List of unused Pokémon and character designs
These are Pokémon and characters that were just a few of many different designs that GAME FREAK created. Only a few were added, and even those often went through redesigns before making it into the final product.
Unreleased Pokémon
Capsule Monsters designs
| Debut | Capsule Monsters |
|---|
Nothing is known about this cat-like creature other than its number, #124, the same as Jynx. This number is also the index number of Caterpie.
| Debut | Capsule Monsters |
|---|
Nothing is known about this bug-like creature other than its number, #211, the same as Qwilfish.
| Debut | Capsule Monsters |
|---|
Nothing is known about Godzillante. It is shown to be breathing fire. As its name implies, it may have been based on Godzilla. Godzillante shares a resemblance to a fake Pokémon toy shown in the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga Volume 1 (p. 107). Its placeholder number is #23 as shown in the storyboard where it comes from.
Nothing is known about Gorillaimo. Its hat could be a reference to the character Ninten from the Ape Inc. game, Mother. It also resembles the Nintendo character Donkey Kong. Gorillaimo could also be based on King Kong. Later generations have introduced many ape-based Pokémon.
| Debut | Capsule Monsters |
|---|
Dragon4 (Japanese: ドラゴン4) has the number #124 (coincidentally the same as Buhī). It knows a move called "Fire Breath" (Japanese: ファイアーブレス) that requires 70 TP.[1]
It has short arms, a long tail, two horns on the back of its head, and draconic wings. It bears some resemblance to an early version of Scyther,[2] as well as Charizard.
| Debut | Capsule Monsters |
|---|
Not much is known about this creature. It has a roughly humanoid head, but with a round body shape. Its name, Kabīn, is similar to Kabigon, Snorlax's Japanese name. It also has similarly sleepy eyes and it somewhat resembles a simplified caricature of Kōji Nishino. Its appearance and name is also similar to the video game character Kirby (Nishino's nickname, and Snorlax's Japanese namesake[3]).
| Debut | Capsule Monsters |
|---|
An early drawing of a creature resembling Gengar and a creature with traits of Nidorino, Gyarados, and Feraligatr.
| Debut | Capsule Monsters |
|---|
Not much is known about this Pokémon. It was shown being released from a Monster Capsule. It seems to have features of a Rhydon, shrunken down to fit into the ball.
Pokémon designs
| Debut | GAME FREAK interview |
|---|
Gorochu (Japanese: ゴロチュウ Gorochū) was originally intended to be Raichu's evolution. Pikachu's original illustrator, Atsuko Nishida, and Pokémon designer Ken Sugimori revealed the lost evolution in an interview with Japanese newspaper Yomiuri on May 2, 2018.[4][5][6] The design was to include fangs and a pair of horns. Sugimori cited game balance issues, which led to the design being omitted from the games.
An unused Generation I Pokémon design, revealed in the 2018 educational manga "Satoshi Tajiri: The Man Who Created Pokémon". It was shown on a page discussing a poll in which the staff of the game would vote for their favorite Pokémon before including some of them in the final games. It appears to be based on a deer. Its index number is "56".
An unused Generation I Pokémon design, revealed in the 2018 educational manga "Satoshi Tajiri: The Man Who Created Pokémon". It was shown on a page discussing a poll in which the staff of the game would vote for their favorite Pokémon before including some of them in the final games. It appears to be based on a crocodile with large eyes and what appears to be, long 'hair'. Its index number is "62".
An unused Generation I Pokémon design, revealed in the 2018 educational manga "Satoshi Tajiri: The Man Who Created Pokémon". It was shown on a page discussing a poll in which the staff of the game would vote for their favorite Pokémon before including some of them in the final games. It appears to be based on a balloon and its name is a pun on the word balloon. It may have also caused the split between flying and bird type. It may have inspired the design of Jigglypuff or Drifloon.
An unused Generation I Pokémon design, revealed in the 2018 educational manga "Satoshi Tajiri: The Man Who Created Pokémon", inspired by cacti. It was shown on a page discussing a poll in which the staff of the game would vote for their favorite Pokémon before including some of them in the final games. Its index number is "67". Its cry is still in the final game, left unused.
