It's been over a year since the mobile gaming phenomenon Pokemon GO originally launched with most of the 151 original Pokemon available for players to catch in the game. That's a long time for players to fill out their first generation Pokedex, but there are still reasons to keep catching some of the gen 1 Pokemon in Pokemon GO.

For example, future baby Pokemon may make some first generation Pokemon rarer, and future evolutions mean players will want to stockpile candy for certain creatures. There's also Alola forms, introduced in the seventh generation games Pokemon Sun and Moon, that Pokemon GO players need to take into account.

Here Pokemon GO players will find a comprehensive list of all the first generation Pokemon they will still want to catch along with an explanation as to why that Pokemon is still worth the effort and Pokeballs.

Baby Pokemon

pokemon-go-guide-how-to-catch-baby-pokemon

Baby Pokemon are Pokemon that come first in evolutionary lines, though they weren't available in the first generation of the games. As more baby Pokemon are introduced to Pokemon GO, it's possible their first generation evolved forms will become rarer, and so it may be smart to start catching them now.

As it stands, there are three first generation Pokemon with upcoming baby forms: Chansey, Mr. Mime, and Snorlax. All three of their baby forms - Happiny, Mime Jr., and Munchlax, respectively - will be introduced when fourth generation Pokemon are added to Pokemon GO.

Of course, it's worth mentioning that one first generation Pokemon with a future baby form, Mr. Mime, is a region-exclusive Pokemon. For the most part, Mr. Mime is only available to catch in Europe, so players elsewhere may need to plan on some traveling in the near future.

In the meantime, here are the first generation evolution lines affected by upcoming baby Pokemon:

  • Happiny - Chansey - Blissey
  • Mime Jr. - Mr. Mime
  • Munchlax - Snorlax

Before players need to worry about fourth generation Pokemon, though, they will want to consider third generation Pokemon, which will presumably be added to the game next. There are no new baby forms introduced for first generation Pokemon in gen 3, but there are a couple babies added for gen 2 Pokemon. With baby Pokemon Azurill and Wynaut on the horizon, Pokemon GO players may want to consider catching second generation Marill and Wobbuffet if they find them out in the wild.

Future Evolutions

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One of the main reasons why players would want to continue catching first generation Pokemon in Pokemon GO is to prepare for future evolutions. Later Pokemon generations have added new evolutions for a number of first generation Pokemon, from Electabuzz to Tangela. A full list of these future evolutions and that particular Pokemon's entire evolutionary line can be found right here:

  • Eevee - Glaceon, Leafeon, Sylveon
  • Elekid - Electabuzz - Electivire
  • Lickitung - Lickilicky
  • Magby - Magmar - Magmortar
  • Magnemite - Magneton - Magnezone
  • Porygon - Porygon2 - PorygonZ
  • Rhyhorn - Rhydon - Rhyperior
  • Tangela - Tangrowth

When it comes to Eevee's evolved forms, players should remember that there will probably be a trick to manipulate its evolution into the desired Pokemon. So before players are hasty to evolve any Eevees they've been saving to evolve, they should make sure to check online for any way to ensure it evolves into the creature they want.

Alola Forms

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While it's hard to say how Alola forms will work in Pokemon GO once the game catches up to the Sun and Moon generation, it's possible that candies will be universal across all forms of Pokemon. For instance, players may be able to evolve an Alolan Vulpix into an Alolan Ninetails using regular Vulpix candy. Therefore, it may be a good idea for Pokemon GO fans to keep a list of first generation Pokemon with alternate Alola forms handy.

Below is a list of first generation Pokemon with Alola forms, as introduced in the seventh generation of mainline Pokemon games, Sun and Moon. Please note that there are cases where not all of the Pokemon in the evolution line have an Alola form, but we've included them anyway as it will still be important to catch them and collect their candy.

  • Cubone - Marowak
  • Diglett - Dugtrio
  • Exeggcute - Exeggutor
  • Grimer - Muk
  • Geodude - Graveler - Golem
  • Meowth - Persian
  • Pichu - Pikachu - Raichu
  • Rattata - Raticate
  • Sandshrew - Sandslash
  • Vulpix - Ninetails

With these evolution lines in mind, players should be prepared for the day Pokemon GO adds Alola forms. However, fans should remember that we aren't sure how region variants will work in Pokemon GO, and it's possible that evolving an Alolan Pokemon will take special candy or require more candy than usual. Furthermore, there's a chance that Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon will feature even more Alola form first generation Pokemon that aren't listed here, but nothing on that front has been announced at the time of this writing.

If Pokemon GO players take into account upcoming baby Pokemon, future evolutions, and the Alola forms introduced in the seventh generation, there's still a lot of first generation Pokemon worth catching in the game. And as more Pokemon are added to Pokemon GO, some first generation Pokemon will become even more difficult to find in the wild, so dedicated Pokemon trainers should keep plenty of Pokeballs at the ready.

Pokemon GO is available now for iOS and Android mobile devices.