time. Gold may have had the cute Teddiursa instead, but most fans were happier running things down with their exclusive Donphan. This ground type is still used in competitive battles as of Gen 9.
5 Lotad
Pokemon Sapphire
Pokemon Sapphire
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Game Boy Advance
- Released
- November 21, 2002
- Developer(s)
- Game Freak
Early grass types are always a staple of new Pokemon games. However, these Pokemon rarely last on players' teams past the third gym. That is, unless that Pokemon has a great typing like the Lotad line. Lotad can be found as soon as players reach Route 102 in PokemonSapphire, and the third stage in this line is the beastly grass/water type, Ludicolo.
This dual typing leaves few weaknesses for Ludicolo to worry about, and its high defensive stat makes it a wall in competitive play. A grass/ dark type is cool, but not many players would prefer the Shiftree line in Ruby over the chance of using Ludicolo.
4 Solosis
Pokemon White
The psychic type was not the overpowered game changer in the franchise it used to be when Generation Five was released. As such, it made the choice of splitting the two new psychic types in the generation across versions very confusing. However, Pokemon White players were happy when they ran into a Solosis on their first playthrough.
Solosis can be found as early as Route 5 and is a solid, three-stage psychic line to take through the game. It doesn't offer much else, but fans massively prefer this floating embryo to the psychic Gothita line available in the Black version.
3 Mega Charizard X
Pokemon X
Mega evolution was already a big enough talking point when it came to Gen 6 that not many players cared much about version exclusives. However, that all changed when players found out that the games would feature two new versions of Charizard.
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There is nothing wrong with the mega version of Charizard in Pokemon Y. In fact, no one would have any complaints if it was the only version. Unfortunately, the black version of the starter with blue flames called Mega Charizard X overshadowed its counterpart in a big way.
2 Flapple
Pokemon Sword
Every trainer was happy when they ran into the adorable Applin on their journey. It can be found in one of the first patches of grass and has a great type of grass and dragon. Fortunately, both of its evolutions are a great addition to the apple concept.
Each version continues to be both grass and dragon, while one bursts forth from its shell to become an apple-wearing dragon and another becomes an apple pie. Although the decision as to which version is best is subjective, a lot more fans were initially taken with Flapple who was exclusive to Sword.
1 Dreepy
Pokemon Violet
While many fans probably chose their version of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet based on the types of paradox forms available in the games, there were some smaller changes made to make version exclusives even more tempting. Take, for example, the dragon and ghost type, Dreepy. It was one of the most popular new Pokemon to feature in the previous generation, and fans were looking forward to the chance to use it again.
Sadly, the Dreepy line can only be found in Pokemon Violet. It is in a great spot too, as it can be found in the glade right outside the fighting-type Team Star Boss' camp. Many Pokemon Violet players have been able to clear this hurdle thanks to a Dreepy in their roster.