The reveal trailer forPokemon Scarlet and Violetwas a landmark moment for the series for many reasons. Clues within it suggest thatPokemon’s Scarlet and Violet’s region will be inspired by Spain, which will open the door to plenty of attractive Pokemon designs and themes thanks to the country’s rich culture. In a first for the franchise, the reveal trailer also introduced the three starters. Quaxly the duckling is the Water-Type starter, Fuecoco is the choice for Fire-Type starters, and for fans of Grass-Type starters, there is Sprigatito.
Sprigatito is a green, felinely Pokemon with a cheery smile and big eyes. Its ears and the fur around its neck are dark green, and it has a bushy tail. Sprigatito seems like a happy-go-lucky partner who easily brightens up any adventure. Compared to past Grass-Type starters, Sprigatito may just be one of the best designs thus far.
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Generation One
Pokemon Red and Blue, first released in 1996 in Japan, were the games that started it all. They take place in the now-iconicKanto region, which introduced gamers to the first 151 Pokemon. When starting a Pokemon adventure, players are allowed to pick from three starter Pokemon, and this template has been kept for the entire series. The first starters ever are Charmander the Fire-Type, Squirtle the Water-Type, and Bulbasaur the Grass-Type.
There are few Pokemon that manage to look as cute and feisty asBulbasaur, and that is perhaps why it has enjoyed so much popularity. It is easily recognizable thanks to the bulb on its back, which makes the creature appear to be a blend of fauna and flora. Bulbasaur and Sprigatito are both great designs for different reasons; while Sprigatito is the kind of Pokemon one would want to cuddle up with, Bulbasaur’s design beautifully integrates natural elements that make the Pokemon enigmatic.
Generation Two
The followups toRed and Blue,Pokemon Gold and Silver, were released in 1999, and they manage to not only meet the high bar its predecessor set but surpass it, too. The games introduce many new features, including two new Pokemon types. However, the basic formula remains the same, and players still pick from three starters. This time around, they are Cyndaquil the Fire-Type, Totodile the Water-Type, and Chikorita the Grass-Type. Chikorita is a green, quadrupedal Pokemon that, quite distinctively, has a large leaf on the top of its head. Both Chikorita and Sprigatito are exceptionally cute Pokemon. However, Sprigatito, thanks to its bushy tail and lively eyes, manages to out-cute Chikorita.
Generation Three
Pokemon Ruby and Sapphireare set in the Hoenn region which is composed of plenty of smaller islands. The games feature 135 new Pokemon, and they introduce the ability to partake in double battles. Before players go out chasing legendary Pokemon and training to beat theElite Four, they must pick a starter, andRubyandSapphireoffer the Water-Type Mudkip, the Fire-Type Torchic, and the Grass-Type Treecko.
Treecko is a green, bipedal creature that looks a little like a gecko. It has a red belly, yellow eyes, and a long, dark green tail that curls at the end. Treecko is a bit odd-looking, although it is still a very endearing Pokemon. Unfortunately, Sprigatito’s design is just too outstanding, and Treecko’s reptilian appearance fails to outshine Sprigatito’s felinely appeal.
Generation Four
Pokemon Diamond and Pearlwere released in 2006, and the games were the first in the series to appear on theNintendo DS. As usual, players are expected to fill up their Pokemon, defeat the Elite Four, and become a Pokemon Master. However, along the way, they cross paths with Team Galactic who use Pokemon for bad reasons. Before exploring Sinnoh, players can pick between three starters, and they are Piplup the Water-Type Pokemon, Chimchar the Fire-Type Pokemon, and Turtwig the Grass-Type Pokemon.
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Turtwig’s name is a combination of the words “turtle” and “twig,” and the Pokemon looks like a combination of the two things. It has a brown shell like a turtle, and a twig on its head that has two leaves. Its yellow lower jaw and long philtrum make it look weird, but it is cute nevertheless. Although Turtwig has a good design, once again, Sprigatito’s irrepressible cuteness is unmatched.
Generation Five
The nextPokemongames to be released on the Nintendo DS werePokemon Black and White. They are set in Unova, which is inspired by New York, and it brings 156 new Pokemon to the series. The starter Pokemon in this region are Tepig the Fire-Type Pokemon, Oshawott the Water-Type Pokemon, and Snivy theGrass-Type Pokemon. With its nose held high, Snivy looks like quite a supercilious Pokemon. It is green with a tail that looks like leaves. Both Snivy and Sprigatito are Pokemon with designs that are full of personality, and while Sprigatito’s cuteness is attractive, Snivy’s charm is also hard to resist.
Generation Six
Pokemon X and Yintroduce a host of new features to the series. They debut the Fairy-Type, which serves to balance out the Dragon-Type, and they are also the first games to include Mega Evolutions. The starters from the Kalos region are the Fire-Type Fennekin, the Water-Type Froakie, and the Grass-Type Chespin. Chespin is a jolly, bipedal Pokemon with brown fur and a green shell that covers its back and head. It is based on a chestnut which also has a spiky, green outer shell which guards a brown interior. Chespin and Sprigatito are both well-designedGrass-Type startersthat bring a mirthful atmosphere with them. Neither manages to out-cute the other.
Generation Seven
The lastPokemongames to be released on the Nintendo 3DS werePokemon Sun and Moon, which take place in the tropical Alola region. They are perhaps the most daring entries in the series thus far, and they change a lot of the core features gamers have grown used to. Most notably, gym battles are replaced with island trials, and certain Pokemon from previous generations have special Alolan variants. The region’s starters are the Water-Type Popplio, the Fire-Type Litten, and the Grass-Type Rowlet.
Rowletand Bulbasaur are unique, as they are the only dual-type starters. Bulbasaur’s secondary typing is Poison while Rowlet’s is Flying. Rowlet looks like a small barn own, and it has two leaves on its chest that look like a bowtie. Bird-lovers will probably gravitate towards Rowlet while cat-lovers will lean towards Sprigatito. Either way, they are both examples of fantastic Pokemon designs.
Generation Eight
The most recent mainlinePokemongames arePokemon Sword and Shield, which were released on the Nintendo Switch in 2019. The Galar region is inspired by the United Kingdom, and it features the Wild Area where players can search for Pokemon. The starters from these games include the Fire-Type Scorbunny, the Water-Type Sobble, and Grass-Type Grookey. Grookey looks like an adorable, little primate with a twig in its hair and a long, brown tail. It is a great Pokemon, but it faces stiff competition when up against Sprigatito, and fails to come out on top. Both Pokemon will liven up any Pokemon party, but Sprigatito proves to have the more memorable design.
Fans of Grass-Type Pokemon will likely be very pleased with Sprigatito. When compared to the Grass-Type starters of prior generations, Sprigatito fares well, which is a testament to the strong designs of the ninth generation starter Pokemon. Hopefully,Sprigatito’s evolutionary linemaintains the same level of cuteness while showing that the Pokemon is a fierce competitor.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violetare set to release in 2022 on the Nintendo Switch.
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