Prerelease:Pokémon Red and Blue/International Localization

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

Early Blue Sprites

Previews for the then-upcoming Pocket Monsters Blue were featured in the November and December 1996 editions of CoroCoro Comic, which were published in October and November respectively. Both editions' coverage show a selection of the game's updated Pokémon sprites, with a few of them differing from their final counterparts.

Pokémon	Early	Final	Differences
Raticate			Similar pose but rougher sprite overall. Was refined for the final game. A more refined version of this early sprite was later found in the leaked Gold and Silver CBB scratchpads.
Fearow			Fearow's head is facing a different way, and sports a different facial expression.
Pikachu			Pikachu's sparks are stylized and arranged differently, its feet are rougher, and its smile is slightly wider.
Clefairy			Clefairy's wing is missing, has an extra black pixel on its left ear, and there is shading on its tail.
Persian			Similar pose but rougher sprite overall. Was refined for the final game.
Kadabra			Similar pose but rougher sprite overall. Was refined for the final game.
Alakazam			Similar pose but rougher sprite overall. Was refined for the final game.
Lickitung			Identical to final, aside from a less-refined right arm.
Rhydon			Completely different sprite. Was remade for the final game.
Ditto			Actually has a more detailed, "melted" lower-half which was removed for the final game.
Porygon			Similar pose but rougher sprite overall. Was refined for the final game.
Aerodactyl			Has more scrunched-up wings, which is especially visible with the right one.
Dragonair			Similar sprite but with rougher shading overall. Was refined for the final game.
Mewtwo			Completely different sprite. Was remade for the final game.

(Enhanced Scans: Plague von Karma)

Proposed Redesigns

Interviewer: What about problems with the Pokémon themselves? There's a commonly accepted theory in the game industry that cute characters aren't well received in America.

Ishihara: Yeah, the first time we showed off some Pokémon in the US, we were told they were "too cute". The staff in America submitted their ideas for replacement designs, but we just couldn't believe the kind of stuff they were proposing. They turned Pikachu into something like a tiger with huge breasts. It looked like a character from the musical Cats. When I asked "How is this supposed to be Pikachu??" they said "Well look, there's its tail right there."

Interviewer: Did it look like a girl from Comiket cosplaying as Pikachu? (laughs)

Ishihara: Yeah, exactly. Seriously, that was the kind of stuff being proposed. It was interesting for me, in the sense I could enjoy the cultural differences, but it certainly didn't make me want to compete in that kind of market. We decided that if Pokémon was going to fail due to the text problem, then we'd rather just keep the graphics the way they were. What if we HAD changed Pikachu? Things would be totally different now.

Iwata: [...] A long time ago, when we were taking the "Pokémon" game overseas, I was still working at HAL Laboratory before I came to Nintendo. I was watching the process, so I felt that at the time too, that the first reaction to something that's not easily accepted by them is "I wonder how well this will sell."

[...] I still remember it very vividly, when they saw Pokémon and said, "Something this cute can't be called a 'monster'. Monsters should be muscular and more fearsome", and they sent me a picture of a muscular Pikachu. I remember thinking, "There's no way we can show this to the people who made Pokémon." I remember this like it was yesterday, even though about 10 years have passed since then.

Iwata: When we were looking to expand Pokémon overseas, I can't forget what we were told. They said, "Something this cute can't be called a 'monster'". They said if you want success in the American market you need to go with a muscular redesign, such as the one they sent us.

The president of Nintendo at the time, Hiroshi Yamauchi, told me, "If there is no example [of a cute design like this] working in America, that's even more reason to give it a try. When it comes to entertainment, there is value to standing out from the rest. If something is unique and sees success, it has the potential to become really big. Go with the Japanese designs as is.

Conflicting reports regarding a Pikachu redesign that Nintendo of America proposed for the US release of Red and Green. It appears more likely that Iwata's retelling is the correct one here. At the time, Tsunekazu Ishihara was afraid that work on the North American localization of Red and Green would only further delay the then in-development Gold and Silver. Satoru Iwata then offered to help with the process, and so it would appear Ishihara never actually saw this fabled redesign, only being told about it later. Once Ishihara was later informed there may have been a confusion with the character "胸", which means "chest", as in both breasts and pectoral muscles in general.

