9. Mewtwo (X/Y)
Obviously, most people will reminisce back to their initial encounter with Mewtwo in the original games. The Elite Four bested, players took their mighty team into the depths of the Cerulean Cave for one final duel with the most powerful foe they had ever met. If they were clever, they would have held onto the fail-proof Master Ball for an assured capture. If they had been foolish enough to waste it frivolously (that Weedle looked pretty tough at the time), they were in for a challenge.
However, it was Mewtwo’s surprise return in Pokemon X and Y that makes it to this list, primarily because it was an unexpected reprise that really showed how much X and Y were endeavoring to appeal to our sense of reminiscence. It was bigger and buffer than ever, and standing before us in glorious 3D, like a brand new Mewtwo – a Newtwo, if you will.
With more legendary Pokemon lurking in the world of Kalos, could you afford to hold onto your Master Ball for Mewtwo? Or had it already been deployed in the throes of desperation? Those who conquered Mewtwo were also rewarded with a Mewtwonite that allowed us to elevate it further to power levels we had never imagined before. Indeed, this wasn’t even Mewtwo’s final form!
Also – that gen 1 battle theme remix? On point.