Can You Identify the Generation 1 Pokemon From Just Their Eyes?

By: Cameron Cobb
Image: OLM, Inc. / The Pokémon Company International / TV Tokyo

About This Quiz

Gotta name 'em all!

As a Pokémon lover, you're likely more than familiar with the first of these creatures. You know all the originals by name and by Pokédex number. You've even got the Generation I Pokédex rap memorized.

Whether it be your childhood card collection, spending hours on your Game Boy catching Pokémon, or habitually watching the TV series and every movie made, you've got Pokémon proficiency that would make Ash proud.

With so many ways to experience Pokémon and more being introduced every year, it's easy to see how such an expansive, diverse fan base has formed all over the world. In 1995, a Japanese man named Satoshi Tajiri created Pokémon. One year later, they made their first appearance in Japan in Pocket Monsters: Red and Green, two video games for Nintendo. From there, things instantly skyrocketed. Soon enough, Pokémon branched out to become a trading card game, phone apps, musicals, toys, an animated television series, movies and more. 

As the brand gets bigger and bigger, so does the world of Pokémon. Today, there are over 800 Pokémon, spread across seven generations. Every family has to start somewhere, and Pokémon continues to grow, thanks to the legacy starting with the first 151 Pokémon of Generation I. Any dedicated fan knows each one in the original gang, but it takes a real Pokémon fanatic to know each one just by a pair of eyes!

Think you've got what it takes to be a Pokémon master? Put your knowledge to battle and find out if you can see the very best ... like no one ever has!

Charmeleon is a Fire-type Pokémon and the evolved form of Charmander, one of the original three starter Pokémon. One noticeable difference between the two is that Charmeleon sports a spike on top of its head.

This Pokémon evolves from one of the original video game starters, Bulbasaur. Out of all the Generation I Pokémon, Ivysaur is the only one whose name starts with an I. The bud on its back is based on a Rafflesia flower.

Metapod is commonly known as a Cocoon Pokémon, for its resemblance to a chrysalis. Metapod's pre-evolved state, Caterpie, looks like a caterpillar; and the evolved form, Butterfree, looks like a butterfly.

Pidgeot is a bird-like Pokémon with two prior evolutions — Pidgey and Pidgeotto. Pidgeot is the only Pokémon with a total base stat equalling 469. In the newer series, it is capable of becoming Mega Pidgeot — a sort of fourth evolution of the Pokémon.

Using a Moon Stone is what evolves Nidorina into Nidoqueen, with the original Pokémon being Nidoran (the female version). Nidoqueen and Nidoking are the only two Poison/Ground-type combination of Pokémon.

Graveler is number 75 in the Pokédex. No surprise here, but this Pokémon's diet is mostly made up of moss-covered rocks. With its distinct round shape, Graveler's preferred way to travel is by rolling.

Mankey is a Fighting-type Pokémon, described as a pig-monkey type animal. At number 56, Mankey is the first Fighting-type listed in the Pokédex, and it is known for having superior footwork.

This lazy Pokémon is based on the salamander animal. Slowpoke's name was originally supposed to be "Slowmo." It is not known to have much intelligence and is often forgetful or unaware of what it is doing.

Pikachu is one of Pokémon's most memorable and well-known characters, and is even the star of several Pokémon movies. Along with berries and apples, one of Pikachu's favorite foods is ketchup.

Paras is a Grass/Bug-type Pokémon. Paras has mushrooms known as "tochukaso" growing on its back, which are parasitic. The mushrooms survive by getting nutrients from the Pokémon's body.

Clefairy is fairylike and pixielike, and it evolves into Clefable. Though Pikachu might be commonly known as the mascot of Pokémon, Clefairy was originally going to hold that place.

Meowth is easy to spot, with a shiny gold coin decorating its forehead, and it can evolve to Persian once it reaches level 28. Meowth was the first Pokémon to ever talk in animé.

Although it has ratlike attributes, Raticate is considered a Mouse Pokémon. When Raticate is attacked, it stands on its back legs and lets out a loud shriek. Its hind feet are webbed, for swimming.

With three heads making up this "trio" of a Pokémon, it's bound to have some impressive stats. It is the fastest Ground-type Pokémon — a pretty impressive feat for not having any feet!

Wigglytuff may look cute, cuddly and not so tough, but beware of being sung to sleep by its pre-evolved form, Jigglypuff! Wigglytuff is exactly one meter tall, or about three feet.

In the television series, Mr. Mime is regularly seen helping Ash's mom at home. While the name might imply otherwise, not every Mr. Mime is male. Exactly half of all Mr. Mimes are female.

