The ever-growing Pokédex has introduced players to dozens of masterpieces of imaginative design. Heck, you’ve gotta love the Eevee family, the ghosts, Diglet, Cubone, Clefairy, and my beautiful Bulbasaur. But there’s really no point in dancing around the cold, hard fact that some Pokémon are basically just regular animals with one weird thing about them. Case in point: Morpeko—a new critter native to the Galar region players will explore in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield—who is more or less just a hamster (complete with a spinning-wheel-themed move) who’s, um, so hungry that he’s in a bad mood.
? Galar Research Update ?
✅ Galarian form Pokémon?
✅ New Pokémon discovered!
✅ A new team and new rivalsGet ready to explore what’s coming in #PokemonSwordShield! https://t.co/VD4qkkaeIF pic.twitter.com/em7n4wD3io
— Pokémon (@Pokemon) August 7, 2019
Morpeko makes his digital debut at the one-minute mark in the above video, first in his all-smiles “full-belly” mode, and then in his darker-colored, glowering “hangry” mode. (Their words, not mine!) Per the official Pokémon Twitter account, “Morpeko constantly generates electricity with the sacs in its cheeks, which consumes energy, causing Morpeko to be constantly hungry. With prolonged hunger, the balance of hormones within Morpeko’s body changes. This causes its fur color to change and triggers more aggressive and volatile behavior.”
Some Pokémon can change their form, often because of the effects of certain items or their own Ability.
These form changes don’t just change the Pokémon’s appearance, though. They can also affect the types of its moves or even change its Ability! pic.twitter.com/FIFlXl2m7E
— Pokémon (@Pokemon) August 7, 2019
Of course, Morpeko is just one of the new Pokémon to be introduced in this latest ad. We also get a glimpse of a new evolved state for a familiar Poké-lineage. Fans will recognize Zigzagoon and its immediate evolution Linoone, both of which made their first appearances in Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire. Nearly two decades later, Sword and Shield treat Zigzagoon and Linoone to something of a makeover—here, they get a sleeker black-and-white coating—as well as a new evolved state: the uncomfortably swole skunk Obstagoon.
? New Pokémon Discovered! ?
Obstagoon, which evolves from Galarian Linoone, is an example of a Pokémon that can only evolve from a Galarian form. https://t.co/XZdFdRtCFH pic.twitter.com/oOaCicS1qn
— Pokémon (@Pokemon) August 7, 2019
And since Pokémon is running out of real-life animals to alter, they’ve taken to slightly altering previous Pokémon. Introducing Galarian’s most impressive addendum: Weezing, but with a top hat!
? New Pokémon Discovered! ?
Galarian Weezing consumes polluted air and poisonous gases for sustenance. It then emits purified air from the tops of its heads. How helpful! https://t.co/zwlpel56bD pic.twitter.com/iJnWwlXw3V
— Pokémon (@Pokemon) August 7, 2019
On top of all this, the latest Sword and Shield ad has introduced us to some new human characters. And while the humans occupying this franchise are inherently far less interesting than their Pokémon counterparts, we can’t help but raise an eyebrow at the wardrobe and chosen name of Galar’s answer to Team Rocket: Team Yell.
You knew this was coming, Trainers. Introducing Team Yell!
These troublemakers will attempt to get in your way at every opportunity. They want nothing more than for Marnie to become Champion, and they’ll stop at nothing to make that happen. https://t.co/sLyBlDiF3j pic.twitter.com/KkoSAMu4rf
— Pokémon (@Pokemon) August 7, 2019
Truth be told, the next Pokémon could be nothing more than a pinecone with a mustache and we’d love it.
Images: The Pokémon Company