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】
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Nonstop flights from U.S. to Okinawa return after 54 years, making travel faster than before
Starbucks Japan adds a gooey sweet potato Frappuccino to its menu this autumn
Starting this fall, you’ll be able to take a Pokémon Jet flight to Japan
Godiva Japan hops into tsukimi season with bunny and moon-themed chocolate assortments
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
McDonald’s Japan reveals exclusive new Tsukimi moon viewing collection for 2026
Tokaido Lumière Express: Stay overnight inside the Shinkansen from Osaka to Tokyo
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Nike x One Piece collection brings Devil Fruits to sneakers and streetwear in Japan
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
We recommend not buying one pack of Japan’s new convenience store corn soup-flavor fried chicken
Police in Japan looking for who’s responsible for dumping 80 loaves of bread on side of road [Video]
Japan’s double-decker portable rice cooker/bento maker is better than ever with new version
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
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
Here’s how the awesome new Pokémon GO mobile game will look on your smartphone
Pokémon GO player captures an incredibly rare two shot photograph of Pikachu and Satoshi
Terrifying video shows Japanese man playing Pokémon GO while driving sightseeing bus 【Video】
Japan GO! Pokémon GO finally available in Japan!
Pokémon GO enters partnership to help disaster-stricken regions of Japan 【Video】