Though there have been many different Pokemon based on cats and dogs alike,Pokemon ScarletandVioletseem to have confirmed which side of the age-old debate the series leans toward once and for all. Between the sheer volume of animals to use as inspiration for Pokemon designs and the easy popularity that any kind of domesticated pet has, it’s no surprise that Game Freak has introduced plenty of cat-like anddog-like Pokemon. However, the playful competition of cats versus dogs has subsequently worked its way into thePokemonseries and begged the same question over which is better.
For years,Pokemonnever gave a clear answer on the matter and instead focused more on ensuring that each generation had new Pokemon that appealed to every kind of player, butPokemonScarletandVioletappear to have ditched this strategy. After already creating not one but two wolf-inspired mascot legendaries forSwordandShield,ScarletandVioletseems to have doubled down on its canine influences with even more new Pokemon lines based on dogs and an entire subplot to boot. Were it not for the likes of cat-based legendary and starter Pokemon, it would have been a clean sweep forPokemon’sdog versus cats debate.
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Dog Pokemon Took The Spotlight in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Ever sincePokemonfirst began, each generation of games has introduced its fair share of dog-inspired Pokemon, something whichScarletandVioletwere expected to follow through with. But while the odd dog Pokemon line wouldn’t have raised eyebrows,ScarletandVioletintroduced a near-complete dog trifectathat did, ultimately adding not just one or two but six new dog Pokemon to the Pokedex. It wasn’t helped when one of these new Pokemon, Mabosstiff, stole the show as Arven’s partner and was the focus of one of the games' three main storylines.
As a result,ScarletandViolet’sdog Pokemon break traditionas they go beyond the cat-dog neutrality that thePokemonseries seems to have aspired to. After all, each generation is shown to have tried to fairly balance cats and dogs, such as Gen 1’s Meowth and Growlithe lines both receiving regional variants to Gen 2’s legendary trio taking influences from both cats and dogs. But with so few common cat-based Pokemon added toScarletandVioletand none that were integral to their story, it seems Gen 9 is revealing that ultimately dogs are a trainer’s best friend.
Pokemon’s Recent History of Cats vs Dogs Complicates Things
Pokemon’slean towards dogs wasn’t sudden, however, as its most recent games and generations indicate a steady shift. Ever since Gen 7, the series has disrupted its cat-dog balance and broken this neutrality.SunandMoonset things in motion with the Fire-type starter Litten and its popular final evolution Incineroar, Meowth and Persian receiving regional variants, and a lion-based mascot legendary with Solgaleo - it was even followed bythe mythical Zeraora inUltra SunandMoon.
While Gen 7’s Rockruff and its multiple evolutions could have been an attempt to compensate for this imbalance, by Gen 8 the series had rebounded towards dogs. Not only was Solgaleo outnumbered bySwordandShield’slegendaries Zacian and Zamazenta and their respective two forms, Gen 8 went further to add the likes of Yamper and Boltund and even Hisuian Growlithe and Arcanine. However, whenMeowth received another regional variantand a new evolution and its own Gigantamax form, it seemsPokemoncould no longer keep the balance and was fluctuating between extremes.
Therefore, it should have been expected that the cat-dog balance would still be disrupted in Gen 9’sScarletandViolet, ultimately forcingPokemonat large to appear to pick a side. Right from the start withScarletandViolet’sinitial reveal the balance was gone, as a new Grass-type starter Pokemon line was revealed to be cat-based with Sprigatito and perhaps even prompted overcorrection with itsmarketing favoring Fidough and Greavard. So even the snow leopard-inspired Chien-Pao legendary Pokemon would never have been enough to counteractScarletandViolet’semerging favoritism to dog Pokemon from its new trio to Arven’s Mabosstiff.
Pokemon ScarletandVioletare available now for Nintendo Switch.
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