Pokemon has been a huge part of my life since I was a child, and I'm happy to say that I'm still a fan now! I've even got two cats named Pikachu and Dedenne after the main mascot and the "Pika-clone" from Pokemon X and Y.
Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow
These were the first games released in the US, and they were the games I cut my teeth on. I learned how to read just so I could go on my own Pokemon journey just like Ash Ketchum, who I saw on TV every Saturday morning on Kids WB. I started with Red, felt like I needed to have Blue as well, and bought Yellow to round out my collection. Sure, it was the same game three times, but I was happy.
Going back to play them as an adult, the level grinding is a huge speedbump, and it takes a while for every battle to play out. Even with a fast forward cheat on my emulator, it felt very slow and a little tedious. The in-game clock shows a completion time of 60 hours, and that's without completing the Pokedex. Still, I'll never forget the first time I got the Missingno glitch to work. That very weird bug started me on the journey to become a computer programmer! I'm still fascinated with game design and programming because of that little rabbit-hole I went down one afternoon.
Pokemon Gold, Silver, and Crystal
They say that the "correct" answer to "What's your favorite Pokemon generation?" is "Whatever one you grew up with." For me, that would be Pokemon Gen 2, with Gold and Silver being the main ones I played. I didn't have Pokemon Crystal as a kid, but I loved Gold and Silver with a passion. Cyndaquil is still my favorte Starter to this day, and when Hisuian Typhlosion happened in Gen 8, I was thrilled. As for Gen 2 itself, I felt immersed in the full color world that the GBC showed me, even if it's quite dated now. The Day / Night Cycle blew my mind away as a kid, and the Pokemon Daycare was a welcome addition that let me trade Starters with my friends. Or... it would have let me do so if I had any friends to trade with in the first place.