Every Pokémon generation has a bunch of Legendaries. Generation VII introduced the most Legendaries to date, welcoming eleven of these particular Pokémon into the franchise. As of Generation VIII, there's a total of 59 Legendary Pokémon, and the numbers will only keep increasing, especially after Gen IX debuts.
Every Legendary is noteworthy in its own way, but only a few truly stand out. Indeed, these Pokémon are the mightiest and most elusive of their respective regions. Still, only a few can genuinely rise above all others, whether because of their battle prowess, unique designs, Type combination, or all of the above.
The Best Legendary Pokémon From Gen I Is Mewtwo
The one that started the Legendary frenzy over at Game Freak, Mewtwo is one of the most iconic Pokémon from Generation I and a superstar in the franchise. His fame rivals Pikachu's, and his name is synonymous with Pokémon as a whole.
Beyond his impressive reputation, Mewtwo is a genuinely great Pokémon. He has excellent stats all around, and his status as a pure Psychic-type makes him even more appealing, especially in Gen I games. His design, a perfect mix of humanoid and alien traits, makes him all the more compelling. However, his status as an anti-hero cements his reputation as one of the all-time best Legendaries. Pokémon are often wholesome, so having a slightly antagonistic figure gives a fresh edge to the franchise.
The Best Legendary Pokémon From Gen II Is Ho-Oh
Continuing the trend of having an almighty Legendary ruling over the rest, Generation II formally introduced Ho-Oh, trio master of the Legendary Beasts. The anime teased this fiery bird in the very first episode, but it wasn't until 1996 that it received a name. A Pokémon inspired by the mythological phoenix, Ho-Oh became the first Gen II mon revealed to the public.
All Gen II Legendaries are solid, but what sets Ho-Oh apart is the majestic aspect of its design. Unlike Lugia, Ho-Oh looks like a Legendary. Its place as one of the franchise's most elusive Pokémon also grants it a sense of mysticism that seldom Legendaries have. Fire and Flying is hardly an ideal type combo -- it is four times weak to Rock, of all things -- but that doesn't make Ho-Oh any less awe-inspiring.
The Best Legendary Pokémon From Gen III Is Rayquaza
Generation III has a lot of ardent supporters who consider it the best in the franchise. A big part of Hoenn's success is the beloved Legendary Trio of Kyogre, Groudon, and Rayquaza. The first two hold a privileged place in the franchise, but Rayquaza is in a league of its own.
Indeed, Rayquaza is a mighty and terrifying beast that perfectly represents the very idea of a Legendary Pokémon. It, of course, helps that it is absurdly powerful, with stats that would make any other Pokémon cower in fear. Mega Evolution only made it more fearsome, further separating it from other Legendaries. There's a strong argument for calling Rayquaza the best Legendary in the franchise. If only the Fairy-type didn't exist.
The Best Legendary Pokémon From Gen IV Is Dialga
Generation IV introduced arguably the most ambitious Legendaries in the franchise. The creators of the Pokémon universe are literal Gods, and their designs are appropriately bizarre. The three members of the Creation Trio are incredible, and while some might argue Giratina is the best, Dialga is Sinnoh's ultimate star.
Heavily inspired by dinosaurs and taking some elements from Japanese mythological dieties, Izanami and Izanagi, Dialga is a unique-looking Legendary that's impossible to forget. Its excellent type combination of Dragon and Steel keeps it unaffected by the Fairy-types destructiveness. Dialga's signature move, Roar of Time, is also one of the most powerful Dragon moves in the Pokémon franchise. This diamond-like creature and master of time perfectly represents Sinnoh's mix of tradition and modernity.
The Best Legendary Pokémon From Gen V Is Reshiram
It took nearly a decade, but fans are finally recognizing Generation V for the daring masterpiece it is. Blatantly ambitious and unafraid to bite more than it could chew, Gen V felt like a soft reboot of the franchise. It introduced 156 new Pokémon species, nine of which were Legendaries.
While they all have things going on for them, none is more unique-looking than the fiery Reshirsam. After all, it has an engine-like tail that fires up when its emotions surge, and that's enough to place it on the upper tier of Legendary Pokémon. Beyond that, this bipedal dragon that stands for truth is a bright spot everywhere it goes. Its type combination makes it one of the coolest Fire Pokémon, while its compelling lore makes it the undisputed star of the Unovan Legendaries.
The Best Legendary Pokémon From Gen VI Is Xerneas
Generation VI introduced only three Legendary Pokémon, and they all were somewhat underwhelming. The so-called Aura Trio is perhaps the most forgettable of all the Legendaries, but the inspiration behind them is still intriguing.
Design-wise, Xerneas is leagues above the other two members of its trio. As the strongest fully-evolved Fairy-type, Xerneas rules supreme, especially in a generation famous for being all about fairies. Thanks to its colorful antlers and gentle, majestic nature, Xerneas escapes from the oblivion that traps its two fellow Kalos Legendaries. Its lore, placing it as the ultimate giver of life in the Pokémon world, also grants it a timeless quality, cementing its reputation as Kalos' best Legendary.
The Best Legendary Pokémon From Gen VII Is Necrozma
Necrozma holds an infamous place among the fandom. The consensus is that this alien creature is the most challenging and memorable boss battle in the Pokémon franchise. Its particular design, resembling absolutely no other Pokémon whatsoever, also makes it instantly unique. Furthermore, its tragic backstory gives it a sense of depth that hardly any other Pokémon has.
Like Mewtwo, Necrozma tends to lean more towards the "anti" side of anti-heroes. It is also one of the franchise's most blatant and daring experimentations with real-life physics concepts, increasing its standing among fans. Generation VII introduced the most Legendaries ever, so it speaks volumes that Necrozma is still the best of them all.
The Best Legendary Pokémon From Gen VIII Is Eternatus
When it comes to unique-looking Pokémon, none beat Eternatus. This intergalactic being looks like something that would be more at home in Metroid instead of Pokémon. However, it's precisely this uniqueness that makes it stand out, especially now that the franchise has nearly a thousand different species.
As Eternamax Eternatus, it becomes something that looks straight out of an acid trip. Mixing parts of biblical monsters, Lovecraftian horror, and straight-up science fiction, Eternamax Eternatus is arguably the most daring Pokémon design this side of the Ultra Beasts. Add in the bonkers type combo of Dragon and Poison, and the result is a Legendary that would make even Mewtwo frown in shock and, perhaps, even a pinch of fear.