List of unused Pokémon and character designs

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Revision as of 21:55, 7 August 2012 by Frozen Fennec (talk | contribs) (Undo revision 1740453 by Magikarp3 (talk) - Should bring that up on the Talk page first.)
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There 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

Buhi
Buhi
Nothing is known about this Pokémon other than its Pokédex number, #124, the same as Jynx's.
Debut Capsule Monsters
Papyō
Papyō
Nothing is known about this Pokémon other than its Pokédex number, #211, the same as Qwilfish's.
Debut Capsule Monsters
Oviparous creature
Oviparous creature
Spr 5b Egg.png
In the artwork featuring early versions of Red and Rhydon inside a cave, an unidentified Pokémon can be seen. It appears to be hatching from an Egg.
Debut Capsule Monsters
Godzillante & Gorillaimo
Godzillante & Gorillaimo
248Tyranitar.png
289Slaking.png
Nothing is known about this first Pokémon 'Godzillante'. It may have been Fire-type, as it is shown to be breathing fire. As its name implies, it was most likely based on Godzilla. Godzillante notably shares a resemblance to one of the fake Pokémon toys shown in the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga volume 1 (p. 107). The japanese name of Tyranitar is also based on Godzilla. Nothing is known about the second Pokémon '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. Slaking is the most notable, as it shares the most physical traits with Gorillaimo.
Debut Capsule Monsters
Dragon4
Dragon4
006Charizard.png
Nothing is known about this Pokémon other than its Pokédex number, #174, the same as Igglybuff's. It has short arms, a long tail, two horns on the back of its head and average dragon-like wings, just like Charizard.
Debut Capsule Monsters
Kurusu
Kurusu
The only known information about this creature is its name and image. In the playable alpha demo of Gold and Silver, its National Pokédex number was 212, it was a Water-type, and knew the moves Growl, Water Gun, and Tackle. Despite its Pokédex numbering, it was the Water-type starter in said demo. Since it resembles a seal, some fans believe it may have inspired Spheal's design, but they are no more similar than either of them is to Seel.
Debut Pokémon Gold and Silver beta
Honōguma
Honōguma
Like Kurusu above, its name and image are all that is known about it. While not confirmed, its name, a combination of 炎 honō, flame, and 熊 kuma, bear, almost definitely indicates it was a Fire-type Pokémon. In the alpha, it was a Fire-type, and knew the moves Ember, Scratch, and Leer; it was the Fire-type starter. Given its name refers to it as a bear, some fans believe it could have been an early version of the Teddiursa evolution family.
Debut Pokémon Gold and Silver beta
Kage no Mushi
Kage no Mushi
540Sewaddle.png
Nothing is known about this Pokémon, other than its artwork and file name on a Japanese web archive, where it was nicknamed "kage no mushi", which literally means "shadow insect" . Its artwork is notably drawn in the art style of other Generation II concept art. It has a large leaf covering its body, indicating that it would likely have been Grass-type. Generation V introduced an insect-like Pokémon with a leaf on its head named Sewaddle.
Debut Pokémon Gold and Silver beta
Unnamed creature
Unnamed creature
237Hitmontop.png
Artwork was created for this strange creature, even though it was never given a name. Its extremely odd appearance is somewhat similar to Hitmontop; namely, the multiple feet around its midsection. Although this creature has its point located on its bottom, and Hitmontop has its point located on its head, this creature may have been redesigned as Hitmontop. Due to its size, it would seem unlikely that it was originally part of the Tyrogue evolution line.
Debut Pokémon Gold and Silver beta
Unnamed turtle
Unnamed turtle
564Tirtouga.png
Nothing is known about this turtle Pokémon. Notably, it barely resembles anything that was released in Generation II. It bears a resemblance to Tirtouga from Generation V.
Debut Pokémon Gold and Silver beta
Unnamed sheep
Bulbanews
Bulbanews has an article related to this subject:
Nothing is known about this Pokémon, nor is there any artwork of it known to exist. An interview in @Gamer magazine with Junichi Masuda and Ken Sugimori, the development and art directors, respectively, of Game Freak, revealed that there was a rejected Pokémon design, based off of the first cloned sheep, but it was deemed to be "too controversial" Since Dolly, the cloned sheep, was born several months after the release of Pokémon Red and Green in Japan, it is more likely that this Pokémon would have been intended for Generation II.
Debut Game Freak interview

