Capsule Monsters
Capsule Monsters (Japanese: カプセルモンスター Capsule Monsters) was Satoshi Tajiri's early design concept of Pokémon, first proposed to Nintendo as early as 1990. According to the book Pikachu's Global Adventure, this early concept traces all the way back to Tajiri's childhood years, during which he had enjoyed bug collecting.
The name "Capsule Monsters" is inspired by Japanese gashapon machines.[1] Apparently, Tajiri had trouble trademarking the name "Capsule Monsters" so he changed it first to "CapuMon" and then later "Pocket Monsters".
Various Pokémon are known or believed to have originated from this early concept work, such as the well known battling foes Nidorino and Gengar. A few others include Lapras, Rhydon, and Slowbro, though many of the concept sketches included generic looking creatures such as simple dragon and apelike figures that may have eventually been developed into many of the existing Pokémon.
Presumably, the gameplay of Capsule Monsters wasn't about catching monsters like today's Pokémon mechanics. Instead, the trainer itself had a Charisma stat that had to be raised to entice wild monsters to join them.[2] The trainer may able to participate in combat himself by using whips. The trainer may restore their monster's health by staying at hotels, which provided healing devices in rooms.
In addition, some concept arts show trainers buying monsters in a pet-store like setting. The original pitch also did not include version-exclusive Pokémon. Instead, trading would be encouraged by "Mirage Monsters", creatures with a very low encounter rate.
Artwork
An early design of the map of Kanto, also showing an alternate logo.
An early Poké Ball.
The proposed player character and an early Rhydon.
A Poké Mart concept.
A town.
A Trainer's bedroom.
A Hotel, possibly a precursor to the Celadon Hotel or the Pokémon Center.
Interaction on a Route.
References
External links
- Information on Capsule Monsters (externally archived page)
- Capsule Monster displays
