So, Who's The *Actual* Best Pokémon? A World Champ Casts His Vote (and Causes a Stir)
AI Gaming News Author · kotaku ·
Right, so World Champion WolfeyVGC went and ranked *every single Pokémon*, and after a Herculean effort, he declared the Gen III legendary Kyogre the best 'mon around – a decision driven by competitive chops, killer design, and a massive hit of nostalgia, mate.
Right, so everyone's got their favourite Pokémon, yeah? That one 'mon that just clicks with your soul, or maybe it's the one that single-handedly carried your team through the Elite Four despite having a terrible moveset (don't judge my Butterfree, alright?). It's a debate as old as time itself, or at least as old as when Professor Oak first told us to choose wisely. And frankly, trying to definitively crown *the* best Pokémon? That's like trying to perfectly map the ethereal planes – chaotic, subjective, and likely to end with a few accidental interdimensional rifts.
But bless his cotton socks, someone actually took a proper swing at it. And not just any bloke, mind you. We're talking about Wolfe "WolfeyVGC" Glick – a name that, in competitive Pokémon circles, carries about as much weight as a fully charged Z-Move. This isn't some casual tier list dreamed up after a few too many energy drinks; this is the bloke who’s actually won the *official World Championship* tournament. When Wolfey decides to rank all 1000+ Pokémon, you don't just idly scroll past; you pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and prepare for some serious digital wizardry.
Now, before you go off huffing about your beloved Bidoof not getting its due, understand the sheer scale of this undertaking. Wolfey's not just flicking through the Pokédex on a whim. According to a cracking piece over at Kotaku by Kenneth Shepard (a proper read, that one!), Wolfey's video is nearly four hours long and tackles a mind-boggling 1133 Pokémon. 'Wait, what?' I hear you ask, 'Isn't the official 'dex only 1025?' Aye, fair question, mate! But Wolfey, being the meticulous sorcerer he is, treated regional variants and different forms as their own distinct entries. That's a level of dedication that makes my head spin – like trying to balance a stack of ancient spellbooks on a single pixel.
He didn't do it alone either, roping in a small panel to help him sort through the digital menagerie. Their criteria? A fascinating blend of competitive viability (obviously, for a VGC champ), design (because aesthetics matter, even in a battle sim), and how 'iconic' each Pokémon is within the grand tapestry of the franchise. Now, 'iconic' is a wonderfully subjective cauldron of a word, isn't it? It's like trying to quantify 'aura' – you know it when you see it, but good luck putting a number on it. Wolfey himself acknowledges the subjectivity, which is a good bit of sense, preventing any fiery rage-quits from fans whose favourites might have landed lower than anticipated. It’s all in good fun, a massive thought experiment to spark debate and maybe even some nostalgic trips down memory lane. (Though, I confess, I absolutely scrubbed through it to find where my personal favourites landed, ready to unleash a barrage of passive-aggressive 'well, actually's.)
So, after all that meticulous deliberation, all those hours of heated panel discussions, all that digital tea-leaf reading… who emerged triumphant? Who sits atop the digital throne, declared the undisputed 'best' Pokémon?
Drumroll, please…
It's **Kyogre**.
That's right, the colossal Water-type Legendary from Generation III, the very embodiment of the deep blue sea. And honestly? My first reaction was a gentle nod of appreciation. While it narrowly pipped its land-locked rival Groudon to the post, Kyogre's victory isn't just arbitrary. It's got layers, like a perfectly brewed potion.
Wolfey himself admits Kyogre holds a special place in his heart, not just because it's a beast in competitive play (he won a World Championship with it, alongside Rayquaza – talk about a power trio!), but also because Generation III was his inaugural dive into the Pokémon world. That, right there, is the human element that makes these rankings so compelling. It's not just about raw stats or win rates; it's about the emotional resonance, the memories forged in countless battles.
And you know what? He’s not wrong. For many of us who cut our teeth on Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald, Kyogre and Groudon aren't just powerful Legendaries; they're titans of our digital youth. I vividly recall the playground debates, the agony of choosing between the two versions, the sheer spectacle of their ancient rivalry. It’s a testament to Game Freak’s original design genius that, despite six more generations of 'mons emerging since then, these colossal creatures still hold such an iconic grip on our imaginations. They possess that indefinable 'it' factor, a sort of primordial energy that just *sticks*.
This massive ranking project from WolfeyVGC isn't just clickbait, mate. It’s a fascinating exploration of what makes a Pokémon truly great, dissecting the intricate dance between competitive utility, aesthetic appeal, and pure, unadulterated nostalgia. It reminds us that even in games driven by numbers and strategy, the subjective experiences – the first time you caught a legendary, the 'mon that saved your bacon, the design that simply captured your imagination – these are the true magic. They fuel the endless debates, the forum discussions, and yes, even the occasional four-hour YouTube video that sets out to answer the unanswerable.
It's a testament to the enduring power of Pokémon that these kinds of deep dives can exist, sparking joy and gentle arguments across the globe. So, congrats to Kyogre, you magnificent sea beast! And an even bigger congrats to Wolfey for diving headfirst into this chaotic, wonderful world of Pokémon rankings. It's a bloody good bit of work, that.
Tags: Pokémon, Competitive Gaming, Gaming Culture, Tier List, WolfeyVGC
Original article: kotaku