With 2020 being the year that the Johto Quorum completed, our game of the year celebrations wouldn’t feel complete without some discussion of Pokémon. We did, of course, already rate whether or not these monsters were keepers over on the Quorum, but we didn’t pick a BEST. Also, it helps to have outside perspective like that which Jen and Kyrie bring.
The Winner
Galarian Zapdos
LOOK AT THIS GUY. It’s an angry kick-happy chocobo. It’s a really PISSED OFF chicken. And god help me it is one of my favorite legendaries of all time, now. Galarian Zapdos is not just great art, it’s a really cool take on the classic electric bird Zapdos, it’s well animated, and its implementation in the game is great. You have to chase this roadrunner-ass ‘mon down! It’s good. Good work, Game Freak.
The Runners-Up
Gigantamax Cinderace
The whole line of Scorbunny is just banger after banger. First, Scorbunny. Adorable athletic sports rabbit! So cute! Great. Love it. Then Raboot. Angsty-cute teenage bunny! Hell yes! Then finally it evolves into Cinderace, a cheerful sports enthusiast that balances cute with looking the part of a real fighter.
Oh, did I say “finally?” Because that’s not the end of the story. In 2020, Cinderace got a Gigantamax form. And hooooly hell. It’s JUST Laharl from Disgaea! This owns! It’s so good! It’s standing on a living fireball! The only thing taking away from it is that the design isn’t as new as these others. It’s a Gigantamax, so ultimately it’s Cinderace Plus More. That lack of newness kept it from winning, I think.
Kubfu
Kubfu, if your evolutions didn’t suck, I think you would have had a shot at the gold. As is, I hope you’re content with bronze. The karate bear cub has adorable tenacity, admirable spirit, and is just a FRIEND. Look at this pal. Look at that headband. You wish you had one. I know you do, don’t lie.
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You know what. You know WHAT? I love Pokémon. I love em so much. I miss doing the Johto Quorum, I miss my usual excuse to talk about them with Allen. I’m so glad I got the excuse to do so again as part of our Gimmick Awards. If you didn’t hear the discussion, you should dip over to the Scanline Talks podcast feed, and give it a listen. This is the first of today’s three categories, and I hope you enjoy the next two as well!
A big thank you to Zwimmy (@zwimmy on Twitter) for our Game of the Year art!
