History Trivia / Pokemon

** Gen VIII: Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble [[note]]Or Meltan and Melmetal, if treated as part of this generation, as they debuted in ''GO'' before the Galar starters were revealed.[[/note]]
** Gen IX: Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly.

** What can you say when they made [[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment Levitate Flying Rotom, and Insomnia Delibird]][[note]]Delibird has acces to Vital Spirit, which does ''exactly the same'' thing as Insomnia[[/note]], or Event Only Heatran with Eruption and Quiet Nature?[[note]]Eruption does damage based on Base Power x (Current HP/Max HP x 100%). Such moves are generally paired with Choice Scarf (increases speed by 50% at the cost of using only one move) for a fast and powerful combo. Quiet Nature is a nature that lowered speed[[/note]] Probably the best example is Shedinja, who can learn Final Gambit and Sandstorm.[[note]]Final Gambit faints your Pokémon and does the same amount of damage as your Pokémon's current HP. Sandstorm is a weather condition that removes a bit of HP if it's not Rock-, Ground-, or Steel-type. When you put either of them on the OneHitPointWonder Bug/Ghost that is Shedinja, [[EpicFail well...]][[/note]]

* PopCultureUrbanLegends
** ''Lavender Town Syndrome'': This was an urban legend about suicides in the nineties in Japan after kids played the original ''Red and Green'' versions and were driven insane by the song that plays in Lavender Town. A lesser version claims that there are higher-pitched tones that cause subtle discomfort and only children can fully hear them, that were changed in the localized ''Red and Blue''. While the song is certainly creepy, if there is any BrownNote, it's in all four versions -- all the music is bit-for-bit identical in all four of ''Red and Green'', Japanese ''Blue'', ''Red and Blue'', and ''Yellow''. And while there are indeed high-pitched ringing tones, they are around 14kHZ, which can be heard up to age 45 on average, making the "only children can fully hear them" part mostly false and the only symptom actually reported was headache (which could have also been due to eyestrain from playing too long).
** It's very commonly claimed that Creator/SatoruIwata saved the development of ''VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'' by writing a new compression algorithm that was so efficient it allowed the developers to include the Kanto map from the previous game as a bonus. This is not quite right: while Iwata did write the compression algorithm for the game, an [[https://www.reddit.com/r/TruePokemon/comments/hwluk9/while_it_is_true_that_iwata_did_write_a_new/ in-depth technical analysis]] shows that it actually takes up ''more'' space than ''Red & Blue'''s, the main gain being in speed (for loading in and out of battles and such) rather than efficiency. Furthermore, ''Gold & Silver'' used a cartridge that had twice the capacity of ''Red & Blue'' (and four times the capacity of the original Japanese release) and had [[DummiedOut plenty of unused data that could've been cut]] if space was an issue.
** ''Fanfic/PokemonBlack'' (not to be confused with an installment of ''VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite'') was a rumored bootleg cartridge or romhack. It gives you a "ghost" Pokémon that you can never switch out of your party, which no opponents can attack, and whose only move, "Curse", is almost always a OneHitKO. If you fight a trainer, each curse causes the ball containing your opponent's mon to disappear from his roster. When he has no Pokémon left, you can now curse him directly; doing so causes him to disappear forever (or turn into an InstantGravestone). When you beat the Elite Four, you get a FlashForward to yourself as an old man, where you see a vision of every mon and trainer you cursed, and your ghost [[TurnedAgainstTheirMasters turns on you]] and subjects you to a HopelessBossFight. When your HP hits zero, it curses you; the screen turns black and will not change. If you reset the game, your save file will be erased -- or in some versions, your Game Boy will be bricked entirely. While ''Black'' was eventually given a full {{defictionalization}} courtesy of a dedicated fan, the initial story was... well, just that.
** There were rumors for a while of an unused trainer fight in Lavender tower known as "BURIEDALIVE" that you could "access" by talking to a gravestone, which send out "White Hand"s (a reference to a line from an NPC in Lavender town talking about a "white hand" that they may or may not be imagining). If you were to lose said battle, rather than blacking out and going to the nearest Pokemon Center, it would instead give you a "Game Over" screen where said BURIEDALIVE would eat the PlayerCharacter's brains; the game would then attempt to overwrite your Game Boy's startup screen with this image, ensuring you would be reminded of your failure whenever you turned the system on. In addition to the content being absurd to add for a game marketed to children, extensive datamining has shown nothing relating to the fight, its similarly "unused" WHITEHAND cohorts, or anything related to a Game Over screen at all, let alone the one from the tale. On top of that, it is flat-out impossible for a Game Boy cartridge to interact with or modify the bootup screen in any meaningful way, as it's part of the system's bootstrap ROM, which is completely separate from the game's code.
** The remakes of ''VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'' have an extremely-persistent-even-after-debunked rumor that [[MemeticMutation Youngster Joey's "top-percentage" Rattata]] is in fact coded to have perfect Internal Values.
** A 2005 April Fool's prank started a rumor of a remake of ''VideoGame/HeyYouPikachu'' for the Platform/NintendoDS that introduced a new Pokémon called "Korechu".
