Pokemon Scarlet and Violet delivers 107 new Pokemon to fans of the series, with standout designs including Sprigatito and Greavyard as well as advanced evolutions and regional variants of favorite monsters. Game designers decided to go for the gold with Gholdengo, the 1,000th creature entry in the franchise’s ongoing Pokedex. Some players may feel let down by the choices made for this noteworthy entry in the dex.
For many, it seems the minds behind Pokemon Scarlet and Violet delivered a bigger miss than a hit with this evolution to new Pokemon Gimmighoul. While the basic mimic Pokemon has more than a few fans and features special mechanics as well as two unique forms, its evolution falls flat on almost every front.
Gholdengo’s Appearance in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
One look at Gholdengo might give a would-be Pokemon champion pause. Its stylistic dreads, curved body type, and blank expression deliver more of the sense of a new Exeggutor regional variant than a major commemorative entry in the Pokedex. The monster inexplicably looks like Kokopelli, a spiritual figure created by Native Americans in the nation’s southwest. Kokopelli is a common mascot for skateboard or surfboard products in that region.
Fans may also note similarities between the character design and Insane Clown Posse’s Hatchet Man, as the Psychopathic Records’ juggalo mascot is also a Kokopelli variant. But to many, Gholdengo looks like a golden version of Cinnamon from the old Apple Jacks breakfast cereal commercials. Regardless, there’s a missed opportunity here to go with a more iconic Pokemon imagery.
Perhaps the mimic Pokemon that could already take chest form could evolve into a golden Pokeball, waiting to snare unsuspecting trainers, or its walking form could roll itself into a master ball and leave the golden motif behind. Gholdengo doesn’t even qualify as one of the silliest looking Pokemon in the series, missing even the chance to be a lethal joke entry.
Pokemon Special Attack: Make It Rain
A Pokemon whose special attack lets players more easily farm money would make a great addition to the series, if said attack hadn’t been around since the very first generation. Pay Day is the signature move of the Meowth evolution series of monsters, and nothing new to long-standing fans who are likely to appreciate a well-thought-out 100th Pokedex entry. It's also a highly underrated Pokemon TM, able to be used by many common monsters.
Make It Rain does benefit from being three times more powerful than the basic Pay Day attack, but it has drawbacks as well. Gholdengo’s signature move actually lowers the special attack of the attacker by one stage after each use. Players willing to make such a sacrifice have many Pokemon attack options that lower stats for much greater benefits. Giant, game-changing attacks such as V-Create and Dragon Ascent seem well worth the cost; Make It Rain does not.
Gimmighoul Just Offers More
Entry number 999, Gimmighoul, enjoys two forms. One is a chest form, and the other a tiny creature that farms Gimmighoul coins in hopes of one day evolving. Though it is unclear how Gimmighoul feels about becoming Gholdengo, at least the golden boy has a smile on his face. Still, twin forms and a special evolution mechanic seem much more iconic than the rainmaker himself.
A thousand Pokemon dollars isn’t even worth that much, about $7 applying the standard 1-to-1 currency conversion to yen. That’s far from the million Pokemon dollars needed to buy expensive items, like a bike from early Pokemon shops. Gold nuggets go for more, however. Gholdengo’s special ability, Good as Gold, is in many ways its top redeeming virtue. Immunity from status effects remains a crucial part of many Pokemon gaming strategies, and in at least this fashion, the 1,000th entry finally delivers the goods.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available on Nintendo Switch.
