While I agree on the sense that I enjoyed RBYGSC more than their successors... I don't agree with much of your reasoning at all. XD;
Simple objectives without any tricky puzzles. [/B]If you have to look something up to be able to progress in a Pokemon game, other than how to progress past a cave, it's too difficult. RSE almost turned the games into Pokemon Puzzle League, especially with its puzzle for obtaining Regice, Regirock, and Registeel. DPP also had its fair share of puzzles -- such as how to "see" Dialga/Palkia.
The tricky puzzles weren't part of the required part. It was a fun extra you could do. I actually loved it; it made the game "smarter". You couldn't get through it if you were an idiot and even if you looked up the answers (I had a guide XD), it was still interesting. As for DPP, how is reading a book (was that what you had to do?) a puzzle? If you're totally rushing through the game, yeah it wouldn't be obvious, but I talk to everyone and examine everything new when I play a game so... I never had the problem. o_O
You'll never drown. Hoenn is a sad region. It sunk to the bottom of the ocean long ago. They only recently managed to pull it out from the depths of the sea... it's still a bit wet, though. Having to surf for hours isn't fun, and neither is RSE.
Well, I've got to agree somewhat there, but considering the entire region is based on an actual oceanic/island area in Japan, it makes sense. While I hate surfing, I at least liked the idea of having a very port-based region where everything is based around the sea.
Lavender and Pallet. In RBY, there were only two towns/cities that didn't have gyms. In GSC there were only three. Adding more of these is not replay value -- it's garbage. If you play all day for one day and you haven't even made it to Gardenia, something's wrong.
...how is it wrong? ._.; It's adding in more playtime. I bet if you could get halfway through the game in one day, you'd be complaining. I certainly don't want to play $40 for a short game. So long as they aren't making you backtrack over and over and over (Pokémon Ranger I'm looking at you), it's not that big a deal. You're just getting more playtime for your money.
Contests Suck. Plain and simple; contests are plainly terrible and simply awful. They go from the 17 types to "Cool", "Cute", "Tough", "Smart", and "Beauty" which directly translate to: Violent, Pink, Fugly, Mental, and Boring.
...so... don't... do them? I thought they were a cute addition. Nothing terribly serious and I'd prefer contests over Battle Towers anyday. It's not like they're forced, either.
The Time of Day (and Date) feature was wasted. There were so many daily and hourly events in GSC... where did they go? RSE took about 40 steps back, but DPP tried to rectify the issue. I don't want Drifloon, though, I want Lapras.
Okay, I definitely agree here. ;_; I MISSED TIME OF DAY SO HARD. I'm so glad they brought back obvious changes between night and day and twilight. I wish there were more day-of-the-week specific events though. DD: I thought those daily siblings were awesome in GSC. And the people in the Goldenrod Underground. More like that please!
Fugly Pokemon. Please view my Fugly Pokemon thread for my views on this issue.
I think I've addressed this in the other thread. Probopass is awesome go away. ;_;
Traditional definitions. What defines a legendary, a baby Pokemon, a starter, and fun have all changed in the world of Pokemon. Since when can legendaries have babies at the Daycare? Since when do Baby Pokemon have different types from their parents? (Normal -> Water) Since when could Bayleef (not Chikorita, mind you) be caught? Since when is bad taste fun?
...This just kinda seems like a nostalgia, "I hate change grrr" kind of thing. :/ You don't even touch upon the annoying part of legendaries. I hope it's addressed below.
Bug Catching Contest and Safari Zone. Modern versions of these marvels (RSE Safari Zone and DPP Marsh) are far inferior to the originals. Who wants to go out of their way to catch a Pikachu?
While I definitely miss the Bug Catching Contest, I don't really have a problem with the Safari Zone. It's more interesting now and enforces the "some Pokémon are rare idea. Pikachu's supposed to only be native to Viridian Forest or something, so obviously it's gonna be hard to find in other regions where they have to import them to their Safari Zones.
EVs, Natures, 31 IVs, and Abilities. All of these things further complicated Competitive Pokemon and in-game Pokemon as well. Gengar is not a Flying-type, it should take damage from Earthquake. EVs make players train longer. Boring. Natures and IVs cause breeding mania and long-term depression.
...you don't notice it at all if you aren't a competitive battler and if you are, well, I haven't seen anyone else complaining about it; it adds a lot more strategy to competitive play. I'm not really into it myself (I'll pay attention to nature and ability but that's about it), but I appreciate how complex it can be all the same.
Shorter Games. The shorter games actually provided more replay value... you knew you would have fun playing the game again and again because you wouldn't have to stop and train for hours just to get your Pokemon to level >9,000. The levels are very low in GSC (the first part) and that makes it so much more easy-going.
Yeah, but if I'm paying $45~50 for a handheld game, I don't wanna play 20 hours. I can't play it again right away or else I'll be sick of it so I'd much rather play a 40 to 50-hour game and then play it again when the "third" game comes out. While I don't like the plots, I do like the amount of time I have to put into the game; it feels right.
Nostalgia. Uh, yeah, duh.
Agreed.
Kay yeah you didn't touch upon the point that makes me dislike these games and that's the Legendaries. There are too many. Diamond and Pearl has like 15 all on its own or something. That's ridiculous. They aren't rare, amazing, "OH MY GOD I HAVE TO HAVE THAT" Pokémon anymore, they're all over the damn place. :\ I just find it's overkill and that ruins the fun. (Plus I hate the fact that legendaries are so tied into the plot but I'm in the minority with that one, I think.)