There have been a multitude of Pokémon games since the franchise began in 1996.
As a trainer on these games, you will be asked to choose a starter Pokémon – unless your name happens to be Ash Ketchum, in which case you will be late for your meeting with the Professor and you will get an electric mouse aka Pikachu!
But out of these three starter Pokémon, who will you choose?
Bulbasaur
- Bulbasaur is the first grass type starter, even though it is also classed as a grass/poison seed Pokémon.
- Its name literally means ‘bulb dinosaur’.
- It is believed that the bulb on its back was planted there at birth. The bulb is incredibly useful as it stores energy for attack and defensive moves.
- It evolves into Ivysaur. Ivysaur evolves into Venusaur.
- This was the fourth Pokémon that Ash Ketchum caught. Ash’s Bulbasaur refused to evolve after the process had already begun.
- A valuable member of Ash’s team, Bulbasaur sang ‘Bulbasaur’s Bulbabye’ to keep Togepi happy.
Charmander
- Charmander is the first fire type starter, even though it is also classed as a fire lizard Pokémon.
- Its name literally means ‘charcoal salamander’.
- Preferring to live in hot places, it is believed that when the flame on a Charmander is extinguished, that it will die (even though this never happened in the manga or the anime).
- It evolves into Charmeleon. Charmeleon evolves into Charizard.
- This was the fifth Pokémon that Ash Ketchum caught. When Charmander evolved, it became disobedient as its skill level was too high for Ash to handle.
- When it reached the final evolution stage as Charizard, it began to obey commands after Ash nursed it back to health.
- There are also no visible differences with male or female Charmander’s.
Squirtle
- Squirtle is the first water type Pokémon.
- Its name could mean ‘squirting turtle’ or it may mean ‘squirrel turtle’, due to its squirrel like appearance.
- After birth, a Squirtle’s back will swell and later harden to form its protective shell.
- Often mischievous, Squirtle shoot jets of foam from its mouth.
- It evolves into Wartortle. Wartortle evolves into Blastoise.
- This was the sixth Pokémon that Ash Ketchum caught. Ash’s Squirtle was the original leader of the rebellious gang the ‘Squirtle Squad’.
- Squirtle also appears with Ivysaur and Charizard as playable characters in the Super Smash Bros. Brawl game.
- Did you know when Ash’s Pokémon Charmander evolved, he became disobedient as his skill was too high for Ash to handle?