Wooper Explained

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

is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon media franchise. First introduced in Pokémon Gold and Silver, it was designed by Ken Sugimori, and was later featured in multiple sequels. It also appears in Pokémon Go and 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 generally positive reception for both of its forms, with the original form noted for becoming a meme and an 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 fans preferring it to the final design.

Concept and creation

Wooper is a fictional species of Pokémon created for the Pokémon franchise. Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, the series began in Japan in 1996 with the release of the video games Pokémon Red and Blue for the Game Boy.[1] In these games, the player assumes the role of a Pokémon Trainer whose goal is to capture and train Pokémon. Players use the creatures' special abilities to combat other Pokémon, and some can transform into stronger species through a process called evolution via various means, such as exposure to specific items.[2] 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'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 were given shorter antennae.[3] 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.

Appearances

Wooper originally appeared in the video games Pokémon Gold and Silver as one of its one hundred new Pokémon designs added to the game, having a Water/Ground typing.[4] It has since been made available in many different sequels in this series of Pokémon games, such as Pokémon Diamond and Pearl and Pokémon Sword and Shield. In all instances, this Wooper is capable of evolving into Quagsire.[5] In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Wooper does not appear outside of an in-game trade,[6] though a regional Paldean variant appears instead. Instead of evolving into Quagsire, this Pokémon evolves into Clodsire. Regular Wooper eventually appeared in the downloadable content for Scarlet and Violet.[7] Both forms of Wooper appear in Pokémon Go[8] [9] and the Pokémon Trading Card Game.[10] [11] A Pokémon mini themed after Wooper was also released.[12]

Wooper has appeared in a variety of spin-off media. It appears in multiple entries in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series. It is one of the starting Pokémon that players may select in the Storm Adventure Squad version of for WiiWare,[13] and was featured as part of a new quest in , a new version of Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness.[14] In , Wooper is one of a handful of Pokémon available that were not from the fifth generation of Pokémon species.[15] It also appears in Pokémon Go[16] and New Pokémon Snap.[17] It has also appeared in the Pokémon anime and Pokémon Adventures manga.

Both forms of Wooper have received multiple pieces of merchandise, including stuffed animals, figurines, apparel, and jewelry.[18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] A large yawning Clodsire plush was also released, with buyers able to choose one that comes with two, five, or thirty Paldean Wooper.[24]

Reception

Wooper has received generally positive reception, noted by IGN writer Rebekah Valentine as being "historically beloved" and the subject of frequent memes, while Game Rant writer Michael Brandon Ingram called it one of the most iconic designs in the series.[25] [26] Inside Gamer writer Benjamin Ben considered Wooper among the best designs added to Pokémon Gold and Silver, saying that its simple smile made people happy and that its innocent look makes it more appealing. He also noted that its axolotl inspiration helped contribute to that, noting that this is because axolotls stay cute.[27] 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 among them, noting that some fans have said they prefer the beta Wooper to the final one. She praised it for being short and cute, finding it unsurprising that people became so enamored with it, noting that it became the subject of a large amount of fan art.[28] Hobby Consolas writer Javier Escribano noted that, due to its chubbier design compared to Wooper, it has become a meme.[29]

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."[30] 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.[31] 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.[32] 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."[33] 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.[34] 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 Pokemon than they could have done.[35]

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.[36] While multiple authors noted that Wooper is based on an axolotl,[27] [36] [37] 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.[32]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pokémon Red & Blue – A Look Back At The 20-Year Journey To Catch ‘Em All . . Hilliard . Kyle . December 25, 2016 . January 22, 2024 . October 1, 2023 . 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 . dead .
  2. Book: Allison, Anne . Millennial Monsters: Japanese Toys and the Global Imagination . May 2006 . University of California Press . 9780520938991 . 192–197.
  3. 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 .
  4. 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 .
  5. 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 .
  6. 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 .
  7. 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 .
  8. 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 .
  9. 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 .
  10. 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 .
  11. 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 .
  12. 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 .
  13. Web site: Pokemon Mystery Dungeon On Wii Times Three . Siliconera . Laura . July 29, 2009 . June 12, 2024.
  14. Web site: The few new features in Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of the Sky . Engadget . Fletcher . JC . February 16, 2009 . June 12, 2024.
  15. Web site: Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity Review (3DS) . . Sleeper . Morgan . March 31, 2013 . June 12, 2024.
  16. Web site: Pokemon Go Water Festival brings out rare Water-type monsters . . Vincent . Brittany . August 15, 2019 . June 12, 2024.
  17. Web site: Maher . Cian . 2021-04-30 . New Pokemon Snap: Every Pokemon In Founja Jungle (Night) . 2024-03-11 . TheGamer . en . July 21, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220721213048/https://www.thegamer.com/new-pokemon-snap-every-pokemon-in-founja-jungle-night/ . live .
  18. Web site: 『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 .
  19. 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 .
  20. 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 .
  21. Web site: 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 .
  22. 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 .
  23. 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 .
  24. 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 .
  25. 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 .
  26. Web site: Pokemon Fan Creates Impressive 3D Model of Wooper's Beta Design . Game Rant . Ingram . Michael Brandon . July 23, 2021 . March 11, 2024 . May 26, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230526191503/https://gamerant.com/pokemon-wooper-beta-design-fan-3d-model/ . live .
  27. Web site: Top 5 – Tofste Pokémon-designs van de 2e generatie. . Inside Gamer . Ben . Benjamin . 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 .
  28. 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 .
  29. 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 .
  30. 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 .
  31. 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 .
  32. 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 .
  33. 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 .
  34. Web site: 【週間PVランキング】『ワンピース』コミックス90巻分が無料開放スタート。『エルデンリング』がまさかのギャグ漫画に!? 【9/2～9/8】 . . Count Tsukune . September 10, 2022 . March 11, 2024 . March 10, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240310194711/https://www.famitsu.com/news/202209/10275329.html . live .
  35. Web site: I Am Already Fatigued By Regional Pokemon Variants . Fanbyte . Khan . Imran . August 29, 2022 . March 11, 2024 . December 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231219230440/https://www.fanbyte.com/pokemon/features/i-am-already-fatigued-by-regional-pokemon-variants . live .
  36. Web site: L'axolotl. De la controverse scientifique au mythe littéraire . Cairn.info . Renard . Jean-Bruno . February 2010 . March 11, 2024 . March 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230315145821/https://www.cairn.info/revue-societes-2010-2-page-19.htm . live .
  37. Book: L'ibolo L'idolo dei bimbi è una salamandra . Il Gazzettino . July 11, 2024 . 14.

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