Moreover, it would make absolutely no sense for the prudish NOA to make a design more salacious, as seen with the updated sprites of the Beauty and female Swimmer from Gold and Silver. If anything, this Pikachu redesign looked less like something from Cats, and more like a hero from Thundercats (or any of the TMNT or He-Man flavored cartoons from the mid-to-late 80s).

Arakawa: From the start, everybody was treating the project like it would flop. To make matters worse, our designs for the Pokémon were also deemed unsuitable for a United States audience. They kept saying it was all way too cute. In America, cute doesn't fly. It had to be cool. The character design expert at NOA had a lot of things to say. Eventually I told him he didn't seem like much of an expert.

Narration: [The] plan everyone overseas seemed to agree on was that, if the base gameplay was to remain the same, why not change the Pokémon design to something more palatable for the West? [...]

Arakawa: Graffiti art was on the rise in the US, so NOA contracted some artists who specialized in that style and tasked them with creating mock-ups for what they had in mind. But the end result was sorely lacking. They didn’t have the creative touch needed for a project like Pokémon, the kind Mr Tajiri and Sugimori have. We decided that if we were going to do this, the only way to do it would be with the original designs.

Narration: Right around that time, the official anime had already started broadcasting in Japan, and Pokémon was starting to gain traction. At that point, the amount of work NOA would have too put into localization would have been enormous if they had gone with their original plan.

According to NOA's founder Minoru Arakawa, it was first considered for the US market to receive a new set of promotional Pokémon artwork, redrawn in a graffiti/street art style which they thought would resonate with the youth of the time. A few of those designs do appear in "Pokémon Story", showing us "US-made Charizard sketches from NOA" as the caption puts it. In the end, no such redesign campaign took place, and the rest of the world got to enjoy Ken Sugimori's timeless watercolor artwork.

Localized Pokémon Names

Poster

When brought over to the West, the names of basically all Pokémon were localized for English-speaking andiences. However, some promotional material shown before the release of Pokémon Red and Blue reveals completely different names for most of the creatures we now all know and love. Namely, this poster from around 1998 reveals that not only was the roster named differently, but the names themselves were limited to seven characters. The Japanese games only have a five-character maximum for Pokémon names, suggesting that the localization team had only been able to increase the character limit to seven at this point. The final international versions of Red and Blue allow for a maximum of 10 characters per name.

