Pokémon games are RPGs that really emphasize adventure. One of the ways that the games manage to accomplish this is by creating memorable locations for players to visit. Citys and towns in Pokémon games are more than just safe zones to heal your team and restock on Pokéballs; they are places to explore, to wander about, chat with locals, and find out more about the world. These locations make the world what it is and leave lasting impressions in the hearts and minds of gamers; after all, who doesn't remember their first Pokémon game? In a tribute to where it all began, this list will rank all every city in the Kanto Region.
11 Fuchsia City
Fuchsia City is a quaint little historic town. Aside from that, there's not too much going on here. You can access the regional Safari Zone and fill out your Pokédex, or head to the gym and square off against Koga's team of poison types, the latter of which is usually not to difficult to handle. Let's be honest: out of all the Kanto Region gym leaders, Koga is probably the least impressive. Barring the fact that he's a ninja, of course. Still Fuchsia city is quaint and not much else. There's nothing wrong with that, of course. Just don't expect to spend much time here unless historic towns are your thing.
10 Celadon City
Celadon City is located in about the center of the Kanto region and is the most populous city in Kanto, even more so than the bustling Saffron City which will be discussed later in this list. Celadon's primary pull is spending money as it's home to both the token department store as well as the game corner, so if you've been saving your money on your Pokémon journey, this is likely where you'll be blowing a big chunk of it. The Celadon City gym Erika, a grass type gym leader's turf who, as any Pokémon player will know, will be made short work of at the hands of a few good fire-types.
9 Pewter City
Pewter City stands out as the city where things get serious. The first gym of the game is here, and Brock's sturdy rock types aren't exactly pushovers especially for the players that chose Charmander as their starter. Outside of the gym it's worth noting that the museum is here where players can examine old Pokémon fossils and learn a little bit of the story behind Mount Moon. But Brock's gym is really the star here, giving players a taste of what it means to be climbing through the ranks of the Indigo League.
8 Cerulean City
Cerulean City is one of those cities that just looks nice. Even in the very first generations, there was always something impressive about being here. Home of the Cerulean City gym led by water-type specialist Misty, the theme is definitely present when exploring outside of the gym too. While Cerulean City is nice during the first visit players really need to come back a time or two to really explore what it has to offer. Earning the bike voucher in Vermillion City, for example, will get you a bike from the Cerulean City Bike Shop. Additionally, returning after the besting the Indigo League gives you the chance to explore the Cerulean Cave; the home of the legendary Mewtwo.
7 Viridian City
Despite having a song from the anime associated with it and everything, Viridian City is largely unimpressive the first time around. Players are directed here to deliver a parcel to Professor Oak, but other than that there's not much else to do just yet. Return after besting the first seven gym leaders, though, and the eighth gym leader, Giovanni, will make his gym available to you. By now, of course, players will know that Giovanni moonlights as the boss of the notorious organization Team Rocket so this battle is definitely one to prepare for.
6 Vermillion City
Vermillion City is an incredibly fun visit for adventurers. Vermillion is a port city and stopping here will see players hopping aboard the S.S. Anne, a ship that travels around the world and returns to Vermillion City once a year, for a quick look around. Being in the midst of a Pokémon journey, though, players don't have time to stick around for the voyage. Instead, consider visiting the Pokémon Fanclub Chairman who will give you a bike voucher just for listening to him talk about his favorite Pokémon. Once that's done, Vermillion's gym leader Lt. Surge is waiting to fork over the thunder badge to anyone that can best him. Having trouble against his electric-type team? Consider heading east and popping into Diglett's Cave to catch a ground-type Pokémon to add to your roster.
5 Lavender Town
Those that began their Pokémon journey in the Kanto region know that Lavender Town is the epitome of creepy. That's what earns it such a high spot on this list: its the creepy factor that really makes Lavender Town memorable. It's home to the Pokémon Tower, a seven-floor indoor graveyard filled with graves of departed Pokémon which makes the ghost sightings that are rampant in Lavender Town that much more believable. As players pass through the town, they should consider helping out the locals by figuring out the mystery of one ghost, in particular, that's haunting the Pokémon Tower. Fair warning, though: its story is a real tear-jerker.
4 Cinnabar Island
Cinnabar Island is one of the coolest locations in the game. Home of a volcano, the Cinnabar Lab, the Pokémon Mansion which is chock full of secrets pertaining to the legendary Pokémon Mewtwo, and of course fire-type specialist Blaine's gym. If that's not enough, Pokémon veterans will likely remember that the infamous MissingNo. glitch involves surfing along the eastern edge of the island. It may have been a long time ago by now, but exploiting that glitch certainly brings back memories.
3 Saffron City
Saffron City is the biggest city in the Kanto region and not surprisingly there are a number of interesting places to visit. Styled after the city of Tokyo, Saffron City is home to the Silph Co. headquarters, the Fighting Dojo, Mr. Psychic's house, Copycat's house, and of course the Saffron gym where players will find themselves up against Sabrina and her psychic-type team. As the big cities in real life, there's plenty to do and explore in a place like Saffron City.
2 Pallet Town
The big city has a certain allure, but let's be real: there's really no place like home. Pallet Town is where it all starts. It's quaint, it's quiet, and it doesn't change. That's what makes it special; even after thwarting Team Rocket, after helping people across the region, after filling your Pokédex, collecting eight league badges, besting the Elite Four, and becoming champion of the Kanto Region, returning to Pallet Town is about as humbling as it gets, with mom insisting you get some rest, and Professor Oak always ready to tell you what else to do. What makes Pallet Town special is that feeling of home that you get whenever you visit. You really can't beat that.
1 Indigo Plateau
To clarify, Indigo Plateau is not a city, but we believe that it deserves top billing on this list. After making it past Victory Road, a journey that will test not only player's combat prowess but their adventuring abilities as well, Indigo Plateau hosts the most intense challenge Kanto has to offer: The Elite Four, the strongest trainers in the region, and the Leauge Champion. A gauntlet of the best of the best, Indigo Plateau is the ultimate for those training to be Pokémon masters and that feeling is palpable the second you walk through the arena doors and they shut behind you. It's not about landmarks here, since there isn't all that much. Instead, it's about the feeling. Nowhere else in the Kanto region can even come close to replicating this feeling and that's why Indigo Plateau takes the number one spot on this list.