Wooper Explained

Wooper
Image Upright:0.66
Series:Pokémon
Firstgame:Pokémon Gold and Silver (1999)
Designer:Ken Sugimori (finalized)
Species:Pokémon
Lbl21:Type
Data21:Water and Ground
Poison and Ground (Paldean)

Wooper (; Japanese: Japanese: ウパー, Hepburn:) is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon media franchise. First introduced in Pokémon Gold and Silver, it was conceived by Game Freak's development team, with the design finalized by Ken Sugimori. Since Wooper's debut, it has appeared in multiple sequels and also games related to the series including Pokémon Go, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, as well as various merchandise.

Classified as a Water and Ground-type Pokémon, Wooper is a creature resembling an axolotl, featuring blue skin, external gills, and a flat tail. It eventually evolves into the Pokémon Quagsire. A beta version of Wooper was shown to exist in a leak of Pokémon Gold and Silver, showing a Wooper that is chubbier and walks on two legs. A regional variant was added in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet called Paldean Wooper. It has brown skin and bones protruding from its head, and its types are Poison and Ground. Instead of Quagsire, this Pokémon's final form is Clodsire.

Wooper has received a generally positive reception for both of its forms, with the original noted as a meme and iconic design. Its Paldean Wooper form also received praise for its design, identified as one of the best new designs revealed at the time for Scarlet and Violet. The original Wooper's beta design was also the subject of commentary, with some preferring it to the final design.

Concept and creation

Wooper is a species of fictional creatures called Pokémon created for the Pokémon media franchise. Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, the Japanese franchise began in 1996, with the video games Pokémon Red and Green for the Game Boy, which were later released in North America as Pokémon Red and Blue in 1998.[1] In these games and their sequels, the player assumes the role of a Trainer whose goal is to capture and use the creatures' special abilities to combat other Pokémon. Some Pokémon can transform into stronger species through a process called evolution via various means, such as exposure to specific items.[2] Each Pokémon have one or two elemental types, which define its advantages and disadvantages when battling other Pokémon.[3] A major goal in each game is to complete the Pokédex, a comprehensive Pokémon encyclopedia, by capturing, evolving, and trading with other Trainers to obtain individuals from all Pokémon species. Wooper is a blue creature with no arms, a flat tail, external gills, three curved lines on its stomach, and a large head with antennae protruding from it.

Wooper was first introduced in Pokémon Gold and Silver. When developing the games, around 300 individual Pokémon designs were drafted by various members of the development team, with each deciding their names and features, revising the drafts as needed. During this process the team actively tried to avoid vague design concepts, as they felt this had caused difficulty in creating completed Pokémon during Red and Blue development. As the team selected which Pokémon would be included, they were drawn and finalized by lead artist Ken Sugimori.[4] To maintain balance however, many of the newer species did not appear in the early stages of the game. Additionally, many of the Pokémon were designed with merchandise in mind, taking into account the related Pokémon toy line and anime series. As a result designs often had to be kept simplistic, something that caused strain for Sugimori and affected his approach to the next Pokémon franchise titles, Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire.[5]

Wooper's name comes from the term "wooper looper," a term coined in Japanese for pet axolotls. A feature introduced in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl saw certain Pokémon, including Wooper, given gender differences. Female Wooper have shorter antennae.[6] Another design was later introduced, dubbed Paldean Wooper. Unlike Wooper, the pattern on its stomach resembles a rib cage, and instead of antennae, it has bones protruding from its head. The original Wooper evolves into Quagsire, while Paldean Wooper evolves into Clodsire.[7]

Appearances

First featured as one of one hundred new Pokémon added to Gold and Silver, Wooper has appeared in many subsequent releases in the Pokémon series. It is a Water and Ground-type Pokémon, and this form evolves into Quagsire, which retains this type combination.[8] [9] In the base release of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Wooper does not appear outside of an in-game trade,[10] though a regional Paldean variant appears instead. This form retains the Ground typing, but is a Poison type instead of Water. Instead of evolving into Quagsire, this Pokémon evolves into Clodsire. Regular Wooper eventually appeared in the downloadable content for Scarlet and Violet.[11] Both forms of Wooper appear in Pokémon Go[12] [13] and the Pokémon Trading Card Game.[14] [15] A Pokémon mini themed after Wooper was also released.[16]

Wooper has appeared in various spin-off video games. It appears in multiple entries in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series, including for WiiWare, where it is a starter Pokémon in the Storm Adventure Squad version.[17] It has been featured in other Mystery Dungeon releases, including [18] and , the latter which features it as one of a handful of Pokémon available that were not from the fifth generation of Pokémon species.[19] It has also appeared in the Pokémon anime.