An unused Generation I Pokémon design, revealed in the 2018 educational manga "Satoshi Tajiri: The Man Who Created Pokémon". It was shown on a page discussing a poll in which the staff of the game would vote for their favorite Pokémon before including some of them in the final games. It appears to be based on a shark, in particular those with a pointed head. Its index number is "68".
An unused Generation I Pokémon design, revealed in the 2018 educational manga "Satoshi Tajiri: The Man Who Created Pokémon". It was shown on a page discussing a poll in which the staff of the game would vote for their favorite Pokémon before including some of them in the final games. It appears to be based on an elephant. Its index number is most likely "61" as it is behind Crocky. Its name, while obscured in the manga, appears to end in "ro" or "ko".
| Debut | Capsule Monsters |
|---|
This unused Generation I Pokémon was revealed in an episode of NHK featuring the Capsule Monsters pitch booklet. It looks like a Tyrannosaurus Rex. Nothing else is known about this Pokémon. Interestingly, its index number is "1" while Rhydon's is "0".
The original Water-type starter present in the Pokémon Gold and Silver demo that was playable at Spaceworld 1997. It knew the moves Growl, Water Gun, and Tackle.
The first evolution of Kurusu. It has a horn on its head and a pearl on its neck reminiscent of Dragonair's.
The final evolution of Kurusu. It resembles a plesiosaur and, like Aqua, has a gem on its neck.
The first evolution of Honoguma. It has flaming hair and tail.
| Debut | GAME FREAK interview |
|---|
Concept art of this Pokémon, dated January 19, 2009, was exhibited during a festival at Meiji University from October 31 to November 1, 2010.[7] As noted in the concept art, Nekkoyagi (Japanese: ねっこやぎ) is a Grass/Ground-type, and has a pelt made out of roots. Its name is likely a combination of 根っ子 nekko (root) and やぎ yagi (goat). In an interview, it was said that Sawsbuck was created before the idea of seasons.[8]
Additionally, it is possible that some aspects of Nekkoyagi's design, such as its apparent goat inspiration and root pelt, were reworked as Gogoat.
| Debut | GAME FREAK interview |
|---|
A Pokémon based upon a rabbit with a flower on its nose was designed by Hironobu Yoshida for Pokémon X and Y, but was scrapped due to it not making sense in its environment. It was revealed in an interview with Nintendo Life.
| Debut | GAME FREAK interview |
|---|
Flygon has had the potential to have a Mega Evolution since Pokémon X and Y, but GAME FREAK was unable to complete a design and so it was dropped from consideration. It was revealed in an interview conducted by the magazine Nintendo Dream. An English translation was provided by PokéBeach.
Bimonthly Game Rev
iew
Volume 14 of the Bimonthly Game Review (Japanese: 隔月刊ゲーム批評) magazine, which was published on April 1997 by MicroDesign Publishing (Japanese: マイクロデザイン出版局), included an interview with Ken Sugimori. For this piece, Sugimori drew several original characters in the style of Pokémon, but not from the Pokémon world.[9]
This creature has an unusual appearance, sharing characteristics with both Clefairy and Hitmontop; in the case of the latter, a horned tail and multiple paws around its midsection suggest a similar top motif. However, this creature has its point located on its bottom, while Hitmontop has its point located atop its head. It's notable that at the time of the SpaceWorld 1997 demo of Pokémon Gold and Silver, Hitmontop had a drastically different design that would not be finalised for a significant period of time. This in addition to the magazine's context, means it is unlikely to be related to the Tyrogue family.
This creature does not resemble any Pokémon from Generation II, but does bear resemblance to Tirtouga from Generation V.
- Main article: Tyranitar (Pokémon)
This creature strongly resembles Tyranitar, being extremely similar to the design seen in the finalized Gold and Silver versions. It has very few differences compared to the final version. Of these differences, the early Tyranitar design is more heavy-set, has a tan, rather than indigo belly, arms more reminiscent of Nidoking, and dozens of short spikes upon its back rather than a few long ones. However, at the time of the magazine's release, Tyranitar was not present in SpaceWorld 1997 demo of Pokémon Gold and Silver, and wouldn't appear in any revision for another two years. Thus, it is likely that this design, true to the interview in the magazine, was revisited and revised on its own merits.
