In recent years, the Pokémon franchise has become bigger and bolder with its new creature designs, and its latest entry, Scarlet and Violet is no exception. From the animal-themed Loyal Three (Ogidogi, Munkidori and Fezandipiti) to simple yet charming designs like Brambleghast, the new Pokémon are beloved by fans of all ages. However, one type of Pokémon has not received much love from Gamefreak over the past few entries, as the Fossil has become forgotten.
Fossil Pokémon originated in the first entry of the Pokémon series and were a mainstay until Pokémon Sword and Shield, as the typing rarely skipped entries. With Scarlet and Violet, the typing has gone missing, as there are 0 Fossil-type Pokémon in the game. Despite this, the Fossil is still one of the most intriguing types of Pokémon and there are plenty of them that fans should give a second chance.
Armaldo is an Amazing Evolution of an Unassuming Pokémon
Pokédex Entry: #348 - The Plate Pokémon
Pokémon Name | Pokédex | Type(s) |
|---|---|---|
Armaldo | The Plate Pokemon | Rock/Bug |
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Many Pokémon often have unassuming stage 1 forms, and this holds for Armaldo. The first stage for Armaldo is Anorith, a cute, but weak, small bug with wings. When Armaldo evolves, not much of the prior evolution is seen in its design except for the few feather-like objects on its neck and the red markings on its head.
First appearing in Generation III, Armaldo is a Rock/ Bug-type Pokémon that stands at 4'11'' and weighs 150.4 lbs. While this Pokémon looks more like a dinosaur than some other Fossil Pokémon, it is meant to be reminiscent of ancient flying bugs and their massive size. While Armaldo may not be as iconic as some other Fossil Pokémon, it stands out among Bug-type Pokémon for its simple, yet unique, design.
Kabutops is an Old Pokémon Design That Still Holds Up
Pokédex Entry: #141- The Shellfish Pokémon
Pokémon Name | Pokédex | Type(s) |
|---|---|---|
Kabutops | The Shellfish Pokémon | Rock/Water |
Some of the earliest Pokémon designs still hold up to this day, and the early Fossil designs are no exception. Generation I featured 3 Fossil Pokémon and 2 of them are some of the most recognizable Pokémon in the first 151 Pokémon that were released. Kabutops is one of these 3 Fossil Pokémon, and his simple yet sleek design stands out.
Kabutops evolves from the base form of Kabuto, which looks a lot like a real-life creature known as a horseshoe crab. While the evolution sheds all resemblance to this animal, it more than makes up for it with its sleek arm blades, which are used to deadly effect in battle. Kabutops may not be as vibrant as other Pokémon, but there is no doubt that its design is iconic.
Bastiodon's Medieval Style Design is Immensely Creative
Pokédex Entry: #411 - The Shield Pokémon
Pokémon Name | Pokédex | Type(s) |
|---|---|---|
Bastiodon | The Shield Pokémon | Rock/Steel |
The designs of Pokémon are phenomenally varied from one another and very rarely does any Pokémon look the same as one another. This is best shown in the earlier Fossil Pokémon, as Bastiodon is one of the more unique designs in Generation IV. While newer designs pull off the weapon aesthetic better (ex: Aegislash), Bastiodon's design still holds up.
Bastiodon, the Shield Pokémon, evolves from Shieldon, a much smaller form that looks a bit like a Triceratops, but with a shield on its face instead of a horn. Bastiodon takes the best of both worlds, as the shield on its face is equipped with blades to defend itself. While this Pokémon may not be the most popular, it is a great inclusion in any Pokémon trainer's collection.
Aurorus is the Most Regal Fossil Pokémon
Pokédex Entry: #699 - The Tundra Pokémon
Pokémon Name | Pokédex | Type(s) |
|---|---|---|
Aurorus | The Tundra Pokémon | Rock/Ice |
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Many Fossil Pokémon do not feature vibrant colors in their design, as they are often based on simplistic dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus Rex and Brachiosaurus. While Aurorus may be based on the latter, it is anything but boring, as its design is one of the most colorful of the Fossil Pokémon.
Aurorus evolves from Amaura, a smaller, but just as colorful base form. The evolved form is one of the larger Fossil Pokémon, as it stands at 8'10" tall and weighs nearly 500 pounds. Its size only adds to its regal nature, as every part of this Fossil Pokémon is covered in vibrant blues, purples, and yellows, all of which make the creature stand out from the rest of its fellow Fossils.
Tirtouga is a Perfect Base Form with a Subpar Evolution
Pokédex Entry: #564 - The ProtoTurtle Pokémon
Pokémon Name | Pokédex | Type(s) |
|---|---|---|
Tirtouga | The ProtoTurtle Pokémon | Water/Rock |
Pokémon is no stranger to iconic turtle designs. From Squirtle to Turtwig, turtles have always been a prominent part of the Pokémon franchise, and they continue to do so to this day. While Tirtouga is less known than its starter Pokémon counterparts, it still deserves just as much praise.