Dex #	Final English Name	Early English Name	Japanese Name	Notes
001	Bulbasaur	Bulbasa	フシギダネ (Fushigidane)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
002	Ivysaur	Ivysaur	フシギソウ (Fushigisō)	Same name as the final.
003	Venusaur	Venusau	フシギバナ (Fushigibana)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
004	Charmander	Charman	ヒトカゲ (Hitokage)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
005	Charmeleon	Charmel	リザード (Lizādo)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
006	Charizard	Charizr	リザードン (Lizādon)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
007	Squirtle	Squirtl	ゼニガメ (Zenigame)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
008	Wartortle	Wartort	カメール (Kamēru)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
009	Blastoise	Blastoi	カメックス (Kamekkusu)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
010	Caterpie	Catterp	キャタピー (Caterpie)	Alternate romanization of the Japanese name.
011	Metapod	Kokoon	トランセル (Toranseru)	Uses a romanization of Kakuna's Japanese name as its own. Likely a mistake.
012	Butterfree	Butterf	バタフリー (Butterfree)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
013	Weedle	Weedle	ビードル (Bīdoru)	Same name as the final.
014	Kakuna	Metapod	コクーン (Kokūn)	Uses Metapod's final English name as its own. Likely a mistake.
015	Beedrill	Beedril	スピアー (Supiā)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
016	Pidgey	Pidge	ポッポ (Poppo)	Similar name to final.
017	Pidgeotto	Pidgeot	ピジョン (Pijon)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
018	Pidgeot	Pidgeot	ピジョット (Pijotto)	Same name as the final, though according to other pre-release material of the time, it was intended to be "Pidgeott".
019	Rattata	Rattata	コラッタ (Koratta)	Same name as the final, though according to other pre-release material of the time, it was intended to be "Rattatak".
020	Raticate	Raticat	ラッタ (Ratta)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
021	Spearow	Spearow	オニスズメ (Onisuzume)	Same name as the final.
022	Fearow	Fearow	オニドリル (Onidoriru)	Same name as the final.
023	Ekans	Nagahis	アーボ (Ābo)	Name is completely different, and appears to have been intended to be "Nagahiss". Appears to come from "Nāga" (serpentine Indian deity) and "hiss".
024	Arbok	Nagaasp	アーボック (Arbok)	Name is completely different. Appears to come from Nāga (serpentine Indian deity), "gasp" (in reference to how Boa constrictors kill their prey by suffocating them), and possibly the "Vipera aspis" (a species of snake).
025	Pikachu	Pikachu	ピカチュウ (Pikachu)	Same name as the final.
026	Raichu	Raichu	ライチュウ (Raichu)	Same name as the final.
027	Sandshrew	Sandshr	サンド (Sando)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
028	Sandslash	Sandsto	サンドパン (Sandopan)	Name is completely different, and appears to have been intended to be "Sandstorm".
029	Nidoran♀	Nidoran	ニドラン♀ (Nidoran♀)	Same name as the final, albeit lacking the gender symbol.
030	Nidorina	Nidorin	ニドリーナ (Nidorina)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
031	Nidoqueen	Nidoque	ニドクイン (Nidoqueen)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
032	Nidoran♂	Nidoran	ニドラン♂ (Nidoran♂)	Same name as the final, albeit lacking the gender symbol.
033	Nidorino	Nidorin	ニドリーノ (Nidorino)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
034	Nidoking	Nidokin	ニドキング (Nidoking)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
035	Clefairy	Aria	ピッピ (Pippi)	Name is completely different. Appears to come from "Aria", a type of musical composition. The final name is still themed around music, containing "clef" (a term used to refer to a musical key).
036	Clefable	Ariala	ピクシー (Pikushī)	Name is completely different. Appears to come from "Aria" (a type of musical composition), "la" (a music note), and possibly "lalala" (the onomatopoeia for singing). The final name is still based on music, containing "clef" (a term used to refer to a musical key).
037	Vulpix	Foxfire	ロコン (Rokon)	Name is completely different, and unsubtly comes from the animal basis and type of this Pokémon.
