Every mainline Pokemon game introduces new starter and legendary pokemon, so it’s unlikely that they would include those from previous generations moving forward. With over a thousand Pokemon capturing fan’s hearts over more than twenty years of Pokemon games, this means that there are bound to be some notable omissions regardless.
10 Wimpod And Golisopod
The bug/water type-combination is a relatively rare one and Golisopod is a popular choice among players looking for that. It was only introduced in Pokemon Sword and Shield, but the design is one of the better ones from generation 8, drawing inspiration from an isopod.
As a result of the bug-type, Golisopod is not weak to grass-type Pokemon. It would have been a good choice for Kofu, the water gym leader in Cascaraffa, to use him in battle in order to increase the difficulty level slightly for players.
9 Geodude, Graveler, And Golem
Geodude was a popular Pokemon from the early season of the anime, while Golem held a place as one of the strongest Pokemon from the first generation. When the Alolan region was introduced, new life was breathed into Golem as it was given a dual rock and electric-type regional variant.
The ability to evolve a Pokemon by trading is always a nice option that Graveler includes, and the fact that there is no rock/electric-type options in Pokemon: Scarlet and Violet means that there is a hole it could fill.
8 Abra, Kadabra, And Alakazam
Abra and the evolution line that follows after it are among the most iconic Pokemon of the entire franchise. Looking at the Paldea pokedex, their inclusion was unlikely given that Pokemon Scarlet and Violet already includes several pure psychic types. There is an easy way around this however, as the franchise has been using regional variants with dual-types with increasing regularity.
Not only would that allow for the inclusion of Abra, Kadabra, and Alakazam, but it would allow them to make use of less common dual-types like electric/psychic, poison/psychic, or ground/psychic.
7 Onix And Steelix
Onix and Steelix are both very popular among fans of the Pokemon franchise and together they’re two of the largest Pokemon ever designed. Onix was a permanent figure in the early seasons of the anime as one of Brock’s Pokemon and Steelix is one of the best steel-type choices for any team with much higher defense than most.
Although Pokemon Scarlet and Violet does include other popular steel-type Pokemon like Scizor and Copperajah, but Steelix still seems like a great option to add to the roster.
6 Tyrogue, Hitmonchan, Hitmonlee, And Hitmontop
Tyrogue has one of the most complex evolution lines in the franchise and fans often debate which of it’s three successors are the best option. Hitmonchan and Hitmonlee were introduced in the first generation and were quickly followed by Hitmontop in Pokemon Gold and Silver.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet does have several fighting-type Pokemon already, and it’s possible that the introduction of Annihilape took priority. It’s still a shame that Tyrogue and its evolution line have been overlooked as they’re exactly the type of Pokemon that could benefit from a new evolutionary option.
5 Smoochum And Jynx
Smoochum and Jynx were the original ice/psychic-type Pokemon, but now share that stage with the Galarian variant of Mr. Mime, Mr. Rime, and the legendary Calyrex. Given that none of the others are available in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Smoochum and Jynx would be a great addition to help expand the in-game options for players.
Because this evolution line has been left untouched since the second generation of Pokemon games, it’s also ripe new for a new evolution in order to increase its usefulness in battling.
4 Togepi, Togetic, And Togekiss
There are very few Pokemon from the Johto region that are more instantly recognizable than Togepi. The cute Pokemon was one of the first from the second generation introduced in the anime and even became a regular in the series long before it was ever introduced in the games.
Togetic and Togekiss are the only fairy/flying-type options in the entire franchise other than legendary Pokemon, and although they do have several weaknesses; their immunity to both dragon and ground-types makes them a valuable option for any team.
3 Munchlax And Snorlax
Snorlax is a classic Pokemon that originally had a unique position in Pokemon, being used in the overworld as an obstacle. This all started with Pokemon Red and Blue, where Snorlax would block the player from progressing until it was woken with Poke Flute and then defeated or caught.
This function hasn’t been used much in mainline Pokemon games since then, even though the use of more open world areas make Snorlax the ideal Pokemon. It’s an easy way to block progress until a condition is met and can be a useful addition to a team when caught.
2 Honedge, Doublade, And Aegislash
Honedge and its evolution line were great additions to the franchise in the sixth generation thanks to their use of the steel and ghost dual-type. This remains the type combination with the joint-most resistances, and the only logical reason for their exclusion is the fact that Pokemon Scarlet and Violet introduced a different option in the incredibly strong Gholdengo.
After being fully evolved, Honedge becomes Aegislash and turns into a great option for any team. It’s a shame that it has been missed from Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, even if players might prefer to use Gholdengo.
1 Golett And Golurk
Golett and its evolution, Golurk, are some of the best ghost-type Pokemon in the franchise. This is thanks to their additional ground-type that is only available in a handful of Pokemon. It seems as though Pokemon Scarlet and Violet has gone with Sandygast and Palossand instead, but the design behind Golett and Golurk is arguably superior.
In Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, the sixth gym leader Ryme and the first Elite Four member Rika use ghost and ground-type Pokemon respectively; meaning that Golett and Golurk could’ve fit in to either team well.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available now for Nintendo Switch.
More: The Coolest Pokemon Fusions We Wish Were Real
