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

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!

This eye is found on what cocoon-like Pokémon?

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.

You can roast marshmallows with the help of this Pokémon. Who could it be?

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.

Which round Pokémon do you see here?

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.

This Pokémon loves eating bananas. Who's looking at you here?

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.

You'd find this Pokémon exploring grassy regions. Who has this eye?

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.

You won't see more than the heads of this Pokémon. Do you know who this is?

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!

What's this pink Pokémon called?

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.

This is the final form of Pidgey. Whose gaze is this?

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.

Do you know which armored Pokémon this is?

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.

This one is the star of Pokémon Yellow. Who is peeking at you?

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.

Which pink, smiling Pokémon is staring back at you here?

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.

Which cunning, cat-like Pokémon has these sweet eyes?

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.

This Pokémon is covered in bluish-white fur. Can you tell who this is?

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.

This one might have trouble keeping up. What Pokémon is shown here?

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.

What striped Pokémon is this?

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.

At first glance, you might mistake this Pokémon for a human. Can you name it?

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.

Be careful with this Pokémon, as it's poisonous. Who is it?

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.

If you saw these haunting eyes, which Pokémon would you be facing?

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.

Can you identify this fanged Pokémon?

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.

This Pokémon is known for being very vicious. Who does this appear to be?

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.

What's the name of this Pokémon, who is a dual Ground/Rock type, watching you?

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.

What serpent-like Pokémon is this, eyeing you?

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.

This Pokémon is known for copying others. Who fits with this set of eyes?

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.

This is one Legendary blue bird. Can you name this Pokémon?

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).

This Pokémon is a very protective parent. What's it called?

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.

This Pokémon has a set of blade-like claws. Who is it?

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.

What electrifying Pokémon are you glancing at here?

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.

Whose wide-eyed gaze is this?

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.

Can you identify this fighting Pokémon?

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.

Can you name the Pokémon shown here, which is known for shooting water or ink whenever it's in danger?

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.

What hot-headed Pokémon do you believe this is?

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.

This pinching Pokémon goes by what name?

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.

This was one of the first three Pokémon caught by Misty. Do you remember who this old-school creature is?

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.

Which coiled Pokémon is this?

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 Pokémon is made entirely out of programming code. Can you figure out who this is?

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.

This Pokémon takes the shape of a palm tree. Do you have any eye-dea who this might be?

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 one of the two main stars of the "Let's Go" Pokémon video game. Do you know its name?

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.

These eyes belong to which water-loving Pokémon?

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.

The only facial feature you can see of this Pokémon is its eyes. Who is this you're observing?

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.

This Pokémon starts out as a fossil that must be revived before it can evolve into the Pokémon shown here. Do you know who it is?

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.

About HowStuffWorks Play

How much do you know about dinosaurs? What is an octane rating? And how do you use a proper noun? Lucky for you, HowStuffWorks Play is here to help. Our award-winning website offers reliable, easy-to-understand explanations about how the world works. From fun quizzes that bring joy to your day, to compelling photography and fascinating lists, HowStuffWorks Play offers something for everyone. Sometimes we explain how stuff works, other times, we ask you, but we’re always exploring in the name of fun! Because learning is fun, so stick with us!

Explore More Quizzes