038	Ninetales	Ninetai	キュウコン (Kyūkon)	Similar name to the final, as it appears to have been intended to be spelled "Ninetails".
039	Jigglypuff	Pudding	プリン (Purin)	Name is completely different, here a romanization of its Japanese name.
040	Wigglytuff	Custard	プクリン (Pukurin)	Name is completely different, follows the dessert theme of the early name for Jigglypuff.
041	Zubat	Zubat	ズバット (Zubat)	Same name as the final.
042	Golbat	Golbat	ゴルバット (Golbat)	Same name as the final.
043	Oddish	Ladish	ナゾノクサ (Nazonokusa)	Name is completely different. Appears to be a portmanteau of "Lad" and "Radish".
044	Gloom	Gloom	クサイハナ (Kusaihana)	Same name as the final.
045	Vileplume	Vileplu	ラフレシア (Rafureshia)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
046	Paras	Parasyt	パラス (Paras)	Name is completely different, and appears to have been intended to be "Parasyte". Appears to come from a corruption of "Parasite", in reference to the parasitic mushrooms growing on its back.
047	Parasect	Parasec	パラセクト (Parasect)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
048	Venonat	Venonat	コンパン (Konpan)	Same name as the final.
049	Venomoth	Venomot	モルフォン (Morufon)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
050	Diglett	Digda	ディグダ (Diguda)	Name is completely different, here a romanization of its Japanese name.
051	Dugtrio	Dugtrio	ダグトリオ (Dugtrio)	Same name as the final.
052	Meowth	Meowth	ニャース (Nyāsu)	Same name as the final.
053	Persian	Persian	ペルシアン (Persian)	Same name as the final.
054	Psyduck	Psyduck	コダック (Kodakku)	Same name as the final.
055	Golduck	Golduck	ゴルダック (Golduck)	Same name as the final.
056	Mankey	Mankey	マンキー (Mankey)	Same name as the final.
057	Primeape	Primeap	オコリザル (Okorizaru)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
058	Growlithe	Flamie	ガーディ (Gādi)	Name is completely different, and unsubtly comes from the type of this Pokémon.
059	Arcanine	Blaze	ウインディ (Uindi)	Name is completely different, and unsubtly comes from the type of this Pokémon.
060	Poliwag	Aqua	ニョロモ (Nyoromo)	Name is completely different, and unsubtly comes from the type of this Pokémon.
061	Poliwhirl	Aquanau	ニョロゾ (Nyorozo)	Name is completely different, and appears to have been intended to be "Aquanaut". Appears to come from "aquatic" and "nautical".
062	Poliwrath	Aquamar	ニョロボン (Nyorobon)	Name is completely different, and appears to have been intended to be "Aquamarine". Appears to come from "aquatic", "marine", and "aquamarine" (a shade of greenish blue).
063	Abra	Hocus	ケーシィ (Kēshī)	Name is completely different, but shares a similar theme and naming convention with the final English name.
064	Kadabra	Pocus	ユンゲラー (Yungerā)	Name is completely different, but shares a similar theme and naming convention with the final English name.
065	Alakazam	Alakaza	フーディン (Fūdin)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
066	Machop	Karate	ワンリキー (Wanrikī)	Name is completely different, instead mirroring the theme and naming convention of the Abra line, with it being based on martial arts instead of magic.
067	Machoke	Kungfo	ゴーリキー (Gōrikī)	Name is completely different, instead mirroring the theme and naming convention of the Abra line, with it being based on martial arts instead of magic.
068	Machamp	Judoh	カイリキー (Kairikī)	Name is completely different, instead mirroring the theme and naming convention of the Abra line, with it being based on martial arts instead of magic.
069	Bellsprout	Bellspr	マダツボミ (Madatsubomi)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
070	Weepinbell	Weepinb	ウツドン (Utsudon)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
071	Victreebel	Vicrtee	ウツボット (Utsubotto)	Same name as final, but shorter and misspelled.
072	Tentacool	Jilly	メノクラゲ (Menokurage)	Name is completely different. Appears to come from a corrupted and shortened form of "Jellyfish".
073	Tentacruel	Manowar	ドククラゲ (Dokukurage)	Name is completely different. Appears to come from the "Man o' war", a jellyfish-like siphonophores.
