G3 had the best Spike the Dragon

[Firehooves]

Does my thread title challenge common wisdom? Before you protest my opinion, consider;

-G1 Spike started as an evil minion, was the butt of several jokes (like getting hit in the head by a volleyball), was Lickety Split's abuse victim, set off the traps meant for the ghost in paradise estate, and generally had the brain power of chowder.

-G4 Spike is neglected and mistreated by the writers, his feelings are ignored in favor of a mary-sue owl, he's ignored and even has his feelings exploited by the object of his crush (rarity), and even in the plot that's supposed to build him up (power ponies) he's still treated like a joke. I mean, why didn't he turn into a superhero that exploited his natural ability to BREATH FIRE? His only readeaming moment was his saving the crystal empire.

-G3 Master Kengrowth Gilsopttum Heathspike is a posh, competent dragon with a funny sense of humor, whom the ponies respect and go to for advice. He knows a lot of history and lore, and is very intelligent. The only time the plot took advantage of him was when he pulled rainbow dash's cart of suitcases, and most of the time he's very well presented and is on the ball.
 He is a leader and advisor, instead of a servant/baby/ butt of jokes at his expense.

I personally like the G3 incarnation the best, but I'm open to the opinion of others. What do you all think?

[mlp4me]

...but, but, I love G1 Spike! He's so cute and good-hearted. He plays well into the story lines and has been successful enough with Hasrro that he has lasted through the years of animation and toy lines.

[Carrehz]

...G1 Spike wasn't an evil minion? He just tagged along with Scorpan and generally acted like his little brother.

[Khema]

I don't think G1 Spike was an evil minion. He was loyal to Scorpan and stuck with him. I don't think his intelligence was any lower than the baby ponies - he is a baby dragon after all. I think Lickety Split was mean to everyone, not just Spike.

[LittleSpiffy]

I don't think G1 Spike was an evil minion. He was loyal to Scorpan and stuck with him. I don't think his intelligence was any lower than the baby ponies - he is a baby dragon after all. I think Lickety Split was mean to everyone, not just Spike.

Baby Lickety Split was a complete narcissist.

[Firehooves]

...I didn't say G1 spike was a WILLING evil minion, just that he was hanging around with the bad guys when we first meet him. Ans no, he wasn't dumb ethier, just a baby- and a pretty smart baby at that, considering everything he did acomplish. But the writers treated G3 adult with more respect than the other two.

I think G4 is the worst, he does all that work and is treated like a joke by the writers, and I'm sorry, but spike's search had a waay better message than Dragon's Quest (G1 had Danny say not all dragon are probably bad like that bunch, vs. G4 where all dragons are potrayed as jerks, and spike  ahould be greatful he was raised by ponies and acts like THEM instead of like one of his own kind- ugh!)

[ashes]

I just can't get past how silly G3 Spike's design is - to me he doesn't look like a dragon, just an overly-ornamented lizard.  And he doesn't come across as a character I would like to know.

I love the G1 Spike - he's adorable and has a good heart.  I like to think that sometimes he's the conscience of the ponies when their ideas run away with them.

I like G4 Spike too - the owl episode resolved itself- it's not a recurring theme that Twilight prefers him over Spike (plus the owl's been put more into the "pet-zone"), and generally the ponies do treat him well - I mean they all have episodes where they are all either exploited or teased.

[hathorcat]

Well as there was no Spike toy in G3, I am always going to think G1 Spike is the best. But even if I was just to take the cartoons I would go that way. G3 Spike just annoys me lol; condescending little brat sometimes I think my mind always makes Spike an assistant of some kind whether it be Majesty's PA or Twilight Sparkle's letter writer. So I am happier with him in that role.

[Violet CLM]

And [G3 Spike] doesn't come across as a character I would like to know.

This for me. G1 and G4 Spikes are pretty much variations on each other, so G3 stands out in that way, but I don't really like him as a person. On the other hand, I'm not too fond of any of them, except maybe G1 for sheer lack of exposure.

[VanillaBean]

G3 Spike's probably my favourite as well, he makes me laugh. 
I love G1 Spike as well, although his voice has the effect of chalk on a blackboard to me.

I don't really care for his G4 incarnation, he started out more competent & likeable, then gradually became a whiny punching bag. His obsession with Rarity seems to be the only character trait he has left, & that schtick got old years ago.

[Zapper]

All the Spikes are cute little dragons, but if I had to make a list it would look like this:

G3 Spike
G1 Spike
...
G4 Spike

G4 Spike started out as the little brother type and I loved him, then he was written badly a few times and now he's just an annoying Nice Guy (TM). Sorry, but I hate his crush on Rarity by now. There's nothing sweet about it anymore. Spike, she's just not into you. Accept and move on

[Malicieuse]

G3 spike is my favorite too. Design wise i think he looks the most like an actual dragon (he is the only Spike that actually has claws).
I also love his personality and full name. I was also very happy to see a more "mature" and male character in G3. It's such a pity he never got a toy.

G1 Spike is actually my least favorite. I never liked the fact that he had a wierd kind of "flesh" colour.
Like he has skin instead of scales.

[Firehooves]

I dunno, G3 Spike, once he got over a little of his 'must serve a princess' stuffiness, seems to be a really nice dragon, is very friendly, and gets along with all of them really well. It's also the only time he's in charge of the situation and the ponies actually respect him.

[PinkRosedust]

I think he was just as annoying as the G3 cartoons themselves. =P I love G1 and G4 Spike though.

[Twilight Pink]

As much as I love G3, I disagree :s G3 Spike is downright annoying to me...his snooty accent was a real killer for me  (I could barely get through The Princess Promade because of it)
And G4 isn't better