Pokemonis a franchise that has always been brimming with creative and jaw-dropping fan content. From the more comedic fans delivering anendless slew of Bidoof Day memesto the artistic fans' brilliant depictions of their favorite creatures, the series has lent itself to the creativity of its fanbase over the 25 years since its launch. Fans are always finding new ways to bring the game’s fantastical creatures to life and many often turn to designs which were left behind during development.
Throughout the development cycles ofPokemon’s eight generation of games, there have been plenty of different Pokemon designs which didn’t quite make the cut. Some of Nintendo’s scrapped ideas for potential Pokemon include a Scizor whose color scheme is much closer to its predecessor, Scyther, and a design for Octillery that looks like an enemy from theSuper Mario Bros.series. One fan on Reddit used their 3D modelling skills to bring to life the beta design for a fan-favorite Pokemon, Wooper.
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Pokemonbeta design leakshave become increasingly common in recent years and many fans have put their own creative spins on the looked-over renditions. Reddit user ItsLocko showed off a stunning 3D model recreating the iconic Pokemon’s pre-release appearance. The early version of Wooper, differing from its release counterpart, walks on four legs and has four whiskers extending from each side of its head as opposed to the stick-like protrusions on the finished Wooper. The beautiful 3D depiction even carries a happy easygoing smile that matches the carefree attitude of the aquatic creature.
Fellow Pokemon fans in the comment were quick to praise ItsLocko for the impressive recreation of the Pokemon’s pixel art origins. Many clamored to see what the user’s next creation would be with several fans offering suggestions such asbeta Pichu’s orb-shaped designand the beta design for Probopass which looks similar to the release but with a much larger nose. Other fans compared the 3D creation toStarcraft’s Zerglings and Poros fromLeague of Legends.
Fan creations like this user’s have gone far beyond the content of released games for years with passionate creators striving to bring alternative experiences to thePokemonfranchise.Pokemonfan games and “ROM hacks,“edits of existingPokemongames, have become a popular staple ofPokemon’s online community between original regions, new Pokemon to befriend, and even other franchises likeDragon Ball ZandYu-Gi-Ohre-interpreted as monster collect-a-thons. For as long asPokemoncontinues as a franchise, its talented fanbase will push the boundaries of creative content and explore the series from new angles.