Altered Pokémon

Gengar & Nidorino
Gengar & Nidorino
Main article: Gengar (Pokémon)
094Gengar.png
033Nidorino.png

Main article: Nidorino (Pokémon)

An early version of Gengar, and a creature with traits of Nidorino, Gyarados and Feraligatr.
Debut Capsule Monsters
Kokana
Kokana
Main article: Weedle (Pokémon)
013Weedle.png


An early version of Weedle. This was one of several Pokémon sprites shown on Game Freak's official Japanese website circa 1997.
Debut Pokémon Red and Green beta
Kasanagi
Kasanagi
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 little similarities.
Debut Pokémon Red and Green beta
Kasanagi evolution
Kasanagi evolution
The evolution of Kasanagi. This was one of several Pokémon sprites shown on Game Freak's official Japanese website circa 1997, labelled as "undecided". Like its pre-evolution, it was replaced by Beedrill, but it somewhat resembles Ledian and a cockroach.
Debut Pokémon Red and Green beta
Poliwag
Poliwag
Main article: Poliwag (Pokémon)
060Poliwag.png


An early version of Poliwag. This was one of several Pokémon sprites shown on Game Freak's official Japanese website circa 1997.
Debut Pokémon Red and Green Beta
Nyosuka
Nyosuka
Main article: Poliwhirl (Pokémon)
061Poliwhirl.png

Main article: Poliwrath (Pokémon)
062Poliwrath.png


An early version of Poliwrath. 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.
Debut Pokémon Red and Green Beta
Dragonair
Dragonair
Main article: Dragonair (Pokémon)
148Dragonair.png


An early version of Dragonair. This was one of several Pokémon sprites shown on Game Freak's official Japanese website circa 1997.
Debut Pokémon Red and Green Beta
Happa
Happa
Main article: Chikorita (Pokémon)
152Chikorita.png


Happa's name simply means "leaf" in Japanese. Happa is the early version of Chikorita. Happa resembles Chikorita without its body and legs. In the alpha, its Pokédex number was 152 and it knew the moves Leech Seed, Tackle, and an unknown move called "Serene".
Debut Pokémon Gold and Silver beta
Ledyba
Ledyba
Main article: Ledyba (Pokémon)
165Ledyba.png


An early version of Ledyba. Unlike the final design, it has a black abdomen rather than a cream colored one. It also has a single pair of hands, and a pair of feet, and it appears to be headless, with its eyes and antenna attached to its body.
Debut Pokémon Gold and Silver beta
Marill
Marill
Main article: Marill (Pokémon)
183Marill.png


An early version of Marill. While they are recognizably similar, they are visually quite different. The pink/purple color is the main difference as well as the notably missing large ears. It also sports a thinner body, more resembling a rodent, but does not sport Marill's erratic tail pattern, though with this being a concept art, small details were most likely not a concern at the time.
Debut Pokémon Gold and Silver beta
Girafarig
Girafarig
Main article: Girafarig (Pokémon)
203Girafarig.png


This concept art of Girafarig shows the original design contained two full-sized giraffe heads, instead of the final version's one. It is also unknown why the design was changed, but overall it remains mostly similar outside of some coloring differences (though, because this is concept art, specific coloring details were most likely not considered at the time). This design might be reference to Girafarig's name being a palindrome.
Debut Pokémon Gold and Silver beta
Bukū
Bukū
Main article: Qwilfish (Pokémon)
211Qwilfish.png


Bukū's name is derived from "fugu", the Japanese word for blowfish. It is most likely an early version of Qwilfish. Notable differences between Qwilfish and this pre-release version are the colors, and shape of the tail. However, the shape of the tail does appear slightly similar to the length of the tail in Qwilfish's Generation II back sprite. However, this was just an error and no other generation shows Qwilfish's tail that short.
Debut Pokémon Gold and Silver beta
Torchic

Torchic
Torchic
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 beta design is nearly identical to the current Torchic, aside from the large floppy ears, rather than its final design's flame shaped feathers on its head, and a flame-shaped marking on the back of its head.
Debut Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire beta
Blaziken / Latias
Blaziken / Latias
Main article: Blaziken (Pokémon)
257Blaziken.png
380Latias.png

Main article: Latias (Pokémon)