Altered Pokémon
| Debut | Capsule Monsters |
|---|
- Main article: Venusaur (Pokémon)
This early design shows Venusaur, though with Ivysaur's final index number and name, フシギソウ. Though, this is indeed Venusaur, as this is also the case with Cloyster from this period which uses Shellder's final index number and name. It maintains a blossomed flower on its back.
| Debut | Capsule Monsters |
|---|
- Main article: Blastoise (Pokémon)
- Main article: Staryu (Pokémon)
In this early depiction of a battle, Blastoise is shown without its signature water cannons. This picture is captioned "Karabajio VS. Mimī", which are not the names of any known Pokémon. Karabajio may be a reference to the Italian painter Caravaggio, which in turn may reference how the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are named after Italian artists. It also may include "carapace".
| Debut | GAME FREAK website |
|---|
- Main article: Weedle (Pokémon)
An early version of Weedle. This was one of several Pokémon sprites shown on GAME FREAK's official Japanese website circa 1997.
| Debut | GAME FREAK website |
|---|
The evolution of Kokana. This was one of several Pokémon sprites shown on GAME FREAK's official Japanese website circa 1997. It was replaced by Kakuna, although they share few similarities.
- Main article: Kakuna (Pokémon)
The "arms" on Kakuna seen in its Red and Blue sprite are commonly mistaken to be a sprite error, as they are rarely shown in any other media. They have, so far, only been shown on its Red and Blue sprite and one of the Pocket Monsters Carddass Trading Cards. In most depictions since, Kakuna's arms are always tucked up against its belly, apparently unable to move.
| Debut | Capsule Monsters |
|---|
- Main article: Spearow (Pokémon)
This early version of Spearow, identified by its index number, was revealed on a sprite sheet for Pokémon Red and Green. Its design is different, with traits similar to both Farfetch'd and its final version.
| Debut | GAME FREAK Interview |
|---|
- Main article: Pikachu (Pokémon)
In an interview with Japanese newspaper Yomiuri on May 2, 2018, Pikachu's original illustrator, Atsuko Nishida, revealed the Pokémon's initial prototype resembled a daifuku (a round dessert) with ears.[4][5][10] Its design basis changed to a squirrel to make it cuter overall, although the black tips on its ears are remnants of the initial concept.
| Debut | Capsule Monsters |
|---|
- Main article: Clefairy (Pokémon)
An early design for Clefairy, identified by its index number, that was shown on a sprite sheet for Pokemon Red and Green. Its round body is similar to its final design, although there are many differences, such as its horns and extremely enlarged eyes.
| Debut | GAME FREAK website |
|---|
- Main article: Poliwag (Pokémon)
An early version of Poliwag. This was one of several Pokémon sprites shown on GAME FREAK's official Japanese website circa 1997.
| Debut | GAME FREAK website |
|---|
An early version of an evolution for Poliwag. This was one of several Pokémon sprites shown on GAME FREAK's official Japanese website circa 1997. Notably it is wearing a crown, similar to the King's Rock necessary to evolve Poliwhirl into Politoed.
- Main article: Seel (Pokémon)
A very early design for Seel, revealed in the 2018 educational manga "Satoshi Tajiri: The Man Who Created Pokémon". It was again part of the Popularity Poll entry sheets shown in the manga on a board. Although it does not resemble its final design, its name in Japanese, Pauwau (パウワウ'), is identical.
| Debut | Capsule Monsters |
|---|
- Main article: Lapras (Pokémon)
This early version of Lapras is recognizably similar, but visually quite different. Lapras's curly ears are not present, and the underbelly coloration ends under the lower jaw instead of including it. There are also no visible appendages or tail, but that may be due to the water. However, it bears a striking resemblance to its Generation I back sprite. Also in the sketch is an early design of Red.
- Main article: Dragonair (Pokémon)
An early version of Dragonair. This was one of several Pokémon sprites shown on GAME FREAK's official Japanese website circa 1997.
- Main article: Bayleef (Pokémon)
- Main article: Mareep (Pokémon)
An early design of Mareep. Its name was Pachime (Japanese: パチメエ). The final design, released a couple of years later, can be seen below.
