Gorochu – The Evolution That Almost Made It into Gen One

The world of Pokémon has always been filled with fascinating creatures, but not all of them made it into the final games. One such Pokémon is Gorochu, an evolution that was once planned to be part of the original Pokémon lineup but never made it into the first-generation games. While it didn’t make the cut, Gorochu still holds a special place in the hearts of Pokémon fans, both for its design and its intriguing backstory.

Though Gorochu was never officially released in the games, its concept and design have captivated the imagination of many Pokémon enthusiasts. It was meant to be the third evolution of the beloved Pokémon Raichu, following Pikachu. However, for various reasons, the evolution never made it past the design stage, and Gorochu remains one of the most interesting “what could have been” stories in the Pokémon universe.

Key Points:

• Gorochu was a planned third evolution for Raichu.
• The design for Gorochu never made it into the games.
• Fans are still fascinated by the idea of Gorochu as a powerful evolution.

What Was Gorochu Supposed to Be?

The concept of Gorochu comes from an early design phase of Pokémon. Raichu, the second evolution of the Electric-type Pokémon Pikachu, was originally intended to evolve further into Gorochu. According to interviews and sketches shared by Game Freak, Gorochu was envisioned to be a more powerful, fearsome evolution that would have brought an exciting dynamic to the game.

This Pokémon was designed to have larger and more intimidating features, such as sharp fangs, additional electrical abilities, and a much stronger presence compared to its predecessors. The evolution of Raichu into Gorochu would have expanded the Electric-type line, giving fans an even more powerful and dynamic Pokémon.

Many Pokémon, including Gorochu, were either altered or completely scrapped as the games evolved. This isn’t unusual in the development of large video game franchises.

Reminder: Design changes are a common part of the Pokémon development process.

Why Was Gorochu Cut From the Final Game?

While Gorochu had a unique and compelling design, there were a few reasons it was ultimately cut from Generation One. One key reason was that the development team felt that Raichu already served as a sufficient evolution for Pikachu, and adding another form may have overcomplicated the Pokémon’s evolutionary line.

Another contributing factor was the technical limitations of the Game Boy at the time. Adding more animations, moves, and sprites to the game would have placed additional strain on the system’s capabilities. Developers had to make tough decisions about which Pokémon to include, and Gorochu was one of the casualties of those decisions.

While Gorochu never made it into the game, its design was not entirely lost. It has been preserved in early concept art and remains part of Pokémon’s rich history.

Note: Pokémon designs often undergo drastic changes during development.

How Does Gorochu Compare to Other Evolution Concepts?

Gorochu isn’t the only Pokémon that was cut or altered during development. Many Pokémon designs have evolved or been discarded entirely before they saw the light of day. For example, the early designs of some famous Pokémon like Nidorino and Clefairy also underwent significant changes before becoming what fans recognize today. However, Gorochu stands out because it was a planned third evolution for a beloved character like Raichu, making it especially intriguing for fans.

Let’s compare Gorochu to other cut or altered Pokémon concepts:

This comparison helps highlight how many Pokémon concepts evolve or are abandoned over time to balance the game’s mechanics and design.

While Gorochu didn’t make the cut, the stories behind cut Pokémon designs are part of what makes the Pokémon franchise so fascinating.

Reminder: The Pokémon world is filled with “what could have been” designs.

How Would Gorochu Have Changed the Pokémon Franchise?

Had Gorochu made it into the games, it would have represented a significant shift in how Electric-type Pokémon were perceived. Instead of having just two evolutions in the line (Pikachu and Raichu), the addition of Gorochu would have given players a more powerful and potentially game-changing Electric-type option. Raichu, while strong, was considered by many to be overshadowed by other Pokémon in the first generation.

The introduction of Gorochu could have provided more variety and strategic depth to battles. For example, Gorochu might have been designed with different abilities, stats, and moves, which would have opened up new possibilities for players who enjoyed using Electric-types in competitive play. Additionally, it would have added more diversity to the evolution tree and perhaps even changed how Electric-types were balanced against other types in later generations.

The balance between different types might have been shifted, influencing how players chose their teams and strategized during battles.

Note: The addition of Gorochu could have made Electric-type Pokémon even more exciting.

Conclusion

Though Gorochu never officially made its way into the Pokémon games, its existence is a fascinating “what if” moment in Pokémon history. As a planned evolution for Raichu, Gorochu could have brought new excitement to the Electric-type line, giving fans more to explore within this popular type. Its design, while never fully realized in the games, remains a part of Pokémon’s lore, thanks to concept art and the ongoing interest from fans.

As the Pokémon franchise continues to evolve, it’s always interesting to look back and reflect on the lost potential of cut designs like Gorochu. Even though it wasn’t meant to be, it still fuels the imagination of fans who wonder what might have been if it had made it into the final games. The story of Gorochu serves as a reminder of the creative process that goes into making each Pokémon, and how sometimes, even the most exciting ideas don’t make it to the finish line.

FAQ’s

1. What happened to Gorochu in the Pokémon games?
   Gorochu was a planned evolution for Raichu in Generation One but was cut due to gameplay balance and technical limitations at the time.
2. Was Gorochu ever made into a Pokémon?
   No, Gorochu never appeared in any of the official Pokémon games but is known through early concept art and interviews with the developers.
3. Why was Gorochu never released?
   Gorochu was cut due to the desire to keep Raichu as the final evolution for Pikachu and due to the technical limitations of the Game Boy.
4. Did any other Pokémon get cut like Gorochu?
   Yes, many other Pokémon designs were altered or abandoned during development. Nidorino and Clefairy are examples of Pokémon that underwent design changes.
5. Could Gorochu have changed the Electric-type line?
   Yes, had Gorochu been released, it would have added more power and variety to the Electric-type line, influencing strategies and gameplay.