Pokémon Sword and Shield released last year in November, and though fans are enjoying the game, the fandom has always been unhappy that not all of the previously released Pokémon were made available in it.
The first batch of DLC recently released for the game, the Isle of Armor, and with it a few of the older generation Pokémon returned. Though some fan-favorite Kanto Pokémon were finally added to the game, there are still several notable Pokémon that should have returned but didn't. Check out ten of the Kanto Pokémon that fans wanted to see return with the Isle of Armor.
10 Nidoran
Nidoran was the first-ever Pokémon to show gender in the series, and despite genders becoming commonplace in later games, the female and male forms of Nidoran remain separate species with separate evolutions.
Each Nidoran has two further evolutions, with the result being Nidoqueen or Nidoking, respectively. Interestingly, despite both forms of Nidoran and Nidoking being able to breed, Nidoqueen and its pre-evolved form Nidorina are not able to breed. The final forms of these Pokémon would be ideal candidates for Gigantamax forms, so fans hope they will eventually be added to Sword and Shield.
9 Grimer
Grimer might not be the most visually appealing Pokémon, but both it and it's evolved form of Muk offer up the effective Poison Type. Considering that the Poison-Type Trubbish was included in Sword and Shield, fans would have much preferred to have Grimer included instead.
It received a regional variant in Pokémon Sun and Moon, which changed up its color-scheme and added the Dark sub-type. Other Pokémon that received an Alolan form returned for Sword and Shield, so this can't be the reason why Grimer was excluded.
8 Geodude
Geodude is another original Kanto Pokémon that received a special Alolan form in Pokémon Sun and Moon, and it is probably best remembered as being one of Brock's Pokémon in the anime.
Geodude has two further evolutions, evolving into Graveler starting at level 25, which will then evolve into Golem when traded. This Rock/Ground-type Pokémon has always been a firm favorite for players to use in their parties, so it was definitely missed when it didn't return for Sword and Shield.
7 Weedle
Fans were surprised when Weedle was left out of Sword and Shield considering that Caterpie was included, which fans often believe to be its counterpart. Despite often being paired up, Weedle is a Bug/Poison-type whereas Caterpie is a Bug-type that eventually evolves into a Bug/Flying-type with its final form.
Additionally, Caterpie's final evolved form, Butterfree, received a Gigantamax form too, leaving fans wondering what Weedle's final form, Beedrill, would have looked like if it had received a Gigantamax form also.
6 Bellsprout
Bellsprout is considered to be the counterpart to Oddish, as both plant Pokémon are Grass/Poison-type with three stages of evolution. Additionally, each Pokémon was exclusive to one version of the Kanto games, meaning players had to trade to obtain both.
So it came as a surprise to fans when Oddish was included in Sword and Shield, but not Bellsprout, as fans had presumed if one was included in one version, the other plant Pokémon would be in the other version.
5 Electabuzz
Electabuzz didn't have any other evolutions in the first games, but it was later given the evolved form of Electivire, as well as the pre-evolved baby Pokémon form, Elekid. This Electric-type, unfortunately, hasn't made it over to Sword and Shield, though fans are hoping it will be added at a later date.
Its final evolution of Electrivire could also make a great Gigantamax Pokémon if the design was done right. This is definitely a Pokémon that fans want to have back sooner rather than later.
4 Magmar
Magmar is the counterpart to Electabuzz, with each one being exclusive to Pokémon Blue or Red respectively. Like Electabuzz, Magmar originally only had one form, but later received a new evolution with Magmortar and a pre-evolution with the baby Pokémon Magby.
Magmortar would be another ideal candidate for an awesome Gigantamax form, so it would be great to see this Fire-type Pokémon added. Given that the next DLC, The Crown Tundra, is set in a snowy landscape, it seems unlike Magmar will be added then.
3 The Fossil Pokémon
In Generation One, players are given the choice of two fossils that leads to them obtaining either Omanyte or Kabuto depending on the choice made, both of which have an evolved form too. Additionally, both of these Pokémon share the Rock/Water-Type, currently only represented in Sword and Shield with Binacle and its evolution Barbaracle.
Fans particularly miss the original fossil Pokémon, as the fossil Pokémon new to Sword and Shield are some of the most ridiculous designs ever made, as each one is two prehistoric Pokémon mashed together.
2 Aerodactyl
Another fossil Pokémon that players received in the first games was Aerodactyl. Though it looks like a dragon, this Pokémon is actually a Rock/Flying-Type. In Generation Six, it was also one of the Pokémon that received a special Mega-Evolution form, making it the only fossil Pokémon to receive one.
Though Aerodactyl doesn't evolve into any other Pokémon, it is still a firm favorite within the fandom and is arguably one of the coolest Pokémon out of the original 151 Kanto line-up.
1 Dratini
Dratini and its evolutionary family are one of the most sorely missed Pokémon lines from Generation One. This Dragon-Type Pokémon is often a target for shiny hunters within the game, and its final evolution of Dragonite is a particularly popular Pokémon.
Dratini along with Bagon are the only remaining pure Dragon-Type Pokémon currently not included in the latest title. Many fans are hoping that Dratini will be included in the next DLC drop, The Crown Tundra, which is due to release later in the year.