Remembering Barboach, and 9 Other Pokemon We Plumb Forgot Existed

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When a new Pokémon game comes out, every fan has at least one encounter that makes them say "Oh yeah—I forgot this Pokemon even existed." Over 700 Pokemon have been born across two decades; it makes sense a few would slip into the dustiest crevices of our memories.

You might say, "Well, yeah, not every Pokemon can enter pop culture like Pikachu and the Kanto starters," but I'm talking about Pokemon that make even hardcore fans point and say, "Oh, crap—what was this jerk's name again?" Some Pokemon are sustained by fan rage for having the audacity to be off-the-wall (Trubbish, Klefki), and some easy-to-overlook Pokemon are—let's not mince words—kept alive by the grace of the furry community. These Pokemon just blend right in, to say the least.

Everyone deserves an occasional shout-out, so let's say "hello" to the greyest members of the Pokemon menagerie.

Togetic (Debuted Gen II)

If Pikachu is the mascot for Gen I, Togepi is the mascot for Gen II. In the anime, he was practically an accessory for Misty. But I always forget Togepi can evolve into Togetic—a Pokemon that looks like the product of a bacchanal meet-up between Snoopy and Denver the Last Dinosaur. Don't get me wrong: I think Togetic looks net. Poor fellow's just doomed to be forever outshone by his little brother.

Yanma (Debuted Gen II)

Yanma is a handsome bug, but not handsome enough to help me form any strong memories of him. He spent a brief stint alongside Jessie in the Pokemon anime, but she boxed the poor bugger before moving on to Unova region.

Barboach (Debuted in Gen III)

I feel sorry for most forgotten Pokemon, but something about Barboach's anonymity just gets under my skin. Its dull greys and blues put my brain to sleep, and its beady eyes hold nothing in the way of intrigue or personality. Dude, it's like you're not even trying.

Huntail (Debuted in Gen III)

I don't know how I managed to utterly forget about a blue eel that picked up some kind of polka-dot skin disease while visiting Sesame Street, but here we are.

Linoone (Debuted in Gen III)

Linoone is the Normal-type evolution of one of Gen III's early vendor trash Pokemon, so I can't say I'm surprised Pokemon fans boxed him in the game as well as in their hearts. Nevertheless, I've always carried a soft spot for Linoone. His weasel-like physique and blue eyes are an open invitation for a Redwall nerd like myself to name him appropriately.

Lumineon (Debuted in Gen IV)

I don't know if it's appropriate to give forgotten Pokemon a mascot, but Lumineon evolved (heh) into the spokesfish for forgettable pocket monsters. Is this an example of that twisted millennial humor news shows keep warning me about? Kind of like how Milhouse isn't a meme, but "Milhouse isn't a meme" is a meme?

Mesprit, Uxie, and Azelf (Debuted in Gen IV)

Oof, I don't think anyone remembers these little dudes. I get why it was hard for Game Freak to follow up on the Legendary Bird trio in Gen I and the Legendary Dog trio in Gen II, but handing us three still-gestating Mewtwo fetuses probably wasn't the route to go.

Maractus (Debuted in Gen V)

Oh, what a cute little baby! How'd he wind up overlooked next to boring ol' Cacnea?

…That's what I want to say, but this thing's eyes have the same crazed look as a Five Nights at Freddy's animatronic. Shh. Go back to sleep, Maractus. Sorry to disturb you.

Elgyem (Debuted Gen V)

Even if I don't remember the names of most "forgotten" Pokemon, I feel like I've seen them all at least once. Elgyem might be the single exception. I don't remember this oblong-headed freakshow at all. Oh Arceus, how its neck probably aches.

Sigilyph (Debuted Gen V)

Let the wind, water, and earth cry this decree: Any Pokemon foolish enough to try and become the next Xatu will instantly find itself in the cold, dark embrace of obscurity.

Looking forward to hooking back up with the unforgettable Gen I PokeDex later this year? Read our guides for Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu and Pokemon Let's Go Eevee!