Top 25 Pokémon Countdown: #15-#11
In celebration of April 22nd’s release of Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl for the Nintendo DS, we’ve decided to give you our picks for the top 25 Pokémon of all-time. We’ve gone through the first three generations’ entire list of 386 different Pokémon, and we’ll be listing out a few of our picks each day over the course of the week until we reach our undisputed #1 pick for our favorite Pokémon of all-time on Saturday evening!
As tiring as week-long lists can be, we’re more than halfway through the entries with this one! Tonight we look at Pokémon #15 through #11 in our Top 25, a segment which, despite my hopes for the list’s entirety, is composed entirely of first generation Pokémon. Which Pokémon have stood the test of time? Click on to find out!
#15 – Squirtle
Who’s That Pokémon?
The backs of Squirtle harden shortly after birth, creating the turtle shell that defines many of this Pokémon’s characteristics. Squirtle can retract itself into its shell to protect itself or to tuck itself in for an attack. In addition, Squirtle’s streamlined shell allow it to swim at intensely high speed through the water. 
Squirtle can shoot high volume jets of water from its mouth, as should be expected of water Pokémon.
In the video games, Squirtle is generally only obtainable as a starter Pokémon. If a player picks Charmander or Bulbasaur as their starter, however, Squirtle can only be obtained through trading.
In the anime, the only “wild” Squirtle were a group that had been abandoned by their trainers. This “Squirtle Squad” initially disliked human trainers and would pull pranks on them. Eventually, however, the squad would save a town from a fire and become the local firefighter squad. The leader Squirtle chose instead to depart from its comrades and join Ash’s team of Pokémon, befriending Pikachu and Bulbasaur. Squirtle eventually rejoined the Squirtle Squad, but fans got their water-Pokémon fix when May obtained a Squirtle of their own.
Why did we pick it?
Lets be honest, most of us chose Charmander for our starter Pokémon in the original games. I know I did. I mean why not? He evolved into freakin’ Charizard, who was only the most badass and powerful Pokémon of my lonely little prepubescence stage of life.
But we aren’t talking about Charizard, or even Charmander for that matter. We are talking about Squirtle, and Squirtle is absolutely adorable. Sure, Squirtle caused his fair share of mischief during the show, but can you blame him? Ash was a little pansy.
#14 – Jigglypuff
Who’s That Pokémon?
Aside from being completely kick ass (in a fun, taunting way) in the Super Smash Bros. games, the “Balloon Pokémon” very generously gives free concerts to all those around. Unfortunately, it’s the kind of music that makes everyone want to fall asleep. 
Jigglypuff are able to manipulate their vocal chords to sing at a frequency that resonates with the natural frequency of deep sleep brain waves. Jigglypuff will continue to sing until it realizes that everyone around has fallen asleep to its song. Angered at the apparent disrespect, Jigglypuff may occasionally turn its microphone into a black marker and draw all over the faces of those who fell asleep. In battle, Jigglypuff’s ability to put foes to sleep allows a trainer to take advantage and continue attacking the opponent without the risk of being attacked in retaliation.
Why did we pick it?
The adorable smile and sweet voice of Jigglypuff reels in Pokemon lovers everywhere, but be careful! Staring into the huge, saucer-shaped eyes of Jigglypuff is like drifting asleep in a field of poppies. Though she is lovable, her hypnotic trance and soothing song can put even the strongest of Pokemon in a deep slumber, rendering them helpless. Also, Jigglypuff has proved to be one tough cookie in the Super Smash Bros. Melee ring—I have won many-a battle using her charged spin mode alone!
#13 – Lapras
Who’s That Pokémon?
Lapras is an elegant water Pokémon, and intelligent enough to understand human speech. Lapras are peaceful by nature, and are open to human interaction. Known primarily as a transport Pokémon, Lapras are often used to ferry people across large bodies of water.
In addition, Lapras sing with such a beautiful voice that many people will have a desire to specifically hear one.
Unfortunately, this had led to widespread hunting and poaching of Lapras across all known Pokémon regions. Due to Lapras’ tranquil behavior and lack of any urge to resist, it is easy for trainers to hunt or capture them, reducing their numbers in the wild. Now, Lapras often sing plaintively in the evening, in the hopes that their cries will be heard and answered by another Lapras in the wild.
Why did we pick it?
There’s just something about a Pokémon that’s clearly based on Nessie (a.k.a. the Loch Ness Monster) that screams of awesomeness. Lapras are extremely rare in the video games, so it’s always fun to simply come across one, even if it belongs to your opponent. The resemblance to a plesiosaur, the extreme rarity of their existence, and their always smiling and willingness to help out humans make Lapras a Pokémon to be adored, and proud of if you have one on your team.
#12 – Snorlax
Who’s That Pokémon?
While Snorlax are supposed to be found in mountains, they can often be found deep in forests, conveniently blocking pathways. Their busy schedule consists almost entirely of eating and sleeping, as a Snorlax weighs over half a ton and yet manages to eat almost its own weight in food each day and can be found snoring away pretty much any other time. According to Snorlax’s Pokédex entry, it is such a docile Pokémon that little children will come to play on its large belly. 
In the anime, Snorlax remains a part of Ash’s reserves, spending most of its time back at Professor Oak’s lab (which saves Ash quite a bit of money on food). Snorlax was called upon several times for crucial battles, including some against his former rival, Gary.
Why did we pick it?
I’m convinced that Snorlax was Japan’s way of poking fun at Americans. Or at least Milwaukee. Poor Snorlax was also forced to be the gaming cliché equivalent of that pesky boulder blocking your path in several of the games. Snorlax might get the shaft with respect around the Pokéworld, but we embrace our big, burly, and adorable Snorlax around these parts.
Think about it this way, which would you rather snuggle up with at night- the alarmingly skinny and rock hard Kabutops, or the super soft and snugly Snorlax? That’s what we thought.
#11 – Dugtrio
Who’s That Pokémon?
When a Diglett is ready to evolve, it splits into three separate bodies. As a result of this apparent fission, the three triplets that make up Dugtrio think and behave exactly alike, just like human twins or triplets naturally share cognitive and behavioral characteristics.
No one has ever seen a Dugtrio emerge fully from the ground, and as a result no one knows its true size or shape. The Dugtrio triplets work together to burrow through the ground endlessly, which is useful in battle as opponents can be attacked from almost any direction unsuspectingly. Outside of battle, however, Dugtrio can be dangerous. They have been known to dig as far deep as 60 miles down, occasionally finding or creating fault lines, resulting in massive earthquakes.
Why did we pick it?
This bunch sure doesn’t look like much, just a couple of brown mounds with beady eyes and red noses, but Dugtrio is an admirable Pokemon that mustn’t be overlooked! Though its defense might be rather low, Dugtrio has an amazing combination of speed and attack. If you can pull off the evasive/powerful attack Dig without getting damaged first, you’ve got most of your battles covered! In addition, Dugtrio not only causes Earthquakes but can Scratch and Slash, which I find rather curious, considering the fact that this Pokemon has no known appendages!
We’re more than halfway through our list of the Top 25 Pokémon of All-Time! Tomorrow we start reducing the number of Pokémon featured per day, but we’ll give a little lengthier segment for each Pokémon as we progress through the final top ten. Check back tomorrow as we look at our picks for #10 through #7, as we target the #1 Pokémon for Saturday night, setting you up for Pokémon Diamond and Pearl this Sunday, April 22!