- Main article: Ampharos (Pokémon)
An early sprite of Ampharos from when the Gold and Silver were in development for the original Game Boy, as shown by its two-tone color palette. Ampharos is shown with a shorter neck and it only has two rings around its neck instead of three.
- Main article: Bellossom (Pokémon)
The artwork of Bellossom used until Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen shows that it was originally to be a similar color to its other evolutionary relatives. This might have been changed to avoid another racial controversy, as the original Bellossom design appears similar to traditional Polynesian dress.
- Main article: Marill (Pokémon)
- Main article: Hoppip (Pokémon)
- Main article: Skiploom (Pokémon)
An early design of Skiploom with no limbs and a long tail. Its name was Poponeko (Japanese: ポポネコ). The final design, released a couple of years later, can be seen below.
- Main article: Jumpluff (Pokémon)
- Main article: Girafarig (Pokémon)
- Main article: Treecko (Pokémon)
Concept art of Treecko shows numerous designs for the creature before the final one was decided. Many of these early sketches more closely resemble real geckos than the final product, which would later gain a more elongated head shape and a rounder nose.
- Main article: Torchic (Pokémon)
This early version of Torchic shows its lower body covered by an eggshell, with the fluff going all around its neck and wing-shaped ears. The other early design is nearly identical to the current Torchic, aside from the large floppy ears, and a flame-shaped marking on the back of its head, rather than the final design's flame-shaped feathers on top of its head.
- Main article: Blaziken (Pokémon)
A design of Blaziken that featured wings.[11] Was sometimes referred to as Latiken or Latiaziken by fans, this early image from Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire also features many traits shared by Latias and Latios.
- Main article: Groudon (Pokémon)
In its early design, its eyes were shaped differently, the positioning of the spikes on its body was slightly different, its overall shapes are much less sharp, its head details became much more elongated in the final version, and the Super-Ancient Pokemon's signature body patterns are not present.
- Main article: Combee (Pokémon)
- Main article: Shellos (Pokémon)
- Main article: Gastrodon (Pokémon)
Prototype back sprites of Shellos and Gastrodon found in the release versions of Diamond and Pearl show another form for each. These forms are possibly leftovers from when Shellos and Gastrodon were planned to be in Generation III. Shellos's sprite is pink, like its West Sea form, and seems to combine the West Sea form's head with the East Sea form's body. Gastrodon's sprite is brown and looks like its West Sea form, but with more rock-like protrusions on its body.
- Main article: Excadrill (Pokémon)
In Excadrill's first appearance in a promotional video, its body was violet and its markings were mirrored and a different shade of red. However, it was changed to its current appearance in the next video it appeared in.
| Debut | GAME FREAK interview |
|---|
- Main article: Throh (Pokémon)
- Main article: Sawk (Pokémon)
According to interviews with Ken Sugimori in Nintendo Dream, during development, Sawk and Throh both had horns to look more like oni. However, these were replaced with eyebrows so as not to clash with Tornadus and Thundurus, who were originally designed to be red and blue, like Throh and Sawk.[13]
| Debut | GAME FREAK interview |
|---|
- Main article: Hydreigon (Pokémon)
Hydreigon's evolutionary line was originally designed with a tank motif, with the tread-like markings on Zweilous and Hydreigon being remnants of this design. The initial designs were scrapped after the designers felt that it didn't work. Later, a powerful, three stage Dragon-type evolution was needed and the design was brought back and revised.[13]
Hydreigon's design was based on the eight-headed Yamata no Orochi, although it is designed with fewer heads to appear less off-putting.[13]
| Debut | GAME FREAK interview |
|---|
- Main article: Tornadus (Pokémon)
- Main article: Thundurus (Pokémon)
Initially, Tornadus and Thundurus were designed as red and blue demons. However, the designers felt that the colors made them too similar to Sawk and Throh, so the horns of Sawk and Throh were replaced with eyebrows.[13]
Unreleased characters
| Debut | Capsule Monsters |
|---|
Early Capsule Monsters artwork was shown in an episode of NHK featuring the Capsule Monsters pitch booklet, revealing an unnamed male character running a shop, or what would possibly become an early version of the Poké Mart. The character is almost bald, has long eyebrows and appears to be overweight. He is presented in a similar art style to the sumo enemies from GAME FREAK's debut title, Quinty (localized as Mendel Palace).
