As the Pokemon series sees its massive selection of creatures grown with each generation, it's only natural that revisiting existing species with new takes on established designs has become more common. In a franchise now defined by regional variants and the newer concept of convergent evolution, there's more potential than ever before for lackluster or forgotten Pokemon to find the spotlight once again. With one in particular already having a history of new versions, however, the next set of Pokemon titles could easily tie it into an infamous urban legend in the community.
There are several rumors which have remained as looming associations of darker topics with certain Pokemon, but few are as well-known as the story of the rival's Raticate ending up deceased in Pokemon Red and Blue. Between that creepy connection to the Pokemon Tower of Lavender Town and the potential for Gen 10's regional inspiration, introducing a Ghost-type version of Raticate could be a reimagining years in the making.
Pokemon Gen 10’s Starters Should Avoid Going the ‘Sword and Shield’ Route
Pokemon Gen 10 has a lot of room to get creative with its starters, which means it should avoid one misstep from Sword and Shield.
The Rattata Line Are Great Candidates For New Variants
Following the Trend of Convergent Evolutions
Since the introduction of regional forms in Gen 7, several Kanto Pokemon have received multiple iterations across the games released since. This went even further with the debut of convergent evolutions in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, somehow breathing new life into the likes of the Tentacool line. It's practically guaranteed that Gen 10 will be coming with its own set of new takes on older designs, and Raticate would follow the trend of repeating form recipients.
With examples like the Pokemon Meowth having Alolan and Galarian variants, while Diglett has an Alolan and convergent version, there's a clear pattern of interest in keeping Kanto species refreshed. Due to having a particularly strong theme to tap into, the Rattata family makes some of the most sense for continuing the idea.
A Ghost-Type Take on Raticate Could Reference an Infamous Gen 1 Urban Legend
The Inspiration of the Rival's Raticate Being Rumored Dead in Lavender Town
It might appear rather morbid for the age rating of the title it originates from, but Pokemon Red and Blue's dead Raticate theory is an enduring fixture of fan speculation. There are some obvious issues with its lore consistency, but it suggests that the player may have accidentally caused the death of their rival's Raticate after defeating them on the S.S. Anne, as they later appear in the Pokemon Tower without the Pokemon in their team. It's not tough to imagine a Ghost-type take based around this source material, however, as the story of a trainer failing to find a Pokemon Center in time could be adapted into a new origin. By following the example of the ghostly Marowak encountered in Lavender Town, a vengeful or haunting spirit of a fallen Raticate is more of a solid foundation for an entirely new convergent than a simple regional form.
Tying into Gen 10's Rumored Region and the Dual-Type Roles
If there ends up being validity to rumors of Pokemon Gen 10's region, there's a chance that a place like Greece could be its basis. By tapping into mythological figures like Hades, or the dangers of pestilence in history, a spectral Ghost/Normal-type Raticate lurking in ancient temples seen as an omen of plague feels like an appropriate inclusion, for instance. There's also a case to be made for Ghost/Poison-type due to rats being tied to disease, as that niche has only been filled by the Gengar line for decades. Hisuian Zoroark, with its bitter, tragic theming, is the only representative of Ghost/Normal so far, making the potential for a vicious and capable new Raticate the ideal approach.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 71 /100 Critics Rec: 48%
- Released
- November 18, 2022
- ESRB
- E For Everyone Due To Mild Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Game Freak
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo, The Pokemon Company
- Engine
- Proprietary Engine
- Multiplayer
- Local Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- no
WHERE TO PLAY
The school that you’ve enrolled in as you play Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet hosts a special independent study project. The theme of this assignment is "A Treasure Hunt." Explore the world and seek out your very own treasure!
Three stories will be woven into your adventure while traversing the sprawling Paldea region. Along Victory Road, you will go to Gyms in different locations in order to to achieve Champion Rank. On the Path of Legends, you can join Arven in search of rare ingredients. And in ★ Starfall Street ★, you’ll challenge Team Star, a group of delinquents causing trouble for the school.
These stories are set in an open world, so where you go is all up to you. A world teeming with Pokémon and people to meet is waiting for you—traverse the Paldea region wherever you heart desires.
