Im new to the pokemon world, with diamond being my first game. I want to play the older games, which would you recommend?
Emerald is the best there
All of them are good, either pick the color you like best or look at the pokemon you like best and make your decision with those in mind. FR/LG are about the same and so are R/S/E, except that emerald has a lot more features and allows you to catch both of the Legendary pokemon. I'd go for that if you're looking into the R/S/E series.
Crystal >.>
If not... Emerald..I guess.
I definitly recommend LeafGreen/FireRed and then probably Emerald.
Ruby/Sapphire are the weaker games.
Crystal >.>
If not... Emerald..I guess.
this is not a debate Cloud >.>.
Emerald and then get FireRed. That way you'll get almost all the Pokemon

I agree, Emerald will off you all the main legendaries with the exception of one, plus the cool added features from Ruby & Sapphire. Then you should get either FR or LG depending on what preference of pokemon you want. With those you'll have access to all most of the 1st gen and some of the 2nd pokemon.
Red version for the GB.
That game is so ftw.
Yellow Version!!! Best one yet!
except the pokemon you get in the GB games cant be traded/transferred to the GBA and DS games.
i got red today, and my friend is giving me sapphire. i really wanted emerald but i cant say no to free
Yellow FTW.
And Wii_Rulez I never said it was a debate, I told him he should get Crystal. Geez.
i got red today, and my friend is giving me sapphire. i really wanted emerald but i cant say no to free
wells there no real difference, besides the extended story plot and the pokemon availibility, so your not missing out. and did you get red versino or fire red?
fire red
i get my ass kicked more in fire red than i ever did in diamond
haha fire red is one of my favs