List of unused Pokémon and character designs

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
Nothing is known about this Pokémon other than its Pokédex number, #124, the same as Jynx.
Debut Capsule Monsters
 
Papyō
Nothing is known about this Pokémon other than its Pokédex number, #211, the same as Qwilfish.
Debut Capsule Monsters
 
Oviparous creature
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
Nothing is known about this first Pokémon 'Godzillante'. It may have been a 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). Nothing is known about the second Pokémon 'Gorillaimo'. Its hat could be a reference to the character Ninten from the Ape Inc. game, Mother. Its also resembles the Nintendo character Donkey Kong.
Debut Capsule Monsters
 
Dragon4
Nothing is known about this Pokémon other than its Pokédex number, #174, the same as Igglybuff.
Debut Capsule Monsters
 
Kokana
Nothing is known about this Pokémon.
Debut Pokémon Red and Green beta
 
Kasanagi
Nothing is known about this Pokémon. It may be a Bug-type.
Debut Pokémon Red and Green beta
 
Kasanagi evolution
The evolution of Kasanagi. It may be a Bug-type as it resembles Ledyba.
Debut Pokémon Red and Green beta
Kurusu
Kurusu
The only known information about this creature is its name and image. While it resembles a seal, this image appeared in magazines after the release of Red and Green so while many fans believe it may have been an early version of Seel, this may not be true because Seel already existed at the time. However, it is most likely a Template:Type2 and could have been a scrapped pre-evolution for Lapras or an extremely early version of a member of the Spheal evolution family. In the alpha of Gold and Silver, its National Pokédex number was 212, it was a Template:Type2, and knew the moves Growl, Water Gun, and Tackle. Despite the numbering, it was the Water-type starter in the alpha demos.
Debut Pokémon Gold and Silver beta
Honōguma
Honōguma
Honōguma's name is a combination of 炎 honō for flame, and 熊 kuma for bear. Like Kurusu above, its name and image are all that is known. While not confirmed, its name almost definitely means it was a Template:Type2. It bears a slight resemblance to Raichu, but doesn't share the same type or species of animal (Raichu being a rodent and Honōguma being a bear), so it is highly unlikely it was related to it. Given its name refers to it as a bear, it could have been an early version of the Teddiursa evolution family, or, while not a bear, but having the same bipedal stance and being Fire-type, an early version of the Cyndaquil evolution family. In the alpha it was a Template:Type2, and knew the moves Ember, Scratch, and Leer; and was the Fire-type starter.
Debut Pokémon Gold and Silver beta
Unnamed creature
Unnamed creature
This strange creature appeared as art but 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 is most likely a very early version of Hitmontop, possibly before the designers decided to add it to the Tyrogue evolution line. It also resembles Clefairy and may have been a very early version of Cleffa.
Debut Pokémon Gold and Silver beta
Unnamed turtle
Unnamed turtle
Nothing is known about this turtle Pokémon. Notably, it barely resembles anything that was released in Generation II. Some fans have speculated it may have been an alternative take on Magcargo or Donphan or maybe an extremely early, and different take on Corsola or Pupitar. Also, the fact that it's just a head sticking out of a shell, somewhat resembles that of Shuckle. The Pokémon it most closely resembled was Squirtle, but Squirtle was in Red and Green, which pre-dates the appearance of this image. Torkoal from Generation III, and the Turtwig evolution family from Generation IV bear the closest resemblance prior to its appearance, but it is highly unlikely they are related. It also bears a striking resemblance to Tirtouga from Generation V.
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. An interview in @Gamer magazine with Junichi Masuda and Ken Sugimori, directors of development and art respectively at 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's more likely that this Pokémon would have been intended for Generation II.
Debut Game Freak

Altered Pokémon

 
Gengar & Nidorino
Main article: Gengar (Pokémon)
Main article: Nidorino (Pokémon)

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

An early version of Poliwag.
Debut Pokémon Red and Green Beta
Nyosuke
Nyosuke
Main article: Poliwhirl (Pokémon)
Main article: Poliwrath (Pokémon)

An early version of Poliwhirl or Poliwrath. 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
Main article: Dragonair (Pokémon)

An early version of Dragonair.
Debut Pokémon Red and Green Beta
Happa
Happa
Main article: Chikorita (Pokémon)

Happa's name simply means "leaf" in Japanese. Happa is the early version of Chikorita. Happa resembles Chikorita without its body and legs. It isn't known why the design was changed, but without the body and legs, Chikorita would have been significantly smaller than the other two Generation II starters; Cyndaquil and Totodile. 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
Main article: Ledyba (Pokémon)

