What Were They Thinking?
The first generation of Pokémon introduced some of the most beloved creatures in gaming history, and many of those designs remain iconic decades later. However, not every original concept has held up equally well as the series expanded with hundreds of newer Pokémon and more detailed designs. Some Gen 1 creatures now feel overly simple, strangely themed, or outdated compared with modern standards.
1. Voltorb
Voltorb was one of the earliest examples of a design based on an everyday object, but its concept feels especially basic today. A Poké Ball with a face was a clever idea when the series was new, yet later generations introduced much more creative object-based Pokémon. Its simple appearance doesn’t leave much room for personality or visual detail.
2. Jynx
Jynx is one of the most controversial Gen 1 Pokémon for obvious reasons. The generation’s attempts at depicting different ethnicities have not aged well, and Jynx was directly responsible. Its later redesign fixed some aspects, but the core concept remains odd.
3. Mr. Mime
Mr. Mime was always meant to be an unusual Pokémon, but its design has become even more unusual as the series expanded. A humanoid creature based around mime performance is a very specific concept that doesn’t appeal to everyone. Later generations introduced more creative takes on human-like Pokémon, making Mr. Mime seem even more awkward.
4. Seel
Seel’s design may be simple, but at least it accurately represents the seal it was based on. Aside from its name and general theme, there isn’t much effort into differentiating it from real-life creatures. Water-type Pokémon in later generations really ran with their designs to create strong personalities.
5. Goldeen
Goldeen was designed as a beautiful-looking fish Pokémon, but its appearance feels plain compared with later aquatic designs. Its basic fish shape and decorative fins don’t provide much uniqueness beyond its coloring. Newer generations introduced water Pokémon with stronger themes, personalities, and abilities.
6. Lickitung
Lickitung’s entire design revolves around its extremely long tongue, which made it memorable but also limited its concept. The idea is funny at first, but it doesn’t offer much depth compared with newer Pokémon that combine multiple inspirations. Its round body and simple features make it look more like a cartoon joke than a fully developed creature.
7. Farfetch’d
Farfetch’d’s original design isn’t anything exciting to look at. It’s a duck with some leaves in its beak, and that’s about it. While its regional forms and evolutions were great at expanding the original concept, they didn’t change the baseline design much.
8. Tangela
Tangela was always meant to be mysterious, but its design has become more confusing over time. A small creature covered in blue vines creates curiosity, yet there isn’t much information about what it actually looks like underneath. Modern Pokémon designs often use mystery while still providing a stronger visual identity.
9. Grimer
Similar to Diglett, Pokémon like Grimer were cool when they were one-offs. But as Pokémon evolved, other Poisons demonstrated a lot more creativity both visually and thematically. Grimer looks bland compared to other Sludge inspired designs.
10. Rattata
Rattata became one of the first Pokémon many players encountered, but that familiarity also highlights its simplicity. Based on a small rodent, it has a basic design that was quickly followed by more detailed early-route Pokémon in later games. Its purple coloring and sharp teeth give it some personality, but there isn’t much else going on visually.
11. Diglett
Diglett was cute for its time period, but it barely has any design to look at. It showed up in the ground with its nose poking out, but players never got to see what Diglett actually looks like. Similar Pokémon have since expanded on the concept by showing players their full design.
12. Magnemite
Magnemite was a creative attempt to turn an object into a Pokémon, but its design looks very basic compared with newer mechanical creatures. Its floating metal body, screws, and magnets are easy to understand, yet they don’t create much personality. Later steel and electric Pokémon introduced more complex ideas and stronger visual themes.
13. Doduo
Doduo was obviously inspired by road-crossing birds, but it left many questions unanswered. Why does Doduo have two heads? Why doesn’t Doduo have wings? Its minimalist design simply left players wanting to know more about the duo.
14. Onix
Onix was impressive when Pokémon first launched because of its enormous size and intimidating appearance. However, its design consists mostly of repeated rock segments connected into a snake shape. Compared with newer rock-type Pokémon, it lacks finer details and personality.
15. Porygon
Porygon was obviously supposed to mimic early 3D graphics, and players loved it for that at the time. But as technology progressed, Pokémon soon abandoned flat designs like Porygon for more detailed alternatives.
16. Ekans
Ekans was one of the earliest examples of a Pokémon name matching its design concept, with its name being “snake” spelled backward. While that was clever, the creature itself is simply a purple snake with limited features. Later snake-inspired Pokémon added more personality, patterns, and themes.
17. Hitmonlee
Hitmonlee was obviously inspired by martial arts in real life, but its thin legs are what makes it stand out as odd. Hitmonlee looks less like a creature and more like a fighting move toy you’d buy at your local toy store. Newer Pokémon have since balanced real-life inspirations with natural visuals.
18. Chansey
Chansey’s cute appearance helped make it memorable, especially through its connection to Pokémon Centers. However, its egg-carrying concept and simple features feel much more cartoon-like compared with newer supportive Pokémon. Later designs often created clearer relationships between a creature’s abilities and appearance.
19. Kabuto
Kabuto may have introduced the fossil Pokémon concept, but it wasn’t much to look at. Aside from its shell and simple eye design, Kabuto really doesn’t offer anything exciting. Thankfully, fossil designs in later generations really went all out.
20. Ditto
Ditto has one of the most useful abilities in Pokémon, but its actual design is almost nothing more than a pink blob with a face. The simplicity works because of its transformation ability, yet compared with modern Pokémon designs, it looks extremely basic. Its popularity comes from personality and gameplay rather than visual complexity.
