Pokémon fans have long wondered what creatures never made the cut, and now a massive leak from Game Freak's vault is offering an unprecedented look. An internal documentary, created during the development of Pokémon Diamond & Pearl and subsequently leaked, reveals more than 100 never-before-seen Pokémon designs and early concepts. The documentary, titled Make All, was obtained by collector Neos and detailed by YouTuber Lewtwo, showcasing artwork and design changes that never appeared in the final games.
Sinnoh's Pokémon Almost Looked Completely Different
The most startling revelations involve how different many Generation IV Pokémon originally appeared. Turtwig began life as an armadillo-like creature, Infernape was far larger with a flaming tail, Piplup wore what resembled a foam parka, Drifblim looked like a zeppelin, Purugly was significantly slimmer, Hippopotas was blue, and Croagunk resembled a real frog. Even legendary Pokémon Dialga and Palkia originally featured wings—a wild change given their wingless designs are now iconic.
The documentary also reveals that several existing Pokémon were considered for new evolutions or pre-evolutions, including Lapras, Delibird, Stantler, Kecleon, Plusle, and Minun. As Lapras fans, we're relieved that never happened—some things are perfect as they are.
Completely Unused Pokémon Concepts
Perhaps the biggest surprise is the sheer number of completely abandoned Pokémon. Among the discarded ideas are a woodpecker balanced on its tail, a Sphinx cat, a peacock Pokémon, a cabbage lizard, a sentient sandcastle years before Palossand debuted, a dragon with a chainsaw head, a sabretooth beast with icicle fangs, a demonic black goat, a plant lion, a bipedal swordfish, and many more. May we suggest a Flying type that's actually a carpet, called Rugma?
While this leak is entirely unauthorized and legally contentious, it's a treasure trove for fans fascinated by the creative process. It's a reminder of how many paths Game Freak explored before settling on the final roster. For more on the world of Pokémon and other entertainment news, check out our coverage of Percy Jackson Season 3 and Avengers: Doomsday.
This leak offers a rare glimpse into the evolution of one of gaming's most beloved franchises. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer, these unused designs are a fascinating look at what could have been. We can only hope Game Freak might officially share more behind-the-scenes content in the future—legally, of course.