Both forms of Wooper have received multiple pieces of merchandise, including stuffed animals, figurines, apparel, and jewelry.[20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] A large yawning Clodsire plush was also released, with buyers able to choose one that comes with two, five, or thirty Paldean Wooper.[26]

Reception

Wooper has received generally positive reception, noted as a historically beloved Pokémon and the subject of frequent memes by IGN writer Rebekah Valentine.[27] Inside Gamer writer Benjamin Ben considered Wooper among the best designs added to Pokémon Gold and Silver, praising its ability to make people happy with its simple smile. He also felt that its axolotl inspiration helped contribute to that.[28] Following the leak of unused Pokémon in Pokémon Gold and Silver, Wooper's beta design became a particularly popular one, identified by Polygon writer Patricia Hernandez as the most popular who stated that some fans prefer the beta Wooper to the final design. Hernandez praised it for its cuteness and short stature, being unsurprised by its popularity and noting the large amount of fan art.[29] Hobby Consolas writer Javier Escribano noted that, due to its chubbier design compared to Wooper, it has become a meme.[30]

Upon being revealed in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Paldean Wooper became a popular Pokémon among fans, being given the nickname of "Pooper". Polygon writer Cass Marshall thought that Wooper was "always cute" due to its "silly expression."[31] Game Rant writer Benjamin Jones suggested that its reveal was among the best at the time, noting how it being a Ground/Poison-type Pokémon was a notable change, arguing that the type combination was a powerful one, especially in combination with its ability, Water Absorb.[32] GamesRadar+ writer Hope Bellingham also noted its Poison/Ground typing as a notable one, noting how it's the first time since Pokémon Red and Blue to have the type. They described it as a cute Pokémon, though noted that its type combination and abilities Poison Point and Water Absorb showed potential.[33] Vice writer Renata Price noted that Wooper was a favorite Pokémon of theirs, appreciating that it got a new form that they made it a "dirty, grimy boy."[34] Famitsu writer Count Tsukune appreciated the reveal, saying it was the cutest of the Pokémon revealed at the time, both in its game model and art. They stated that they decided to buy Scarlet and Violet after seeing Paldean Wooper.[35] Despite the positive reception for Paldean Wooper, Fanbyte writer Imran Khan was critical of it, arguing that it was an example of a less inspired regional variant. He felt that Paldean Wooper was a less interesting idea for a Ground/Poison-type Pokémon than they could have done.[36]