** There is an urban legend that the Shadow Triad were originally meant to be revealed as the Striaton Trio in ''VideoGame/PokemonBlack2AndWhite2'' but this was changed in development. This stems from a theory that originated from the triplets being absent during the climax of ''Black & White'' and was egged on by the ''Adventures'' manga (which later revealed the similarities to be a RedHerring). Even after the sequel games confirmed that they're not the same characters, concept art depicting the Shadow Triad's original ''[=BW2=]'' designs has led to this idea being circulated amongst the fandom. Either way, it's never been confirmed to be more than speculation.
** Shortly after the announcement of ''Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire'', someone noticed Nintendo registered a trademark for ''Delta Emerald'', sparking more rumors. However, this was a blanket trademark so that they already have a name registered in the event that Creator/GameFreak wants to use it, something that Nintendo does regularly for the franchise. Similar rumors resulted from prior trademarks, such as "White Gold" being assumed to be the future name of a ''Pokémon Gold'' remake (Game Freak eventually went with ''[=HeartGold=]'') and ''Pokémon Grey'' (they made ''Black 2 & White 2'' instead).
** After the release of ''VideoGame/PokemonSwordAndShield'', a slew of alleged screenshots from a new update of ''VideoGame/PokemonMasters'' featuring multiple references to the new games appeared, such as Iris stating that the Galar champion Leon is her cousin and Blue complaining about his Pidgeot not being allowed to go in the Galar region. Such screenshots are all fabrications.
** Some fans have speculated that Butterfree was originally designed to be the evolved form of Venonat, stemming from how similar the two Pokémon look. Despite how popular the rumor is, it's never been confirmed and leaks of beta elements from ''VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue'' show no hints that this was ever the case. People to have analyzed the development further believe that Venonat and Venomoth were indeed designed separately, but Caterpie, Metapod, and Butterfree appear to have been created at the same time and added as a group.
** Less famous but still persistent is a rumor that Gyarados and Dragonite were similarly swapped--pointing to Gyarados's blue serpentine design and Dragonite's orange body and antennae. This one has a grain of truth to it, similar to the above, in that Dragonite appears to have been designed separately from Dratini and Dragonair, but Gyarados seems to have never been associated with the line, being a very early design that was given a goofily wimpy pre-evolution later on in development.
** In ''VideoGame/PokemonSwordAndShield'', because of [[https://preview.redd.it/qppeh9uyxh341.jpg?auto=webp&s=fb233761bb0f58b79e33a71cfabcec2f8b613689 this meme]], some people believe that a Poké Kid in the Battle Tower says a line about cocaine in tea. The screenshot is fake and the text is edited on, with the font being different than the one used in the game. Notably, on [[https://www.reddit.com/r/PokemonSwordAndShield/comments/e81li1/uh_oh/ the Reddit post with this fake screenshot]], the few people who point out that it's fake are largely ignored. The rumor likely remained strong because the series is no stranger to [[DemographicallyInappropriateHumor tossing a few racy jokes]]; one such joke that actually is in ''Sword and Shield'' has a [[https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/646/665/841.jpg Poké Kid innocently implying her mother is a]] {{Dominatrix}}.
** Many people have claimed that the creator of Pokemon is autistic. There is no credible source proving that Satoshi Tajiri has autism.
** One factoid commonly shared among the Pokémon fandom is that Snorlax is directly inspired by Game Freak employee Kōji Nishino, and that its Japanese name (Kabigon) is a nickname given to Nishino and derived from 黴 ''kabi'' (mold), since Nishino reportedly had a habit of eating moldy food. While the first part of the factoid is confirmed by Game Freak staff, the second part is just a myth. Instead, [[https://www.gameinformer.com/interview/2019/10/24/more-burning-questions-for-the-pokemon-series according to a 2019 interview by Game Informer]], Junichi Masuda stated that Kabigon is a pun on ''Franchise/{{Kirby}}'' (Japanese: カービィ ''Kābī''), and that Nishino was nicknamed "Kirby" by the other Game Freak staff thanks to his large appetite. Further evidence is [[https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/File:Kabiin.jpg this piece of concept art]] which resembles Kirby, Nishino, and Snorlax all at once.

* Everyone knows how Nintendo's former rival Sega has gone MultiPlatform after the death of the UsefulNotes/SegaDreamcast (and thus has games on Nintendo consoles), right? Well, very little know that the opposite is true in Japan, as [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQwq1HEAW5w&fmt=34 there is]] a ''Pokémon'' game on the Sega Pico. (And yes, the Pico is still very much alive over there.)

* KeepCirculatingTheTapes: The main series is notoriously bad with re-releases, probably due to the complexity of supporting all of the expected multiplayer features. As of 2023, only generations [[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue I]] and [[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver II]] have been re-released on a later platform but, since the platform in question was the UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS, the games became unavailable again due to the [=eShop=] closing down in late March 2023. Outside of piracy, the only real option is to try and get the games through secondhand stores, which, given how popular and valuable the franchise is, can be [[CrackIsCheaper super effective on the wallet]].

