Welcome to “Pokemon of the Month: Which sprites are the best?”
 
In this segment of Pokemon of the Month, I will be comparing the sprites of Dratini, Dragonair, and Dragonite across each of the Pokemon games!
 
So let’s get started!
 

Dratini
 
Generation 1 Sprites:
 
Red/Blue:   Red(Japan)/Green:     Yellow:


So, in my opinion, the best of Generation one is the Sprite from Pokemon Yellow, seeing it’s more clear, and it looks like more of the other sprites in future games! In second place, comes the Red(Japan)/Green Dratini. Though it looks like the one from Red/Blue, it puts more emphasis that Dratini is more of a Dragon than a snake, and I like that! Last, is the Red/Blue Dratini sprite. It comes in last place in my opinion, because it makes Dratini look like a sea snake, not a tiny dragon.
 
Generation 2 Sprites:
 
Gold:                       Silver:                   Crystal:


So, in my book, Silver is undoubtfully the best, and here’s why: Gold and Crystal make Dratini look more like something from the sea, Crystal more so due to light coloring. But Silver makes Dratini look like the elegant dragon it is! Do you agree?
 
Generation 3 Sprites:
 
Ruby/Sapphire:       Emerald:              FireRed/LeafGreen


So, sadly, these all look the same, like they are from the sea, not a dragon. But, since I must pick a winner, the Emerald one wins, because it actually moves, like it’s using Splash.
 
Generation 4 Sprites:
 
Diamond/Pearl/Platinum:      HeartGold/SoulSilver:


By far the best one I’ve seen is the HeartGold/SoulSilver Dratini! It shows Dratini’s dragon-ness, and its elegance and grace! And the D/P/Pt one, again, makes it look like a sea snake.
 
Generation 5 Sprites:
 
Black/White:


So again, the B/W sprite, emphasizes the sea snake look. You wouldn’t find Dratini just being a tiny dragon on the coast, you’d find it in a sacred shrine, like the Dragon’s Den in Johto.
 
 
Dragonair

And now we move on to Dratini’s evolution, Dragonair! My favorite of the three!
 
Generation 1 Sprites:
 
Red/Blue:             Red(Japan)/Green:                Yellow:


Okay, so this choice is clear to me. Yellow brings home the gold. Red/Blue makes Dragonair look like it’s a mad scientist for whatever reason, and Red(Japan)/Green makes Dragonair look like it’s completely crazy. But Yellow, it shows how graceful and elegant Dragonair is! Though the quality of the sprites in generation 1&2 aren’t the best, this one sure shows Dragonair’s personality!
 
Generation 2 Sprites:
 
Gold:                      Silver:                  Crystal:


So, this choice is rather easy too. The Dragonair sprite from Gold seems very slender, like Dragonair has starved. The Crystal sprite is too lightly tinted, because of the brightness, not to mention the little gaps in the animation. So Silver takes the win with the non-slender and not-too-bright Dragonair sprite.
 
Generation 3 Sprites:
 
Ruby/Sapphire:        Emerald:             FireRed/LeafGreen:


This choice wasn’t as easy to make! So, I really like the R/S/E Sprites, but they don’t show as many beautiful features as FR/LG does. Such as the R/S/E sprites make Dragonair look like a fun-loving Pokemon, not a graceful one like FR/LG does. Which means, FR/LG wins it!
 
Generation 4 Sprites:
 
Diamond/Pearl:      Platinum:               HeartGold/SoulSIlver:
 


This choice wasn’t that hard of a one to make, so here we go. The D/P one differs form the Platinum one a tiny bit, seeing as it looks the Platinum sprite’s chest is a tiny smidge wider, and the Platinum sprite looks shorter. Though, the HG/SS Sprite looks slender, but elegant, while the D/P/P ones look rather hopeful. Elegance > hope in Dragonair’s case. So HG/SS takes the win again.
 
Generation 5 Sprites:
 
Black/White:


The B/W one is the best by far! It shows elegance, grace, and hope for Dragonair!
 
 
Dragonite
 
Generation 1 Sprites:
 
Red/Blue:         Red(Japan)/Green:        Yellow:


The choice here is clear as crystal. Red and Blue makes Dragonite look bat-like and evil. Red(Japan)/Green makes Dragonite look sort of not like itself, for instance, it looks like a begging dog. So Pokemon Yellow sprite won this round, though none of them are that great.
 
Generation 2 Sprites:
 
Gold:                     Silver:                Crystal:


This was a harder decision, but I have come out with a verdict! I like Crystal’s brightly colored Dragonite, but I don’t like the sprite. Therefore, I don’t like Gold’s Sprite either. But, if Silver’s sprite was brightly colored and in Crystal, Crystal would’ve had the win, but for now, Siiver holds the trophy.
 
Generation 3 Sprites:
 
Ruby/Sapphire:         Emerald:          FireRed/LeafGreen:


This one was a rather easy decision. The Emerald Dragonite looks like it just ate a huge meal and its stomach hurts, so its holding it, and the R/S Dragonite looks plump as well. The FR/LG Dragonite doesn’t look great, but it’s the best for now.
 
Generation 4 Sprites:
 
Diamond/Pearl/Platinum:    HeartGold/SoulSilver:


My favorite by far is the HG/SS Dragonite! It looks competitive, and looks like the caring dragon it is. A caring and fierce look = best Dragonite Sprite!
 
Generation 5 Sprites:
 
Black/White:


This Dragonite doesn’t look its best. It looks obese and really tall looking, not suiting the original Dragonite design.
 
So, to sum it up, here are the winners for each Pokemon:
 
Dratini
HG/SS Sprite

 
Dragonair
B/W Sprite

 
Dragonite
HG/SS Sprite

 
So there you have it! This concludes August’s Pokemon of the Month: Which sprites are best?