Pokémon Pokédex entries that potentially announce new regional forms and evolutions across generations

With Pokémon potentially nearing the conclusion of the 9th generation after the DLCs of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the recent reveals of Dipplin, Archaludon, and Poltchageist have sparked renewed interest in previous Pokédex entries that could hint at future cross-generational evolutions and regional variants of Pokémon. In contrast to the introduction of new regional, cross-generational, and converging Pokémon with the Paradox Pokémon of Scarlet and Violet, Game Freak must balance its newfound momentum with a return to some key elements of the series. Specifically, the future 10th generation of Pokémon must ensure that it fully embraces its regional forms this time around.

Past regional variants and crossbreed evolutions have been influenced by the real-world inspiration of their respective regions, from Alola's surfing Raichu to Galar's chimney-stacking Weezing. However, Gen 10 has the opportunity to take notes from past Pokédex entries instead. Just as Hisuian Voltorb and Electabuzz showcased how regional variants adapt to the historical backgrounds of Pokémon Legends, the next generation of Pokémon could introduce new forms and evolutions that were previously hinted at in the Pokédex. With the few additions in the base game of Scarlet and Violet, and those locked behind the DLC paywall, Game Freak might exceed expectations with new Pokémon inspired by the Pokédex.

The Mystery of Hoppip's Wind-Swept Population

Most, if not all, of Hoppip's Pokédex entries since its debut in Pokémon Gold and Silver up to its appearance in Scarlet and Violet, refer to how the Pokémon's lightweight design has caused its population to be carried across the world by the wind. However, it is noteworthy that Scarlet's Pokédex entry goes further, claiming that despite the known origin of Hoppip, it remains unclear where exactly the Hoppip population in Paldea comes from. Even Violet's Pokédex entry confirms that Hoppip can be found outside of cold regions due to its travels with wind currents worldwide.

The recent Pokédex entries of Hoppip in Gen 9 could actually set the stage for a completely new regional form by focusing on the Pokémon's origin. For example, a future generation could take place in a more remote region, as hinted by Scarlet's Pokédex entry, where Hoppip has settled and adapted after being carried by gusts of wind. Building upon this and combining it with Violet's mention of Hoppip's inability to survive in colder regions, there could be a future regional form of Hoppip that has adapted to a cold climate and appears as a completely new Grass/Ice variant.

The Still-Unresolved Origins of Corphish

Corphish is arguably one of the more well-known Pokémon whose Pokédex entries hint at a regional form. It is long overdue for a new regional Pokémon variant. While it did not appear in Gen 9, the recent inclusion in Pokémon Sword and Shield continues to suggest that Corphish hails from a distant region and possesses an amazing ability to adapt and thrive in the most unusual aquatic habitats. After several generations without an answer regarding Corphish's origin or its original appearance, Gen 10 should finally solve this mystery.

Its first Pokédex entry in Ruby explicitly confirms that Corphish is foreign and new to the Hoenn region of Pokémon, having escaped captivity and been released into the wild. This suggests that the Pokémon originates from a different region. Every generation since then has also hinted at this fact, meaning that all the regions where Corphish has appeared since are not its original region. Therefore, Gen 10 could take place in the region where Corphish originally comes from, featuring a new regional variant based on why it was once kept as a pet, such as a Water/Fairy combination that differentiates it from its later evolution, Crawdaunt.

The Other Potential Forms of Gastrodon

Aside from Gastrodon's Pokédex entries hinting at a regional variant for Pokémon Legends, other entries also touch upon the unique gimmick of the Shellos line, which has two separate forms. Gastrodon's entries for Pokémon Sun and Moon both refer to how Pokémon scientists are trying to determine if there are more forms in the wild or if they can artificially induce a completely new form themselves. Game Freak has already missed the opportunity to add North and South Sea forms for Shellos and Gastrodon in Scarlet and Violet, alongside the current East and West Sea forms. The next generations should try to rectify this mistake.

The most obvious approach Game Freak could take with new forms for Gastrodon would be to simply add new forms, as the East and West Sea forms already suggest their existence elsewhere in the wild. However, Moon's Pokédex entry presents a more interesting option for a new regional variant of Gastrodon or even a regional evolution for Shellos. Inspired by the scientific intervention attempting to forcefully change Gastrodon's form, a regional variant or evolution could result in Gastrodon losing its Water type when raised in different habitats such as caves or tundras, where it would assume a new type corresponding to those environments.

The Intended Official Evolution of Porygon

Porygon is one of the most memorable Pokémon created by humans in the series. While its second evolution, Porygon2, reflected a transition from hard lines to smoother polygons, its third evolution, Porygon-Z, appears to be inspired by computer errors that disrupt its final form. Porygon-Z's Pokédex entries suggest that this Pokémon was not intended to be the direct evolution of Porygon2, indicating that there might be an official Porygon3.

Many Pokédex entries refer to how an update for Porygon2 went wrong, leading to Porygon-Z's strange and flawed evolution, while the entry in Shield specifically suggests that there may not be an official evolution according to the Academy. As a result, a future Pokémon game has the possibility of finally revealing the intended evolution for Porygon2 with an official Porygon3, creating a branch of evolution for players to choose from. The difference between Porygon-Z and Porygon3 could lie in their statistics, with the former having high Special Attack while the latter is more defensive and possesses a strategic pool of moves.