| Blastoise | |
|---|---|
| Pokémon character | |
 Blastoise artwork byKen Sugimori | |
| First game | Pokémon Red andBlue (1996) |
| In-universe information | |
| Species | Pokémon |
| Type | Water |
Blastoise, known asKamex (Japanese:カメックス,Hepburn:Kamekkusu) in Japan, is aPokémon species inNintendo andGame Freak'sPokémon media franchise, and theevolved form ofWartortle, which evolve a frontSquirtle. First introduced in the video gamesPokémon Red andBlue, it is one of three final evolutions of the first Pokémon players can choose from, alongsideVenusaur andCharizard. and is featured on the box art ofPokémon Blue. Since Blastoise's debut, it has appeared in multiple games includingPokémon Go and thePokémon Trading Card Game, as well as various merchandise. It was among the most popularPokémon action figures as of September 2000, and a Blastoise card was among the most valuable in the Trading Card Game.
Classified as a Water-type Pokémon, Blastoise is a large bluebipedalturtle Pokémon, featuring a pair of water cannons protruding from its shell above its shoulders and three claws on its hands and feet. It has received multiple powered up forms, including Mega Blastoise and the larger Gigantamax Blastoise, which change its design.
Blastoise has received positive reception, identified as one of the most popular Pokémon. The nature and workings of Blastoise's water cannons were the subject of scholarly commentary, with one author estimating that they could lift Blastoise 10 stories and another estimating that they produce 386,000 joules of energy. The way the series handled its cannons was also the subject of commentary, with criticism following the game no longer having water coming from its cannons and praise for changing it back.
Blastoise is a species of fictional creatures called Pokémon created for thePokémon media franchise. Developed byGame Freak and published byNintendo, the Japanese franchise began in 1996 with the video gamesPokémon Red andGreen for theGame Boy, which were later released in North America asPokémon Red andBlue in 1998.[1] In these games and their sequels, the player assumes the role of a Trainer whose goal is to capture and use the creatures' special abilities to combat other Pokémon. Some Pokémon can transform into stronger species through a process calledevolution via various means, such as exposure to specific items.[2] Each Pokémon has one or two elemental types, which define its advantages and disadvantages when battling other Pokémon.[3] A major goal in each game is to complete thePokédex, a comprehensive Pokémon encyclopedia, by capturing, evolving, and trading with other Trainers to obtain individuals from all Pokémon species.[2]
Blastoise is classified as a Water-type Pokémon, evolving from the PokémonWartortle, which itself is an evolution ofSquirtle. It evolves via leveling up through battling other Pokémon.[citation needed] According to a group called Helix Chamber, Wartortle was originally intended to evolve into a Pokémon called Totartle based on a sprite sheet they had, a Pokémon thatPolygon writer Allegra Frank believed resembled Wartortle than Blastoise did. A sprite resembling Blastoise was also in this sheet, leading Frank to speculate that it was later made Wartortle's evolution.[4]
Blastoise is a bluebipedalturtle Pokémon, featuring two water cannons protruding from its back.[5] Blastoise has "angry anime eyes," featuring lines slanted towards one another, white sclera, and dark pupils. It also features clawed hands and feet, with three claws on its hands. It has a pair of triangular ears on its head.[6] A new form, Mega Blastoise, was introduced inPokémon X andY, attained by equipping an object called "Blastoisinite" to it.[7] This form loses its shoulder cannons, replacing them with two cannons protruding from its arms and one from the top of its shell above its head.[8] InPokémon Sword andShield downloadable content, a new form called Gigantamax Blastoise is introduced, which is significantly larger than Blastoise.[9]
Blastoise originally appeared in the video gamesPokémon Red andBlue, appearing on the cover art ofBlue, typically obtained in each game by evolving a Squirtle into a Wartortle and then a Blastoise. The games have three initial Pokémon choices called Starter Pokémon offered by the characterProfessor Oak: Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle. If the player chooses Squirtle, the rival will choose Bulbasaur to counter it; if they choose Charmander, the player's rival,Blue, will instead choose Squirtle and eventually evolve it into Blastoise.[citation needed] InPokémon Yellow, Squirtle can be obtained from a character named Officer Jenny.[10] Remakes ofPokémon Red,Blue, andYellow feature Blastoise as well, includingPokémon FireRed andLeafGreen andLet's Go, Pikachu! andLet's Go, Eevee![11][12] Blastoise, as well as its prior forms, appear in all subsequent mainlinePokémon games released since aside fromPokémon Legends Arceus.[citation needed] In bothPokémon Sword andShield andPokémon Scarlet andViolet, Blastoise is only made available in downloadable content released at a later date.[13][14]
