While the original three Pokemon starters may still be the most well-known the series has produced, many have fond memories of the Johto region starter Pokemon. With Pokemon Gold and Silver widely considered to be two of the finest Pokemon games ever made, it's no surprise that there are still many who prefer the Johto starters. The Pokemon franchise itself has recognized this, giving big roles to the Johto starter Pokemon recently, with the exception of one.
Pokemon fan Masapilar pointed out how the Pokemon franchise has been neglecting Totodile, the Johto region's water-type starter, recently. Whereas grass-type starter Chikorita's evolved form Meganium is featured prominently in New Pokemon Snap and is even on the cover art, Totodile is nowhere to be found. Fire-type starter Cyndaquil, meanwhile, is set to be one of the available starter Pokemon in the upcoming Pokemon Legends: Arceus.
Since The Pokemon Company has been given so much attention to Chikorita and Cyndaquil recently, one would think that Totodile would get some time in the spotlight as well, though no plans have been announced so far. As it stands, it's been quite some time since Totodile was featured in a Pokemon video game, especially compared to its fellow Johto region starters.
Totodile's Most Recent Pokemon Game Appearance
While Totodile is available in the augmented reality game Pokemon GO, the water-type starter is nowhere to be found in Pokemon Sword and Shield on the Nintendo Switch. Pokemon Sword and Shield's lack of a national Pokedex was hugely controversial at the time of the games' release, as it meant that classic Pokemon like Totodile were missing in action, even if players wanted to trade them to the new games.
Chikorita and Cyndaquil were also missing from Pokemon Sword and Shield, but now their fans are able to enjoy them in newer Pokemon games thanks to the aforementioned New Pokemon Snap and Pokemon Legends: Arceus. While there are no new Pokemon video games currently announced that have absolutely confirmed an appearance from Totodile, there is some hope that the fan favorite creature will return again soon.
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Totodile
The original versions of Pokemon Diamond and Pearl did not feature a Totodile for players to catch until they reached the Pal Park in the endgame. It's unclear if Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl will have the Pal Park, but since the upcoming Diamond and Pearl remakes appear to be mostly faithful to the originals, chances are good that the Pal Park will indeed be returning.
If the Pal Park is returning, there's a chance then that Totodile will return in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl as well. Nothing has been confirmed just yet, but hopefully some clarification will come sooner rather than later.