Top 9 Rarest Pokémon from the Original Series

The original Pokémon games invited players to "catch 'em all," but completing the Pokédex in the Generation I titles was no easy feat. With just 151 Pokémon compared to the staggering 1,000+ creatures in later games like Scarlet and Violet, the journey was more focused yet still incredibly challenging. Among the rarest were Legendary Pokémon, unique evolutions, and region-specific creatures scattered across Kanto, making the original series a treasure hunt for dedicated trainers.

Let’s dive into the rarest Pokémon of Generation I and why they stood out as coveted additions to any Pokédex.

Snorlax: The Living Roadblock

This iconic Normal-Type Pokémon is one of the most recognizable from Generation I. Known for its massive size and sleepy demeanor, Snorlax appears in just two locations in the original games. Both encounters serve as literal roadblocks on Routes 12 and 16, forcing players to wake it with the Poké Flute to proceed.

Snorlax is a tough opponent, equipped with powerful physical attacks and the ability to use Rest to recover health mid-battle. While its rarity isn’t as extreme as some other Pokémon, players still only get two chances to capture this lovable giant.

Omastar and Kabutops: Fossilized Choices

Fossil Pokémon have been a staple of the series, and the first-generation games introduced this concept with Omanyte and Kabuto. Found as fossils in Mt. Moon, these Pokémon require players to choose between the Helix Fossil (Omanyte) and the Dome Fossil (Kabuto). Each has unique strengths—Omastar boasts strong defenses and special attacks, while Kabutops excels in physical combat.

Since players can only choose one fossil per playthrough, obtaining both evolutionary lines requires starting a new game or trading with other players.

Kangaskhan: A Rare Safari Zone Catch

Kangaskhan is one of the most sought-after Normal-Type Pokémon in the Safari Zone, the unique Kanto facility where players can encounter exclusive species. This powerful Pokémon has balanced stats, with impressive physical attacks and decent defenses. However, catching one is a challenge, as Kangaskhan has a low spawn rate of 4% to 15% depending on the area and a frustrating tendency to flee.

Adding this Pokémon to a team is an accomplishment many players pride themselves on.