Pokémon's Best Cross-Gen Evolutions, From Gen 2 Through Gen 9

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Cross-generation evolutions are one of 's unique quirks, and in some cases they create fantastic new additions to the series' roster. Sometimes these new evolutions can make the player wonder why said Pokémon couldn't evolve in their original games, especially if the evolved form is particularly strong. Whatever the case may be, these cross-gen evolutions have given some past Pokémon a serious boost.

Starting with, almost every generation has seen the evolutionary lines of some past Pokémon be expanded. Sometimes they gained a new baby form, most famously seen with Pikachu's pre-evolved form, Pichu. Most of the time though, they receive a new evolution, often with a requirement more complicated than the typical level-up evolutions. They may require an item, learning a certain move, or any number of possibilities. These evolutions are fitting proof that as a game keeps evolving, and some evolutions even brought their pre-evolved forms much-deserved time in the spotlight upon release.

Related: Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Every Gen 9 Pokémon That Evolves From Walking

Fittingly, one of the original cross-gen evolutions in is also one of the most iconic. Scyther was already good in its original form, being one of 's toughest Bug-types. Then in, its new evolution Scizor came along with a sleek new look as well as the then newly introduced Steel type. Although it may not look like a big improvement statistically, Scizor has a few tricks that make it a powerful battler.

In an unusual move for an evolution, Scizor and Scyther have the same base stat total. The difference if that Scizor sacrifices Scyther's Speed for higher Attack and Defense. Since Speed is important for many Pokémon, this could potentially be a downgrade.