Pokémon Sword & Shield: 10 Pokémon You Won't Believe Aren't In The Game

1. Nearly 100 Pokémon From Generation 1

Yes, the Generation 1 discourse is tiring but it's what got us all where we are today. It's what inspired this fandom that has run on for 20 years now, it's what made Pokémon Go! the gaming event of a generation, and it's what sold out copies of Let's Go! in near-record time. Nintendo can't get away from these creatures because they're too good to leave behind and, yet, they have here.

97 Pokémon who originally debuted back in 1999 have been left on the cutting room floor for Pokémon Sword and Shield. Favourites like Starmie, Golem, Pidgeot, Alakazam, Victrebell, Chansey, Marowak, Lickitung, Scyther, Electabuzz, Magmar, Sandslash, Golduck and everything they're attached to through evolution (plus loads more) will simply not be available to you when Pokémon finally makes it to a big console for an open-world adventure.

The term backlash gets thrown around a lot, but there will likely be one to follow here when news filters out to the game's prospective customer base. Ultimately any issues over new designs were always moot because you could just bring your favourites over anyway. For the first time ever this won't be the case and, however good the game is, it feels like a step backwards.

Gotta catch 'em all?

Not anymore.