From Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia.
Jump to navigationJump to search
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
|
Oviparous creature
|
In the artwork featuring early versions of Red and Rhydon inside a cave, an unidentified creature can be seen. It appears to be hatching from an Egg.
|
Debut
|
Capsule Monsters
|
|
Godzillante & Gorillaimo
|
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
|
This creature's number is #124 (Coincidentally the same as Buhi) It knows a move called "Fire Breath" that requires 70 TP. It has short arms, a long tail, two horns on the back of its head, and draconic wings, much like Charizard.
|
Debut
|
Capsule Monsters
|
|
Kabiin
|
Not much is known about this creature. It has a roughly humanoid head, but with a round body shape. Its name, Kabiin, is similar to Kabigon, Snorlax's Japanese name. It also has similarly sleepy eyes and it somewhat resembles a simplified caricature of Kōji Nishino.
|
Debut
|
Capsule Monsters
|
Pokémon designs
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 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
|
|
Unnamed creature
|
This creature was an original design created specifically for a magazine, unrelated to the Pokémon franchise. It 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. Due to its apparent size, it would seem unlikely that it was originally part of the Tyrogue evolution line. [1][2]
|
Debut
|
Pokémon Gold and Silver beta
|
|
Unnamed sheep
|
Bulbanews has an article related to this subject: Nothing is known about this Pokémon, nor is there any artwork of it known to exist. Junichi Masuda and Ken Sugimori revealed in an interview with @Gamer magazine that there was a rejected Pokémon design based on the first cloned sheep, Dolly. They removed it after deeming it "too controversial" for Pokémon. Since Dolly was born almost eight months after the Japanese release of Pokémon Red and Green, it is likely that this Pokémon would have been intended for Generation II. Some fans believe that instead of being abandoned entirely, the rejected design was reworked into Mareep or Flaaffy.
|
Debut
|
Game Freak interview
|
|
Gorochu
|
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, and Siliconera translated the article into English on May 3. 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.
|
Debut
|
Game Freak interview
|
|
Deer
|
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".
|
Debut
|
Satoshi Tajiri: The Man Who Created Pokémon (manga)
|
|
Crocky
|
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".
|
Debut
|
Satoshi Tajiri: The Man Who Created Pokémon (manga)
|
|
Cactus
|
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".
|
Debut
|
Satoshi Tajiri: The Man Who Created Pokémon (manga)
|
|
Jaggu
|
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".
|
Debut
|
Satoshi Tajiri: The Man Who Created Pokémon (manga)
|
|
Unknown
|
An unused Generation I Pokémon design, revealed in the 2018 educational manga "Satoshi Tajiri: The Man Who Created Pokémon". It was again part of the contest, shown in the manga on a board. Not much is known about this Pokémon. It appears to be based on an elephant. Its index number is most likely "61" as it is behind Crocky.
|
Debut
|
Satoshi Tajiri: The Man Who Created Pokémon (manga)
|
|
Gyaōn
|
This unused Generation I Pokémon was revealed in a tweet featuring even higher-quality versions of the sprites revealed in the manga "Satoshi Tajiri: The Man Who Created Pokémon." It looks like a Tyrannosaurus Rex. Nothing else is known about this Pokémon. Interestingly, its index number is 1 while Rhydon's index number is 0.
|
Debut
|
Pokémon Red and Green Beta
|
Altered Pokémon
|
Ivysaur
|
This early design shows Ivysaur, identified by its index number, with a blossomed flower on its back.
|
Debut
|
Pokémon Red and Green Beta
|
|
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 few similarities.
|
Debut
|
Pokémon Red and Green beta
|
|
Kasanagi evolution
|
The evolution of Kasanagi. This was one of several Pokémon sprites shown on Game Freak's official Japanese website circa 1997, labelled "undecided". Like its pre-evolution, it was replaced by Beedrill, but it somewhat resembles Ledian and a cockroach.
|
Debut
|
Pokémon Red and Green beta
|
|
Spearow
|
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
|
Pokémon Red and Green Beta
|
|
Clefairy
|
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
|
Pokemon Red and Green beta
|
|
Seel
|
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
|
Satoshi Tajiri: The Man Who Created Pokémon (manga)
|
|
Rokku
|
Not much is known about this Pokémon, except that its name roughly means "rock." It was shown being released from a Monster Capsule. It seems to have features of a Rhydon, shrunken down to fit into the ball.
|
Debut
|
Game Freak interview
|
Marill
|
Marill
|
- Main article: Marill (Pokémon)
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.
|
Debut
|
Pokémon Gold and Silver beta
|
|
Hoppip
|
- Main article: Hoppip (Pokémon)
An early version of Hoppip from 1997. Notably with a darker body, no arms or legs, and with a more sinister mouth and eyes. The final design, released a couple of years later in 1999, can be seen below.
