The Pokémon series can sometimes be a bit formulaic, with several elements repeated from game to game. One is the classic rival fight. Ever since Pokémon Red, players have gone up against all kinds of rivals, from wanted criminals to childhood friends. Some have even appeared in the anime series as recurring characters.
There have been tons of rivals spanning the eight generations of Pokémon games. Here are just five of the best rivals from the Pokémon games.
1. Gladion
Pokémon X and Y disappointed fans with far too many rivals who weren't very well developed. Many were skeptical about how Sun and Moon would handle the game's two different rivals, but luckily fans weren't disappointed. Both Gladion and Hau stand out as unique characters, though Gladion is certainly the fan-favorite.
Gladion is perhaps one of the most important characters to the game's main story, given that he ties together the Aether Foundation's plotline with his unique Pokémon Type:Null. Gladion is moreso remembered for his growth as a character and interesting personal story. There's also the speculation that Gladion and Type:Null serve a key role in a larger Pokémon fan theory about the entire series.
2. Silver
Silver may not be as popular with fans as other rivals, but he's gotten a bit of a cult following in recent years. Silver initially comes across as a pretty stereotypical, edgy rival with a mysterious past, though the further the player gets into Gold and Silver's story, the more they begin to learn about him. Silver is often cited as a great example of Gamefreak's environmental storytelling, as once he begins to care for his Pokémon, the player can see his Golbat finally undergo its friendship evolution into Crobat.
Silver's character is expanded on even more through the side-game Pokémon Masters EX, in which his sync partner is the legendary bird Ho-Oh. Again, this goes to show how Silver has changed and grown since his original appearance in Silver and Gold, as Ho-Oh is said to only bond with those who are pure of heart. His growth as a character throughout the series is one of the main reasons why Silver has slowly become one of the best Pokémon rivals.
3. Wally
Wally is one of the first examples of a friendly rival, and even though he's introduced late into Sapphire, Ruby and Emerald, he ends up taking over Brandon/May's role as the protagonist's primary rival. Wally stands out due to how the player witnesses his growth as both a trainer and a person from the start.
Players even help Wally catch his first Pokémon, a Raltz. Wally may not be the strongest rival or even the most challenging, but Wally is one of the most relatable -- he may even mimic how the player themselves got into the Pokémon series. He's one of the best examples of a friendly rival done in the series, by far.
4. Blue
Blue, Pokémon's original rival, is often cited as one of the best video game rivals of all time, and he's by far one of the most rival-like ones in the entire series. He antagonizes the player, insults them and takes every opportunity to undermine them.
Not only that, but he's the only rival to actually beat the League champion before the player manages it. The fact that Blue, as the Champion, is the final battle of the original Pokémon games cements his status as one of the best rivals of all time.
5. N
As the Pokémon series progressed and grew, more attention began to be spent on the characters. Rivals became more than just antagonists to the player. They became friends and allies who would grow and change alongside the player and the increasingly in-depth nature of the series' storylines.
N, from Black and White, is a perfect example of the ways the Pokémon series has grown and changed over the years. He antagonizes the player, goes through a great growth arc and serves an important role in the story. N can even be relatable at times. N's also one of the most challenging rivals in the series, with incredibly difficult battles, proving why some Pokémon fans consider N the best rival of all time.