Neither Pikachu nor Charizard: the first Pokémon ever designed was #112, based on a triceratops
Despite its number, the first Pokémon as such is not one of the best known.
Although Pikachu and Charizard are some of the most recognizable creatures from the first Pokémon game, neither of them was the first to exist. There is always the debate: Which was the first Pokémon? Arceus? Mew? Bulbasaur? The history behind the franchise reveals that the first Pokémon designed in the entire series was actually number 112 in the Pokédex: Rhydon.
In the early 1990s, Ken Sugimori and the rest of the design team at Game Freak needed a simple model to experiment with the concept of digital creatures. They therefore created Rhydon, a Ground/Rock-type Pokémon inspired by a triceratops, which soon became the basis on which the initial mechanics of the game were built.
Rhydon’s legacy
Far from being an anecdotal detail, the fact that Rhydon was the first also explains why it appears so frequently in old illustrations, sketches, and even in the stone statues that decorate some gyms in Pokémon Red and Blue. For developers, it was the quintessential test model.
Some debate surrounds this figure
However, although the information seems clear and well-documented, it is open to some debate. This is because it is also documented that Shigeki Morimoto, the legendary designer and programmer at Game Freak who has been involved in the franchise since its inception, explained that Diglett is a character he created when he was just a child, even making an animated book featuring him. This would technically make it the first Pokémon in the eyes of some fans. However, most consider that even though the creature was created long before the game existed, the fact that it was not specifically designed and conceived as a Pokémon invalidates it for the title.
Related stories
Follow MeriStation USA on X (formerly known as Twitter). Your video game and entertainment website for all the news, updates, and breaking news from the world of video games, movies, series, manga, and anime. Previews, reviews, interviews, trailers, gameplay, podcasts and more! Follow us now!
Complete your personal details to comment