Sometimes referred to as Latiaziken or Latiken by fans, this beta image from Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire depicts a creature with traits of both Latias and Blaziken. In appearance, it more closely resembles Blaziken. However, some features, including the size, are more similar to Latias. Some of its features do not resemble those of either Pokémon, such as the hands.
Debut Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire beta
Shellos & Gastrodon

Shellos & Gastrodon
Shellos & Gastrodon
Main article: Shellos (Pokémon)
422Shellos-East.png
422Shellos-West.png
423Gastrodon-East.png
423Gastrodon-West.png

Main article: Gastrodon (Pokémon)

Prototype back sprites of Shellos and Gastrodon show an 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 variation, and seems to combine the western variation's head with the Eastern variation's body, while Gastrodon's sprite is brown and looks like its Western variation, but with more rock-like protrusions on its body. Gastrodon's Platinum Pokédex entry appears to reference its beta sprite.
Debut Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire beta

Minor alterations

Blastoise & Staryu
Blastoise & Staryu
Main article: Blastoise (Pokémon)
009Blastoise.png
120Staryu.png

Main article: Staryu (Pokémon)

In this early depiction of a battle, Blastoise is without its signature water cannons. In its original context, this picture is captioned "Karabajio VS. Mimii", which are not the names of any known Pokémon.
Debut Capsule Monsters
Lapras
Lapras
Main article: Lapras (Pokémon)
131Lapras.png


An early version of Lapras. While they are recognizably similar, they are visually quite different. Notably Lapras's curly ears are not present. Under the chin the pattern appears different, blending in with the texture of the rest of the head. 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.
Debut Capsule Monsters
Ash's Kakuna

Ash's Kakuna
Kakuna
Main article: Kakuna (Pokémon)

014Kakuna.png
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 a Pocket Monsters Carddass Trading Card.
Debut Pocket Monsters Carddass Trading Cards
Bellossom
Bellossom
Main article: Bellossom (Pokémon)
182Bellossom.png


Both early artwork of Bellossom and its Gold and Silver artwork show that it was originally to be a similar color to its other evolutionary relatives. A possible explanation for this change would be the intention to avoid another racial controversy, as the original Bellossom design appears similar to traditional polynesian dress. However, this is unlikely to be the case.
Debut Pokémon Gold and Silver beta
Tyranitar
Tyranitar
Main article: Tyranitar (Pokémon)
248Tyranitar.png


This early version of Tyranitar is nearly identical to the design seen in the finalized Gold and Silver versions. It was shown alongside two unnamed Pokémon (seen in the section above) on the cover of a Japanese gaming magazine, where it was the only early design to become a released Pokémon. 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, has arms more reminiscent of Nidoking, and dozens of short spikes upon its back rather than a few long ones. It seems peculiar that Tyranitar was nearly completed at the time, but the other two featured Pokémon were never seen in their original designs.
Debut Pokémon Gold and Silver beta
Treecko
Treecko
Main article: Treecko (Pokémon)

Concept art of Treecko shows numerous designs for the creature before the final design 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.
Debut Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire beta
Groudon
Groudon
Main article: Groudon (Pokémon)
383Groudon.png


In its early design, it had a different shape to its eyes, one more set of spikes on the torso, one less spike on the tail, one of the spikes on the neck moved to the head on the final design, overall shapes are much less sharp, head details became much more elongated in the final version, and the weather trio signature body markings are not present.
Debut Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire beta
Excadrill
Excadrill
Main article: Excadrill (Pokémon)
530Excadrill.png


In Excadrill's first appearance in a promotional video, the red markings on its body were mirrored. However, it was changed to its current appearance the next video it appeared in.
Debut Pokémon Black and White beta
Throh and Sawk
Main article: Throh (Pokémon)
538Throh.png

Main article: Sawk (Pokémon)
539Sawk.png

According to interviews with Ken Sugimori in Nintendo Dream, during development, Sawk and Throh both had horns making them look more like Oni. However, they were replaced with eyebrows so as not to clash with Tornadus and Thundurus, who both were originally designed to be red and blue, like Throh and Sawk.
Debut Pokémon Black and White beta
Stunfisk
Main article: Stunfisk (Pokémon)
618Stunfisk.png


Stunfisk was originally designed with an Angler Fish in mind, but obviously turned out a bit different. It was also a Water/Electric type but was changed to Ground/Electric to balance out the type spread of Pokémon.
Debut Pokémon Black and White beta

