10 Awesome Moments That Defined The N64
2. Evolving Magicarp In Gyrados (Pokémon Snap)
In Pokémon Snap, if you knock Magikarp into the waterfall it will evolve into Gyarados, which may surprise a few people considering that Magikarp doesn’t evolve that way in any of the other games, or the anime TV show.
This evolution is actually referencing the origins of the two Pokémon, who are each based on ancient Chinese mythology, specifically a story involving a dragon’s gate and a waterfall.
According to the myth, carp that successfully swam up the waterfall and through the gate would transform into powerful dragons, essentially a reward for their determinations and resilience despite tremendous adversity.
Magikarp’s evolution into Gyrados in Pokémon Snap is a direct reference to this story, the same story that inspired the character’s creation in the first place.
It was a nice moment, even for players who were completely unaware of the character’s origins, and it’s one of the more memorable moments from an otherwise fairly forgettable experience.