In the early days of Pokémon, long before it became the global phenomenon it is today, the game was quite different. This was the nascent era of what would later become ‘Pocket Monsters’ then ‘Pokémon,’ and from some of its early concepts, two regal figures began to develop: Nidoking and Nidoqueen. These mighty Pokémon, which emerged from the first-ever gender-divided species, Nidoran, might have more to their canon story than fans realize. Was it their destiny to rule over this weird and wonderful world in the first place? The reality of it all is unclear, and yet the little left behind suggests something more complex than their current context within the video game would indicate.
Kaiju Origins: Monsters Born from Legends?
Nidoking and Nidoqueen have always had a uniquely old-fashioned, large, and intimidating look to their design. People tell they are influenced by kaiju, the giant monsters in Japanese cinema, such as Godzilla. Nidoking embodies fierce spikes and loud roars, while Nidoqueen perfectly complements him with her defensive body, strong enough to withstand his brutality. Their designs are primal, speaking of an era when these animals belonged to a far more primitive kingdom than the time we know.
Deeper parallels with kaiju are indeed unavoidable. The sound of Nidoking’s echoing roar — reportedly based on Godzilla’s own iconic bellow — evokes thoughts of massive titans locked in apocalyptic combat. Some might even imagine these two as the King and Queen of what Pokémon generations could produce. Or is this just a stylistic choice, referencing a hugely influential game design tradition? We may never know.
The Moon Stone: A Crown from the Heavens
Meanwhile, Nidorino and Nidorina’s transformation into their kingly and queenly forms — Nidoking and Nidoqueen — via the Moon Stone carries its own mysterious symbolism. The moon is also tied to Japan’s rabbit folklore, where a rabbit is said to live on the moon, casting shadows. This mystical connection to the moon hints at the Moon Stone’s power, suggesting it might offer more than just a means of evolution. It’s almost like these Pokémon were given their royal forms by the moon itself, transforming their bodies into something powerful and majestic.
Slot 32: The Missing Pokémon
Hidden away in the code of Pokémon Red and Green lies an empty space — Slot 32 — where a Pokémon once sat, but has since been removed. The mysterious creature would have been placed between Gyaon and Growlithe but was cut from the game before its launch. Had that Pokémon been included, did it have something to do with the Nidoran evolution line? Was some new heir supposed to emerge, or what was this meant for?
The Royal Legacy
It was said that when Satoshi Tajiri envisioned the world of Pokémon, every creature had a purpose… Lapras, surely intended to ferry travelers across the sea; Rhydon, logically designed to carry heavy loads; and maybe even Nidoking and Nidoqueen were thought of as royalty. Were they the King and Queen of this strange land, representing Strength and Protection? It is more than a simple metamorphosis — their change through the Moon Stone feels like a coronation of destiny, connecting them to something much greater. Their true legacy remains elusive, hidden in the shadows of Pokémon’s forgotten past, as the forgotten rulers of a world we may never fully understand.
Images Credit:
deviantart.com/chiefcthulhu
Capsule Monsters, artwork by Ken Sugimori