074	Geodude	Geodude	イシツブテ (Ishitsubute)	Same name as the final.
075	Graveler	Gravele	ゴローン (Gorōn)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
076	Golem	Golem	ゴローニャ (Gorōnya)	Same name as the final.
77	Ponyta	Ponyta	ポニータ (Ponyta)	Same name as the final.
078	Rapidash	Gallop	ギャロップ (Gyaroppu)	Name is completely different, here a romanization of its Japanese name.
079	Slowpoke	Slowmo	ヤドン (Yadon)	Name is slightly different, here referencing the term "Slow-motion".
080	Slowbro	Slowbro	ヤドラン (Yadoran)	Same name as final.
081	Magnemite	Coil	コイル (Koiru)	Name is completely different, here a romanization of its Japanese name.
082	Magneton	Recoil	レアコイル (Reakoiru)	Name is completely different and based on the romanization of its Japanese name.
083	Farfetch'd	Fowler	カモネギ (Kamonegi)	Name is completely different. Appears to come from the word "Fowl".
084	Doduo	Dodo	ドードー (Dōdō)	Name is completely different, here a romanization of its Japanese name.
085	Dodrio	Dodrio	ドードリオ (Dodrio)	Same name as the final.
086	Seel	Seel	パウワウ (Pauwau)	Same name as the final.
087	Dewgong	Manaty	ジュゴン (Jugon)	Name is completely different. Appears to come from a corruption of "Manatee", Dewgong's animal basis.
088	Grimer	Grimer	ベトベター (Betobetā)	Same name as the final.
089	Muk	Muk	ベトベトン (Betobeton)	Same name as the final.
090	Shellder	Shellde	シェルダー (Shellder)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
091	Cloyster	Cloyste	パルシェン (Parushen)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
092	Gastly	Spirit	ゴース (Gōsu)	Name is completely different, and unsubtly comes from the basis and type of this Pokémon.
093	Haunter	Spectre	ゴースト (Gōsuto)	Name is completely different, and unsubtly comes from the basis and type of this Pokémon.
094	Gengar	Phantom	ゲンガー (Gengar)	Name is completely different, and unsubtly comes from the basis and type of this Pokémon.
095	Onix	Onix	イワーク (Iwāku)	Same name as the final.
096	Drowzee	Sleeper	スリープ (Surīpu)	Name is completely different, based on a romanization of Hypno's Japanese name.
097	Hypno	Hypno	スリーパー (Surīpā)	Same name as the final.
098	Krabby	Krabby	クラブ (Kurabu)	Same name as the final.
099	Kingler	Kingle	キングラー (Kingler)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
100	Voltorb	Voltorb	ビリリダマ (Biriridama)	Same name as the final.
101	Electrode	Electro	マルマイン (Marumain)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
102	Exeggcute	Eggstre	タマタマ (Tamatama)	Name is completely different, and appears to have been intended to be "Eggstreme".
103	Exeggutor	Eggscut	ナッシー (Nasshī)	Name is completely different, and appears to have been intended to be "Eggscute". Was later reworked as Exeggcute's final English name.
104	Cubone	Orphon	カラカラ (Karakara)	Name is completely different. Appears to come from "Orphan", a reference to how it is said to wear the skull of its dead mother.
105	Marowak	Guardia	ガラガラ (Garagara)	Name is completely different. Appears to come from "Guardian" in the sense of the protector of a place (here the Pokémon Tower) as well as "legal guardian" (in parallel to Cubone's early English name).
106	Hitmonlee	Lee	サワムラー (Sawamurā)	Name is completely different and only features the reference to Bruce Lee that would still find its way in the final English name.
107	Hitmonchan	Chan	エビワラー (Ebiwarā)	Name is completely different and only features the reference to Jackie Chan that would still find its way in the final English name.
108	Lickitung	Tonguet	ベロリンガ (Beroringa)	Name is completely different, and appears to have been intended to be "Tonguetyd". Appears to come from the saying "to be tongue-tied" (too shy or embarrassed to speak).
109	Koffing	Ny	ドガース (Dogāsu)	Name is completely different. Appears to be a reference to New York City and its pollution.
110	Weezing	La	マタドガス (Matadogasu)	Name is completely different. Appears to be a reference to Los Angeles and its pollution.
111	Rhyhorn	Rhyhorn	サイホーン (Saihōn)	Same name as the final.
112	Rhydon	Rhydon	サイドン (Saidon)	Same name as the final.
