Highlights
Pokemon Legends: Arceus' success sets the stage for a potential sequel in a different region, possibly Kanto's past, allowing players to explore with new starters.
The game's innovative approach to choosing starters, which involves using Pokemon from various generations, hints at the possibility that future Pokemon Legends games will follow suit. In terms of Kanto's history, specific Pokemon like Treecko, Chimchar, and Popplio, perfectly embody the core theme of the original game, which revolves around the contrast between nature and civilization. These Pokemon would thus be excellent choices for starter Pokemon.
The success of Pokemon Legends: Arceus has almost confirmed a sequel to the game, which has injected new life into the series. While rumors suggest that the next installment could be set in a historical version of the Unova Region, it is possible that it could be even more iconic. Creating a Pokemon Legends game based on Kanto's past seems like an obvious choice considering the immense popularity of Gen 1 among fans. This would provide players with the opportunity to explore the region using a fresh set of starter Pokemon.
In addition to shaking up the series' formula in various aspects, Pokemon Legends: Arceus offers players the unique option of choosing from three starter Pokemon taken from previous generations. It is highly likely that future Pokemon Legends games will adopt this approach, presenting players with starter options from different generations outside of each region's main game. With this in mind, there are already several strong candidates that could potentially be part of the starter trio in a Pokemon Legends game set in the Kanto Region.
The Pokemon Most Likely to Be Starters in a Legends Kanto Game
Assuming the Pokemon Legends series will not reuse starters across games, it can be concluded that Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott will not be available as starters in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. Additionally, considering that Pokemon Legends: Arceus is set in the Hisui Region of Sinnoh's past and does not include any Gen 4 starters, it is reasonable to assume that a Pokemon Legends game set in Kanto would not utilize Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle as starters. With these limitations in mind, the potential starters for this type of game can be narrowed down, taking into account several other factors.
There is evidence to suggest the possibility of the Gen 3 starters existing in the Kanto Region. In Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver, players can obtain one of these starters from Steven Stone after defeating Red. Although it is implied that Steven brought these Pokemon from the Hoenn Region, it is plausible that one or more of them were originally native to Kanto and could flourish there upon reintroduction. Among these starters, Treecko appears to be the most suitable candidate as it is known to thrive in captivity, making it a natural fit for a more densely populated region like Kanto. Moreover, its inclusion could help emphasize the theme of fostering a connection between humans and Pokemon, which is a central aspect of Pokemon Legends: Arceus.
Given the game's likely historical setting, Chimchar would be a suitable choice for a Fire type starter. In the past, monkeys were prevalent throughout Japan, particularly in mountainous regions, before urbanization took over. By including Chimchar, the game would further emphasize the conflict between human civilization and nature, aligning with its overarching theme. Additionally, monkeys hold significance in various Japanese folk tales, making Chimchar an ideal starter for a game centered on legends and the past.
Continuing with the theme of featuring Pokémon inspired by animals that historically inhabited the region, Popplio would be an excellent candidate for a Water type starter. Although Japanese sea lions are now extinct, they were a common presence along Japan's coastline in the past, with occasional supposed sightings even today. This presents an opportunity to introduce a new regional form for Primarina, possibly with a Ghost typing to reflect the unfortunate reality that these sea lions were hunted to extinction for their fat.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus is available for Nintendo Switch.