This past week Nintendo and Game Freak unveiledPokemon ScarletandPokemon Violet’s newest Pokemon, Wiglett, and have now shared more information about the strange and surprisingly controversial creature. Wiglett, as the name implies, is a variation of the Pokemon Diglett. It’s not a traditional Regional Form, like Alolan Raichu orGalarian Meowththough. Wiglett is a distinct Pokemon, perhaps better referred to by the community-decided category of “Regional Fake.“The Regional Fake, RFakes, orConvergent Species, have long been hinted at byPokemon ScarletandVioletleakers. Insiders often described them in very negative light, practically calling them half-steps from Game Freak, taking old Pokemon and presenting them as new to avoid endeavoring to create something entirely fresh. Wiglett’s reveal, however, dashed much of that hearsay. The eel Pokemon is familiar but significantly different in meaningful ways. Unsurprisingly, Nintendo’s descriptions for Wiglett focus on those differences.RELATED:Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Give Official Introduction to WiglettThe officialPokemonwebsite forPokemon ScarletandVioletput up a profile for Wiglett with the Pokemon’s description reading, “It’s said that Wiglett’s resemblance to Diglett might be a mere coincidence – a result of its adaptation to its environment.” A subsection of the profile further delves into the idea that Wiglett is just a white-colored Diglett. It says that while the two look similar, Wiglett is an entirely different species.
While Nintendo andGame Freakdo want to make clear that Wiglett is a distinct new Pokemon, they don’t shy away from its similarities to Diglett, either. The website points out that Wiglett also buries its body within the earth, or sand more specifically, and pokes just a part of itself out. The size of the rest of its body and what its look like isn’t entirely clear. It can also burrow into the sand to conceal itself, as necessary.
General information for Wiglett includes a category of “Garden Eel Pokemon, Water typing, a height of 3'11”, weight of 4 lbs., and the abilities Gooey/Rattled. Prior leaks said thatWiglett would be a Water/Ground type, which may still be true for a potential evolution. It just goes to show that even accurate leaks may not have every detail correct.
Wiglett is likely to be just the first of multipleso-called Regional Fakesto be announced forPokemon Scarletand Violet. All in all, it’s an interesting new direction that could be a lot of fun. New Pokemon that are familiar offer some interesting opportunities, thoughPokemonfans can be very selective, to say the least. It remains to be seen ifPokemonfans wouldn’t rather just have entirely new Pokemon or if they’ll warm to Regional Fakes in the long run.
Pokemon ScarletandPokemon Violetrelease November 18 on Switch.
MORE:Regional Pokemon like Wiglett Expand What it Means to Be a Series ‘Mascot’
