@QuasarNova
Also, they grew a lot more powerful. Like, huge jumps in power each time they evolve. More, I’d just like to offer that there is a lot more creativity in Digimon ideas and a wider pool in which to draw inspiration.
Plants, animals, sea life, dinosaurs, angels, demons, gods, mythology, legend, folklore, and popular media. I mean they even have a Ghost Rider equivalent, at least Skullmeramon always saw him as such.
Wargreymon is a hell of a lot stronger then mega-evolved black Charizard.
Also. you have Digimon which look like Gundams: