Summary
WithPokemonapproaching the possible conclusion of Gen 9 afterPokemon ScarletandViolet’s DLC, the recent reveals of Dipplin, Archaludon, and Poltchageist have prompted renewed interest in previous Pokedex entries that might hint atPokemon’s future cross-gen evolutions and regional variants. Contrasting the introduction of new regional, cross-gen, and convergent Pokemon withScarletandViolet’s signature Paradox Pokemon, Game Freak needs to balance its newfound momentum with a return to some key series' staples. In particular,Pokemon’s future Gen 10 needs to ensure it embraces its regional forms this time around
Past regional variants and cross-gen evolutions have been influenced by their region’s real-world inspiration, from Alola’s surfing Raichu to Galar’s chimney-stacked Weezing, but Gen 10 has the opportunity to instead take notes from past Pokedex entries. Just asHisuian Voltorb and Electrodeshowcased how regional variants adapt toPokemon Legendsand its historical backdrop, the next generation ofPokemoncould introduce new forms and evolutions that the Pokedex might have teased previously. Between the limited fewScarletandVioletadded from the base game and those behind the DLC’s paywall, Game Freak could go above and beyond with new Pokedex-inspired Pokemon.
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The Mystery of Hoppip’s Wind-Swept Population
Most if not all of Hoppip’s Pokedex entries since its debut inPokemonGoldandSilverright up to its appearance inScarletandVioletall reference how the Pokemon’s lightweight design has resulted in its global population being carried by wind across the world. However, it’s peculiar thatScarlet’s Pokedex entry goes beyond this by claiming that, despite Hoppip’s well-known origins, it is unclear where exactly Paldea’s Hoppip population came from. EvenViolet’s Pokedex entry reaffirms that outside of cold regions, Hoppip can be found all over the world due to how they travel via wind currents.
Hoppip’s recent Gen 9 Pokedex entriesmight actually be setting the stage for an all-new regional form by putting a spotlight on the Pokemon’s origins. For example, sinceScarlet’s Pokedex entry references the mysterious origins of Paldea’s Hoppip, a future generation could be set in a more remote region that Hoppip have since settled in and adapted to after being blown there by the wind. Based on this and combined withViolet’s reference to Hoppip’s inability to survive in colder regions, there might be a future regional form of Hoppip that has adapted to a cold climate as an all-new Grass/Ice variant.
The Still-Unresolved Origins of Corphish
Arguably one of the more well-known Pokemon whose Pokedex entries have hinted at a regional form, Corphish is now longoverdue a new regional Pokemon variant. Despite not appearing in Gen 9, its most recent inclusion inPokemon SwordandShieldcontinues to reference how Corphish originates from a distant region and how it has an uncanny ability to adapt and thrive in the unlikeliest of water habitats. After multiple generations with still no answers to where Corphish came from or what it originally looked like, Gen 10 should solve this mystery once and for all.
Its first-everRubyPokedex entry explicitly confirms that Corphish is foreign and new toPokemon’s Hoenn regionafter it escaped into the wild, leaving players with the implication that the Pokemon came from a different region. Every generation since has also referenced this fact, meaning that all the regions Corphish has since appeared in are also not its original region. Gen 10 could therefore be set in a region that is where Corphish originally came from, with a new regional variant designed around why it was once kept as a pet, such as a Water/Fairy type combination to contrast against its eventual evolution into Crawdaunt.
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The Other Potential Forms of Gastrodon
Besides Gastrodon’sPokedex entries teasing a regional variant forPokemon Legends, other entries also touch on the Shellos line’s unique gimmick of having two separate forms. Gastrodon’s entries forPokemon SunandMoonboth reference how Pokemon scientists are attempting to discover if more forms exist in the wild or if they can artificially induce an all-new form themselves. Game Freak already missed the opportunity to add North and South Sea forms for Shellos and Gastrodon inScarletandVioletalongside its current East and West Sea forms, the next generations should try to make up for this oversight.
The most obvious route Game Freak could take with new forms for Gastrodon is to just simply add new forms, as its East and West Sea forms already imply that these exist elsewhere within the wild. However,Moon’s Pokedex entry does offer a more interesting option for a new regional variant of Gastrodon or evena regional evolution for Shellos. Inspired by the scientific intervention to try and forcibly change Gastrodon’s form, a regional variant or evolution could see Gastrodon losing its Water type if raised in different habitats like caves or tundras where it gains a new type respective of these environments
The Intended Official Evolution of Porygon
Porygon is one of the series' most memorable manmade Pokemon. While its second evolution, Porygon2, reflected the transition in graphics from hard lines to smoother polygons, itsthird evolution Porygon-Zseemed to take inspiration from computer glitches interfering with its final stage. Porygon-Z’s Pokedex entries seem to hint that this Pokemon was not intended to be Porygon2’s next evolution, implying that there is potentially an official Porygon3.
Many Pokedex entries all reference how an update for Porygon2 went wrong resulting inPorygon-Z’s weird and glitchy evolution, whileShield’s entry in particular suggests that it might not even be an official evolution according to academics. A futurePokemongame therefore has the opportunity to finally reveal the intended evolution for Porygon2 with an official Porygon3, and in doing so, create a split-evolution path that players can choose from. The difference between Porygon-Z and Porygon3 could be between their stats, where the former has high Special Attack while the latter is more defensive with a strategic pool of moves.
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