8 Subtly Brilliant Pokémon Designs

The normal progression in chess upon precariously navigating one of the pawns to the opposite side of the board is to promote the usually vulnerable piece into a queen. Choosing a sideways-moving bishop ahead of a powerful regent seems like an unusual choice.

Except this is exactly what happens to Pawniard when it evolves into Bisharp upon reaching level 52. The pair are patently modeled on chess pieces, with the former considered an expendable unit under the command of the latter.

In terms of physical appearance, Bisharp is less akin to a chess token and more reminiscent of a traditional Japanese samurai - not surprising given its proclivity for swords. But the Sword Blade Pokémon also appears to be a reference to a Game Freak hero from the distant past: Pulseman, from their 1994 Mega Drive game of the same name.

In truth, Pokémon is littered with references to one of the company's earliest titles. Remoraid, Xatu, and Registeel all appear to be based on foes of Pulseman, whilst musical motifs from the game repeatedly turn up in the handheld RPGs. No surprise, considering both were composed by veteran game musician Junichi Masuda.