113	Chansey	Lucky	ラッキー (Rakkī)	Name is completely different, here a romanization of its Japanese name.
114	Tangela	Medusa	モンジャラ (Monjara)	Name is completely different. "Medusa" is a character from Greek mythology whose hair was a writhing mass of snakes.
115	Kangaskhan	Kangask	ガルーラ (Garūra)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
116	Horsea	Horsea	タッツー (Tattsū)	Same name as the final.
117	Seadra	Seadra	シードラ (Seadra)	Same name as the final.
118	Goldeen	Goldy	トサキント (Tosakinto)	Name is completely different and only features the reference to the word "Goldfish" that would still find its way in the final English name.
119	Seaking	Neptune	アズマオウ (Azumaō)	Name is completely different. "Neptune" is the god of the ocean (the king of the sea, if you will) in Roman mythology.
120	Staryu	Starmie	ヒトデマン (Hitodeman)	Uses Starmie's final English name as its own. Likely a mistake.
121	Starmie	Staryu	スターミー (Starmie)	Uses Staryu's final English name as its own. Likely a mistake.
122	Mr. Mime	Mrmime	バリヤード (Bariyādo)	Same name as the final, but shorter and as a single word.
123	Scyther	Stryke	ストライク (Sutoraiku)	Name is completely different, here a romanization of its Japanese name.
124	Jynx	Jynx	ルージュラ (Rūjura)	Same name as the final.
125	Electabuzz	Electab	エレブー (Erebū)	Same name as final, but shorter.
126	Magmar	Magmar	ブーバー (Būbā)	Same name as the final.
127	Pinsir	Pinsir	カイロス (Kairosu)	Same name as the final.
128	Tauros	Tauros	ケンタロス (Kentarosu)	Same name as the final.
129	Magikarp	Magikar	コイキング (Koiking)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
130	Gyarados	Skulkra	ギャラドス (Gyarados)	Name is completely different, and appears to have been intended to be "Skulkraken". Appears to come from "Skull" and "Kraken" (a ferocious mythological sea monster).
131	Lapras	Ness	ラプラス (Lapras)	Name is completely different. Appears to come from "Loch Ness Monster", Lapras' basis.
132	Ditto	Morpho	メタモン (Metamon)	Name is completely different. Appears to come from the word "Morphing".
133	Eevee	Eon	イーブイ (Eevee)	Name is completely different. Comes from the "-eon" suffix used by the English name of all of Eevee's evolutions.
134	Vaporeon	Vaproeo	シャワーズ (Shawāzu)	Same name as final, but shorter and misspelled.
135	Jolteon	Jolteon	サンダース (Sandāsu)	Same name as the final.
136	Flareon	Flareon	ブースター (Būsutā)	Same name as the final.
137	Porygon	Poregon	ポリゴン (Porygon)	Same name as the final, but using a different romanization.
138	Omanyte	Ess	オムナイト (Omanyte)	Completely different name. When paired with Omastar's early name, it makes up the word "escargot", the French word for snail, a reference to the Pokémon's appearance.
139	Omastar	Kargo	オムスター (Omastar)	Completely different name. When paired with Omanyte's early name, it makes up the word "escargot", the French word for snail, a reference to the Pokémon's appearance.
140	Kabuto	Att	カブト (Kabuto)	Completely different name. When paired with Kabutops' early name, it makes up the word "Atlantis", a mythical underwater city.
141	Kabutops	Lantis	カブトプス (Kabutops)	Completely different name. When paired with Kabuto's early name, it makes up the word "Atlantis", a mythical underwater city.
142	Aerodactyl	Ptera	プテラ (Putera)	Name is completely different, here a romanization of its Japanese name.
143	Snorlax	Snorlax	カビゴン (Kabigon)	Same name as the final.
144	Articuno	Articun	フリーザー (Furīzā)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
145	Zapdos	Zapdos	サンダー (Sandā)	Same name as the final.
146	Moltres	Moltres	ファイヤー (Faiyā)	Same name as the final.
147	Dratini	Dragoon	ミニリュウ (Miniryuu)	Completely different name. Appears to come from a corruption of "Dragon", and possibly "toon" (in reference to the Pokémon's cute appearance).
148	Dragonair	Dragyn	ハクリュー (Hakuryū)	Completely different name. Appears to come from a corruption of "Dragon".
149	Dragonite	Dragoni	カイリュー (Kairyū)	Same name as the final, but shorter.
150	Mewtwo	Mewtwo	ミュウツー (Mewtwo)	Same name as the final.