Revamped and enlarged versions of Mendel Palace's sumo sprites also appear in Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald as unused overworld sprites.
This art of an unnamed female character (with Squirtle) was featured on the cover artwork for the official strategy guide for Red and Green, as published by Shogakukan. Sugimori had stated that he wanted to portray a trio of Trainers facing against each other, hence created the female character for the cover.[14] When Red and Green were being developed for a remake, Sugimori took the unnamed female character into consideration as he was designing the female player character, who later became known as Leaf.[15]
A character named Green later appeared in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, whose design appears to have taken inspiration from both the unnamed female character and the female player character of FireRed and LeafGreen.
The unnamed female character also appeared several times in manga-styled instructions illustrated by Emiko Yoshino included in Pokémon papercraft sets (bottom).
In the Pokémon Adventures manga, a similar artwork appeared at the end of Volume 3 (right). The design of the character Green seems to have drawn inspiration from this unknown female character. After the release of FireRed and LeafGreen, Green donned the same outfit as the female player character in the fifth chapter of the manga.
This unnamed female Trainer art was revealed in the cover of Volume 14 of MicroDesign Publishing's Bimonthly Game Review magazine, published prior to Generation II.[9] This was a design imagined by Ken Sugimori specifically for the magazine, created only to accompany the Games That Stand Out Collection feature. Visually, she has similarities to multiple Trainer classes. Her appearance is similar to a Beauty or Cool Trainer, but her outfit is similar to a Lass or Picnicker. There is an object on her shirt that looks like what could have been a Cascade Badge.
This unnamed male Trainer art was revealed in the cover of Volume 14 of MicroDesign Publishing's Bimonthly Game Review magazine, published prior to Generation II.[9] This was a design imagined by Ken Sugimori specifically for the magazine, created only to accompany the Games That Stand Out Collection feature. He has hints of multiple classes, such as a Tamer, Psychic, Juggler, Burglar, PokéManiac, Gambler and a male Rocket Executive. There is an object on his bandanna that looks like what could have been a Gym Badge. This Badge has a red diamond on it.
There is an unused Trainer seen riding Blaziken[11] in early concept art. It is difficult to tell whether she was intended to be a playable character, rival, or supporting character. This character has a strong resemblance to an unnamed character shown riding Latios in official artwork.
See also
References
- ↑ https://helixchamber.com/media/capsule-monsters/capsulemonsters_03/capsule-monsters-battle-screens/
- ↑ Scyther identified by the Japanese name "ストライク" on the "NHK News: Ohayō Nippon" TV show, 19 December 2018 (screenshot)
- ↑ Shea, Brian (October 24, 2019). "More Burning Questions For The Pokémon Series." Game Informer.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Pikachu Originally Had A Second Evolution Called ‘Gorochu’ With Large Fangs And Two Horns — SiliconEra
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Creator Profile: The Creators of Pikachu - Pokemon.com (archived)
- ↑ Interview with Yomiuri about Pikachu's creation (page 3) (Japanese)
- ↑ Generation 5: Lost Pokemon Designs (Part 1) - Dr Lava #21 – YouTube
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Nintendo Dream Vol. 204, April 2011 (Shellspider's blog (Japanese), Translation by Dr. Lava)
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Bimonthly Game Review magazine, Vol. 14 (April 1997). MicroDesign Publishing. (transcript with English translations; Plague von Karma's scan with English translations and translator notes)
- ↑ Interview with Yomiuri about Pikachu's creation (page 1) (Japanese)
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 TCRF showcases that this was always originally Blaziken as opposed to Latios/Latias, who existed separately at one point.
- ↑ "What It Takes to Create a Pokémon." Interview with Ken Sugimori in Pokémon Ultra Sun & Pokémon Ultra Moon Edition: The Official National Pokédex, p. xvi-xvii
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Nintendo Dream Vol. 205, May 2011 (Translation by Dr. Lava)
- ↑ Twitter - Sugimori on the origins of the unknown female character (Japanese)
- ↑ Twitter - Sugimori on designing the FRLG female protagonist (Japanese)