** The UsefulNotes/WiiWare ''VideoGame/PokemonMysteryDungeon'' games.

** A 2005 April Fool's prank started a rumor of a remake of ''VideoGame/HeyYouPikachu'' for the UsefulNotes/NintendoDS that introduced a new Pokémon called "Korechu".

** An example of an ascended urban legend is Leafeon. Leafeon was a common rumor back during the late 90s because the Leaf Stone was the only one of the elemental stones (not including the Moon Stone) that didn't evolve Eevee. So naturally, rumors flew about the mythical "Leafeon". It took three more generations, but they finally put it in. Though, ironically, it doesn't evolve via Leaf Stone, but rather by leveling Eevee up in a particular forest near a particular rock. (That is, until Generation VIII, when Moss Rocks stopped appearing... and Leaf Stones were substituted in.)

** There's also the early-route Flying type, based on Pidgey and Spearow. Hoothoot, Taillow, Starly, Pidove, Fletchling, Pikipek, Rookidee.
** Completely a trio with the above two early-game mons is the three-stage Bug types, usually two per game, one Bug/Poison. The originals were Weedle and Caterpie. Then came Ledyba and Spinarak, Wurmple (which had a branching evolution, one dual-typed with Poison), Kricketot, Sewaddle and Venipede, Scatterbug, Grubbin, and Blipbug.

** Dragonite expies, known by the FanNickname "Pseudo-legendaries" -- three-stage mons that have very high levels for evolution and are among the best in the game, and are usually but not always dragons. Dragonite, Tyranitar, Salamence, Metagross, Garchomp, Hydreigon, Goodra, Kommo-o, and Dragapult.

** It's series tradition for every new generation to have a Pikachu expy that shares its general design (based on a rodent, small, usually having spotted cheeks, Electric-typing). Gen II has its baby evolution Pichu, while each next Generation has introduced Plusle and Minun, Pachirisu, Emolga, Dedenne, Togedemaru, and Morpeko, respectively. Similar to the Pikachu line, these "Pikaclones" also tend to have the same name across every region of the world, with few exceptions.

* BadExportForYou: International versions of the TCG are often accused of having lower-quality cards than the Japanese. This has gotten quite obvious with the XY era sets; the Japanese ''regular'' holos have a glossy finish and retain their shiny borders, while their English counterparts still have their matte finish and yellow borders.

* MemeAcknowledgment: When the Pokémon TCG social media pages announced [[https://twitter.com/pokemontcg/status/1633203459574079488 the Professor Turo artwork for their Professor's Research card]], it included some slow pans over the artwork in grayscale, referencing the Gigachad meme and how Turo has been associated with it due to his looks.

* ''Trivia/HeyYouPikachu''

** One factoid commonly shared among the Pokémon fandom is that Snorlax is directly inspired by Game Freak employee Kōji Nishino, and that its Japanese name (Kabigon) is a nickname given to Nishino and derived from 黴 ''kabi'' (mold), since Nishino reportedly had a habit of eating moldy food. While the first part of the factoid is confirmed by Game Freak staff, the second part is just a myth. Instead, [[https://www.gameinformer.com/interview/2019/10/24/more-burning-questions-for-the-pokemon-series according to a 2019 interview by Game Informer]], Junichi Masuda stated that Kabigon is a pun on ''Franchise/{{Kirby}}'' (Japanese: カービィ ''Kābī''), and that Nishino was nicknamed "Kirby" by the other Game Freak staff thanks to his large appetite. Further evidence is [[https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/File:Kabiin.jpg this piece of concept art]] which resembles Kirby, Nishino, and Snorlax all at once. However, the Japan-only supplementary book ''[[https://lavacutcontent.com/1996-creatures-pokedex-translation-3/ The Pokedex]]'' does state that Kabigon the Pokémon is known for eating moldy food and got its name from that habit, possibly to avoid mentioning Kirby and breaking immersion.

* One factoid commonly shared among the Pokémon fandom is that Snorlax is directly inspired by Game Freak employee Kōji Nishino, and that its Japanese name (Kabigon) is a nickname given to Nishino and derived from 黴 ''kabi'' (mold), since Nishino reportedly had a habit of eating moldy food. While the first part of the factoid is confirmed by Game Freak staff, the second part is just a myth. Instead, [[https://www.gameinformer.com/interview/2019/10/24/more-burning-questions-for-the-pokemon-series according to a 2019 interview by Game Informer]], Junichi Masuda stated that Kabigon is a pun on ''Franchise/{{Kirby}}'' (Japanese: カービィ ''Kābī''), and that Nishino was nicknamed "Kirby" by the other Game Freak staff thanks to his large appetite. Further evidence is [[https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/File:Kabiin.jpg this piece of concept art]] which resembles Kirby, Nishino, and Snorlax all at once.