Voltorb is a spherical Pokémon that resembles a Poké Ball with eyes and minus the button. The top half is red, while the bottom half is white. Because of its resemblance to Poké Balls, it is thought that it was created when one was exposed to an energy pulse. This is supported by the fact that its components do not occur naturally. Voltorb is generally found in power plants and other areas with electric fields. It was first discovered in the plant where modern Poké Balls were invented. It has a volatile temperament and will explode if bumped or agitated.
Keith used multiple Voltorb for a scheme in So Near, Yet So Farfetch'd. Team Rocket received them, thinking they were Poké Balls with rare Pokémon hidden inside them, as well as their Arbok, Lickitung, and Weezing. When Team Rocket found out they were not, the Voltorb started to explode in their balloon. They dumped most of the Voltorb on the thief, prompting Keith to quit his crime spree, but a single Voltorb sent them blasting off.
Three Voltorb rolling down a hill before they were caught by Ash's Kingler in Love, Pokémon Style. However, they shocked and injured it in the process, leaving it too hurt to battle.
Wattson‘S Voltorb appeared in Watt's with Wattson?. He used it in his Gymbattle with Ash. It was easily defeated by Pikachu, who had become super-charged during an incident at the Mauville Gym. Multiple wild Voltorb also appeared later on in the episode.
In the Hoopa's Surprise Ring Adventures short Ball Pickup, a Voltorb was thrown at Ash as part of a prank by Hoopa, but it then attacks the both of them, as well as Pikachu and Hawlucha, with Self-Destruct.
A Voltorb disguised as a watermelon appeared in the ending credits of Arceus and the Jewel of Life. It exploded when Jessie and James picked it up after falling for its disguise.
Voltorb. This mysterious Pokémon uses strong Electric attacks, and is often found near power plants. Use extreme caution; Voltorb may explode without warning.
Voltorb debuted in Danger: High Voltorb, where Red tried to touch one aboard the S.S. Anne, thinking that it was only a Poké Ball, but wound up being zapped by it.
Multiple Voltorb appeared in Go for the Golbat, under the ownership of Lt. Surge. They were used in conjunction with multiple Electrode to shock Red and as projectiles.
Pokémon Pinball: Three Voltorb appear on the Red Table and give the player points when hit. When Catch'em Mode is activated, they also reveal the silhouette of the Pokémon attempting to be captured upon being hit.
Pokémon: Magikarp Jump: A Voltorb may appear as part of the "Is It Treasure?" event, where it will explode (and thereby force the player's Magikarp to retire).
Voltorb was first sighted at a company that manufactures Poké Balls. The link between that sighting and the fact that this Pokémon looks very similar to a Poké Ball remains a mystery.
Voltorb is extremely sensitive - it explodes at the slightest of shocks. It is rumored that it was first created when a Poké Ball was exposed to a powerful pulse of energy.
It bears an uncanny and unexplained resemblance to a Poké Ball. Because it explodes at the slightest shock, even veteran trainers treat it with caution.
Voltorb was first sighted at a company that manufactures Poké Balls. The link between that sighting and the fact that this Pokémon looks very similar to a Poké Ball remains a mystery.
Voltorb is extremely sensitive - it explodes at the slightest of shocks. It is rumored that it was first created when a Poké Ball was exposed to a powerful pulse of energy.
In the English and European versions of Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, a game called Voltorb Flip is introduced in place of slot machines. The game is similar to Minesweeper, and largely focuses on flipping over cards to multiply the coins currently earned. Some cards, however, have Voltorb on them which will cause the player to lose coins when flipped.
Voltorb seems to be based upon the concept of a living Poké Ball, with its Shiny coloration possibly being based on a Great Ball. The design concept may be inheritance from the time when the franchise was known as Capsule Monsters, as early artworks show Poké Balls without the button in the middle.
It may also be based on tsukumogami, where items acquire a spirit and come to life at their 100th birthday. This may be referenced by Voltorb's National Pokédex number which is 100.
The idea of them being mistaken for the standard Item Balls is similar to a mimic, a monster archetype commonly found in RPGs.
Given its tendency to explode, it could also be based on a bomb. Its unpredictable tendency to explode, as well as its shape and name, may be a reference to ball lightning.
Name origin
Voltorb is a combination of volt and orb.
Biriridama may be a combination of ビリビリ biribiri (sound of electric shock) and 玉 tama (sphere).