Kanto Route 22

Bulbapedia Article

We're at the second Route and we've suddenly jumped to number 22?  No, that's not a mistake, but this area is practically optional for the moment, meaning you could head to Route north of Viridian if you wanted to.  But there are a few items of interest over here that make it worth a visit.

First, over in the west is the gate to the Pokemon League.  A guard tells you that you'll need the Boulder Badge to pass through, meaning there is no point in trying to get through at the moment (and even once you have that badge, you'd might as well collect the rest before coming back here).

Second, there are a couple patches of grass that contain some very helpful Pokemon, some of whom are strong candidates for permanent team members.  So why not catch a few before trying to proceed north?

 Spearow - Lv. 2-6 - Red/Green/Blue/Yellow

Spearow is a much, much better bird than Pidgey.  It automatically comes with Peck, meaning it can take out all the bugs in Viridian Forest.  Plus, it evolves into its final stage earlier at Level 20, which is just about the time you'll be needing a strong bird Pokemon on your team.  Fearow will help you Fly around and Drill Peck those that stand in your way in the middle of the game.  If you have a Pidgeot by that point, great, but Fearow will get the job done.

 Nidoran - Lv. 2-4 - Red/Green/Blue/Yellow 

The blue female Nidoran has some weak attacks early on, but it is capable of learning Body Slam naturally by evolving into Nidoqueen before Lv. 23.  On the other hand, the purple male Nidoran has stronger moves, but learns its best move (Horn Drill) much later delaying his inevitable evolution into Nidoking.  Still, whether you want the more defensive Nidoqueen or the more offensive Nidoking, both learn a great variety of TMs, which makes getting through the game a breeze with either one.  Also, in Yellow, it's worth noting that they can learn Double Kick by Level 12, which comes in handy when fighting Brock.  They are too good to pass up.

 Mankey - Lv. 3-5 - Yellow 

As if the Nidorans weren't good enough, Yellow players can also get an early Mankey which is seemingly only present to help aid against Brock.  Pikachu can't do anything, and the other Normal, Flying, Bug, and Poison types can hardly do any damage.  Only Fighting moves will be super effective.  Outside of that first Gym battle (and probably Mt. Moon), Mankey/Primeape probably won't be a strong powerhouse on your team.  It can help with Normal Pokemon in standard trainer battles, but it will eventually be outclassed by Machoke or Hitmonlee.

After you've caught all of those Pokemon, there is one last attraction to Route 22:  your first real trainer battle!  Unless you skipped this part, of course.

 Rival Blue 

Yes, you fought him earlier in Pallet Town, but that was more like a mandatory tutorial rather than an actual battle (as there was no difference if you one or lost...except in Yellow).  He has already caught his first Pokemon, a Pidgey in Red/Green/Blue or a Spearow in Yellow.  They are strong at Level 9 each, so unless your Pikachu can handle it, you might want to bulk up your Pokemon in Viridian Forest for a while.  His Starter will be even harder, as it will now have a move that is super-effective against your own in Red/Green/Blue.  In Yellow, his Eevee will be slightly easier if you have a Mankey or high-leveled Nidoran.  Be careful though.  The results of these battles determine his team later on in the game.  Winning both this and the Pallet Town battle will result in a Jolteon, losing both will result in a Vaporeon, and winning only one will result in a Flareon.  So, if you don't want to see a Jolteon later, you'd might as well skip this battle.  You'll later fight him in this exact same spot before taking on the Indigo Plateau.  But we'll save that for later.

Other Thoughts

- There is one thing that always bugged me that I wish had been implemented in the Yellow version: Misty should be here.  It always seemed like this is where Ash met her in the show, so why not put her here?  But that's not the biggest change I'd make....

- Since this area is optional anyway, you should be able to receive the Old Rod here (and the Old Rod should at least let you have a small chance at catching something other than Magikarp).  Think about it...having a Rod this early would let players catch Magikarp (who would still be too weak to help out), Poliwag (who can help Pikachu or Charmander owners fight Brock) or Goldeen (whose Peck can help with Viridian Forest).  Yes, it might make things a little easier, hence, make it an optional, hidden discovery.  The Rod distribution is terrible in these games.  Vermilion City is where you should receive the Good Rod since it's a town based on fishing and offers a large variety of Pokemon!  The Old Rod is a waste in that city.  Plus, if Misty were here, it would make sense that she'd give you one of her old rods.  Better than a fishing master who can only catch Magikarp.