Since the early days of Red and Blue, Pokémon have been divided up among the different versions released at the same time. This was to encourage children to trade with their friends to complete their Pokedex. Sometimes you did actually manage to exchange a Vulpix for a Growlithe and everything was lovely. But sometimes you just convinced your parents to buy you both versions of the game, because the only person you need is yourself.
All the Pokémon games have kept this trend though, and it's often one of the deciding factors when picking your version for the newest release. Which exclusive Pokémon do you think look cuter, or cooler? Which box art legendary do you prefer? Pokémon Ultra Sun continues this tradition, and here are some of its best and worst exclusive Pokémon.
10 10. Worst: Passimian
Don't we have enough monkey Pokémon? Especially Fighting-type monkey Pokémon? You can say Passimian is technically a lemur, but when you get right down to it, the little monster doesn't set itself apart from the pack enough.
After the much derided trio of monkeys from Black and White, fans of the series are a little burnt out on apes for awhile. Maybe they could have given it an extra type to round it out, like Grass (that is a melon on it's head, right?) Passimian is passably cute, but that's really all it has going for it.
9 9. Best: Cottonee/Whimsicott
Going through this list makes it clear how many of the exclusives are imported from previous generations. It's a little odd that Alola, which is apparently supposed to have a lot of diverse and unique Pokémon, didn't have enough variety to come up with version exclusives. Either way, Cottonee and it's evolution, Whimsicott, are some of the better Gen V holdovers.
At first glance they look pretty similar to the Hoppip line, if exponentially cuter. But Whimsicott in particular really brings in elements of it's Fairy typing. It looks like something you would meet wandering through an enchanted wood. Their Pokedex entries even call them little pranksters and they can apparently slip through any crack. So this harmless-looking ball of fluff could be in your room right now, waiting to strike.
8 8. Worst: Craniados/Rampardos
These guys aren't the strongest of the fossil Pokémon to begin with. Their design is weirdly jagged and angular. Among the many dinosaur-themed fossil Pokémon, they're unlikely to be someone's favorite unless they're a huge fan of Pachycephalosauruses. Alola, like Hawaii, doesn't have a long fossil record, so they had to reuse some of the previous generations' fossils. That makes sense. But why not make it a cool one?
7 7. Best: Rufflet/Braviary
Now here's a strong little man. Look at how determined he looks. Rufflet breaks the mold for Normal/Flying Pokémon a little. Instead of being part of an early game trio, this eaglet doesn't evolve into Braviary until level 54. Neither of them are new to the Alola region, originating in Unova, but that only contributes to the hilarious honor of being the most American-looking Pokémon in a Japanese game.
Their Pokedex entries make them out to be little fighting machines. Rufflets are always issuing challenges to Pokémon stronger than them, including their own parents, in order to prove their worth. Braviarys fight tirelessly for their friends, and the more scars they have the more respect they're due. However, scars on their back mark them out for ridicule, presumably because they were fleeing from battle.
6 6. Worst: Turtonator
Doesn't this guy look like a creep? Look at his shifty eyes and weird long nose. Turtonator looks like someone who would harass you on the street. This Pokémon has the strangely underused type combination of Fire/Dragon and the interesting signature move Shell Trap, which turns it into a landmine if it gets hit by an attack. But it's still just a single stage Pokémon, historically not the strongest of beasts. And we really just can't get over the way it's looking at us. Just...go away, Turtonator.
5 5. Best: Tirtouga/Carracosta
Now this is more like it! Not only is this polite child the opposite of Turtonator in every way, but Tirtouga is also one of the more interesting fossil Pokémon to repeat. It's supposedly the ancestor of every other turtle Pokémon in the world. And it comes with cup holders!
It's evolved form Carracosta comes with a cool set of body army and a truly intimidating set of jaws that can pulverize everything from bone to solid rock. It can also slap a hole in the bottom of a tanker with one of it's powerful fins. Imagine sinking because a turtle slapped you.
4 4. Worst: Basculin (Red)
Why did they waste a version-exclusive spot on Basculin of all Pokémon? It's just a fish with anger management issues. It doesn't evolve. The only vaguely interesting thing about it is that it comes in two varieties: red- and blue-striped. Sun gets the red-striped breed. They have some minor cosmetic differences with the shape of their eyes and fins, but they're broadly the same design. The only good thing about them is that they're apparently pretty tasty.
3 3. Best: Alolan Vulpix/Ninetales
One of the best Alolan variants of earlier Pokémon, the region's Vulpix and Ninetales are just so striking. Their classic red-orange and pale yellow color scheme works great for a Fire-type critter, but these Pokémon have adapted to life in the snowy peaks of Alola and their coats have changed to match. It's especially nice that it isn't just a recolor. The shape of their hair and tails are wispier, like clouds, and even the shapes of their heads are slightly different.
Alolan Vulpix live in groups called skulks, led by a Ninetales. The Ninetales will do anything to protect its family, but it's less hostile to humans in general than it's Kanto counterpart. They're more likely to rescue people in distress than curse them for 1,000 years. Plus, their fur produces cold air, so free air conditioning.
2 2. Worst: Buzzwole
Nobody likes mosquitos. You don't want to trade your precious blood for itchy bumps. And you certainly don't want to see that blood pumping through this nightmare's bulging blood sacs-turned-muscles. So not only is Buzzwole an eyeless horror parasite, but it looks like such a tool. We get it, Buzzwole, you work out. Apparently the bodybuilding poses it's constantly striking are thought to be how this Ultra Beast communicates. Can you imagine this guy at the gym trying to talk to you solely through flexing? That's the real nightmare.
1 1. Best: Solgaleo
Pokémon Sun's box art legendary is a stand out creature from a generation absolutely rife with legendaries and legendary-adjacent Ultra Beasts. At first glance, he's just a lion with a sun motif. But this is a being capable of jumping back and forth between Ultra Space and the world of Pokémon, so it has some otherworldly qualities.
In particular, it's interesting that most of it's mane and the tip of it's tail don't seem to have fur at all. Instead they look kind of like fleshy growth or tentacles, emphasizing its alien origins. In addition, the dome of it's head shows a starry nebula inside its skull, which is probably what's left of its pre-evolution, Cosmog. So it's a bit like Cosmog is piloting a big lion mech.