The original slogan for the Pokémon franchise was "Gotta Catch 'Em All", which was a tricky prospect back in the days of Pokémon Red & Blue due to the need to find someone else with the other version of the game. The Internet made trading Pokémon easier, but the ranks of the Pokémon kept swelling and fans felt less enthusiastic about the prospect of catching them all.

A lot has been said about the absence of the National Dex in Pokémon Sword & Shield and one counter-argument that has been given is that most people never actually bother to capture all of the Pokémon, so why include them all? The reason has more to do with fans not seeing their individual favorite Pokémon in the latest games, rather than collectively missing them all.

Related: Pokémon Sword & Shield Aren’t Even Out Yet, And They Already Have A Lot Of Problems

Catching them all was a daunting task and it wasn't always worth the reward. So, what exactly was the prize for completing the Pokédex?

via: pokemon.wikia.com

The task of completing the Pokédex in each generation is made easier by the fact that Mythical Pokémon are usually not required. The later generations included both a Regional Dex and a National Dex, which have their own rewards.

Pokémon Red & Blue & Yellow - Catching all 150 Pokémon earns the player a diploma. It's possible to print this diploma using the Game Boy Printer in Pokémon Yellow. 

Pokémon Gold & Silver & Crystal - Catching all Pokémon (minus Celebi and Mew) earns the player a diploma that can be printed off using the Game Boy Printer.

Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire & Emerald - Completing the 200 Pokémon Hoenn Pokédex (minus Deoxys and Jirachi) earned the diploma in Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire and a different diploma if they finished the National Dex. The players were given one of the Johto starts for free after completing the Hoenn Pokédex in Pokémon Emerald. 

Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen - The player wins two diplomas for completing both the Kanto and National Dex.

Pokémon Diamond & Pearl & Platinum - The player wins two diplomas for completing both the Sinnoh and National Dex.

Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver - The player wins two diplomas for completing both the Johto and National Dex.

Pokémon Black & White  - The player wins two diplomas for completing both the Unova and National Dex.

Pokémon Black 2 & White 2 - The player wins two diplomas for completing both the Unova and National Dex. Seeing all of the Pokémon in the Unova Pokédex will earn the player a Permit that they can use to reach the Nature Preserve, catching all of the Pokémon in the Unova Pokédex will earn the player an Oval Charm, which increases the chances of eggs appearing in the Day Care, while completing the National Dex will earn the player the prized Shiny Charm, which increases the chances of Shiny Pokémon appearing.

Pokémon X & Y - The player wins two diplomas for completing both the Kalos and National Dex. Seeing all of the Pokémon in the Kalos Pokédex will earn the player an Oval Charm, while completing the National Dex will earn them a Shiny Charm.

Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - The player wins two diplomas for completing both the Hoenn and National Dex. Seeing all of the Pokémon in the Hoenn Pokédex will earn the player an Oval Charm, while completing the National Dex will earn them a Shiny Charm.

Pokémon Sun & Moon & Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Registering 300 Alola Pokémon will earn the player a special stamp for their passport and the Shiny Charm. The player will also earn a Karate Gi in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon that their character can wear.

Pokémon: Let's Go! Eevee & Pikachu - Completing the Pokédex (everything except Mew, Meltan, and Melmetal) will earn the player a Shiny Charm.

It took a long time, but finishing the Pokédex did give a tangible reward starting in Pokémon Black 2 & White 2, as it made it a lot easier to breed the elusive Shiny Pokémon.

Next: Being Critical Of Pokémon Sword & Shield Isn’t Being Toxic Or Childish