Though Pokemon Scarlet and Violet have led the charge for Gen 9, many are already anticipating an inevitable throwback to Gen 5 with Pokemon Black and White remakes, especially after the likes of Kingambit and Volcarona's new forms renewed fans' hopes. As has become traditional for the Pokemon series, remakes of older games typically follow once a new generation has begun, showcased in the generation last with Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl in 2021. But while these most recent remakes have sparked uncertainty due to third-party development and challenges facing old DS titles, Gen 9's newest Pokemon could help correct the course.

While Gen 9 introduced a breadth of new Pokemon including several cross-gen evolutions and unique Paradox forms, several of these included in this list were of Gen 5 fame. But specifically, among these were future and ancient forms for Volcarona and an all-new evolution for the Pawniard line that officially introduced Kingambit. Between Volcarona demonstrating both sides of one of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's gimmicks with Paradox Pokemon and Kingambit possibly leaving the door open for future Gen 5 Pokemon to see new evolutions or forms, there are positives fans can look to for Black and White remakes.

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Currently, the issue facing Pokemon remakes is that up until Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, these had been developed by Game Freak itself and typically incorporated the design and gimmicks of the new generation they're released in. An example is the 3DS graphical upgrade to Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire and the inclusion and expansion of Mega Evolutions. But after the development of the Diamond and Pearl remakes was passed to ILCA, the results were arguably one-to-one reinterpretations of the originals, lacking the design of Pokemon Sword and Shield and omitting the Dynamax function and Gigantamax forms.

It's possible that as another former DS game, Black and White might also be given to another developer like ILCA if Game Freak is planning to use the spare time for other titles, like a potential second Pokemon Legends game set within Unova. But while Gen 9's Terastallization gimmick could be likewise omitted, there's hope that a renewed creative interest in Gen 5 Pokemon seen with Kingambit and Volcarona could be a sign that Game Freak and ILCA are learning from the shortfalls of the first third-party remake. This is strengthened when considering that these two, alongside Hydreigon and Amoonguss, represent other gimmicks from Scarlet and Violet.

Volcarona and Kingambit Could Make Gen 5 Pokemon Remakes Amazing

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet introduced two Paradox forms for Volcarona, which presents new potential for Pokemon Black and White remakes

It should be acknowledged that Volcarona is not alone as the Gen 5 Pokemon to have received new forms, as other Paradox Pokemon such as Brute Bonnet and Iron Jugulis also featured respectively in Scarlet and Violet. However, both of these received only one form as ancient and future Pokemon, with Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Iron Jugulis being disappointing due to its lackluster design and downgrade in type combo. Volcarona, on the other hand, received both ancient and future forms with Slither Wing and Iron Moth, and as a result, it embraces the Gen 9 gimmick of Paradox Pokemon from each side.

Combining this with Volcarona's "special" status in Black and White, where it's found at the end of the labyrinthian Relic Castle and encountered only once, this seems to indicate that Gen 9 could be important for Black and White's remakes. Since these remakes will already need to outright accommodate Kingambit as a new evolution, it's possible that Volcarona could lead to Paradox Pokemon appearing as well. Even beyond this, just as Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire had expanded Mega Evolutions or Ultra Sun and Moon added new Ultra Beasts, so too could Black and White's remakes introduce yet more Paradox Pokemon.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available now for Nintendo Switch.

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