A multi-region remake of Pokemon has a golden opportunity of a generation that can't let it slide.

as Pokemon As the franchise celebrates its 30th anniversary, bigger things appear to be on the horizon. Except for Gen 10's Pokemon wind and wavesConfirmed to come to Nintendo Switch 2 in 2027, many others forthcoming Pokemon Projects have been leaked. One of these leaks is the third Pokemon Legends A game reportedly set in Ancient Galar, as well as an ambitious project called a multi-region remake covering Kanto, Johoto, Hoen, Shinnoh, and Kitakami.

While the new multi-area Pokemon The game is on the wish list of most fans Pokemon Gold and Silver Allowing players to explore both Johoto and Kanto, perhaps the most exciting potential comes from the variety of critters it can feature in the game of Hold. Gen 7 first introduced the concept of regional variants, and since then each new generation has added these regional variants to critters spawned from previous generations. Since the remake will likely only feature existing mons, an emphasis on regional variants not originally found in these regions would be an opportunity that may not happen again.

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A multi-region remake featuring Gen 1-4 regions is booming with potential, but is likely a once-in-a-lifetime feat. As such, going all out on previously unobtainable Pokémon in these regions would be a worthy way to celebrate such a monumental undertaking. To make the most of this cross-generational Pokédex, introducing a large crop of new Mons that get regional variants for Kanto, Joto, Hoen, and Sinnoh will give the series a welcome refresh at the most appropriate time.

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Pre-Gen 7 regions are largely excluded from the regional variant lottery

On the Concept of Regional Differences Pokemon Follows the real-world scientific idea of Darwinian evolution, where two members of the same species evolve differently over time to adapt to their specific environment. When it was a game-changing feature Pokemon Sun and Moon This introduced it as it allowed older Pokemon to get a fresh coat of paint and remain relevant to new generations. However, this regional variant refresh should go both ways and give new Pokemon a chance to spice up old regions with their own variants.

Pokemon Legends: Arceus proves that giving regional variants to old gen regions is worthwhile

technically, Pokemon Legends: Arceus Takes place in Hisui, a version of the Shinno area more than 100 years in the past. However, it does create a blueprint for what a regional variant Pokémon might look like in an older generation region. For example, Basculin's Basculeigon was a great way to improve an underwhelming critter as a regional development, while giving Pokemon like Hisuian Voltorb a thematically appropriate look for the setting paved the way for new Pokemon to take the same design when translating to an established region.

Pokemon that deserve regional variants and regions that make a lot of sense

Rockcroft – Zotonian form
Mudsdale – Sinnohian form
Colossal – Hoennian form
Arboliva – Jotonian form
Mabosstiff – Kantonian form

There are potentially dozens of Pokemon from Gens 7-9 that could get regional variants in a multi-region remake of this scale. However, some critics believe there should be regional variants based on how well they fit into the Kanto, Joto, Hoen, or Sinoh regions.

HoopsandHipHop's post on X presents a possible alternative for the Johtonian Rockruff regional variant, showcasing artwork from user RGreywind. In this piece, Rockcroft changes from a Rock-type Pokémon to a Ghost-type creature. Adding more ghost-types to the Zoto region's Pokédex would be a huge boon if the region's existing gym leaders return, as Morty's ghost-type team is severely lacking in diversity and could use a unique member like Zotonian Rockcroft on the team.

Another Gen 7 Pokemon begging for a regional variant in this kind of multi-regional remake is Mudsdale. In particular, given that Shinnoh's real-world inspiration, Hokkaido, is famous for horse breeding and is home to some of the country's most famous racehorses, a Sinohian Mudsdale regional variant would make the most sense. And with Hokkaido's notoriously cold weather, an ice/ground-type Mudsdale would be the perfect version for that area.

Moving on to Gen 8, the ideal Galar-native Pokemon to get a regional variant is Colossal. Hoenn's emphasis is on the hot springs located around the town of Lavaridge and Mount Chimney, a version of Colossal that draws on this environment and the real-world sulfuric hot springs of Kyushu. Instead of retaining its Fire typing, the Hoennian Colossal can become a Poison/Rock-type critter with its sulfur yellow color and rotten smell.

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For Gen 9 Pokemon, two critters come to mind as ideal candidates for new regional variants. The first is Arboliva and its pre-developments, which are all based on olives and olive plants. The presence of Arboliva in Paldea is a reference to the prominence of olive cultivation in the real world Mediterranean region. Japan's Shodoshima Island, located off the coast of Okayama, is also home to a large olive industry due to the region's Mediterranean climate. A Johtonian Arboliva can be a great way to reference this industry, and can be found between Olivine City and Cianwood City, which is based on the same real-world location as this industry.

Mabostiff is already a Gen 9 icon due to Arwen's companion and his story in the Path of Legends quest. Pokemon Scarlet and Purple. However, this critter is also suitable for a Kantonian version. Its Paldean form is based on a cross between a mastiff dog and an Italian mobster. Since the Japanese yakuza organized crime syndicate is very prominent in the real-world Kanto region, having a regional variant of Mabosstiff that looks more yakuza-like and potentially leaving the dark typing to become a fighting-type mon would be very thematically appropriate.