Critics have discussed the influences behind both Wooper and its Paldean form. Author Jean-Bruno Renard, while discussing fictional representations of axolotls, discussed Wooper, noting its various design and conceptual inspirations, citing its external gills and flat tail.[37] While multiple authors noted that Wooper is based on an axolotl,[28] [37] [38] GamesRadar+ writer argued that the Paldean form is based on the iberian ribbed newt. They argued that multiple design choices correlate between the two, including their brown skin, rib-like pattern, and their use of poison as a defense mechanism.[33]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Hilliard . Kyle . December 25, 2016 . Pokémon Red & Blue – A Look Back At The 20-Year Journey To Catch 'Em All . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20231001192920/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/12/25/pok-233-mon-red-amp-blue-a-look-back-at-the-20-year-journey-to-catch-em-all.aspx . October 1, 2023 . January 22, 2024 . Game Informer.
  2. Book: Allison, Anne . Millennial Monsters: Japanese Toys and the Global Imagination . May 2006 . . 9780520938991 . 192–197.
  3. Book: Pokémon Deluxe Essential Handbook . July 28, 2015 . . 9780545795661 . 5.
  4. 64 Dream . February 2000 . 73 . ja:『ポケモン金・銀』の 開発者に話を聞きました! . We Spoke to the Developers of Pokémon Gold and Silver!. Japanese.
  5. Nintendo Dream . Japanese . 117–126 . ja:ポケットモンスター ルビー・サファイア 大ヒット記念 ロングインタビュー . 84 . February 2003 . Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire: A Long Interview to Celebrate Their Huge Success.
  6. Web site: アプリで進化する新アイテム「ポケモンウォッチ」とは？――「ポケットモンスター ダイヤモンド・パール」 . IT Media . June 15, 2006 . March 11, 2024 . March 10, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240310194707/https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/games/articles/0606/15/news003_3.html . live .
  7. Web site: Broadwell . Josh . 2022-11-24 . Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: How To Get Wooper And Quagsire . 2024-09-06 . Nintendo Life . en-GB.
  8. Web site: pokemonofthedaychick . 2003-01-30 . Pokemon of the Day: Wooper (#194) . 2024-03-11 . IGN . en . March 11, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240311202625/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/01/30/pokemon-crystal-version-pokemon-of-the-day-wooper-194-384307 . live .
  9. Web site: Swanson . Drew . 2023-01-30 . How Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Clodsire Stacks Up Against Quagsire . 2024-03-11 . Game Rant . en . August 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230801020612/https://gamerant.com/pokemon-scarlet-violet-clodsire-quagsire-comparison-unaware-poison-scald-burn-offense-defense/ . live .
  10. Web site: Webb . Ethan . 2023-01-01 . Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: How to Catch a Johtonian Wooper . 2024-03-11 . ScreenRant . en . March 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230319025420/https://screenrant.com/how-to-catch-johtonian-wooper-pokemon-scarlet-violet/ . live .
  11. Web site: Wood . Martin . 2023-06-24 . Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Johtonian Wooper DLC Cameo Raises New Regional Questions . 2024-03-11 . Game Rant . en . September 20, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230920164151/https://gamerant.com/pokemon-scarlet-violet-johtonian-wooper-dlc-kitakami-questions/ . live .
  12. Web site: 「ポケモンGO」にオシャレをしたカイリュー，ウパーらが登場。11月15日にスタートするファッションウィーク2023の実施内容が明らかに . 4gamer . Chihiro . November 9, 2023 . March 11, 2024 . March 10, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240310194713/https://www.4gamer.net/games/316/G031663/20231109022/ . live .
  13. Web site: Lee . Julia . 2023-11-04 . Pokémon Go Wooper Community Day guide . 2024-03-11 . Polygon . en-US . November 12, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231112212419/https://www.polygon.com/pokemon-go-guide/2023/11/4/23944989/wooper-paldean-community-day-shiny-quagsire-clodsire/ . live .
  14. Web site: Littlechild . Chris . 2020-10-15 . 10 Pokémon TCG Card Arts That Are Unlike All Others . 2024-03-11 . TheGamer . en . March 4, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230304134814/https://www.thegamer.com/pokemon-tcg-card-art-unlike-others/ . live .
  15. Web site: Comments . Theo Dwyer . 2023-11-27 . Pokémon TCG Japan's Shiny Treasure Ex: Shiny Paldean Wooper . 2024-03-11 . bleedingcool.com . en . March 12, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240312171045/https://bleedingcool.com/games/pokemon-tcg-japans-shiny-treasure-ex-shiny-paldean-wooper/ . live .
  16. Book: Farrell, Greg . Game Boy Modding . No Starch Press . 2020 . 206 . March 11, 2024 . 9781718500150 . March 12, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240312171051/https://www.google.com/books/edition/Game_Boy_Modding/yCikDwAAQBAJ . live .
  17. Web site: Pokemon Mystery Dungeon On Wii Times Three . Siliconera . Laura . July 29, 2009 . June 12, 2024.