This Pokémon is one of only two kinds (with the other being Oddish) to have a scientific name, which is "Kabutops maximis." Kabutops is a Water/Rock-type Pokémon and is known for swimming extremely fast.

Machop is the original form of the evolved Machoke, and then Machamp. Machop's entire body is made up of muscles that never tire, so he can keep fighting without the worry of cramping up.

Gengar is a Ghost/Poison-type Pokémon, with bright red eyes and a wide ghoulish grin. This Pokémon also has a nightmarish theory attached to it — that Gengar may be a shadow of Clefable.

This Pokémon is based on the real world seal, with Seel more specifically designed to look like a newborn harp seal. Seel is not an Ice-type Pokémon, but it evolves to one who is — Dewgong.

Articuno is an Ice/Flying Pokémon that is in its final form, which means it doesn't evolve. Articuno is one of the three Legendary birds of Kanto, with the other two being Zapdos (Electric) and Moltres (Fire).

Growlithe may appear cat-like, but this Pokémon actually falls into the Puppy classification. The evolved form of Growlithe is Arcanine, who is said to be able to run over 6,000 miles in one day.

Bellsprout is known as the Flower Pokémon, with two leaves, two roots and a difficult-to-miss bulbous head. Bellsprout gets its nutrients through the soil and from eating insects.

This Pokémon thrives in the water and is even large enough to carry trainers on its back. Gyarados's stats are improved at a comedic level from its one and only pre-evolved form, Magikarp.

Voltorb may be confused for a Pokéball at first glance, which can be dangerous for curious Pokémon and trainers. It is the 100th Pokémon listed in the Pokédex. It is an Electric-type Pokémon, and it has the lowest Attack stats of all within that classification.

Dragonair is a Dragon-type Pokémon, and the original name for it was "Dragyn." Its evolved form, Dragonite, is known to be very hard to find in the wild. Dragonair has the ability to change the weather.

The cry of Rhyhorn is exactly the same as Charizard's in the Pokémon games. Its evolved form, Rhydon, was the first Pokémon to be created. Rhyhorn's bones are said to be 1,000 times tougher than human bones.

The Eevee family has more evolutionary relatives than any other Pokémon species. In Generation I, Eevee can evolve to Vaporeon, Jolteon or Flareon, depending on the type of stone used.

Ditto is quite the copycat, as this Pokémon can take the form of others in battle, depending on its opponent. To tell the difference between a Ditto and the real Pokémon, take a look at the eyes — the Ditto copycat will always have its original eyes.

You'll find this Pokémon hanging out in coastal regions. Krabby uses its pinchers to help it balance when walking sideways. If it loses its pinchers in a Pokémon battle, they grow back quickly.

When born, Kangaskhan already has a baby in its pouch. The baby will occasionally come out to play, but it should never be disturbed. A Kangaskhan, which resembles a kangaroo, will never evolve.

Horsea is — you guessed it — a seahorse-like Pokémon who lives in water. Horsea evolves to Seadra at level 32, and this evolved form is able to swim backward while looking forward.

The older this Pokémon gets, the longer it grows. You can find Ekans slithering through grassy areas. Ekans is a Snake Pokémon, which makes sense with its name, as "Ekans" spelled backward is "snake"!

This blazing Pokémon is based on a combination of a duck and a reptile-like animal, and it's covered in a series of flames and fiery designs. It has spikes on its back that resemble those of an iguana.

Exeggutor is a Grass/Psychic-type Pokémon. Exeggutor is the favorite Pokémon of Tsunekazu Ishihara, president of the Pokémon Company. One theory about Exeggutor is that its heads can fall off, creating the Pokémon Exeggcute.

This Pokémon is the only one that needs to be traded twice for other Pokémon in order to evolve. Porygon is able to move freely throughout cyberspace. It is theorized that Porygon may be inspired by origami cranes.

Goldeen is a Water-type Pokémon that looks a lot like its commonly known animal doppelgänger, a goldfish. Goldeen has been nicknamed the "Water Queen," as its appearance resembles a fancy ballgown.

Tangela is the only pure Grass-type Pokémon in Generation I. Tangela's entire body is made up of seaweed-like vines that never stop growing and move with the Pokémon whenever it moves.

Omastar is a prehistoric Pokémon with a beak-like mouth full of sharp points. Due to such a heavy shell preventing it from catching any prey, Omastar is thought to be extinct.

Golduck is a Water-type Pokémon and the evolved form of Psyduck. It is easy to spot, with an allover blue color, webbed feet, one red gem dotting its forehead and four spikes atop its head.

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