Unreleased characters

Shopkeeper
Shopkeeper
Early Capsule Monsters artwork was shown in the book Satoshi Tajiri: A Man Who Created Pokémon, revealing an unknown 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).
Debut Capsule Monsters
Female main character

Female main character
Female main character
Red, Green and Blue Adventures.png

This art of a female character (with Squirtle) was featured on the cover artwork for the official strategy guide for Red and Green, as published by Shogakukan. A similar character appears several times in unofficial artbooks that came packaged with Pokémon origami sets (bottom). The artbooks were, however, illustrated by Emiko Yoshino rather than Ken Sugimori. When Red and Green were later remade, players finally got the chance to use a female player character who was possibly based on this character.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga, a similar artwork was featured in the Red volume of The Best of Pokémon Adventures (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, namely due to their near exact resemblance.

Debut Pokémon Red and Green beta
Female Trainer
Female Trainer
This unnamed female Trainer art was revealed in a magazine prior to Generation II but never officially released. It is unknown who this Trainer was supposed to represent, be it a main character, a supporting character, or just an NPC. Visually, she has similarities to multiple Trainer classes. Her age and appearance make her appear 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 Gym Badge. This Badge has a rain drop on it, meaning she could have been a Water-type Gym Leader.
Debut Pokémon Gold and Silver beta
Male Trainer
Male Trainer
Hiding in the background of the same magazine as the female Trainer above was a male Trainer that was never used. As with the female Trainer, it is unknown if he was designed as a main character, or supporting character, or was simply representing a Trainer class. 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 bandana that looks like what could have been a Gym Badge. This Badge has a red diamond on it. Due to the dark colors used and the fact that he is pictured with Tyranitar, it is possible he was a Dark-type Gym Leader.
Debut Pokémon Gold and Silver beta
Female Latiken Trainer
Female Latiken Trainer
Latias Latios.png
There is an unused Trainer seen on the beta sketch of Latiken. It is very difficult to tell what this Trainer's role in the games was, although she somewhat resembles Clair, the Blackthorn City Gym Leader in Johto. Whether she was a player character, rival, or supporting character is currently unknown. This character has a strong resemblance to the character shown riding Latios in other art.
Debut Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire beta

Unknown cries

In Red and Blue

Within the coding of Pokémon Red and Blue, data exists for nine unused Pokémon cries. [1] The cries are defined accordingly to the Pokémon's index numbers. Whereas cry data for 30 Missingno. are left blank, resulting in voice 0 (Nidorino), pitch 0 and length 0 cries, there are a number of remaining cries which appear to have been defined intentionally. Cry 181 is notably similar to Crobat's cry in Gold and Silver.

Unknown Pokémon 67
Base 0, Pitch 128, Length 16.
Debut Pokémon Red and Green beta
Unknown Pokémon 69
Base 29, Pitch 244, Length 64.
Debut Pokémon Red and Green beta
Unknown Pokémon 79
Base 34, Pitch 255, Length 64.
Debut Pokémon Red and Green beta
Unknown Pokémon 81
Base 14, Pitch 224, Length 96.
Debut Pokémon Red and Green beta
Unknown Pokémon 94
Base 15, Pitch 64, Length 192.
Debut Pokémon Red and Green beta
Unknown Pokémon 95
Base 15, Pitch 32, Length 192.
Debut Pokémon Red and Green beta
Unknown Pokémon 127
Base 17, Pitch 32, Length 16.
Debut Pokémon Red and Green beta
Unknown Pokémon 137
Base 15, Pitch 64, Length 128.
Debut Pokémon Red and Green beta
Unknown Pokémon 181
Base 29, Pitch 0, Length 128.
Debut Pokémon Red and Green beta
By ChickasaurusGL
This video is not available on Bulbapedia; instead, you can watch the video on YouTube here.


In Ruby and Sapphire

In a leaked German version of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, labelled 'Debugging Version 0509A' the cries of Pokémon with index numbers 252-276 are playable in the 'Driver Test' menu. Although these Pokémon normally correspond with ?, they have the cries of existing Pokémon exclusively to the Driver Test, suggesting that they may have once been real Pokémon.

Unknown Pokémon 266
There is an unused Pokémon cry assigned to index number 266.
Debut Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire beta
Unknown Pokémon 269
There is an unused Pokémon cry assigned to index number 269.
Debut Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire beta
By ChickasaurusGL
This video is not available on Bulbapedia; instead, you can watch the video on YouTube here.


See also

References