Charizard is one of the most famous eponymous creatures in Pokémon after Pikachu, but it has also become one of the most overused Pokémon in the series. As one of the original starters in the series, Charizard has an important place in Pokémon history. Even so, the developers have been giving it far more spotlight than it needs, to the detriment of its peers.
In Pokémon Red and Blue, Charizard was the final form of Charmander, one of the three starter Pokémon available to the player. Thanks to a combination of its cool dragon design and amusingly defiant personality in the anime, it became the most popular of the trio, and one of the most popular of the first generation as a whole. Itself, Pikachu, and Mewtwo were arguably the three most recognizable Pokémon of the original 151, with strong reputations among fans as a result. However, it's hard to deny that Charizard has become an overrated Pokémon, and its returns only exacerbate that.
Charizard Keeps Getting The Spotlight In Later Pokémon Games
The early popularity of Charizard appears to have been noticed by the developers, as it has made a lot of appearances since then. Its playable roles in spinoff titles such as Pokkén Tournament and Super Smash Bros. are understandable, given Charizard's memorable status and obvious combat ability. However, Charizard has also received something of a reputation for appearing repeatedly in later Pokémon titles. These later appearances have been less necessary as time goes on, making Charizard's presence feel more forced than it was previously.
Charizard's increased exposure began in Pokémon X and Y, with the introduction of Mega Evolution. Aside from Mewtwo, which remains as the most famous Legendary Pokémon, Charizard was the only Pokémon to receive two Mega Evolutions, one for each version of the game. Another example comes in Pokémon Sword and Shield, where Charizard is the ace of Pokémon Sword and Shield's champion Leon. What makes this especially jarring is that there is no way for the player to receive a Charmander aside from Leon himself, making Charizard's presence as the final boss inexplicable. This extends to the latest games, Scarlet & Violet, where the first major raid announced was a seven-star Charizard raid.
Charizard has become almost as expected as Pikachu to appear in every new game, even those where it can't be obtained normally. While fans of Charizard are likely to enjoy seeing it time and again, those who are less enamored with it can get annoyed by its constant presence. At a certain point, it is worth questioning if Charizard needs to keep establishing a presence in later titles.
The Attention That Charizard Gets Could Be Given To Newer Pokémon
When Charizard keeps getting placed as the center of attention, it takes away from the new Pokémon that are debuting in those games. While Scarlet and Violet's most popular new Pokémon was able to break out, there are many Pokémon who get overshadowed in their first chance to endear themselves to players. Unfortunately, the way that Charizard keeps returning extends its time in the spotlight at the expense of Pokémon that haven't had their chance to shine yet.
One of the biggest examples of this unnecessary attention lays in Charizard's place as Leon's signature Pokémon in Sword & Shield. By that point, Charizard had already had the chance to be the signature Pokémon of either the player or their rival in the Generation 1 games as well as their remakes. Leon could have used any of the powerful Pokémon from Galar as his ace. He has resident pseudo-Legendary Dragapult as a part of his team, but it is pushed to the side in favor of giving Charizard a Gigantamax form. Pokémon Sword & Shield's Gigantamax mechanic was its main gimmick, but the newcomer Dragapult was left out of it completely while Charizard got a new form instead.
Mega Evolution, Gigantamax, and now Tera Raids are all mechanics that Charizard has been used as a prime example of. In spite of that, it didn't need to play that role for any of them. Charizard has received attention that no other starter has except for Pikachu, and it feels less deserved with each return appearance. Charizard does not need to keep being brought back for roles that could easily be played by less overused Pokémon.
Pokémon Games Do Not Need Charizard Going Forward
With all the unnecessary time that has been spent on Charizard, it is plain to see that it does not need to keep showing up in future games, at least not in such a major way. Pokémon games will be fine without Pikachu, and the same can be said for Charizard. Almost every time it has been brought back, another Pokémon could have easily been put in that same place, and they would have been just as appreciated if not more.
People will naturally get tired of something they constantly, and Charizard is no exception. If anything, it has become less special as a result of it being brought out on a regular basis. If a classic Pokémon must be brought back for an event or major role, there are plenty of options such as Dragonite and Machamp that have not been overused to such an extent. Of course, taking those same opportunities that Charizard got and using them to spotlight new Pokémon is also a valid option. It doesn't show how Pokémon has evolved since Red and Blue when the same Pokémon keeps being showcased over and over.
Charizard is something that will have to be left in the past in order for Pokémon to move forward. By revisiting it so many times, it only makes it look like the developers keep going back to Charizard out of a lack of faith in other Pokémon. Charizard's time has passed, and the Pokémon of the new games do not need to keep living in its shadow.
Although Charizard is one of the most popular Pokémon, continuing to cling to that popularity will not help the series. As sad as it is to say, Charizard has become overrated and oversaturated, and it needs a good, long break before it gets brought back again. Charizard does not need to be in the next Pokémon game, because there is nothing that it can add.
Source: Nintendo of America/YouTube