|
Debut
|
Pokémon Gold and Silver beta
|
|
Girafarig
|
- Main article: Girafarig (Pokémon)
This early sprite of Girafarig from 1997 shows the original design featured two full-sized giraffe heads. It is unknown why the design was changed, but overall it remains mostly similar outside of some coloring differences. This design might be a reference to Girafarig's name being a palindrome. It also bears a resemblance to a pushmi-pullyu. The final design, released a couple of years later in 1999, can be seen below.
|
Debut
|
Pokémon Gold and Silver beta
|
|
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 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.
|
Debut
|
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire beta
|
|
Blaziken / Latias
|
- Main article: Blaziken (Pokémon)
- Main article: Latias (Pokémon)
Sometimes referred to as Latiaziken or Latiken by fans, this early image from Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire depicts a creature with traits of both Latias and Blaziken. In appearance, it more closely resembles Blaziken, but some features are more similar to Latias, such as its size. Some features resemble neither Pokémon, such as the hands.
|
Debut
|
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire beta
|
|
Shellos & Gastrodon
|
- Main article: Shellos (Pokémon)
- Main article: Gastrodon (Pokémon)
Prototype back sprites of Shellos and Gastrodon 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 variation, and seems to combine the western variation's head with the eastern variation's body. Gastrodon's sprite is brown and looks like its Western variation, but with more rock-like protrusions on its body.
|
Debut
|
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire beta
|
|
Deino, Zweilous, Hydreigon
|
Hydreigon's evolutionary line was originally meant to be army/military-styled Dragon designs.
Ken Sugimori: "Deino, Zweilous, Hydreigon. At first, these incorporated an army tank motif, and the marks that look like a conveyor belt on the upper part of Zweilous's legs are the remnants of that. Initially, they didn't work as designs and were basically 'put to sleep', however, a three-stage powerful Dragon-type family was ordered and they were resurrected."
|
Debut
|
Pokémon Black and White beta
|
Minor alterations
|
Pikachu
|
Pikachu's original illustrator, Atsuko Nishida, revealed the Pokémon's initial prototype resembled a daifuku (a round dessert) with ears in an interview with Japanese newspaper Yomiuri on May 2, 2018, and Siliconera translated the article into English on May 3. Its design basis changed to a squirrel to make it overly cuter, although the ear black tips are remnants of the initial concept.
|
Debut
|
Game Freak Interview
|
|
Lapras
|
- 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.
|
Debut
|
Capsule Monsters
|
|
Ampharos
|
- Main article: Ampharos (Pokémon)
An early sprite of Ampharos shows a lack of coloring. Its tail and head lack the signature red coloring to them and its belly is the same color as the rest of its fur instead of white. Ampharos is shown with a shorter neck and it only has two rings around its neck instead of three.
|
Debut
|
Pokémon Gold and Silver beta
|
|
Bellossom
|
- Main article: Bellossom (Pokémon)
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. This might have been changed to avoid another racial controversy, as the original Bellossom design appears similar to traditional Polynesian dress.
|
Debut
|
Pokémon Gold and Silver beta
|
|
Tyranitar
|
- Main article: Tyranitar (Pokémon)
This potential early version of Tyranitar is nearly identical to the design seen in the finalized Gold and Silver versions. It was at the time an original design shown alongside two other original designs (as seen above) on the cover of a Japanese gaming magazine, and unrelated to the Pokémon franchise. [5][6]
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.
|
Debut
|
Pokémon Gold and Silver beta
|
|
Treecko
|
- 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.
|
Debut
|
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire beta
|
|
Groudon
|
- 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 weather trio's signature body patterns are not present.
|
Debut
|
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire beta
|
|
Excadrill
|
- 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
|
Pokémon Black and White beta
|
|
Sawsbuck
|
An early version of Sawsbuck. This was shown at a convention featuring pictures and concept art from Pokemon Black and White. In an interview, it was said that Sawsbuck was created before the idea of seasons.
|
Debut
|
Pokemon Black and White beta
|
Unreleased characters
|
Shopkeeper
|
Early Capsule Monsters artwork was shown in the book Satoshi Tajiri: A Man Who Created Pokémon, 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 overworld sprites which are believed to be unused.
|
Debut
|
Capsule Monsters
|
|
Female character
|
- Main article: Green (game)
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.[7] 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.[8]
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.
|
Debut
|
Pokémon Red and Green beta
|
|
Female Trainer
|
This unnamed female Trainer art was revealed in a magazine prior to Generation II.[9][10] This was a design imagined by Mr. 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.
|
Debut
|
Pokémon Gold and Silver beta
|
|
Male Trainer
|
Hiding in the background of the same magazine as the female Trainer above was a male Trainer that was never used. This was a design imagined by Mr. 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.
|
Debut
|
Pokémon Gold and Silver beta
|
|
Female Latiken Trainer
|
There is an unused Trainer seen riding Latiken 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.
|
Debut
|
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire beta
|
See also
References