Tirtouga is one of the few Fossil Pokémon that becomes worse when it evolves, as its evolution loses all the charm and semi-realistic nature of its base form. Tirtouga stands out from other turtle Pokémon because of the type of turtle it is based on, that being the leatherback turtle. While its evolution may lose the charm of its base form, Tirtouga is still an underrated Fossil type that deserves a second look by many Pokémon trainers.
Tyrantrum is an Iconic Fossil Design
Pokédex Entry: #697 - The Despot Pokémon
Pokémon Name | Pokédex | Type(s) |
|---|---|---|
Tyrantrum | The Despot Pokémon | Rock/Dragon |
The Pokémon franchise has regularly used wordplay for its creature names over the years, and Fossil Pokémon are no exception. Tyrantrum and its corresponding Pokédex entry utilize some of the best wordplay in the franchise, only adding to the charm of the dinosaur-inspired Pokémon.
Tyrantrum stands at a whopping 8'2'' tall and weighs nearly 600 pounds, making it by far one of the largest Fossil Pokémon. Its base form, Tyrunt, is significantly smaller, only standing at just under 3 feet tall. Tyrantrum's color scheme is simplistic, but it brings out the important parts of the design like its sharp claws and teeth. Overall, Tyrantrum is the closest thing that the Pokémon franchise has to a traditional Tyrannosaurus Rex, and this design is a fitting tribute to the king of the dinosaurs.
Arctozolt is an Amazing New Fossil Addition
Pokédex Entry: #881 - The Fossil Pokémon
Pokémon Name | Pokédex | Type(s) |
|---|---|---|
Arctozolt | The Fossil Pokémon | Electric/Ice |
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The most recent Fossil Pokémon have some of the more intriguing Pokédex entries, as they are all called the Fossil Pokémon. While this does a disservice to the already existing Fossil Pokémon, it is an apt description of each of the 4 hybrid Fossils. The best of these Pokémon is Artozolt, as its design is the least busy and also the most charming.
Unlike most Fossil Pokémon, Arctozolt does not evolve from a base form and does not have an evolution. While its design is quite strange, the vibrant colors help it stand out among other Fossils, and the ice that it pops out from makes it quite charming compared to many other Fossil Pokémon.
Archeops is Pokémon's Flying Fossil Friend
Pokédex Entry: #567 - The First Bird Pokémon
Pokémon Name | Pokédex | Type(s) |
|---|---|---|
Archeops | The First Bird Pokémon | Rock/Flying |
Pokémon has a wide assortment of flying creatures, and some of them are among the franchise's most recognizable faces. From Honchkrow to Talonflame, birds are some of the most influential Pokémon designs. Perhaps one of the most unique flying Pokémon is the Fossil Pokémon, Archeops.
Archeops evolves from Archen, a tiny but colorful bird. Archeops is a vibrant Pokémon with many different colors in its design that help it stand out from other bland bird designs in the Pokédex. Overall, while Archeops is a great design, it isn't the most iconic flying Fossil Pokémon.
Aerodactyl is Pokémon's Best Depiction of the Flying Dinosaur
Pokédex Entry: #142 - The Fossil Pokémon
Pokémon Name | Pokédex | Type(s) |
|---|---|---|
Aerodactyl | The Fossil Pokémon | Rock/Flying |
Aerodactyl is easily one of the most recognizable flying Pokémon of all time, and it's not hard to see why. This Fossil Pokémon is one of the better depictions of a dinosaur in the franchise as it is a semi-accurate portrayal of a Pterodactyl.
Unlike its Generation I counterparts, Aerodactyl does not have a base form, as it is the premier Fossil Pokémon from the first entry of the franchise. While other Flying-type Pokémon have since made their mark in the franchise, Aerodactyl is still the most recognizable flying Fossil Pokémon.
Rampardos is an Underrated but Superb Fossil Pokémon
Pokédex Entry: #409 - The Headbutt Pokémon
Pokémon Name | Pokédex | Type(s) |
|---|---|---|
Rampardos | The Headbutt Pokémon | Rock |
Rampardos is unique for Fossil Pokémon as it is the only evolution that only has one type. This Fossil Pokémon is only a Rock-type and his design is iconic among Pokémon.
While this Fossil Pokémon has a rather simplistic design, its spikes along with its red eyes help it stand out from the pack. Furthermore, Rampardos is featured in one of the toughest boss encounters in Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia, making it one of the more recognizable Fossils in the history of the Pokémon franchise.
Pokemon
Expanding across a multitude of media, including TCGs, video games, manga, live-action movies and anime, the Pokémon franchise is set in a shared world of humans and creatures with a wide variety of special abilities.
- Created by
- Satoshi Tajiri
- First Film
- Pokemon: The First Movie
- Latest Film
- Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle
- First TV Show
- Pokémon (1997)
- Latest TV Show
- Pokémon Horizons (2023)
- First Episode Air Date
- April 1, 1997
- Video Game(s)
- Pokémon GO , Pokemon X and Y , Pokémon Legends: Arceus , Pokémon Scarlet and Violet , Pokémon Sword and Shield , Pokémon Diamond & Pearl , Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl , Pokemon Red and Blue , Detective Pikachu , Detective Pikachu Returns , Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! , Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!
