With Pokémon Scarlet and Violet burning through shelves, it's clear that Game Freak has made yet another success. The graphics and glitches might be detrimental to enjoyment, but the open world and litany of new Pokémon such as Miraidon and Koraidon make up for the flaws.
While the two Legendaries are the game's highlight, it'll take time for fans to warm to the new Pokémon and see how they compare to previous Legendaries. Still, many recent Legendaries have been cited by Redditors as among the best in the franchise, suggesting there's hope for Scarlet and Violet's two mascots.
Regigigas
Redditor thegayestweeb writes that Regigigas is the best Legendary Pokémon "because elemental golems are just a cool concept." It's seemingly the reason why Game Freak chose to create the original Regi trio in Generation 3, and with Regigigas, they improved upon their substantial work.
While Regigigas is rare in that it is one of only a select few Legendary and Mythical Pokémon that are normal-types, it's still a powerhouse with a shocking amount of personality. It boasts an impressive physical attack stat that puts its Regi brethren to shame and also has decent defense and special defense, which are the reason Regigigas is popular among players.
Eternatus
Redditor sid370z believes that Eternatus is the greatest Legendary Pokémon because "it is one of the craziest looking legendaries IMO." The design notably polarized players back when the creature debuted in Generation VIII, but it also helped establish Eternatus as a Pokémon worth remembering.
Beyond Eternatus' aesthetic, the Pokémon stands out for its unique typing. It's status as a poison/dragon-type is original among Legendaries, and gives Eternatus strong resistance toward grass-types though it does, unfortunately, maintain weaknesses against ground and psychic Pokémon.
Groudon
As one of the main Legendaries from the best trio of Pokémon games, Groudon embodies the Earth, in stark contrast to his counterpart Kyogre. In the words of Redditor Box_Man_In_A_Box, "It's godzilla but he baths in lava and literally makes the sun shines brighter."
Beyond Groudon's sleek and imposing design, the Legendary is also stooped in some enticing Pokémon lore. It's said that Groudon created the land in one of his many battles with Kyogre, a fact that lends the creature an air of awe-inspiring importance.
Kyurem
Redditor HyperionX-X holds on to the notion that Kyurem is the best Legendary because "it can change between ice, fire and electric forms." While this ability to alter its physical state is not unique among Legendaries, the ability to fuse with other Pokémon was key to Kyurem's appeal back in Generation V.
Even when not fused with Reshiram or Zekrom, Kyurem still packs quite a punch. It has a solid base state of 660, with its strengths lying in attack and special attack. And while its defense stats aren't quite on par, Kyurem still stands out as one of the best Pokémon from the Unovah Region.
Silvally
From Generation VII, Silvally is a normal-type Pokémon that has the ability to change its type in battle. According to LuminothWarrior, it also boasts "the most creative Pokémon design, because it’s a chimera, and those can look like literally anything".
Though Silvally doesn't boast the most stellar stats, its ability to change type in battle makes it a dynamic force in the games. It's because of this that Silvally is considered one of the best normal-type Pokémon.
Lugia
Hailing from the wonderful Johto Region, Lugia stands out as one of the most noble Pokémon based on his role in the beloved Pokémon: The Movie 2000. It was there that the Pokémon proved a hero in helping stop the Legendary birds from destroying the Earth.
Even if Lugia weren't in the Pokémon film franchise, Lugia would still be "cool... even if its type is a bit weird," according to HUGE_HOG. The Legendary boasts high special defense which aids in giving the creature a heroic aura and distinguish it from more morally ambiguous Legendaries.
Necrozma
"Necrozma is possibly one of the most powerful Pokémon given the info that it used to “light up the ultra wormholes like a sun”" writes Krossis25V. It's a chilling backstory, and one that is befitting a Pokemon who appears to be constructed from black crystals.
Perhaps the most striking aspect about Necrozma is its ability to take on three different forms. These forms help elevate an already formidable presence into a beast in battles, and makes Necrozma that much more intimidating as a result.
Mewtwo
The very first Legendary Pokémon, Mewtwo was created from the DNA of Mew and famously became the first antagonist and the Pokemon film series. Redditor thegayestweeb states, "he's the OG psychic-type Legendary. Cool but tragic backstory."
Beyond simply being a favorite psychic Pokémon among fans, Mewtwo also stands out as formidable presence. Whether a villain or an anti-hero, there's nothing more chilling than a catlike creature floating through the air and wreaking havoc on cities in a mindless rage.
Rayquaza
As part of the famed weather trio from Generation III, Rayquaza is a truly iconic Pokémon and "an all time favorite" for Reddit users like Fhaw. It was the first Legendary to be a dragon-type, and famously ended the conflict between Groudon and Kyogre in Pokémon: Emerald.
Besides how stooped it is in the lore of the games, Rayquaza also resonates with audiences because of how formidable the Legendary is in battle. It's an absolute tank in its normal mode, boasting high attack stats, but it's made even more fearsome by its Mega Evolution, which magnifies its already impressive stats.
Giratina
Giratina is NODOGAN and many other Redditor's favorite Legendary Pokémon because "(Ghost/Dragon is a kickass combo and his design as well as concept is kickass)." The creature resides in a dimension outside that of the main Pokémon universe, giving it an air of mystery and Eldritch type horror.
In addition to Giratina's origins and design, the Pokémon also boasts impressive HP and stats that alter depending on its form. Regardless of what form it's in, it can pack quite a punch against opponents, especially given its resistance to so many types.