Pokemon’s unused starter leaks have fans mourning the Mudkip that never was

As a seasoned Pokemon trainer with decades of experience under my belt, I can’t help but feel a twinge of nostalgia and what-could-have-been when contemplating the existence of this elusive Water starter, Wallabit. The concept art alone is enough to send shivers down any Pokemon fan’s spine, evoking memories of those formative days spent battling through Johto and Hoenn with Treeko and Torchic by my side.

As a diehard Pokémon fan, I can’t help but be intrigued by the tantalizing whispers of an overlooked Gen 3 starter Pokemon that’s surfaced from Gamefreak’s archives. It’s got everyone speculating about what could have been!

The renowned developer of the Pokemon series, Game Freak, is currently handling a significant data breach, which has disclosed details about upcoming games in the franchise, potential specifications for Switch 2, and coding for classic Pokemon titles. In response to these leaks, Game Freak stated that they would work diligently to prevent future occurrences by enhancing their security systems.

Regrettably, significant harm has already occurred in the developer’s case, with numerous beta versions of older Pokémon games being released due to leaks. However, fans of the series are particularly troubled by an element stemming from Generation 3.

According to reliable leaker Centro LEAKS, it seems that Pokemon trainers almost received a significantly altered Water-type starter Pokemon in the games Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald.

Gen 3 starters original concept art
— Centro LEAKS (@CentroLeaks) October 13, 2024

Any Pokémon enthusiast, even those who play casually, should be able to identify two familiar creatures in the leaked concept artwork. Although Treeko and Torchic’s initial designs have minor differences compared to their final versions, these changes don’t veer too far from their original concepts.

As a gamer, I can’t help but ponder what it could have been like if instead of the quirky Mudkip, we had a cute little water-loving rabbit with its very own inflatable tube. This fluffy fellow would have been perfectly at ease on the sandy shores of Slateport City.

Fans of Pokemon have informally translated a Japanese name for an unutilized Water-type starter from leaked Pokemon data. If we had chosen Mudkip in an alternative universe, our companion could have been Wallabit instead.

Quickly, the Pokemon community embraced Wallabit as an informal favorite, prompting the swift creation and sharing of fan art depicting a more detailed rendition of this unique monster.

Okay I lied this rabbit was a shock to me, I love Mudkip more but this little one is a lost gem!!!
— Fakemonforever (@Fakemonforever2) October 13, 2024

There’s been a discussion about whether it would be more advantageous to have Mudkip, or if a unique opportunity was missed when Wallabit was removed from consideration in the end.

One user on X expressed their disappointment, saying ‘Why doesn’t Gamefreak let us have this Pokemon?’ A fellow fan, who loves Mudkip, agreed and added, ‘If there was a Pokemon called ‘Wallabit’, the inflatable rabbit, it would be my absolute favorite, hands down.’

Previously released designs of Pokémon, meant for earlier generations, have occasionally found their way into more recent games. As a result, there’s a chance that the Pokémon known as Wallabit might make an appearance in a future installment of the series.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but notice some striking resemblances between the new character and both Buizel and Scorbunny. It feels like their energetic and agile spirits could have been woven into the Pokémon universe long before they were introduced.

2024-10-14 08:48

Pokemon’s unused starter leaks have fans mourning the Mudkip that never was

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