Press Kit

A set of Pokémon stickers was also sent out alongside 1998 Nintendo press kits, said stickers showing a more finalized nameset with the final 10-character limit. Many names have been finalized by this point, but there's still a few that aren't.

Dex #	Final English Name	Early English Name	Japanese Name	Notes
014	Kakuna	Kokoon	コクーン (Kokūn)	Name is completely different, here a romanization of its Japanese name.
015	Beedrill	Beedril	スピアー (Supiā)	Still has its early name.
016	Pidgey	Pidge	ポッポ (Poppo)	Still has its early name.
018	Pidgeot	Pidgeott	ピジョット (Pijotto)	Still has its early name, though now fully spelled.
019	Rattata	Rattatak	コラッタ (Koratta)	Still has its early name, though now fully spelled.
023	Ekans	Arbo	アーボ (Ābo)	Name is completely different, here a romanization of its Japanese name.
028	Sandslash	Sandstorm	サンドパン (Sandopan)	Still has its early name, though now fully spelled.
035	Clefairy	Aria	ピッピ (Pippi)	Still has its early name.
036	Clefable	Ariala	ピクシー (Pikushī)	Still has its early name.
037	Vulpix	Foxfire	ロコン (Rokon)	Still has its early name.
038	Ninetales	Nine Tales	キュウコン (Kyūkon)	Similar name to the final, though written as a compound name instead.
046	Paras	Parasyte	パラス (Paras)	Still has its early name, though now fully spelled.
050	Diglett	Digda	ディグダ (Diguda)	Still has its early name.
058	Growlithe	Flamie	ガーディ (Gādi)	Still has its early name.
059	Arcanine	Blaze	ウインディ (Uindi)	Still has its early name.
061	Poliwhirl	Polihirl	ニョロゾ (Nyorozo)	Similar name to the final, but spelled more clumsily.
063	Abra	Hocus	ケーシィ (Kēshī)	Still has its early name.
064	Kadabra	Pocus	ユンゲラー (Yungerā)	Still has its early name.
066	Machop	Kara-Tee	ワンリキー (Wanrikī)	Still has its early name, though spelled in a slightly more original way.
067	Machoke	Kung-Foo	ゴーリキー (Gōrikī)	Still has its early name, though spelled in a slightly more original way.
068	Machamp	Ju-Doh	カイリキー (Kairikī)	Still has its early name, though spelled in a slightly more original way.
072	Tentacool	Jilly	メノクラゲ (Menokurage)	Still has its early name.
073	Tentacruel	Man O War	ドククラゲ (Dokukurage)	Still has its early name, though spelled in a slightly more original way.
078	Rapidash	Gallop	ギャロップ (Gyaroppu)	Still has its early name.
079	Slowpoke	Slowmo	ヤドン (Yadon)	Still has its early name.
081	Magnemite	Coil	コイル (Koiru)	Still has its early name.
082	Magneton	Recoil	レアコイル (Reakoiru)	Still has its early name.
084	Doduo	Dodo	ドードー (Dōdō)	Still has its early name.
087	Dewgong	Manaty	ジュゴン (Jugon)	Still has its early name.
092	Gastly	Spirit	ゴース (Gōsu)	Still has its early name.
093	Haunter	Spectre	ゴースト (Gōsuto)	Still has its early name.
094	Gengar	Phantom	ゲンガー (Gengar)	Still has its early name.
104	Cubone	Orphon	カラカラ (Karakara)	Still has its early name.
105	Marowak	Guardia	ガラガラ (Garagara)	Still has its early name.
108	Lickitung	Tonguetyd	ベロリンガ (Beroringa)	Still has its early name, though now fully spelled.
109	Koffing	Ny	ドガース (Dogāsu)	Still has its early name.
110	Weezing	La	マタドガス (Matadogasu)	Still has its early name.
113	Chansey	Lucky	ラッキー (Rakkī)	Still has its early name.
114	Tangela	Meduza	モンジャラ (Monjara)	Still has its early name, though now spelled with a Z.
118	Goldeen	Goldy	トサキント (Tosakinto)	Still has its early name.
119	Seaking	Neptune	アズマオウ (Azumaō)	Still has its early name.
123	Scyther	Stryke	ストライク (Sutoraiku)	Still has its early name.
130	Gyarados	Skulkraken	ギャラドス (Gyarados)	Still has its early name, though now fully spelled.
131	Lapras	Ness	ラプラス (Lapras)	Still has its early name.
133	Eevee	Eon	イーブイ (Eevee)	Still has its early name.
138	Omanyte	Ess	オムナイト (Omanyte)	Still has its early name.
139	Omastar	Kargo	オムスター (Omastar)	Still has its early name.
140	Kabuto	Att	カブト (Kabuto)	Still has its early name.
141	Kabutops	Lantis	カブトプス (Kabutops)	Still has its early name.
142	Aerodactyl	Ptera	プテラ (Putera)	Still has its early name.
147	Dratini	Dragoon	ミニリュウ (Miniryū)	Still has its early name.
148	Dragonair	Dragyn	ハクリュー (Hakuryū)	Still has its early name.

Localized Game Footage

Localization Mockup

The first-ever localized look western audiences would ever get of Pokémon would come at E3 1998 in the form of mock-up footage with placeholder English text superimposed atop Green gameplay.

Early	Final
Watch out! You’ve encountered a wild Rattatak!	Wild [POKÉMON] appeared!

Was shortened for the final game. In the final game, "Rattatak" was re-localized to simply "Rattata".

Early	Final
Prof. Oak: Now calm down Satoshi. You’ll also get your chance to pick!	OAK: Be patient! [RIVAL], you can have one too!

Was compacted into one string for the final release. In the final game, "Prof. Oak" was shorted to simply "OAK".

In-Game Footage

Actual early English localized builds of the games were seen in action in early-1999 US TV adverts.

Early	Final

The trademark symbol is missing, and the copyright info lists "© 1995.1996" instead of the final games' "© '95.'96.'98".

Early	Final

• "FIGHT" is written as "FGHT" due to a lack of space. In the final game the option window was expanded by an extra tile, letting the option be spelled out in its entirety.
• Rattata is shown here with its early name, "Rattatak".

