Space World was a video game trade show that was hosted by Nintendo from the years 1989 to 2001, often to unveil the company's new consoles or handheld devices. In 1997, an early playable demo of the first sequel in the now gigantic Pokémon franchise was unveiled. The early form of Pokémon Gold and Silver, for example, was full of monster designs that otherwise never saw the light of day.
That is until May 26, 2018, when an anonymous user suddenly released ROMs of the demo online. The data was mined by users at The Cutting Room Floor to reveal these lost treasures. With a brand new Pokémon game released comes new designs for fans to argue over—but let's take a look at some might-have-beens that we would've loved to see in a game.
Updated November 10th, 2020 by Hayley Mullen: Though there are hundreds of official Pokémon that have been released over the decades of the franchise's history, fans continue to speculate on the designs and creatures that got left on the cutting room floor and missed out on worldwide fame. We've added more designs of Pokémon that have been found through various ROMs and leaks of beta copies, specifically ones that really should have been given another chance.
15 15. Kotora Family
This adorable, striped family of tigers were originally created to be included in the very first generation of Pokémon games. The base Pokémon, Kotora, translates directly to "baby tiger" and was a pure Electric-type Pokémon. Its evolution, Raitora, translates to "thunder tiger" and was set to evolve at level 35.
Beta assets have been leaked for both its Gen I appearance and its intended Gen II inclusion, but unfortunately it was cut both times. Sadly, little is known about Kotora's final evolution, not even a name or front-facing sprite available, but its evolutionary progession and appearance are undeniably similar to the official Gen I Pokémon fans know and love.
14 14. Gorochu
It may be surprising for fans to learn that Pikachu was always meant to have another evolution, but it comes from the word of god herself, Pikachu's creator Atsuko Nishida. Originally, the evolution was named Gorochu and was intended to look strong, with horns, fangs, and an appearance similar to a "god of thunder." The reason Gorochu was cut was due to cartridge space, as Game Boy cartridges were notoriously small, and it wasn't the only second evolution cut, either.
Unfortunately, all that was ever uncovered was the back sprite of Gorochu in the 2019 leak published by Healix Chamber. Because of this, the true appearance of Gorochu is sadly unknown, with the above art being mere fan speculation. Pikachu eventually got a
13 13. Sui / Suicune
The Space World demo had many Pokémon that made it into the final version of the game, albeit with major changes along the way. One such change was the design of legendary Pokémon Suicune, seen above with its original demo design compared to its official art. The demo's version was named "Sui", translating as "Water" in English.
Sui's design, which is a recreation by RacieBeep based on the in-game sprite, has much less purple than the final suicune, as well as bangs that cover one of its eyes and cat-like ears, as opposed to Suicune's apparant lack of ears. This version is arguably cuter than what fans got, but majestic is perhaps more fitting for this legendary.
12 12. Kōnya
The Kotora family wasn't the only Pokémon victim of being cut twice; that unfortunate fate also happened to Kōnya, the original first stage of what is now known as the Meowth family. Somewhat reminiscent of baby Pokémon, this cute cat translates to either "Coin Meow" or "Baby Meow".
Kōnya was created for Gen I only to be cut twice, the second time being in Gold & Silver. It was a Normal-type and would have evolved into Meowth at level 14. This one is a real shame, considering just how cute this beta design is, although it may have overshadowed Meowth in popularity.
11 11. Beta Squids
Though there have been Pokémon inspired by squids in more recent generations of the series, these unnamed beta squids were the first known ones in the game's history. These two were revealed when hackers broke into Nintendo's servers in 2018 and leaked Gen I's beta assets onto the internet.
The artwork above is speculative, since the only data able to be found was back sprites. It's not outrageous to assume the two are related, the most likely answer being the same evolutionary line. Perhaps they were replaced by the now famous Tentacool and Tentacruel, or perhaps simply got cut due to cartridge space. Though limitations can often result in great art, sometimes they mean losing out on some great squids.
10 10. Taaban
The lost demo revealed the sprites for these Pokémon, but artist Rachel Briggs took it upon herself to create Sugomori-style artwork for these forgotten 'mons. The first is a Pokémon named Taaban and is clearly based on the shell of a horned turban snail. But more than that, it's obviously a standalone Pokémon for the form of Shellder attached to a Slowbro's tail.
It's unclear if it's a separate evolution for Shellder, or if it would have been a branching evolution of Slowpoke instead. The poor thing also looks so sad; what happened to make it lose its Slowbro?
