As we edge closer to a three-year stretch without a new main series Pokémon game, fans can’t help but speculate about what the next, much-anticipated Generation 10 might bring to the table. Recently, Game Freak has taken to spotlighting beloved Pokémon, perfectly setting the stage for some classic Gen 1 favorites to shine in new ways.
The inaugural group of Pokémon remains dear to the hearts of many enthusiasts, and it’s apparent Game Freak has taken note. The developers have been introducing new evolutions, regional variants, and now even convergent forms to the older Pokémon, primarily focusing on those from the original games. These fresh forms offer Game Freak a unique way to enhance the backstory or bolster the abilities of certain Pokémon. This trend doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, which bodes well for fans hoping to see a particular Gen 1 Pokémon get its due attention. Cubone, with its heartrending tale, stands out as a candidate for a much-needed narrative uplift. Known for its tragic origins and endless lore theories regarding its parentage, Generation 10 could finally give Cubone the narrative redemption it deserves.
Since the second generation, Game Freak has pursued the idea of granting certain Pokémon a ‘glow-up.’ Golbat, Seadra, and Tangela all received new evolutions, making them more distinctive and powerful simultaneously. This approach seems to underpin the creation of regional forms and new evolutions. Even Cubone’s evolution, Marowak, got its fiery twist with an Alolan form back in Gen 7. Introducing another evolution, a regional variant, or a convergent form could provide the positive arc that Cubone’s lineage desperately seeks, turning its sorrow into something more hopeful.
One potential path for Game Freak to explore is a new evolution for Cubone. Fans have long speculated and even designed concepts of what an evolved form of Marowak might look like. There’s a popular theory that Cubone was originally meant to have a third evolutionary stage, potentially connecting it to Kangaskhan, purported to be the mother whose skull Cubone wears as a helmet. Evolving beyond Marowak could symbolize Cubone’s journey from grief towards personal growth and acceptance, reshaping its story into one of triumph over loss.
The introduction of convergent evolutions in Generation 9 opened doors to many creative possibilities, leading fans to predict even more in the upcoming games. Cubone is a perfect candidate for this treatment, as it presents an ironic twist to the concept. Convergent Pokémon, like those in real life, share similarities but lack a direct familial link. Imagine a new Pokémon that mirrors Cubone in appearance but contrasts starkly with a bright, happy backstory—that’s a juxtaposition ripe for exploration and interaction within the games’ world.
The Pokémon franchise has been in an experimental phase, with each generation bringing its own battle mechanics and distinctive enhancements tied to both gameplay and narrative. It seems inevitable that Generation 10 will introduce its own innovative feature, possibly even affecting Pokémon like Cubone. With such a rich tapestry of possibilities, it would be a missed opportunity not to offer Cubone a pathway out of its historical gloom. Hopefully, Gen 10 brings forth the dawn of a new chapter for this beloved Pokémon.
