Unveiling the Ultimate Evolution: The Next Pokemon Legends Game Revolutionizes Regional Variants

Highlights

Pokemon Legends: Arceus succeeded with its regional variants, but the next game should ensure they are more coherent, drawing inspiration from previous Pokedex entries.

Magikarp, often underestimated for its lack of power, has Pokedex entries alluding to a time when it possessed more strength. The upcoming Pokemon Legends game may introduce a regional variant that could unlock its true potential.

Additionally, both Gastrodon and Herdier have Pokedex entries that hint at their ancient forms, which opens doors for the inclusion of distinct regional variants in the next Pokemon Legends game.

Pokemon Legends: Arceus succeeded by implementing a fresh approach to regional variants. To ensure the success of a potential second game in the Pokemon Legends series, developers should refer to existing Pokedex entries for inspiration when creating new historical forms. Regional variants and evolutions have long been beloved features in the Pokemon series, making their inclusion in Pokemon Legends: Arceus unsurprising. However, while some of the Hisuian variants, such as Hisuian Voltorb and Electrode, seamlessly fit into the Pokemon canon, others, like Hisuian Lilligant and Braviary, feel like an afterthought.

Now that Pokemon Legends: Arceus has paved the way for a potentially successful spin-off series akin to Pokemon Mystery Dungeon, future installments must ensure that regional variants and evolutions are more cohesive. Building on the historical context of the next Pokemon Legends game, these new Pokemon forms can draw inspiration from Pokedex entries that foreshadowed future regional variants. Noteworthy examples include Kommo-o's armor and Melmetal's 3,000-year history. Furthermore, specific Pokemon would be perfect candidates for regional variants in the next Pokemon Legends game.

Magikarp's Long-Lost Stronger Ancestor

Despite its reputation as one of the series' weakest and most pathetic Pokemon, Magikarp was apparently not always so feeble. Referenced as far back as Pokemon Red and Blue and most recently in Pokemon Violet, several Pokedex entries for Magikarp suggest that it possessed greater strength in the ancient past. Taking this into consideration, it may be high time to challenge Pokemon's long-standing joke about Magikarp's notorious weakness and introduce a regional variant for Magikarp in the next installment of Pokemon Legends. This variant could embody the characteristics described in its Pokedex entries, such as a dual Water type combination with either Fighting, Steel, or Rock.

Gastrodon's Missing Sturdy Shell

In addition to Magikarp, there is another Water-type Pokemon that possesses multiple entries in the Pokedex referencing a previous form it had during ancient times. While Gastrodon currently exists in two variations, known as the East Sea and West Sea forms, it is explicitly confirmed in Pokemon Platinum and Pokemon Ultra Sun that it once had a durable shell. Considering the assumption that the two present-day variations of the Shellos line evolved from a shared ancestor, it is possible that the upcoming Pokemon Legends game could introduce an original iteration of Gastrodon. This new form of Gastrodon could potentially abandon its Water or Ground typing in favor of Steel or Rock, an adaptation to reflect its shell characteristics.

Herdier's Origins as the First Partner Pokemon

In line with other Route 1 Normal type Pokémon receiving regional variants, such as Rattata and Zigzagoon, there is potential for the next Pokémon Legends game to feature a return of the Lillipup line. Specifically, the Pokedex entries for Herdier make various references to its depiction in cave wall paintings in Pokémon Ultra Moon and Pokémon Sword, leading to theories that it may have been the first Pokémon to form a partnership with humans. Given that fans speculate the next Pokémon Legends game will explore the Unova region, it would be an ideal opportunity to introduce a Dark, Fairy, or Fighting regional variant for the Lillipup line, drawing inspiration from its own Pokedex entries.

Dreepy's Rebirth From Prehistoric Seas

The release of news about new evolutions and regional variants for several Gen 8 Pokemon suggests that the upcoming Pokemon Legends game may draw inspiration from both Legends: Arceus' pseudo-legendary regional variant and Sword and Shield's Dreepy evolution line. According to the Pokedex entries for Dreepy, this Gen 8 pseudo-legendary had a different type originally and used to inhabit ancient oceans. Therefore, similar to the Hisuian Goomy line, which eventually became a Dragon/Steel-type combination, it is possible that the Dreepy line could introduce the series' first Dragon/Water-type pseudo-legendary Pokemon in its own ancient regional variant.

Pokemon Legends: Arceus is available now for the Nintendo Switch.