Are These Pokémon Real Or Fake?
- by Joshua Olivieri
- – on
- in Mind Twisters
I still remember the days when there were only 151 Pokemon and everyone was able to recognize them. As the audience has aged and the Pokemon franchise has expanded though, fewer people know who the various creatures are (let alone what they're called).
Since its inception, the number of Pokemon has increased exponentially, well surpassing the 800 mark. This means that there are over 800 individual critters that people have to remember in order to recognize which Pokemon they are.
While this sounds daunting on paper, we know that there are some fans out there who really know their stuff (or who have remained with the series all this time). Because of this, we want to point out who the true Pokemon fans are in the audience.
We've collected pictures of real Pokemon and fake Pokemon. Your job is to determine which is which. Are you ready to be the best like no one ever was?
The lava anteater: Heatmor
Fire Pokemon are pretty common, so it could go either way with this creature. With claws like those, it seems like it could slice up just about anything it wanted, but the nose seems to be its most useful attribute (as is common with anteaters). In typical Pokemon fashion, it also combines an animal that we recognize with an element to distinguish it from the real world. Love or hate the design, you have to admit that it's pretty authentic.
Gotta go fast: Jerbola
All Sonic jokes aside, there's a lot to love with this critter. It seems like a lovechild between Pikachu and Sonic (there I go with the jokes again), but that's part of why it's so interesting. Its Electric typing would provide it with some useful attacks in battle as well as the ability to paralyze opponents. Who knows how much more amazing it could be after it evolves? That being said, maybe it doesn't evolve at all! Do you know?
Bust out the moves: Ampharos
This Pokemon is obviously another Electric type (you can 9 times out of 10 guarantee a Pokemon's type by its color). However, it doesn't seem like something you'd find in the wild, but rather something you'd have to train in order to receive. Despite it's happy appearance, I'd bet that it's loaded with some impressive attacks to dominate the competition. The biggest mystery surrounding is this: is it a giraffe or a sheep with no wool? Could it be both?
Lava shield: Tertonator
Here's another interesting Pokemon. It's both amazing yet ridiculous to look at. At first glance, it looks like a cross between a turtle, lava, and a kappa (which is essentially a carnivorous turtle). The big shell on its back is likely there for optimal protection so it can find the right opening before attacking. Based on its color, I'd wager that it's a Fire type and would use trademark attacks like Lava Plume, Fire Blast, and Smokescreen. Time will tell.
Use Protect! Forretress
In the same way that you can infer a Pokemon's type by its color, you can also generally tell which ones learn defensive moves. One look at this floating rock and it's clear that it would get moves like Protect and Iron Defense. While I'm not sure what it's supposed to be (type included), it seems like it could be useful in battle. However, if it couldn't learn any status affecting moves, then any trainer would be wise to skip it.
Perfect cuddle buddy: Luxelong
There are many Dragon types in the Pokemon world, and if I were to put money on it, I'd say this creature would be one of them as well. Then again, if a palm tree (Tropius) can be a dragon, anything is possible. Still, this creature looks like it could breathe fire and swipe its massive tail at opponents. However, it's nice appearance leads me to believe that it could have different moves in battle that aren't so brutal, but that's why I'm asking you guys.
Hi Jump Kick! : Mega Lopunny
There are a lot of Pokemon based on everyday creatures, so it makes sense that Game Freak would try and create more unique designs with these animals. This athletic-looking rabbit Pokemon seems to have all of the tools in place to deal some serious damage. Judging by the fact it's a rabbit, I guarantee it has some impressive speed and evasion. I'd also believe that it's a Normal type, but the athletic build could also give it the Fighting type as well.
A little bit of everything: Chimaconda
There is something off about this Pokemon, but before you go writing it off as a fake, understand that it's based off of a Chimera from Greek mythology. Those beings would have the head of a lion, the tail of a snake, and an additional goat head. Here, just about everything checks out, but it just has goat horns instead of an entire head. While I'm not 100% sure what the type would be, if I had to guess I would say at least Fire.
The dynamic duo: Hambo and Harambe
When Pokemon Sun and Moon were in development, they were creating a lot of unique creatures for the game. They were basing Pokemon off of anchors, owls, sea lions, and even fire dancers. It makes sense that they'd go with a unique Aztec design for monkeys. Hambo and Harambe are some of the few Ghost/Fighting types in the series (if they're real of course). Also, their ability, Meat Shield, doesn't seem like much at first but could really change how battles progress.
Getting antsy are we? Durant
Bug Pokemon are nothing new to this world, so would it come as a surprise that there would be another one added to the roster? This Pokemon would have to be a Bug/Steel type judging by the silver armored color on top of the fact that it's a straight up ant. However, it does look a bit too realistic to be an actual Pokemon (especially in its facial features) but we've had some odd-looking ones before. If it's real, what would its name be?
Hi there, little cutie! Orchynx
Whenever a new generation is announced, everyone wonders what the starter Pokemon are going to be. After all, we are required to get one and if they look dumb, it will taint a lot of the adventure (cough Black and White cough). This little critter looks like it would be an excellent starter to choose. Too often do we have Normal or Fire type cat Pokemon, so it's nice to a cat combined with a Grass type for once. I wonder what it turns into.
Just keep swimming: Ancshark
While this Pokemon looks strikingly similar to an actual hammerhead, it's different enough in its body structure and chain tail that I'm more than willing to let it pass (let's not forget those adorable eyes either). It looks like something one would find where a ship crashed in the bottom of the ocean. Obviously, that would make this a Water type, but as far as anything else, there isn't much for us to determine based on its design alone. Still cute, though.
