>>44153176Some early designs that are particularly noteworthy:
A2: Very early beta Celebi based on Kokopelli, as seen from a missing link design from a 99 beta
B3: Natu/Xatu mid-evo
E4-5: Both the SW97 and final Elekid created at nearly the same time. As SW97 Elekid was named Elebaby, they may have planned to give Electabuzz two stages preceding it.
E6: An odd boat-like design that also has traits resembling Lugia (who wouldn't be created until at least 98) and Ho-oh. Possibly a very early draft of what would later be developed into Lugia.
F1: A shisa lion. Owing to its proximity to Ho-oh and Unown as well as shisa lions being legendary Japanese creatures much like the houou phoenix, it's believed that this may have been the original cover legendary for Silver. It was also most likely what inspired the legendary trio.
G6: Early Cyndaquil that seems to not have been intended as a Fire-type or starter. Possibly a Rock-type as a pun on the Japanese word for porcupine meaning mountain storm/raider.
I4-5: Very likely reused for Burmy and Mothim in gen 4. Pineco and Forretress were Grass type pinecones in some of the 99 beta builds, them becoming unconvincing Bug-type bagworms was likely a way of compressing two concepts into one (this is likely why Umbreon became a Dark-type like the cut Berurun line too).
K3: An imposing skeleton dinosaur. This is noteworthy as the head director of the anime mentioned Pokemon fighting a rampaging dinosaur as an early idea for the third movie back when gen 2 development hadn't gotten far. It may not have been a kooky anime-original idea after all with this design in mind.
K8: Likely to have been an early idea for Ampharos' pre-evo.
K9: An odd design that has elements resembling both Luvdisc and Cherrim. Interestingly, a cut dex entry in the gen 3 beta seems to reference a love-related Pokemon with petals.
L4: Beta Dunsparce, much closer to the mythological Tsuchinoko snake it's based on. The 99 beta builds have missing link sprites.
