Summary

  • Pokemon has hinted at the existence of extraterrestrial life through its Pokedex entries, with various species being linked to outer space, the Moon, and meteors.
  • Legendary and Mythical Pokemon, such as Deoxys and Eternatus, have strong connections to space and could provide a foundation for exploring extraterrestrial Pokemon in future games.
  • While the upcoming Gen 5 remakes may not specifically address the extraterrestrial origins of Kyurem, the history of Lacunosa Town and its arrival could be explored in a potential Pokemon Legends game set in Unova, paving the way for space exploration in Gen 10.

Since the series continues to hint at life beyond the stars, even including the recent Pokemon Scarlet and Violet suggesting that some Paradox Pokemon are potentially alien, Pokemon's tenth generation should finally explore the series' final frontier of space. Even as far back as Gen 1, Pokemon has toyed with the idea that certain species of Pokemon might have extraterrestrial origins, something which many players are likely already familiar with due to Clefairy's well-known relationship with the Moon or Deoxys' origins as an alien virus. But despite interdimensional exploration with Gen 7's Ultra Beasts or Gen 9's Paradox Pokemon, Pokemon has yet to explore actual space.

But with the increasing presence of alien Pokemon and their involvement with each game's stories, it might finally be time to give players an answer to whether there's life beyond Earth after dodging the question for nine generations. Even the potential Gen 5 remakes could benefit from Pokemon revealing more about extraterrestrial life, given that even Kyurem and its counterparts Reshiram and Zekrom are hinted to have outer space origins. Regardless of how much Gen 10 breaks with Pokemon tradition, it's time to give players a better look at extraterrestrial Pokemon after generations of speculation.

Space, The Final Frontier of Pokemon

Pokemon's Pokedex Entries Have Always Hinted At Alien Life

Though there are various moments throughout the Pokemon games that give new insight into the world beyond what players see, the Pokedex remains the biggest treasure trove for extra lore beyond anything else. In particular, it's thanks to Pokedex entries for the likes of Lunatone or Elgyem that the potential existence of alien life continues to be teased, even including Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's entries for the future Paradox forms of Donphan and Volcarona. The table below offers just a selection of past and present Pokedex entries for multiple Pokemon, all of which reference extraterrestrial life either on Earth, on the Moon, in meteors, and more.

Pokemon

Pokedex Entries

Cleffa

Moon: Because of its silhouette, it's believed to be a star reborn. For some reason, it loves Minior. Ultra Moon: Said to have ridden here on a shooting star, Cleffa seem to appear in places where meteorites have struck in the past. Violet: Since it is often seen when shooting stars fill the night skies, it's said to come here by riding on a star.

Clefairy

Violet: On nights with a full moon, they gather together and dance. The surrounding area is enveloped in an abnormal magnetic field.

Clefable

Ultra Moon: Some scientists believe that it gazes intently at the sky on nights with a full moon because it's homesick. Legends: Arceus: Legend says that on clear, quiet nights, it listens for the voices of its kin living on the moon. I, too, often think of my homeland, so far away.

Staryu

Alpha Sapphire: Staryu apparently communicates with the stars in the night sky by flashing the red core at the center of its body. If parts of its body are torn, this Pokemon simply regenerates the missing pieces and limbs. Ultra Sun: In many places, there are folktales of stardust falling into the ocean and becoming Staryu.

Starmie

Moon: Its unusual body shape, reminiscent of abstract art, led local people to spread rumors that this Pokemon may be an invader from outer space. Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl: At the center of its body is a red core that sends mysterious radio signals into the night sky.

Lunatone

Omega Ruby: Lunatone was discovered at a location where a meteoroid fell. As a result, some people theorize that this Pokemon came from space. However, no one has been able to prove this theory so far. Shield: It was discovered at the site of a meteor strike 40 years ago. Its stare can lull its foes to sleep.

Solrock

Omega Ruby: Solrock is a new species of Pokemon that is said to have fallen from space. It floats in air and moves silently. In battle, this Pokemon releases intensely bright light.

Deoxys

Scarlet and Violet: An alien virus that fell to earth on a meteorite underwent a DNA mutation to become this Pokemon.

Gothorita

Violet: Using its psychic power, it arranges pebbles to form the shapes of constellations. Some people believe this Pokemon came from outer space.

Elgyem

Ultra Sun: It controls tremendous psychic power. Most reports of alien sightings are actually just people mistaking Elgyem for an alien. Ultra Moon: This Pokemon is shrouded in mystery. It's said to have appeared from a UFO that fell from the sky about 50 years ago. Sword: If this Pokemon stands near a TV, strange scenery will appear on the screen. That scenery is said to be from its home.

Beheeyem

Sword: Whenever a Beheeyem visits a farm, a Dubwool mysteriously disappears.

Minior

Moon: Strong impacts can knock it out of its shell. This Pokemon was born from mutated nanoparticles. Scarlet: (Meteor Form) This Pokemon is born in the ozone layer. It falls to the ground once the outer shell enclosing its core grows heavy. Scarlet: (Core Form) Minior that fall to the ground try to return to space, but their wish will not come true - all they can do is fade away.

Eternatus

Shield: It was inside a meteorite that fell 20,000 years ago. There seems to be a connection between this Pokemon and the Dynamax phenomenon.

Iron Treads

Scarlet: This Pokemon closely resembles a scientific weapon that a paranormal magazine claimed was sent to this planet by aliens.

Iron Moth

Scarlet: This Pokemon resembles an unknown object described in a paranormal magazine as a UFO sent to observe humanity.

Pokemon Space Earth

Gen 10 Could Expand on Gen 5's Pokemon Black and White

While it might be rewarding for players keen to learn more about Pokemon's connection with alien life, the continued relationship that Legendary and Mythical Pokemon have had with space suggests that a future game will need to do more than just touch upon the subject. Though Deoxys is arguably the most well-known "alien" Pokemon, Eternatus' Pokedex entry and its heavy involvement with Sword and Shield's Dynamaxing feature adds another layer to Pokemon from outer space given its origins from a meteor.

Moreover, with Gen 5 next in line for remakes, it too shares this unusually close association with Legendary Pokemon with extraterrestrial origins.

Despite not being referenced in its Pokedex entries, Kyurem is one of the odder Legendary Pokemon not least because of its fusions with Reshiram and Zekrom in Black 2 and White 2. But according to Pokemon's rumors regarding Unova and Lacunosa Town, Kyurem allegedly arrived via meteor with its in-game location, the Giant Chasm, being its original impact site.

While it's never explicitly confirmed if all three Legendary Pokemon are extraterrestrial in origin, this would align them with other Legendaries like the Cosmog line, Eternatus, or even Koraidon and Miraidon, whose unique relationships with space, time, and alternate dimensions are key factors in their respective games. But given that Pokemon remakes tend to remain largely faithful to the original games with only minor changes to update older features, it's unlikely that the Gen 5 remakes would specifically address Kyurem's meteor origins.

However, the history of Lacunosa Town and Kyurem's arrival could be worth exploring further in a future Pokemon Legends set in Unova, and this could help lay the groundwork for a following mainline game to delve deeper into extraterrestrial Pokemon. Having already traveled between dimensions in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, and through time with Legends: Arceus or Scarlet and Violet, Pokemon should once and for all let players explore space in Gen 10.

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Top Critic Avg: 71 /100 Critics Rec: 48%
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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
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
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Franchise
Pokemon
Platform(s)
Switch
Genre(s)
RPG
How Long To Beat
32 Hours
Metascore
72