9 9. Twinz
The unused design for Twinz is very reminiscent of Gastly—little conjoined ghostly orbs surrounded by a strange pink fog. But it wasn't a Ghost-type. In fact, it was a dual Dark/Normal-type Pokémon, perhaps representing some kind of good/evil split. The little guys look fun and mischievous, and as such their evolution probably would have been very controversial.
Because as you can see, Twinz was originally the pre-evolved form of a beta Girafarig with two fully developed heads. The light/dark contrast is more evident in Girafarig's design, though it's unclear why exactly these spirits turn into a two-headed giraffe.
8 8. Beta Octillery
The design for beta Octillery is so much more visually interesting that the form of Octillery we have. There's nothing wrong with a sleepy-eyed red octopus, of course. But turning it into a tank with a little military helmet and tentacles for treads is significantly cooler. It's also always great to see Pokémon with usual eye designs, since often they just default to typical anime eyes.
The beta form of Remoraid is pretty different from its final form because it's indisputably clear it's based on a handgun, making the relationship between these to Pokémon clearer, but it's not as interesting as Octillery's original form.
7 7. Monja
Before we had Tangrowth, apparently two new additions for the Tangela line were scrapped. The pre-evolution, Monja, has a charmingly fae quality about it while still being an alien vine-tentacle monster.
Its one big eye is cute and the curls in its vine are somehow childlike. Evolved form, Jaranra, doesn't actually seem too similar to the Pokémon that took its place. Tangrowth has the large powerful presence of some overgrown monolith. Jaranra instead looks like a devilish trickster, like something that will lure you into the dark woods and string you up in vines to save you for later.
6 6. Ikari
Originally the middle evolution of a three part Water Pokémon line, Ikari was perhaps reworked into Sharpedo in later games. However, we only speculate that because they're both sharks with only half a body; otherwise they don't bear too much resemblance to one another.
Ikari has a simpler shark design compared to Sharpedo's more industrial, unnatural look. The biggest difference is obviously that the back half of Ikari's body is composed entirely of anchor and chain, which is a fun visual. It was probably Water/Steel, compared to Sharpedo's Water/Dark.
5 5. Beta Hitmontop
This weird beta Hitmontop is way weirder and cooler than the version that was released in the games. It has the same general concept of being a Fighting Pokémon that spins like a top, but it really went out there with the monstrousness of the design.
Its thick springy legs are only the tip of the iceberg. It has three eyes, including one in its "head" giving it a cyclops vibe and little blobby arms it seems to only use to maintain focus or balance. This looks like a creature that evolved to always be spinning and teetering on its single point.
4 4. Norowara
Norowara is a little woven bear-shaped doll that someone apparently made to curse someone. It isn't just based on a voodoo doll; they went the extra yard and shoved a massive iron nail right through the middle of its body. But it's not worried! Look as its smiling face.
It began trying to evolve into its second form, Kyonpan, as early as level two, but would only learn its devastating signature move at level 99, forcing trainers to repeatedly deny this tormented spirit its freedom to unlock it. Kyonpan seems to be based on both a panda bear and a kind of Chinese "hopping vampire" known as Jiangshi.
3 3. Beta Scizor
This one's conflicting, because the final version of Scizor has that sleek red exoskeleton that really makes it pop and better conveys its Steel typing. But elements of beta Scizor are also really cool. It not only keeps the great draconic shape of Scyther's head, but it also emphasizes the false eyes on its claws, making the entire design feel more threatening and organic.
The throughline from Scyther to Scizor is easier to follow between the evolutions. Maybe if they had colored beta Scizor red, we could have the best of both worlds.
2 2. Beta Pichu
Well, see, here Game Freak simply made a mistake. We mean, there's nothing inherently wrong with the final version of Pichu. It's pretty cute. But obviously we were meant to get Orb Pichu, with its weird little flipper limbs and charming blank expression.
The final version of Pichu feels like another attack against Fat Pikachu, which Game Freak has gradually been stealing from us generation to generation. Let the Pikachu line be round!
1 1. Wolfman
This little thing is perfect. Some indistinct being with unnerving glowing eyes all wrapped up in the disembodied pelt of a wolf-like creature. The name implies it's some kind of werewolf Pokémon, which leaves it open to interpretation exactly what is lurking underneath all that fur.
It's cute and spooky at the same time. Its evolution, Warwolf, loses some of that unique charm (the glowing eyes!) but gives it larger tusks and claws to make it an imposing furry monster.