It is difficult to outdo the original. The original inherently sets the standard. If you think about the first 3 starters alone, they are echoed through ever generation. The first have the luxury of being the original, they are perceived as the standard, and thus the ones that follow will be considered less unique.
Don’t forget about seel and dewgong. A seal that turns into a slightly larger seal.
I’ve always been pro gen 1, as I grew up with those in the 90s. This was the best and most influential gen as it was the era that made initial world pop culture awareness out of nowhere.
Someone mentioned not many Pokemon were orientated towards girls? I think there were still quite a few, with Staryu, Clefairy, Jigglypuff, and all the cute little pokemon, like Ponyta, and Pikachu. Characters like Misty helped a lot.
We should do a thread about the worst pokemon evolutions lol.
Stayu into a bigger star… Ponyta into a bigger horse… a lot were funny and cute, and relatable to normal animals I guess. WTH was koffing though?? or a dunsparce.
I do also like the comparison made with other Nintendo titles. They will continually evolve… in a sense. Just as they are fun and the gaming style will not die with advances with technology. The genre of turn based strategy will continue also, but will pokemon maintain its reputation?
People tend to fall into consumer loops, with products or brands they affiliate positively towards. Pokémon is one of these now.
I’m not here for this ridiculous Dewgong bashing.
It’s a seal that turns into a sea lion. Gosh. 
More like a cow.
The simplicity in the first gen is awesome. I’d rather have a mild evolution than some added spikes. Or some rediculous lawnmower pokemon!?
Dewgong is great, it is what you need in some evolutions.
I love how pokemon resemble real life animals with a little twist.