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. There is also beta art of Silver. His hair is shorter and he appears to be closer to Ethan's age.
Debut Pokémon Gold and Silver beta
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, 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
Main article: Girafarig (Pokémon)

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)

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
 
Blaziken / Latias
Main article: Blaziken (Pokémon)
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
Main article: Shellos (Pokémon)
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
Throh and Sawk
Main article: Throh (Pokémon)
Main article: Sawk (Pokémon)According to interviews with Ken Sugimori in Nintendo Dream, in 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
Main article: Tornadus (Pokémon) and
Main article: Thundurus (Pokémon), who both were originally designed to be red and blue, like Throh and Sawk.
Debut [[|Nintendo Dream]]

Minor alterations

 
Blastoise & Staryu
Main article: Blastoise (Pokémon)
Main article: Staryu (Pokémon)

In this early depiction of a battle, Blastoise is without its signature water cannons. Its shell is also much more rounded, making it appear similar to Golem. It also has a much flatter face and more pronounced ears. Staryu is much more geometric in its design without its gem's supporting struts. Staryu closely matches its Red, Green, and Blue sprites.
Debut Capsule Monsters
 
Gastly and Slowbro
Main article: Gastly (Pokémon)
Main article: Slowbro (Pokémon)

Early versions of Gastly and Slowbro. Gastly closely matches its Red, Green, and Blue sprites.
Debut Capsule Monsters
 
Rhydon
Main article: Rhydon (Pokémon)

Early sketches of the Capsule Monsters creature that would become Rhydon, the first designed Pokémon.
Debut Capsule Monsters
Lapras
Lapras
Main article: Lapras (Pokémon)

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 a early design of Red.
Debut Capsule Monsters
 

 
Kakuna
Main article: Kakuna (Pokémon)

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 Pokémon Red and Blue Versions
 

 
Rhyhorn
Main article: Rhyhorn (Pokémon)

Rhyhorn originally had more pointed spikes, as seen in its Red and Blue sprite and a Pocket Monsters Carddass Trading Card.
Debut Pokémon Red and Blue Versions
 
Pocket Monsters Blue designs
The background artwork for the Japanese Pokémon Blue uses some ambiguous Pokémon designs. One of these is of Squirtle, with a larger shell and a different tail. Another is of Ekans, with visible teeth and a larger face than in the final game. There is a design in the center that resembles a Machoke, only with a slightly different face. Near the bottom right is a Pokémon face, possibly based on Nidorino.
Debut Pokémon Blue (Japanese)
 
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. 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)

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
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.
Debut Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire beta
 
Torchic
Main article: Torchic (Pokémon)

This early version of Torchic 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
 
Excadrill
Main article: Excadrill (Pokémon)

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

Unreleased characters

Female main character

 
Female main character
This art of a female character (with Squirtle) looks similar to Green, as seen to the right. The image was shown on the boxes for the games, as well as in official strategy guides. It is unknown if she was ever intended to be a playable character, like Red, or if she was supposed to be a supporting character, and act similar to the partner/rival of the player in Ruby and Sapphire. When Red and Green were later remade, players finally got the chance to use a female character. It is possible she was based on this character, namely due to the near exact resemblance of this character and Green, who later donned the same outfit as this character in the FireRed & LeafGreen arc of Pokémon Adventures. The lower artwork additionally raises the possibility of the female character being planned to appear in a Generation I game, showing that the same character has been used in several artworks.
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
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 as she barely resembles anyone. 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, there is data for nine unused Pokémon cries. 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 was notably reused for Crobat in Gold and Silver.

Unknown Pokémon 67
Base 0, Pitch 128, Length 16. Similar to Togepi.
Debut Pokémon Red and Green beta
Unknown Pokémon 69
Base 29, Pitch 244, Length 64. Similar to Golbat.
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. Loosely resembles Poliwag, may be a reference to its prototype design or Nyosuke.
Debut Pokémon Red and Green beta
Unknown Pokémon 94
Base 15, Pitch 64, Length 192. Similar to Dragonair.
Debut Pokémon Red and Green beta
Unknown Pokémon 95
Base 15, Pitch 32, Length 192. Similar to Dragonite.
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. Similar to Dragonair, longer than cry 94.
Debut Pokémon Red and Green beta
Unknown Pokémon 181
Identical to Crobat. Base 29, Pitch 0, Length 128.
Debut Pokémon Red and Green beta

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


See also