>>47368191In Gen 1, Pikachu evolved twice. Once into Raichu, and then into Gorochu. Gorochu ended up getting axed for game balance, probably they had to make Pikachu too weak (at which point Raichu would have had Pikachu's stats and Gorochu would have had Raichu) or Gorochu too strong (if a similar jump was had between Raichu and Gorochu as there is between Pikachu and Raichu, Gorochu would have around 470 BST, which would have been higher than the starters).
At least, that's what they said and that's what I assume. In Gen 2, they were making babies of popular guys and Pikachu was popular so it got a baby.
