>>50036236>>50036322The sprites still exist. A heart has more to do with Psychic-types (just look at Gen 3's Mind Badge), so the graphics were still switched in the original Japanese games.
Taking things a step further, with the original sketches for the Gym Leaders, it's presumed that Sabrina was going to be the last Gym Leader (before Giovanni was even conceptualized). As a "last boss" it would make sense that she would have something fancy sounding like the Gold Badge... But even more than that, considering she has a whip, like the Tamers, it's possible that there was some swapping with the Gyms themselves (because Trainer classes had some semblance of hierarchy back then, like Lasses turning into Beauties, Super Nerds turning into Scientists into Blaine's sprite back when it was for Silph's Chief, the first Gym Leader was an advanced Youngster, etc.).
