Suddenly, we’re really frightened by the game’s promise that there are Pokémon all around us.
Phenomenally fun as it may be, developer Niantic’s Pokémon GO can be a little rough around the edges, especially compared to Nintendo’s highly polished mainline Pokémon games. That’s not entirely Niantic’s fault, though. As a smartphone title, the company doesn’t know the exact hardware specs for any individual Pokémon GO player, which can sometimes lead to glitches, especially when the game is trying to synch with the phone’s GPS function.
For example, sometimes you might spy your avatar shuffling about the game’s map, even though you’re standing perfectly still. Another common hiccup is when the game mashes together the graphics data for two different types of Pokémon and spawns a single hybrid of the two creatures, which has inspired some eye-catching fan art from Twitter user @BrachyZoid.
▼ Water-types Staryu and Magikarp don’t look like they come from the deep sea so much as another dimension.
Thank you @SandStormer444 for the screenshot. pic.twitter.com/TmukNfhStj
— Brachy (@BrachyZoid) September 4, 2016
Because of the similar sizes yet variety in shapes of the game’s Pocket Monsters, the on-screen glitches often end up adding the appendages of one Pokémon to another, like when Rattata sprouts Pidgey’s wings and feathered crest.
▼ The exposed brain is kind of a step backwards, though.
Screenshot shared by @bryanvroom
— Brachy (@BrachyZoid) July 30, 2016
Really quick one cause I'm in a hurry pic.twitter.com/Yua5u588eJ
Other times, the result looks more like some kind of symbiotic cohabitation, like when Doduo makes itself at home atop Krabby, giving him an afro in the process.
Funky Crabby pic.twitter.com/qsCvlAiYUq
— Brachy (@BrachyZoid) August 15, 2016
Much more disturbing than the possibility of disco making a comeback, though, is Weedle bursting out of Oddish’s corpse like it’s trying out for a part in an Alien remake.
▼ In Kanto, no one can hear you scream.
Screenshot shared by @MikePressmar
— Brachy (@BrachyZoid) July 30, 2016
Not enough to fuse but good enough for a scene. pic.twitter.com/waLF500stg
But even that’s not as terrifying as Psyduck getting three holes in his head, courtesy of Dodrio.
screenshot by: @kagoshimato pic.twitter.com/jrlwbPPvzP
— Brachy (@BrachyZoid) August 15, 2016
Here’s hoping that one never becomes canon.
Source: Twitter/@BrachyZoid (h/t Kotaku)

Here’s why it’s a good thing Pokémon GO’s capture sessions aren’t in a third-person view
Pokémon GO players in Japan discover strange new hybrid species of monsters in the game
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire species are coming to Pokémon GO this week【Video】
Starbucks Japan reopens Shinkansen platform store after redesigning it for speed
Family Mart Japan installs red-eyed “Monster Wolf” to keep bears away from convenience store
Japanese man’s gross conveyor belt sushi social media prank video gets him a 500,000-yen fine
Pikachu brings electric style to brand-new Pokémon G-Shock watch featuring every stater trio
Krispy Kreme Japan releases new fruit doughnuts…that taste better cold
The adorable, delicious joy of the Totoro cream puff gift box[Taste test]
Japanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it
Tokyo cops arrest foreigner for suspected visa violation, don’t know what new residence cards look like
Testing Japan’s latest food hack trend: Adding instant corn soup powder to popcorn[Taste test]
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Starbucks Japan creates special drink bottle bags, adorable stickers for all 47 prefectures[Pics]
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
“Phantom Egg Shop” opens in Japan, with a dozen rare Japanese varieties
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Over 80 new Pocket Monsters being added to Pokémon GO this week【Video】
Pokémon Gold and Silver Pocket Monsters finally added to Pokémon GO!
The glitch this Japanese gamer encountered in Pokémon Go is just too cruel for words【Video】
Five ways we’d like Niantic to fix Pokémon GO
Pokémon GO adding team-up battles to finally deliver on one of its earliest promises
Terrifying Pokémon fan art fails to win card design contest, succeeds at scaring everyone【Photos】
How to hatch your Pokémon GO eggs without taking a single step
A Pokémon glitch no one discovered in 18 years has been found…by a pet fish in Japan?!?【Videos】
Pikachu and pals dress up as other Pokémon for Pokémon GO Halloween event, and we want them all
Pokémon GO player captures an incredibly rare two shot photograph of Pikachu and Satoshi
Here’s how the awesome new Pokémon GO mobile game will look on your smartphone
Terrifying video shows Japanese man playing Pokémon GO while driving sightseeing bus 【Video】
Japan GO! Pokémon GO finally available in Japan!
Real-world Pokémon gym location at Nagoya University gets made up like an in-game location
Pokémon Go warned players not to play during typhoons, players played anyway
Pokémon GO game adds Sableye, Banette, more Hoenn Pokémon