With the release of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, the series is veering ever closer to the awkward unresolved predicament that the Nidoran lines pose, more so than ever before in the context of Game Freak's modernized approach to gender binaries. Some LGBTQ+ players were happy to see the positive steps attempted in Scarlet and Violet as the first Pokemon games to break from gender tradition. But while there is still room for better representation, it did seem a missed opportunity to not simultaneously address one of its oldest gender binaries in Nidoran, especially in light of the new Pokemon added to Gen 9.
Not only have the Nidoran lines forced fans to use Nidoran (male) and Nidoran (female) to differentiate the two, but in the likes of Oinkologne, Game Freak continue to introduce new gendered forms with different abilities and moves in spite of being the same Pokemon. Whether intentional or not, since Pokemon Scarlet and Violet omit both Nidoran lines, it has just about circumvented the issue for another generation. However, the longer Game Freak avoids resolving this Gen 1 inconsistency, the greater the consequences could be when it has no choice else but to address it.
Separating Both Nidoran No Longer Makes Sense
Each generation of Pokemon games has, to some degree, attempted to improve or expand upon the concept of gender within individual species of Pokemon. Initially, this began with the likes of single-gender Pokemon lines, such as Tauros, Miltank, or Kangaskhan. This has evolved over time to introduce gendered differences, even with entirely new and uniquely different forms like Meowstic and Indeedee, and gendered evolutions ranging from Gallade and Gardevoir to Mothim and Wormadam. From the various precedents Game Freak has set so far in terms of gendered Pokemon, the Nidoran lines are outliers without just cause.
For instance, if the lines were kept separate only due to the visual differences between the two, then other Pokemon such as the Frillish lines and Pyroar counter this. If it were due to the gendered evolutions, then the Ralts, Snorunt, and Burmy lines all disprove the need to keep Nidoran separate. Even then, if it were due to the differences in stats, moves, and abilities, then Pokemon like Indeedee, Meowstic, Basculegion, and Lechonk's evolution Oinkologne all demonstrate this should no longer be the case. After all this and Scarlet and Violet's pushback on gender norms, keeping Nidoran separate just doesn't make sense anymore.
Why and How Nidoran Should Be Changed
However, while it should be acknowledged that Game Freak likely didn't intend to cause trouble with its Nidoran lines, it is responsible for not addressing it after so many generations. Arguably, the best time to rectify Nidorans' lines was in Gen 2 alongside gender's introduction, or even in Gen 4 Pokemon with its new gender differences. It wouldn't have even been the first time Pokemon overhauled its design, as Gen 2 and Gen 6 saw all-new Dark, Steel, and Fairy types added, which retroactively updated many Pokemon. But while amending Nidoran could have been simple back then, it isn't anymore with Gen 9's arrival.
Possible ramifications of consolidating Nidoran into one evolution line will see the Gen 1 and National Pokedex totals drop by one, undoing any underlying meanings to other Pokedex entry numbers as a result, from Mew and Mewtwo as #150 and #151 respectively to Gholdengo's #1000 position in Scarlet and Violet. But this is an unavoidable consequence where its impact has been made worse through Game Freak's inaction. Therefore, Pokemon can only make the best out of a bad situation and should embrace the challenge, whether through regional forms or Gen 9's new regional fakes, and use Nidoran as an opportunity for inclusivity to enhance gender in future games.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available now for Nintendo Switch.