The drip feed of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet information continues as they draw toward release. Game Freak's marketing strategy for the ninth Generation of Pokemon games is different, but may play to their strengths. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are meant to be an open adventure like the series has never seen before, so it makes sense to maintain a sense of discovery for as long as possible. Even if this seems to have contributed to more leaks and rumors than ever, the results may still be worth it in the end.
While it has been a while since a major trailer released, another short video showcasing a new Pokemon has been released for the Diglett lookalike Land Eel Pokemon, Wiglett. This new creature is the first in a line of Pokemon that leaks have referred to as regional fakes. Even though they look like existing Pokemon, they have just evolved similar traits due to shared circumstances. There will likely be more creatures calling back to previous generations, and combined with existing regional variants, it feels like Pokemon's past is more in-focus than ever.
Pokemon Has Offered New Takes on Old Monsters for a While
The Pokemon franchise has pursued a number of experiments to make its old roster feel new again. The first came in Generation 6 with Mega Evolutions, granting a number of Pokemon extra forms that could theoretically be their next evolutionary stage. There was a noted bias toward Generation 1 Pokemon in this set, and that trend would continue through most instances of renewing old Pokemon. Sun and Moon's Z-Moves included some attacks that could only be used by specific first and seventh Generation Pokemon. Even Super Smash Bros. employs a disproportionate number of Pokemon from the first couple of generations.
However, all of that pales in comparison to the other new feature Generation 7 introduced. Regional variants allowed old Pokemon to be brought back with new designs, habitats, and abilities. Sometimes this included new evolutions, but other times the whole line was made up of regional versions. Updates to Generation 1 Pokemon were common, and the list is growing game after game. Meowth has even received two different variants in Sun and Moon and Sword and Shield. Combined with Sword and Shield’s Gigantamax mechanic giving some older Pokemon even more new forms, the tendency to push certain old monsters remains.
Regional Fakes Expand Pokemon’s Ability to Reuse Species
Although it hasn't been officially codified yet, regional fakes are another avenue for bringing back old Pokemon. Counting Wiglett as a regional variant similar to the hairy Alolan Diglett, the Diglett line now has three variants. It's surprising to see a less-common old Pokemon get treated with so much publicity, as well as pioneer a new way for old designs to be repurposed. Diglett certainly isn't unpopular, but it pales in comparison to franchise mascots like Pikachu and Eevee.
The conclusion seems to be Game Freak is expanding what it means to be a mascot Pokemon. Now, any reasonably popular Pokemon can be given more attention by treating it like Pikachu. From the get-go, Pikachu received a lot of special forms and benefits through different Pokemon media, including variations like Surfing Pikachu and Flying Pikachu. Pokemon Gold and Silver introduced its pre-evolution Pichu, and it received many one-off gimmicks like Z-Moves and a Gigantamax form. However, it was also made into a template for other Pokemon. Regional forms and regional fakes potentially expand this treatment to every Pokemon, but also justify not needing to produce a new one for every subsequent generation.
Where Pokemon is Going With Classic Pokemon Variants
There seems to be a gradual effort to expand what it means to be a mascot in Pokemon, and the number of monsters given this label. Pikachu went through the process first, and other monsters gradually joined it. What's happening with creatures like Diglett and Meowth has previously happened to Mewtwo and Charizard, and there are probably plans to spread this further. It's likely other Pokemon who already have alternate forms will get new ones in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. The existence of multiple means of interpreting old species will only hasten the process, but it should lead to more Pokemon species receiving attention.
The two big questions at this point are whether considering many Pokemon to be mascots will extend beyond the first few Generations, and whether these recycled designs will fill new rosters. Pokemon as a franchise has developed a reputation of pandering to fans of the original few titles, so hopefully regional variants and regional fakes can give less popular Pokemon a new lease on life. This process will probably remain a gradual thing, and could even allow for larger rosters in future Generations depending on how easy it is to make a variant. At any rate, it will be interesting to see which Pokemon are elevated to the center stage by Scarlet and Violet, and what form they'll take.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will launch on November 18, exclusively for Nintendo Switch.