  18. Web site: The few new features in Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of the Sky . Engadget . Fletcher . JC . February 16, 2009 . June 12, 2024.
  19. Web site: Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity Review (3DS) . . Sleeper . Morgan . March 31, 2013 . June 12, 2024.
  20. 『ポケモン』泉がテーマのジオラマフィギュア登場！ラインナップには"滝行中"のヌオーも？ . . November 10, 2022 . March 11, 2024 . March 10, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240310194710/https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2022/11/10/141726.html . live .
  21. Web site: 『ポケモン』プライズぬいぐるみになったゲンガーとウパーのふわふわ生地の肌触りにほっこり癒されよう！ . . December 23, 2019 . March 11, 2024 . March 10, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240310194719/https://hobby.dengeki.com/news/902474/ . live .
  22. Web site: 『ポケモン』の指人形フィギュアに 『グレンアルマ・ソウブレイズ」が登場。8月発売でウミディグダやモトトカゲ、ガケガ二などパルデア地方の新ポケモンをラインナップ . Den Fami Nico Gamer . March 20, 2023 . March 11, 2024 . March 10, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240310194710/https://news.denfaminicogamer.jp/news/230320k . live .
  23. ポケモングッズをコーデのワンポイントに！最新ポケモングッズまとめ . . February 17, 2024 . March 11, 2024 . February 19, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240219004719/https://app.famitsu.com/20240217_2196822/ . live .
  24. Web site: 指に巻きつくハクリュー，耳を彩るニョロモとウパー。ポケモンデザインの新作アクセサリーが2021年4月28日に発売 . 4gamer . YamaChan . April 21, 2021 . March 11, 2024 . March 10, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240310194712/https://www.4gamer.net/games/555/G055590/20210421144/ . live .
  25. Web site: 『ポケモン』ウパーののんきな笑顔をお部屋に。パルデアのすがたも見逃せない顔型クッション . . August 22, 2023 . March 11, 2024 . March 10, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240310194710/https://hobby.dengeki.com/reviews/1154432/ . live .
  26. Web site: Yawning Clodsire Pokemon Plush Includes Lots of Woopers . Siliconera . Liu . Stephanie . November 2, 2023 . March 11, 2024 . March 10, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240310194707/https://www.siliconera.com/yawning-clodsire-pokemon-plush-will-come-with-lots-of-woopers/ . live .
  27. Web site: Once Again, the Pokémon Community Is Memeing the Heck out of the Last Pokémon Presents . . Valentine . Rebekah . August 3, 2022 . March 11, 2024 . December 30, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231230114449/https://www.ign.com/articles/once-again-the-pokmon-community-is-memeing-the-heck-out-of-the-last-pokmon-presents . live .
  28. Web site: Top 5 – Tofste Pokémon-designs van de 2e generatie. . Inside Gamer . Ben . Benjamin . February 18, 2017 . March 11, 2024 . December 4, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231204031529/https://inside.gamer.nl/31441-top-5-tofste-pokemon-designs-van-de-2e-generatie/ . live .
  29. Web site: Apparent Pokémon leak turns 'Beta Wooper' into a sensation . . Hernandez . Patricia . April 27, 2020 . March 11, 2024 . December 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231219213348/https://www.polygon.com/2020/4/27/21238306/pokemon-gold-silver-leak-beta-wooper-sprite-iwata-nintendo-spaceworld-1999-demo . live .
  30. Web site: Las filtraciones de Pokémon Oro y Plata conciben un nuevo meme: Beta Wooper . Hobby Consolas . Escribano . Javier . April 27, 2020 . March 11, 2024 . March 10, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240310194706/https://www.hobbyconsolas.com/noticias/filtraciones-pokemon-oro-plata-conciben-nuevo-meme-beta-wooper-629803 . live .
  31. Web site: Everybody loves 'Pooper,' Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's new Wooper . . Marshall . Cass . August 3, 2022 . March 11, 2024 . December 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231219213348/https://www.polygon.com/23290359/pokemon-scarlet-violet-wooper-paldea-variant-fan-art-memes . live .
  32. Web site: Why the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Wooper Variant is a Big Deal . Game Rant . Jones . Benjamin . August 9, 2022 . March 11, 2024 . September 2, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220902235606/http://gamerant.com/pokemon-scarlet-violet-paldean-wooper-variant-abilities-leak-confirmation/ . live .
  33. Web site: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Paldean Wooper is the first Poison Ground Pokemon since Gen 1 . . Bellingham . Hope . August 4, 2022 . March 11, 2024 . March 10, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240310194707/https://www.gamesradar.com/pokemon-scarlet-and-violets-paldean-wooper-is-the-first-poison-ground-pokemon-since-gen-1/ . live .
  34. Web site: 'Pokémon Scarlet' and 'Violet' May Actually Be Worth Being Excited About . . Price . Renata . August 3, 2022 . March 11, 2024 . March 10, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240310194707/https://www.vice.com/en/article/93aamy/pokemon-scarlet-and-violet-may-actually-be-worth-being-excited-about . live .
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  38. Book: L'ibolo L'idolo dei bimbi è una salamandra . Il Gazzettino . July 11, 2024 . 14.

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