It’s likely that not even Nintendo could have anticipated just how colossal the Pokémon franchise would become when the first games debuted on the Game Boy. Pokémon has evolved in amazing ways over the past decades. The video game series has never been more popular, but the anime series, trading card game, and spin-off titles continue to add more to the franchise in exciting ways.
There are hundreds of new and complex Pokémon that have been added to the Pokédex, but there has recently been the discovery of many beta and rejected Pokémon designs that could have pushed certain creatures, and the series as a whole, in a different direction.
10 Scizor
Scyther is one of the more iconic Pokémon from the original titles due to how it’s one of the few Pokemon that’s not available in both titles and also has a strong presence in the anime. Scizor takes the basis for Scyther, but makes the Pokémon both sleeker and more intimidating.
The beta design for the character is actually not that different from the finished version, only the Pokémon retains Scyther’s green color rather than turning red. It’s not a drastic change, but the original look better fits with Scyther’s evolutionary line.
Credit: RacieBeep
9 Spearow
There are plenty of Flying-Type Pokémon from the earlier generations of Pokémon games, but Spearow is one of the more forgettable additions. The Pokémon feels like more of a pun than a worthwhile character and the evolved form, Fearow, has a much more distinct look.
Spearow’s beta design very much feels like a work in progress, but it has a lot more character than the finished form. This chubbier take on Spearow feels more like a Final Fantasy creation and is awfully cute in an awkward way.
Credit: RacieBeep
8 Pichu
Pikachu has done a fantastic job standing in as the lovable mascot of the Pokémon franchise, but the advent or pre-evolutions introduced an even cuter version of Pikachu with Pichu. Pichu has the same basic design cues as Pikachu, but he’s just tinier and more adorable with exaggerated features. It’s a look that works, but the beta design for Pichu goes in a different direction. This take still obviously resembles Pikachu, but it’s more like if the Pokémon were a giant ball of fluff. It may not be practical, but it’s cute in a helpless kind of way.
Credit: RacieBeep
7 Cleffa
Clefairy was originally positioned to be the star Pokémon of the franchise before Pikachu quickly replaced him as the resident mascot. Clefairy still plays an important role in the early games and the Pokémon’s fairy status adds mystique to the creature. Cleffa is one of the cuter baby Pokémon to come out over the years and while there’s nothing wrong with the design, the beta look for Cleffa contains much more personality. Cleffa’s first design gives the Pokémon a star-like appearance, which is fitting, considering the Pokémon’s cherub-like status and its connection to the Moon Stone.
Credit: RacieBeep
6 Ivysaur
The starter Pokémon from the original games are still some of the most beloved from the entire franchise, so it’s fascinating to see how differently things could have gone. Bulbasaur and his evolutionary line are a little on the uglier side, but the beta design for Ivysaur goes even further here. The finished Ivysaur effectively shows Bulbasaur’s growth, but Ivysaur’s beta look is a much more acquired taste. The Pokémon’s proportions are skewed and it’s the budding flower that’s more the focus than the actual Pokémon. It’s an awkward look, but it would help Ivysaur stand out a little more.
Credit: RacieBeep
5 Girafarig
Pokémon Gold and Silver are momentous titles, not only for the new features they bring to the Pokémon world, but also in terms of the new Pokémon that they introduce. Instantly, Girafarig is a more notable Pokémon due to his unusual two-headed design. The Pokémon is simultaneously cute and disturbing, but the beta design tried to push this concept even more. The major difference in Girafarig’s beta model is that there are full giraffe creatures on either side of the Pokémon, rather than just a tiny head. It’s a better take on the idea that doesn’t tone itself down.
Credit: RacieBeep
4 Octillery
Water-Type Pokémon are some of the most popular creatures from the franchise and while some designs really push Pokémon to creative places, some feel rather reductive. Octillery is a great example since it’s really just an octopus that has a name that comes from a pun. Octillery looks more like an actual sea creature than a Pokémon. Octilley’s beta design was a lot more creative and while the octopus base is the same, it adds more of an arsenal and support to the Pokémon. The beta version of Octillery looks like it can actually defend itself.
Credit: RacieBeep
3 Hitmontop
Fighting-Type Pokémon have been one of the rarer variety of Pokémon over the years and there are still a limited amount of Pokémon that are emblematic of the most aggressive form of Pokémon. Hitmontop is a fitting addition to other Fighting-Type staples like Hitmonchan and Hitmonlee, but the Pokémon’s upside-down design in the earlier titles looks particularly awkward. The beta design for Hitmontop doesn’t change the upside-down look, but instead tries to make it more natural. The placement of the Pokémon’s eyes and other defining features make this Pokémon look more like a fun optical illusion than a rowdy fighter.
Credit: RacieBeep
2 Porygon2
Porygon is one of the most unusual Pokémon from Generation I, especially since it’s acquired as a prize at a casino. Porygon’s evolved form gets a lot of criticism, both for the lazy name of Porygon2, but also because it looks nearly identical except for its smoother, rounded appearance. The beta look for Porygon2 is vastly different. It props the Pokémon upright more and makes it look more like a lion, thanks to the presence of a number of balls that now surround the Pokémon. It looks like a whole new Pokémon rather than an unimaginative retread of the original.
Credit: RacieBeep
1 Raikou/Suicine
Legendary Pokémon remain a fascinating aspect of the games. There are dozens of impressive Legendaries, but Generation II does great work with its Legendary Beasts, Raikou, Suicine, and Entei. One of the more interesting developments to come out of the beta Pokémon designs is the news that at one point it looked like Raikou and Suicine were combined into a single Pokémon. This beta look pulls its electric powers from Raikou, but has lots of Suicine’s look. It’s such a powerhouse that having it instead of two separate Pokémon could have been better.