Early	Final

• The type and PP window is formatted differently, as well as being one tile less wide.
• The move window is one tile wider than in the final game.
• Oddly enough, the ":L" tile is slightly lower in this particular clip, just like in the Japanese games, while its placement in the rest of the commercial matches the final English games. As such, it's possible this battle clip may come from an earlier/intermediate build.

Other miscellaneous changes are as follows:

• The pre-wild battle text is formatted as "A wild [POKÉMON] appeared!", while the final game went with the simpler "Wild [POKÉMON] appeared!"
• When using Growl, the message displayed is "Enemy [POKÉMON]'s ATTACK down!" instead of "Enemy [POKÉMON]'s ATTACK fell!"
• The Pokémon Center overworld sign still uses its tiles from the Japanese versions.
• Near the end, Kakuna is shown with its early name, "Kokoon".
• Near the end of the second advert, Pidgey is shown with its early name, "Pidge". Some more footage of the earlier title screen is also shown, revealing that in this build the "Red Version" subtitle used a blue palette instead of a red one.
• In the Target advert, the pre-trainer battle text is shown as "[TRAINER CLASS] sent [POKéMON] out!" instead of "[TRAINER CLASS] sent out [POKéMON]!".
• Moreover, when an opposing Pokémon faints, it is displayed as "The enemy [POKéMON] fainted!" The "The" was removed in the final builds, likely so this message could fit in a single text box.

Localized Game Manual

Shown in the games' manual, officially dubbed the "Trainer's Guide", are some screenshots taken from a slightly earlier localization build, which can for example be seen with Gym Leaders, here instead referred to as "Pokémon Leaders".

Interestingly, there also exists on Page 23 a screenshot or two which not only use the old pre-battle message described below, but also refers to Pidgey in-game as "Pidge", its early English name.

Grammar Changes

• On Page 14, we can see that withdrawing an item from your PC would bring up a message saying "What do you want to take?", a line which was changed to "What do you want to withdraw?" in the final games.
• Another small change can also be seen on Page 19 with the message which pops up when accessing the Pokémon storage section of the PC, the string stating "Accessed Pokémon Storage System!" instead of "Accessed Pokémon Storage System."
• On Page 24 is a screenshot of the player entering Pewter City's Museum of Science, though with the employee behind the desk referring to a "child ticket" instead of the final game's "child's ticket".
• As seen on Page 26, "MT. MOON AHEAD" is written as "Mt. Moon ahead", and "Welcome to the SAFARI ZONE!" is written as "Welcome to Safari Zone!" Moreover, the Daycare man's dialogue was expanded from "Would like me to raise a POKéMON?" into "Would you like me to raise one of your POKéMON?"
• Still on Page 26, the line "Oh! It's a bite!" was instead "Ho! It's a hit." at this point of development.

Starter Selection Message

Prerelease	Final

On Page 15 is a screenshot of the player picking Bulbasaur as their starter. Here "plant" is in uppercase (not lowercase), "POKéMON" is only "POKé", and the comma is missing.

Pre-Battle Message

Prerelease	Final

On Pages 7 and 25 are a screenshot of the player fighting against Brock, though with the message displayed on-screen being grammatically incorrect. While "The [TRAINER CLASS] wants to fight" would work on a large chunk of trainers due to them not having names ("The LASS wants to fight!", for example), this would however cause issues with Gym Leaders, Elite Four Members, or the Rival. Indeed, in Generation I these characters weren't referred to in-game as "[Title] [character name]" ("Gym Leader Brock", for example), but instead simply by their name. As such, the pre-battle message was reworded to make it grammatically correct in all possible scenarios.

This early message can also be seen in a 1999 Target promotional video, where the player is fighting against "The [rival name]".

Overworld Cut Message

Prerelease	Final

On Page 31, "[POKÉMON] CUT down a bush!" is used instead of the usual message "[POKÉMON] hacked away with CUT!" when using Cut on a bush. This was changed because Cut can also be used to chop down tall grass, and the same text string is used for both purposes.

Game Corner Message

Prerelease	Final

On Page 26 is a screenshot of the player buying coins at the Game Corner, with quite a few differences to be seen. First, the all-caps name is instead shown as a "properly" capitalized name. Secondly, the Poké Dollar icon is on the opposite side of the window. Lastly, the zero is oddly off-centered, something which was fixed in the final games.