The Pokemon series is gearing up to release its newest mainline games, Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. As expected, this means that fans must navigate the exciting world of pre-release speculation. During this time, many alleged leakers will try to exploit fans' excitement by crafting fake leaks to induce false hype for the new titles.

Related: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: Things They Should Keep From Pokemon Legends Arceus

Back in the day, Pokemon rumors were little more than word-of-mouth hoaxes spread on playgrounds. In the days of the Internet, however, falsified leaks have been more and more prominent, especially since the franchise's fifth generation. Sadly, these ten leaks turned out to be false despite how much they excited fans.

8 Rumors About Black 2 & White 2

Promo art showing Black Kyurem and White Kyurem for Pokemon Black 2 & White 2

Pokemon Black 2 & White 2 was the series' first direct sequels, taking place years after the events of Black & White. This was uncharted territory for the Pokemon franchise, which in turn sparked rumors and hoaxes about the game's content. An article in PokeJungle in early 2012 led to a lot of fan theories.

While the poster claimed they didn't believe it, there was lots to be excited over in this blog post. It claimed that Black 2 & White 2 would have brand-new starters: a Grass-type owl, a Fire-type elephant, and a Water-type platypus. It also claimed it would have a new region based on Western Europe, which proved very false.

7 Corocoro Leaks For X & Y

Two fake Corocoro leaks for X & Y depicting a hooded raven Pokemon, a pink bug Pokemon, and Trainer artwork

The pre-release era for Pokemon X & Y consisted of a lot of hype surrounding a Japanese magazine named Corocoro. This monthly magazine often led to new information about upcoming Pokemon titles, including new Pokemon and gameplay features. However, their design was often mimicked by Photoshop experts.

Many hoaxes prior to X & Y's release were stylized as alleged leaks from this magazine. Some fake designs, however, were pretty fascinating concepts, such as a hooded raven, a cycloptic ghost with tendrils, and a pre-evolution of Drowzee. There were also often fake starter evolutions included in these falsified magazine pages.

6 Pokemon Plus & Minus

Footage of Pokemon Bank's bottom screen when connected to Pokemon X on the 3DS

Prior to the confirmation of Pokemon Sun & Moon, there were many ideas about where the franchise may head for its seventh generation. One well-circulated rumor alleged that the new games would be titled "Pokemon Plus & Minus." This leak claimed the next generation would release for Nintendo's next home console.

Related: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: Features From Mainline Games We Want To See Return

Apparently, Plus & Minus's region would be based on Southeast Asia. Some new Pokemon designs included a Fire/Fairy goat and a hurricane-like Legendary Pokemon. The leak also alleged that Pokemon Bank would become an actual location in the game to transfer old Pokemon, which would've been a cool feature.

5 Generation 7 Starter Evolutions

Popplio and Litten's fake starter evolutions, depicting a clown-like seal for Popplio and a slender panther for Litten

Some of the biggest rumors surrounding a new Pokemon game involve the starter evolutions. Since the starter is a Trainer's first companion in the game, their fully-evolved forms often inform which ones players choose. As a result, many fake leaks act as wish fulfillment for eager players to see their favorite starter get even better.

Before the release of Pokemon Sun & Moon, there were many theories about the directions the games' starters would take. Popplio was assumed to evolve into a clown-like final evolution, while Litten's evolutions appeared more panther-like. Most leaks were on the money concerning Decidueye's Robinhood-esque design.

4 A Convincing Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Leak

A fake leak showing footage of a Dragon/Bug-type Pokemon in Ultra Sun & Moon

Oftentimes, leaks and rumors for new Pokemon games were believable solely based on the 2D artwork. It was rare that an unconfirmed leak would include footage. However, the bar was raised prior to the release of Pokemon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon when fake leaked footage circulated around 4chan, reddit, and Twitter.

This leak displayed the battle animation for a Pokemon that was apparently Bug/Dragon-type. Its design was believable for a new Pokemon game, featuring a long jaw-like mouth and tiny, bumblebee-like wings. However, this eventually turned out to be an impressive fake that fooled many excited Pokemon fans.

3 Generation 8 Starter Concept Art

Fake concept art for Gen 8 starters including a Fire-type rabbit, a Grass-type monkey, and a Water-type platypus

There were many theories about what the eighth generation of Pokemon games would do for their starter Pokemon. The trio of Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble wouldn't be revealed until Pokemon Sword & Shield's reveal trailer. However, fake concept art prior to that trailer's release had different options.

Related: Pokemon Sword & Shield: The Strongest Galar Pokemon, Ranked

In this quite convincing concept art, the supposed starter trio were not far off from the real ones. It featured a much different-looking Grass-type monkey, but a pretty similar interpretation of a Fire-type rabbit. However, the Water-type starter was a cute platypus, which may have been a cooler addition than Sobble (Sorry, Sobble).

2 Generation 8 Pokedex Leak

Dunsparce sitting on a log in the Pokemon anime

Pokejungle to this day has remained a top source for upcoming Pokemon game rumors and leaks. However, they're not often correct, despite being pretty entertaining for fans who hunger for new information. In May 2019, a deconfirmed leak included the names and types of all the upcoming new Pokemon.

Though there isn't much to go off of other than the Pokemon's names, they do inspire some pretty interesting ideas for new creatures. For instance, the Rock/Fire-type TNTiny conjures an image of a cute, explosive Pokemon. It also alleged that Dunsparce would get a much-deserved Normal/Fairy-type evolution called Dunsprite.

1 Generation 9 Pokedex Leak

A screenshot of a fake Scarlet & Violet Pokedex leak focusing on Quaxly's evolutions

Little info has been revealed about Pokemon Scarlet & Violet since its initial release trailer. However, that hasn't stopped leaks from sprouting up anyway. One Pokedex leak similar to the last entry dropped not far after the first trailer, though fans quickly spotted its falsehood and had a good laugh over the easily debunked hoax.

This leak, which circulated on Twitter, included obviously fake Pokedex entries including Faekleek (Grass/Fairy) and Eeeveee (Normal/Normal). However, it had enough reasonable ideas to get fans excited for a moment. Some of those included a Fighting-type Tauros variant and a Water-Dragon-type named "Lobbarage."

Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet release in late 2022 for the Nintendo Switch.

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