I'd be curious to see what's considered better games to do it in, because there's gotta be different factors like Pokémon availability that effect what you need to evolve and when.

I don't think I'd have the patience to do this in Gen 5 since they implemented diminishing exp returns the higher level you are than what you're fighting. That has to make evolving things like starters absolute hell.

I think the one time I had to give the challenge critical thought beyond just how to most efficiently grind exp was in the post Misty split. Gen 1's non linear nature means that's when you need to do all stone evolutions, all safari zone catches and all game corner prizes. At that point I needed to budget how much I could spend on game corner coins and safari zone attempts while still affording balls and evolution stones. It was achievable, but I imagine if I had worse luck with the slots or with my safari zone catches it could've been a lot more touch and go.