>>50359880First of all, it's good to remember that obviously both sides are just assumptions on our part. I can't say for sure that it wasn't something fully conscious and you can't say for sure it was
But honestly, you're just reinforcing my point with your answers.
I mean, it's in rocket science. All Pokémon generations follow patterns previously established in gen 1. And this alone makes many monsters of any gen to be always naturally similar to some gen 1 mons.
On top of that, gen 1 had one of the highest number of monsters. What is just another point that coincidentally makes any generation to have even more gen1-like in their roster.
In addition, gen 5 also had one of the highest number of monsters so far, which also increases the chances of coincidentally more of its monsters end up looking like gen 1 monsters
And as if all these points weren't enough, they still made the conscious decision to use only new monsters in BW.
It's JUST like you said. Voltorb and Electrode are based on the traditional mimic monster trait from RPGs.
>"Well, if we can't use Voltorb and Electrode anymore, we should make a new one" - it's what they must have thought. And then were born Foongus and Amoongus.They probably weren't thinking "Hey, let's copy the gen 1 monsters again and make another Voltorb and Electrode", but rather with the idea of filling the same previously occupied and then now unoccupied niche, just like you said.
The same could probably be said for every other similar line. Audino, Klink, Roggenrola, Woobat...
>"We need a nurse/healer themed Pokémon to accompany Nurse Joy." - And then Audino was prob born.
>"We need Pokémon to occupy the caves, including the starters caves." "Hey, a bat pokémon would be something that would fit in well, since they live in the most diverse places of the world. And also a rock pokemon makes perfect sense, since we still don't have a rock pokemon." - and then so Rogenrola and Woobat were prob born.