ThePokemonseries of games is known for its diverse cast of characters, from professors to champions.Rivalsplay a key part in the main franchise, battling the player throughout the series in many regions and constantly impeding their progress.
Rivals prepare players to see how strong their Pokemon are in their quest to beat thePokemon Leagueand become the champion. Although most rivals are powerful in that they offer a considerable challenge throughout the main series ofPokemongames, some are more powerful than others.Rivals such as Gary, N, and Barry, among others, are some ofPokemon’sbest.
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Games
Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Stadium 2, Masters EX
The Generation 2 rival,Silver, is a favorite among fans of thePokemonseries due to his heritage of being Rocket boss Giovanni’s son. While not the strongest on this list, Silver has a well-balanced team of Pocket Monsters ranging fromGhost-typesto Poison-types, and a particularly annoying Alakazam that puts up a considerable fight near the end of the Gen 2 games.
Silver’s heritage alone, along with his journey from villain to redeemed hero, make him one of the bestPokemonrivals. Despite his difficult upbringing, Silver learns to love Pokemon as friends rather than tools.
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Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon, Masters EX
Wally, the unexpected rival of thePokemon Ruby, Sapphire,andEmeraldgames, and their subsequent remakes, is known for his love of the Pokemon Ralts and itsevolution line. While Wally is not the strongest trainer at the start of the Generation 3 games, he quickly gets his skates on to become one of the best trainers in the Hoenn region, overcoming all odds as a sickly child at a young age.
Wally deserves to be on this list as one of the bestPokemonrivals, highlighting what can be achieved through hard work, no matter a person’s circumstances. In thePokemon Omega RubyandAlpha Sapphiregames, Wally has one of the strongest lineups of Pokemon, with his Gallade exceeding the level 80 mark in the Battle Maison.
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Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Masters EX
The energetic (and sometimes annoying)Barryis the rival in the Generation 4games. A trainer of great pride, strength, and heart, Barry comes from Pokemon royalty, with his father being Palmer of the Battle Frontier. Barry follows the player character as they uncover the mysteries of the Sinnoh region and stop the evil Team Galactic from destroying the world.
Barry keeps the players' spirits up throughout their journey, pushing them to their limits with Pokemon at levels 60 to 70. Barry deserves to be high on this list for his unbreakable, optimistic fighting spirit in the face of danger.
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Sword and Shield, Masters EX
The Generation 8 rival,Hop, faces off against the player with a legendary Pokemon in thePokemon Sword and Shieldgames. Depending on what legendary Pokemon the player chooses — Zamazenta or Zacian — Hop picks the opposite in one of the hardest battles in the series' history, with most of his Pocket Monsters ranging from the high level 60s to 70s. Hop is known for following in his brother Leon’s footsteps to become a Pokemon champion.
Although Hop never makes it, he evolves into a trainer of immense power, surpassing Leon’s abilities by sheer determination and grit. A great trainer and go-getter, Hop is the antithesis of how choosing one’s own destiny can lead to greatness. Hop, for that reason, is in the top three bestPokemonrivals.
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Black, White, Black 2, White 2, Masters EX
N, one of the main rivals of theGeneration 5Pokemongames, is also one of thegame’s most powerful trainers. Battling the player throughout the story ofBlack and White, N becomes a familiar face and a foe as the tool of Team Phasma boss Ghetsis in the villain’s quest to take over the region of Unova. N is an immensely powerful trainer, beating Unova Champion Alder and facing off against the player in the game’s final sequences using the legendaryPokemonReshiram/Zekrom.
N returns inPokemon Black and White 2even stronger than before, with his highest-levelPokemonin their high level 70s, making him more powerful than Hop by a considerable margin. N is a complex Pokemon trainer undergoing significant trauma as a child and learning to love Pokemon to such an extent that he believes Pokemon and people should be kept separate due to what he sees as mistreatment by humans. The player later confronts N and turns him to the light. N, due to his background, redemption, and power when wielding a legendaryPokemon, makes him the second-best rival on this list.
1
Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver, Crystal, FireRed, LeafGreen, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Black 2, White 2, Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon, Let’s Go, Pikachu!, Let’s Go, Eevee!,
Stadium, Stadium 2, Masters EX
The infamous grandson of Professor Oak,Blue, is the strongestPokemonrival, not only because of his fierce rivalry withPokemon trainer Red, who is considered the strongest Pokemon trainer ever, but because Kanto’s favorite grandson managed to beat the Pokemon League and become champion. Blue reached the top of the Pokemon world in the originalPokemon Red, Blue,andYellowand thePokemon Fire RedandLeaf Greenremakes, with a powerful, diverse team ofPocket Monsters. In the games, players must defeat Blue to become thePokemon championof the Indigo Pokemon league.
In the sequels —Heart GoldandSoul Silver —Blue becomes the Viridian City gym leader, replacing disgracedTeam Rocketboss Giovanni.Blue is the best rival on this list, with some of the highest-level Pokemon in the games, and is a truePokemonchampion, which he achieved based on hard work and merit.
