Pokemon’s Multi-Region Remake Has a Once-a-Generation Golden Opportunity That It Can’t Let Slide

While a new multi-region Pokemon game has been on most fans’ wish lists since Pokemon Gold and Silver allowed players to explore both Johto and Kanto, perhaps the most exciting potential a game like this holds comes from the types of critters it could feature. Gen 7 first introduced the concept of Regional Variants, and each new generation since then has added some of these regional forms to critters that originated from past generations. Since a remake would likely only feature existing mons anyway, having an emphasis on regional variants that weren’t originally found in these regions would be an opportunity that might not happen again.

Pokemon’s Leaked Multi-Region Remake Can Introduce New Regional Variants for Older Regions

A multi-region remake featuring the Gen 1-4 regions is bursting with potential, but is likely a once-in-a-lifetime feat. As such, going all out on Pokemon that weren’t previously obtainable in these regions would be a worthy way to celebrate such a monumental undertaking. To make the most of this cross-generational Pokedex, featuring a large crop of newer mons that get Regional Variants for Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh would give the series a welcome refresh at the most opportune time.

Pre-Gen 7 Regions Are Largely Left Out of the Regional Variant Lottery

The concept of Regional Variants in Pokemon follows the real-world scientific idea of Darwinian Evolution, where two members of the same species develop differently over time to adapt to their specific environments. This was a game-changing feature when Pokemon Sun and Moon ​​​​​​introduced it, as it allowed older Pokemon to get a fresh coat of paint and remain relevant in new generations. However, this Regional Variant refresh should be allowed to go both ways and give newer Pokemon the chance to spice up older regions with their own variants.

Pokemon Legends: Arceus Proves Giving Regional Variants to Older Gen Regions is Worthwhile

Technically, Pokemon Legends: Arceus takes place in Hisui, a version of the Sinnoh Region over 100 years in the past. However, it creates a blueprint for what Regional Variant Pokemon in an older generation’s region could look like. For example, giving Basculin a regional evolution in the form of Basculeigon was a great way to improve an underwhelming critter, while giving a Pokemon like Hisuian Voltorb a thematically appropriate form for the setting paves the way for newer Pokemon to take a similar design when translated into an established region.

Pokemon That Deserve Regional Variants and The Regions That Make the Most Sense

• Rockruff — Johtonian Form
• Mudsdale — Sinnohian Form
• Coalossal — Hoennian Form
• Arboliva — Johtonian Form
• Mabosstiff — Kantonian Form

There are potentially dozens of Pokemon from Gens 7-9 that could gain Regional Variants in a multi-region remake of this scale. However, a few critters stand out as must-have Regional Variants based on how well they would fit into the Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, or Sinnoh Regions.

A post from HoopsandHipHop on X showcasing artwork from user RGreywind presents a potential option for a Johtonian Rockruff Regional Variant. In this piece, Rockruff changes from a Rock-Type Pokemon into a Ghost-Type creature. Adding more Ghost Types to the Johto Region’s Pokedex would be a huge boon if the existing Gym Leaders from the region return, since Morty’s Ghost-Type team is severely lacking in variety and could use a unique member like Johtonian Rockruff on the squad.

Another Gen 7 Pokemon that’s begging for a Regional Variant in this type of multi-regional remake is Mudsdale. Specifically, a Sinnohian Mudsdale Regional Variant would make the most sense, given that Sinnoh’s real-world inspiration, Hokkaido, is famous for its horse breeding and is home to some of the country’s most famous race horses. And with Hokkaido’s infamously cold weather, an Ice/Ground-Type Mudsdale would be the perfect variant for that region.

Moving on to Gen 8, the ideal Galar-native Pokemon to receive a Regional Variant is Coalossal. Given Hoenn’s emphasis on the hot springs located in Lavaridge Town and around Mt. Chimney, a variant of Coalossal that draws on this environment and the real-world sulfuric hot springs of Kyushu would make the most sense. Rather than maintaining its Fire typing, Hoennian Colossal could adopt the yellowish tinge of sulfur and its rotten smell to become a Poison/Rock-Type critter.

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Gamoji

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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-evolutions, which are all based on olives and olive plants. The presence of Arboliva in Paldea is a reference to the prominence of olive farming in the real-world Mediterranean region. Japan’s Shodoshima Island, located just off the coast of Okayama, is also home to a massive olive industry due to the region’s Mediterranean-like climate. A Johtonian Arboliva could be a great way to reference this industry, and could be found somewhere between Olivine City and Cianwood City, which are based on the same real-world location as this industry.

Mabosstiff is already an icon of Gen 9 due to Arven’s companion and his story in the Path of Legends quest in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. However, this critter is also perfect for a Kantonian version as well. Its Paldean form is based on a cross of a Mastiff dog and an Italian Mobster. Since the Japanese yakuza organized crime syndicate is so prominent in the real-world Kanto region, having a Regional Variant of Mabosstiff that takes on a more yakuza-like appearance and potentially drops the Dark typing to become a Fighting-Type mon would be very thematically appropriate.

Systems

Released

2027

Multiplayer

Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer