Development:Pokémon Red and Blue/Pokémon

This is a sub-page of Development:Pokémon Red and Blue.

Since the front Pokémon sprites were all updated for Blue, only the back sprites (which were left untouched) were included in the leaked source code. These are found among the usual Pokémon sprites, using the filename format "MONSBK[ID#]" ("Monster Sprite Back [ID#]). Unfortunately, of all the unused sprites, the ones assigned to index slots 21, 115, 121, and 135 were missing entirely. The rest, however, turned out to be a gold mine of scrapped designs.

While none of the following Pokémon appear in the Encounter Rate documents we have access to, we do have evolution data as well as defined cries for some of them. Several of the following Pokémon also appear in archival images from internal popularity polls during the game's development, released in the 2018 manga Satoshi Tajiri: The Man Who Made Pokémon.

Pokémon List

Pokémon Index 137 / 31

"Gyaoon" (ギャオーン), a cut reptilian Pokémon which was possibly later reworked into Tyranitar in Generation II. Its front sprite could partially be seen in the Satoshi Tajiri manga during the popularity poll. Has what appears to be a pre-evolution at index spot 137, though they both lack any evolution data.

Pokémon Index 32

A Pokémon that appears similar to Nidoran♂, but lacks any evolution data. Nidorino and Nidorina can be found at the tail end of the index list, almost at the end of it. It's possible this was also just an earlier back sprite for Nidoran♂, as it was originally larger.

Pokémon Index 50

"Balloonda" (バルンダ), a cut balloon-like Pokémon which could be seen in the popularity poll. Was possibly later reworked into Jigglypuff. A balloon-themed Pokémon named Drifloon was introduced in Generation IV.

Pokémon Index 52

What is likely the Pokémon "Buu" (ブー) that was mentioned in the popularity poll, as seen by its resemblance to "Woo", a yeti kaiju from the Ultraman franchise. Based on its position in the index list, between Electabuzz and Magmar, it appears to have been the original Ice-type counterpart to them. This is also evidenced by its name, as Electabuzz and Magmar are known as Erebū (Elebuu) and Būbā (Buuber) in Japanese. Contrary to popular belief, this Pokémon actually coexisted with Jynx, meaning that the former was not reworked into the latter, with Jynx merely taking Buu's spot as the Ice-type member of the elemental "Buu" trio.

Pokémon Index 56

"Deer" (ディアー), a cut deer/moose-like Pokémon which could be seen in the internal poll.

Pokémon Index 61

A cut bipedal elephant-like Pokémon with two pairs of tusks. Could partially be seen in the internal poll.

Pokémon Index 62

"Crocky" (クロッキー), a cut crazed-looking crocodile Pokémon which could be seen in the internal poll. Has a slightly updated design when compared to the front sprite shown in the poll, as here it has spikes on its head instead of droopy hair.

Pokémon Index 63 / 122

Two cut mollusk/squid-like Pokémon which appear to have been part of the same evolutionary line, but lack evolution data. Both may have been tentatively reworked into "380", a Pokémon from the development of Gold and Silver which didn't end up making the final cut.

Pokémon Index 67

"Cactus" (カクタス), a cut mean-looking cactus Pokémon with a tail which could partially be seen in the internal poll.

Pokémon Index 68

"Jagg" (ジャッグ), a shark/swordfish-like Pokémon which could be seen in the internal poll. May have been reworked into Sharpedo in Generation III.

Pokémon Index 69

A cut pre-evolution for Zubat. Evolves into Zubat starting at Level 26.

Pokémon Index 79 / 80

Two cut fish Pokémon which were part of the same evolutionary line, with ID 79 evolving into ID 80 starting at Level 30. The first stage bears some resemblance to the Cheep Cheep, enemies from the Mario franchise, which themselves share some traits with the flying fish. The evolution, meanwhile, may be based on the Siamese fighting fish.

Pokémon Index 81

A cut pre-evolution for Vulpix. It was planned to make a return with the name Mikon in Generation II and again in Generation IV, but it didn't make the cut either time.

Pokémon Index 86 / 87

May have been a cut two-stage evolutionary line, but both of these Pokémon lack any evolution data. ID 86 has what could be seen as eyes, large cheeks, large ears, or something else entirely. It's possible it was a frog, based on an early Politoed sprite having a resemblance.

Pokémon Index 174 / 94 / 95

Three cut lizard-like Pokémon which appear to have been part of the same evolutionary line but lack any evolution data. Possibly based on Chinese water dragons (Physignathus cocincinus), as they're next to the Sandshrew line, which is based on pangolins. Another possible reference is the Green iguana (Iguana iguana), which made up over 40% of the domestic reptile trade during the 80s and 90s, reaching 1 million in 1996. Additionally, they are native to Brazil, a country of which numerous Japanese people have historically migrated. ID 94 and ID 95 have similar-sounding cries, while ID 174 uses the default generic cry. They bear some resemblance to the cut Gen II Water starter, Kurusu.

Pokémon Index 127

A cut middle evolution between Psyduck and Golduck. Evolves from Psyduck starting at Level 22 and into Golduck starting at Level 33.

Pokémon Index 134

A cut pre-evolution for Meowth. Was planned to make a return in Generation II, there known as Koonya, only to end up once again not making the cut.

Pokémon Index 140

What appears to be the original pre-evolution of Magneton, since Magnemite can be found at the tail end of the index list, almost at the end of it. Lacks any evolution data.

Pokémon Index 146

What appears to be a cut evolution of Marowak as its index number is directly following that of Marowak, but lacks any evolution data. It appears to be carrying what looks like a little Cubone, the same way Kangaskhan does with its baby. This Pokémon's strong resemblance to Kangaskhan may be why it was ultimately shelved.

Pokémon Index 156

A cut pre-evolution for Goldeen. Was planned to make a return in Generation II, there known as Gyopin, only to end up once again not making the cut. Evolves into Goldeen starting at Level 22.

Pokémon Index 159 / 160 / 161

Three cut tiger-like Pokémon which appear to have been part of the same evolutionary line. However, these Pokémon all lack any evolution data. The first and second stages were planned to make a return in Generation II, there known as Kotora and Raitora respectively, only to end up once again not making the cut. The first two stages could actually be seen, heavily blurred, in the "Zukan" booklet.

Pokémon Index 162

A cut pre-evolution for Ponyta. Was planned to make a return in Generation II, there known as Puchikoon, only to end up once again not making the cut.

Pokémon Index 172

What may have been a pre-evolution for Blastoise, which was originally separate from the Squirtle line. Lacks any evolution data.

Pokémon Index 175

Matches the description of "Gorochu" (ゴロチュウ), notably having its horn. One of the most famous scrapped Generation I Pokémon, was a scrapped Raichu evolution, meant to evolve at level 40.

Pokémon Index 181

The original evolution for Wartortle. It was replaced with Blastoise, possibly because having two turtle lines may have been seen as redundant.