I'm very grateful for the introduction of Mudkip.
To me, Hoenn always felt like the worst region in my mind, but I can't procure a reason to back up my beliefs. I guess, like Floot said, it was very different from the previous generation, and it felt odd. The added features in R/S/E were a very nice touch to the game, however, and it was probably the most revolutionizing series in the game, from the introduction of abilities to the new berry system to the creation of the Battle Frontier.