PIPER'S POKEMON PAGE

The Pokemon series needs no introduction. So, I'm not gonna bother writing one.

Pokemon White was the first real video game I ever played, back in 2016. I bought a copy from a local used game store on a whim, and have been a fan ever since.
I've only come to enjoy and appreciate these games more as I've grown older and further explored video-games, science-fiction, nature-centric philosophy and creature design.

The key, I think, to why these games are so enjoyable, and why they are enjoyed by such a wide swath of people, is that they can be as simple or as complex as you want them to be.
In terms of gameplay, what I mean is obvious; you can play through a Pokemon game only focusing on type advantages and other simple strategies, you can go heavy on mathematic details like EVs and IVs, or you can play using the rules of a 'nuzlocke' or other player-defined challenge. You can shiny-hunt, or battle online against other people, or just focus on filling up your Pokedex and playing with your favourites.
Literally playing with them, like with a ball and cat-toy, and feeding them cupcakes or curry or what-have-you in the newer games.

Something similar applies to the writing and general worldview.
All the Pokemon games have simple, kid-friendly stories focused on broad characters and the sheer wonder of the world depicted, somewhat like a fairy-tale. Also like fairy-tales, there are loads of ways you can interpret and inspect them past their surfaces.
Mythological symbolism is an easy one-the Great Dragon of Unovan myth echoes biblical original-sin, being irreversible and marking a disconnection of human beings from a higher figure. Character-focused readings work out well, too: Hop and his brother in Sword and Shield, Lusamine and her fractured relationship with her family in Sun and Moon, and of course N in Black and White, who remains one of my favourite characters in gaming to this day.

These games were my earliest introduction to loads and loads of themes that I enjoy discussing, drawing and exploring to this day, and thanks to their variable, wide-appeal concepts, I'm certainly not alone in this. Here, you can see a list of my favourite Pokemon, people, and places from the games, a list of teams I have finished each game with, and a lore... theory... creation myth... fairytale.. thing. I dunno. I came up with it when I was, like, ten. Don't judge me too hard.

GOTTA LINK 'EM ALL

Piper's Personally Preferred Pokemon
(and trainers, and cities)
My favourite people, places and Pokemon from each game, sorted by generation.

Hall of Fame
A complete list of teams I have finished each mainline Pokemon game with, with notes on strategy, style, and my general thoughts on each game.

Lore Theory
A creation-myth tying every major legendary Pokemon together
(not that they really needed to be).