Delicious! Vanilluxe
Well if there's one thing I can say about this Pokemon, it's that there's no denying that it's an Ice type. Apart from that, I have a lot more to say about it. Pokemon is typically about turning animals and mythical creatures into battle-ready monsters, but this is so out of the blue that I'm practically insulted. How could ice cream exist in a world where ice cream is also one of the living creatures in it? Do people harvest this Pokemon for ice cream?
It's Mickey Mouse the Pokemon: Azurill
There a lot of Pokemon who were given baby forms in Gen 2. There was Tyrogue, Magby, Pichu, and a few others to take into account. This little guy is a supposed baby variant of Marill, a Pokemon who was introduced in Gen 2. Based on this information, I'd guess that this Pokemon would have to be a water type, evolve through some kind of friendship mechanic (extremely annoying) and learn some useless attacks like Bubble and Charm (as most baby Pokemon do).
Put em up! Corphish
There have been a few crab-based Pokemon over the years, and the ones that immediately come to mind are Krabby and Kingler. These orange and white beauties would use their claws rather than their mouths to shoot water (for the most part) and tended to be quite ferocious in the field of battle. That's why this Pokemon doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Whoever created it just seemed to be taking Krabby and remaking him over again. Not very original.
Beware the night: Lucaurus
When people start thinking of new wolf Pokemon, I always get excited. There are so many different routes that one can take that you never know what you're gonna get. This Pokemon is a prime example. It looks like something that the Native Americans would worship as a spirit. Based on its form, I imagine that it would have to have a high speed stat and feature the Dark type in some form. It also looks strikingly similar to Lucario.
All kinds of power: Gardevoir
While I have said before that many Pokemon are (and should be) based on animals, there are some that have much more humanistic features than the rest of the bunch. Just take a look at this Psychic type powerhouse. Despite its relaxed and beautiful appearance, I would be shocked if it didn't have some kind of impressive moveset to go with it. Most Psychic Pokemon demand that you fear them, and this one looks no different (remember how monstrous Alakazam used to be?).
The face of no regrets: Landorus
To be honest with you all, I'm not sure what to make of this Pokemon. It looks like a hybrid between a genie and a bodybuilder. The cloud at its base suggests some Japanese lore influence, but that only confuses me more. Its orange color suggests either a Rock or Ground typing, but the cloud could mean that it's a Flying type as well. On top of that, the little tail antenna thing that comes out of its head seems to serve no purpose at all.
Every teenage girl of the modern day: Smoochum
You take one look at those lips, hair, and lips, and you wonder why this is a Pokemon and not a modern teenage girl. Seriously, it looks exactly like someone you could run into at the mall getting their nails done. Not helping this similarity is the fact that the Pokemon is striking a very (let's call it) classic pose. It could be a Normal type, but the purple coloring means that it could be Poison or Psychic as well.
Clash of the Titans anyone? Frossil and Glacaurex
Frossil and Glacaurex are pretty frightening Pokemon. While we're not given anything other than their names and typing, that's more than enough to infer more information. From the name Frossil, these Pokemon are probably ones you'd have to recover from fossils you find in the games (further enhanced by their Rock typing). On top of that, I guarantee they'd have some great defensive stats with offensive moves, like Blizzard, Rock Tomb, and maybe even Explosion. At the end of the day, you want these guys on your team.
If Spyro were fearsome: Dunsparce Evo
Dunsparce is a Pokemon introduced in Gen 2 and has since then been pretty useless. But with this Pokemon, he won't have to be any longer. Too long has he needed an evolution, and my oh my, is this one a beauty. Due to its design, I imagine that it would add the Dragon typing to the mix, complete with moves like Twister and Dragonbreath. Unfortunately, with Pokemon like this, there's always some roundabout way of getting them, like trading with an item or finding a special stone.
Lose your keys? Klefki
Here's another questionable design. As opposed to basing off of something even as neutral as a magnet, somebody instead couldn't find their keys and decided to turn that into a Pokemon. Whatever type this thing is (probably Steel), I imagine that it's one of the least-desired things in the community, assuming that it's real. On top of that, I almost guarantee that it's one of the worst Pokemon to catch and use in battle just by inferring from its design.
The Neverending Story: Drampa
There are so many Dragon type Pokemon these days that it's time for the creators to start thinking outside of the box. Take this little guy for example. He is clearly based off of Falkor from The Neverending Story. However, he has enough nuances, such as the soulless eyes and long neck, that differentiate him from his inspiration. The jury's out on whether or not he'll be useful in battle or whether he has some evolutions to tinker with, but he looks decent.
They call me Mr. Pig! Tofurang
I'm not sure what to make of this Pokemon. The bat wings for ears are in stark contrast with the fluffy tail which, in turn, are in contrast with the pig nose and body. This Pokemon doesn't make a lot of sense to me. The fur suggests a normal type, but the wings and color scream Poison type to me. It could be a combination of both, but you never know with weird Pokemon like this (I wouldn't be surprised if it were a Dragon type).
It came from outer space: Comite and Cometeor
Rock and Psychic. Just one look at this design and I know exactly what types they bear. These little guys look like strange comets that came from outer space (kind of like Deoxys except they're actual rocks). I can imagine that they learn extremely useful attacks when it comes to battling, but wouldn't be able to take a hit from Fighting, Grass, Ground, Steel, or Water very well. Still, the designs are top notch and I'd be proud to have one of these on my team.