8 Subtly Brilliant Pokémon Designs

The Porygon series are complete outliers in the Pokémon universe. Although most of the original 151 monsters possess distinctly animalistic traits, Porygon, as a man-made Pokémon, is very much the exception.

Whilst the virtual monster's angular, polygonal body is intended to represent primitive 3D graphics of the early-'90s, Porygon does have one distinct animal trait; the facsimile Pokémon is rendered in the shape of an origami crane. Is this a subtle reference to Gaff's paper unicorns in sci-fi classic Blade Runner, a movie largely centered around the concept of synthetic organisms? Perhaps.

For Pokémon Gold and Silver, Porygon was given an update - quite literally - as an item of the same name allows it to evolve into the much more sophisticated Porygon2 (incidentally the only Pokémon with a numerical character in its name). The evolved 'mon's streamlined, rounded body is a further reference to the advancement of computer graphics going into the new millennium.

And then there is the tragic tale of Porygon-Z. Porygon-Z is what happens when you're not careful with your computer. The product of a trade involving Porygon2 and the Dubious Disk item, Porygon-Z is essentially a 'glitch' Pokémon. It's name is a corruption, the 2 having malformed into a Z. Its head is detached from its body, and now floats spookily upside down. It's a right mess.

Always update your virus protection, kids!