I have never been able to hold a conversation about Pokémon because I've never played the game. I know there are what seems like 40 different games, red, blue, silver, pearl, whatever, and I feel like they are all the same: Start at a gym, train, win, go to new gym, train, win, and that's it.

So, prove me wrong. I'm as open-minded as anyone I know and I'm prepared to enjoy the storylines, the plot development, the game strategies and mechanics, the music... the whole works.

The only question is: What game do I start with?

I have literally, and I mean literally never played a Pokémon game. I know nothing about Gen 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and if there's a 6 out there. I don't know anything. I never watched the show, I never paid attention to any of it.

Where do I start? I look forward to hearing everyone's opinion and I'll come back with my experience.

Thanks.

If you really want to start and learn the game as it grew start with Generation which is Red and Blue. If you want to start more new person friendly I would start with 6th generation starting with X and Y.

Starting early in the games can be pretty barbaric if you plan to play one after another but it helps building personal feelings to the game. But starting later introduces better quality of life and makes the game easier for new people to the franchise.

Ghostbear1111 : I recommend playing Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team. It may be a spinoff but trust me when I say you won't regret playing it. Just be prepared with lots of Reviver Seeds.

Ghostbear1111 : If you want a good old fashioned Pokemon experience, I would recommend Pokemon Yellow version. It's pretty much the perfect generation 1 game because it patches a lot of glitches from Red and Blue and allows you to get all three starter Pokemon. The only downside to this game is that it's probably harder than the majority of Pokemon games. If you want something easier I would start out with Pokemon X or Y. If you want the latest Pokemon game then Pokemon Sun or Moon is the way to go. In the end it really all comes down to your personal preference. 

"I know nothing about Gen 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and if there's a 6 out there. I don't know anything"

There's 7 lol.

I'd suggest with Gold or the remake HeartGold (Or their counterparts Silver and SoulSilver)

It's Gen 2, but once you beat the game, you get to explore the areas of Gen 1, so two birds one stone. You also get a better look at the original Pokemon and Legendaries starting with a gen 2 game.

Well, I started with Yellow myself, but it is up to you. I'd possibly say either Sun or Moon, as it does ease you into things and doesn't have as much pressure on. Or Explorers of Sky - yes, it's a spin off, but it is how I got into the Mystery Dungeon side series.

Just one word of advice: don't go for Platinum as your first game, as the endgame is one of the hardest I have seen in a Pokémon game, IMO.

Just noticed this thread, and I'd love to offer my opinion as well!

I just recently got back into playing Pokémon when I got Pokémon Moon. I'm in love with it so far, and it's easily one of my all time favorite Pokémon games already! The thing is, I love it because it feels so different from the previous games, so I don't recommend it unless you want a more current feel of Pokémon and want something to discuss with the newer kids on the block.

The Generation 1 games are available on the Nintendo eShop now, so if you want to start at the beginning, there's never been a better time. However, they do have their drawbacks from newer games, most notably, the less than stellar sprites for most of the Pokémon... I believe the Yellow version does update some of the sprites, so if you do go with a Generation 1 game, I highly recommend Yellow. It also lets you have all 3 starters as you play instead of just picking one. You just have to start with a Pikachu that follows you around everywhere (which isn't a bad thing if you're like me and love Pikachu).

But, as zandrlex said, Generation 2 (or their remakes) is probably the best place to start for you. It's where I got my start almost 20 years ago (ah, memories of being 7 and not knowing what the heck I was doing XD ). They feature the region from the first games, are better looking than the originals, and, because you're getting a second region to explore, offer much more gameplay overall. I also would recommend getting one of the remakes (Heart Gold or Soul Silver). They are very well made!

I'd like to suggest Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. Hoenn is one of the most loved regions in Pokemon, even though it has a lot of water, and it includes some new additions, such as Mega Evolution, and a post-game section called the Delta Episode, which is really fun. It's also easy if you're looking for a way to slide into the series without having to sit through the hardest game first.

As amazing as the new games are, you should really start with the first ones. It really gives you a feel for the rest of the games. They have grown a good bit. Plus Red and Blue are just really cool games.

Personally, I would recommend starting with Fire Red and Leaf Green. They are remakes of the 1st gen games and are considered a part of the 3rd gen.

This is good for two reasons. One, they follow the same story as the first games, the maps are the same, and all the gyms and whatnot are too. they are also good games to start with because even though they follow the same story as the first games, and are effectively remakes, they are from the 3rd gen and are therefore much less clunky and awkward, and are a lot more playable

after that, I would recommend playing heart gold/soul silver. These are the remakes of the second gen games and are actually from the 4th gen of games. they are good for the same reasons as fire red/leaf green. They follow the same story line as the game they are remakes of but are nowhere near as clunky.

once you have those two out of the way, playing the remake version is not necessary, as once you get to the 3ds games they are a lot more complicated. I'd just recommend that you play the original game to start when it comes to the main gen 3 games onward and then play Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire (the gen 3 remakes) after the fact.

The only people that I recommend play the real first and second gen games on the GB and GBC are people who played them as kids because they are really clunky, like I said earlier, and just don't look as good as the remakes

If you get the chance to play some ROM hacks, You just have to play Dark Cry. It's funny as hell!

And if you have people that you want to play the games with I would totally recommend POKEMMO which is basically an MMO version of the gen 3 games (FR/LG included)

What better place to start than the first ones? I recommend playing Pokémon Red first. The only problem is that Pokémon has really evolved since the first generation. If you would like a better put together game so to speak, you can try out Pokémon FireRed, which essentially is the same game but more is included, better graphics, and there is a longer post-game.

Like all the people say in the thread. Start with the Gen 1 to get to know the series as a whole. I started with yellow and played almost all generation up to 4 and loved all of the games. Still love to play pokemon since its such a fond childhood memories.