Summary
Though they were once a distinctive tradition withinPokemongames, the series' most recent generations have been inconsistent with Fossil Pokemon and have now left Gen 10 with the responsibility of reviving a historicPokemontrope. As one ofPokemon’s oldest design staples,Fossil Pokemon have featured in every generationup until Gen 6, almost consistently as a pair where players choose one of the two. Despite returning with a twist inspired by real-life archeology in Gen 8, no new Fossils were added in both Gen 7 and Gen 9’sPokemon ScarletandViolet.
It’s believed that due to the introduction of Ultra Beasts and Paradox Pokemon in Gens 7 and 9 respectively that Fossils were sidelined, especially whenFossil Pokemon conflicted withScarletandViolet’s Paradox Pokemon. But given thatSwordandShield’s unique mismatched Fossils also strays from the decades-old tradition, Gen 10 is now in a difficult position where it can either return to or completely break from the Fossil Pokemon formula. However, regardless of which option Gen 10 takes, the minimum it needs to accomplish is enshrining Fossil Pokemon as an important part ofPokemon’s ever-expanding legacy.
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Gen 10 Should Restore The Fossil Pokemon Tradition
As players familiar with the series may already know, there are plenty of traditions thatPokemonrelies on throughout most if not all of its games, from the staple of early Bug, Flying, and Normal-type Pokemon to theoveruse of Dragon-type Legendary Pokemon. Its Fossil Pokemon are among these, as each generation up to Gen 6 gave players a binary choice, with certain exceptions like Aerodactyl or Relicanth. Though this might have seemed too formulaic after so many games, Fossils maintained interest with fans speculating about what new types or design inspirations these prehistoric Pokemon would have next.
For instance, fans theorized aboutpotential Fossil Pokemon forScarletandVioletquickly after its announcement, demonstrating that the tradition was alive and well within players' interests. Therefore, Gen 10 has the opportunity to restore traditional Fossils and introduce two new Pokemon lines after their inconsistent use across three generations. Doing so not only reengages its players' anticipation of new Fossil Pokemon, but it further feeds back intoPokemon’s version exclusivity where the choice between two Fossils will encourage players to trade with others to obtain the Pokemon they didn’t get as a result.
Gen 10 Could Revamp Pokemon’s Approach to Fossils
However, Fossil Pokemon’s struggle in recent generations could be a sign Game Freak is trying to break free fromPokemon’s predictable tropes as seen withSwordandShield’s experimental approach. Though Gen 8 complicated things with its Fossils, adding four man-made Pokemon whose actual prehistoric counterparts were lost to time, the intrigue they generated does show thatPokemoncould find new ways of introducing Fossil Pokemon. For instance, considering its success as a spin-off, it’s possible thatPokemon Legendscould do more with Fossil Pokemonthanks to its time travel narrative and historical setting.
In fact, should Gen 10 not return to the traditional choice of two Fossils, it could instead adopt the approachPokemonestablished all the way back in Gen 1. Just as Aerodactyl breaks the mold as a lone single-stage Pokemon revived from amber, Gen 10 could explore similar or new ideas for its Fossils. For example, like Gen 8’s adaptation of incorrectly matched fossils, Gen 10 could take influences from scientific efforts to revive the wooly mammoth as another lone Fossil Pokemon, or it could be the first generation to introduce a three-stage Fossil Pokemon evolution line in contrast to all other Fossils throughoutPokemon.
MORE:With Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Redeeming a Cursed Item, Gen 10 is in a Rough Spot
