
And it’d sound great with the Nintendo DS sound suite too.
With the release of Pokémon X and Y in 2013, the series’ left bitmapped visuals behind and went to polygonal models. It’s a switch most other popular video game franchises had made years earlier, and with polygons now being the industry norm, no one was surprised when Scarlet and Violet, the newest Pokémon games, arrived last September with their casts made of polygons too.
However, Pokémon doesn’t strive for photo-realism, and looking at the polygonal people encounter in Scarlet and Violet, you might find yourself daydreaming about what they’d look like rendered in the art style of the pre-polygon games. Japanese Twitter user @Roncally_Hayate did more than just daydream, though, and created awesome bitmap versions of eight Scarlet and Violet gym leaders!
ポケモンSVジムリーダー達の
— 京雲寺ハヤテ (@Roncally_Hayate) February 28, 2023
BW風ドット絵完成したぞォ!!#ポケモンSV pic.twitter.com/oDw6HQfjt3
Across the top row are Larry, Grusha, Ryme, and Tulip and below them stand Brassius, Katy, Kofu, and Iono. @Roncally_Hayate didn’t just create a single image for each of them either, as they’re all expressively animated. As an extra-special treat for veteran fans, @Roncally_Hayate chose to specifically emulate the character design traits of Pokémon Black and White, the last of the bitmapped mainline Pokémon games
And as if that wasn’t impressive enough, @Roncally_Hayate also remixed the Scarlet and Violet gym leader battle background music to evoke Black and White’s Nintendo DS sound suite soundtrack.
In recent years, we’ve seen a number of older Pokémon titles get remakes that replace their original 2-D graphics with shiny new polygons, and odds are we’ll never see another mainline entry with pixel art as its primary motif, but at least @Roncally_Hayate is here to show us how cool it could look if one did.
Source: Twitter/@Roncally_Hayate via IT Media
Images: Twitter/@Roncally_Hayate
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!


Pokémon is going open-world with brand-new Pokémon Scarlet and Violet games【Video】
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet starter Pokémon appear on Tokyo’s giant 3-D billboard【Video】
Real-life Pokémon Scarlet and Violet arrive at Japanese cafe chain【Taste test】
Tokyo Skytree to light up in Pokémon colors for summer-long art event!
Real-world Pokémon Koraidon motorcycle makes its first run in Japan【Video】
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Starbucks Japan unveils new Frappuccino showcasing “mottainai” culture
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
What’s it like to join Tokyo’s walking-and-talking-with-strangers club for a day?
Starbucks Japan has a mesh bag so cute it’s a sell-out hit
Osaka is hosting a “hentai” event, but it’s probably not what you think
Art exhibition coming to Tokyo this month brings the cute, scary, and weird to ukiyo-e
Extra-cute Sea Animal crepes come to Japan’s cafe chain born from a sweet fashion brand
New littering fine now being enforced in some of Tokyo’s most heavily touristed areas
And now, a crazy-looking way to stay cool this summer, from Japan’s crazy gadget company
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
What’s up with the Ghibli Park photo and video ban?
Japan’s adorable pudding chick becomes a transit card mascot
The Japan Burger Championship 2026 in Yokohama next month is the ultimate battle of the beef
Mr. Sato takes a walk on Tokyo’s American-style street to get some American/Japanese ice cream
Sushi Pizza surprises diners in one of the best food destinations in Japan
Pikachu cakes and other adorable Pokémon 30th anniversary food coming to Tokyo luxury hotel
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Tokyo’s new extra-expensive ramen restaurant is dividing opinions, so we tried a bowl
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]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
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]
Giant Pokémon appear in Yokohama sky in awesome drone art show at World Championships【Pics, vids】
Pokémon-playing fish commit credit card fraud against owner in Japan via Nintendo eShop【Video】
Fans decide Ash would look better as a girl in the new Pokémon movie, fan art ensues
Awesome “Poké-drone” video shows how to catch the monsters in Pokémon Go from the air【Video】
Look at this awesome vision of how beautiful a modern Pokémon Red and Blue remake could be【Video】