Blastoise is featured in multiple otherPokémon games, includingPokémon Go, thePokémon Mystery Dungeon series, andNew Pokémon Snap.[15][16][17] Blastoise appears in thePokémon Trading Card Game, first introduced in the original Base Set run of cards.[18] In order to convince Nintendo of the viability of the card game in English-speaking markets, the companyWizards of the Coast created a Blastoise card as a proof of concept, of which two were printed, though only one is known to exist as of December 2023.[19] InPokkén Tournament DX, Blastoise appears as a playable character, and can turn into Mega Blastoise.[20] It also appears as a playable character inPokémon Unite, and can equip different costumes.[21] Blastoise appears as a summonable ally in multipleSuper Smash Bros. entries, includingSuper Smash Bros. forNintendo 64 andSuper Smash Bros. Melee.[22][23]
In thePokémon TV series, Blastoise makes few appearances. It appears as a partner of protagonistAsh Ketchum's rivalGary Oak, and also appears in the episode "Beach Blank-Out Blastoise", and also appears in the filmPokémon: The First Movie.[24]
Blastoise has been a fan favorite Pokémon since the release ofPokémon Red andBlue and one of the best-known Pokémon species according toBeckett Pokémon Unofficial Collector writer Sean Cooper, who attributed this to its appearance on the cover ofPokémon Blue.[24]Polygon writer Ryan Gilliam felt that Blastoise was a "shining beacon" of Water-type Pokémon, praising it for how cool it is, as well as how well it pulls off its shell cannons.[25]GamesBeat writers Jeff Grubbs and Mike Minotti both felt that Blastoise was a cooler Pokémon than Charizard, Grubbs remarking how powerful it looks. Minotti believed that it, alongside the other two, resembled monsters, comparing it positively to later starter final forms, which he believed were too human-like.[26]IGN writer Rich felt that, despite enjoying dragons, he found the concept of a "blue turtle with giant cannons" amazing, regarding it as one of the best Pokémon.[5]IGN Southeast Asia writer Dale Bashir regarded it as one of the most important Pokémon, attributing the popularity ofRed andBlue in part on Blastoise's design.[27]
Blastoise was the subject of a viralrap song called "Blastoise!" by musician Genwunner which paid tribute to it. This song went viral onTikTok, with videos produced featuring footage fromPokken Tournament of Blastoise set to the music.Kotaku writer Kenneth Shepard lamented how Charizard got more focus than Blastoise and Venusaur from both Nintendo and fans despite receiving some love. He expressed appreciation for the song, as well as it being more popular on TikTok than the rapper's songs for the other two.[28]Destructoid writer Eric Van Allen found Blastoise's appearance inNew Pokémon Snap to be one of the best moments of the game, considering finding it to be a magical moment and a good way to end the game for him. He felt that the Blastoise flying away contributed to the significance of this moment.[17]
Professor João Paulo dos Anjos analyzed the power of Blastoise's water cannons and Hydro Pump attack, estimating that they would have a lot of power, but only be able to produce water for less than 0.118 seconds based on his math and estimations. He believed this was reflected in the lower accuracy of Hydro Pump, stating that a Blastoise would have to be a good shot with its Hydro Pump. He approximated that each shot of a water cannon would have the power of a 1300kg car going 80 km per hour. While analyzing Mega Blastoise's additional water cannon, he came to the conclusion that Hydro Pump by Mega Blastoise would be three times stronger. He also determined that a Blastoise could fly to the height of a 10-story building before the Hydro Pump ran out.[29] In another paper as part of the Journal of Interdisciplinary Science, author Thomas Codd analyzed the three final forms of the starter Pokémon, deducing that Blastoise's water cannons were capable of producing 386,000 joules of energy and was the second strongest, above Venusaur and below Charizard.[30]
In games such asPokémon Stadium, Blastoise's water cannons shoot water when Blastoise uses certain attacks; according toInside Games, this changed inPokémon X andY where it shoots water from its mouth, a trend that continued untilPokémon Scarlet andViolet.[31]ComicBook.com writer Tanner Dedmon identified fan demand for Blastoise to shoot water from its cannons, expressing hope that comments fromPokémon series producerJunichi Masuda thatSword andShield would feature more high-quality animations.[32] The change inScarlet andViolet was met with positive reception from fans.[31]
According toNintendo of America marketerGail Tilden, Blastoise, alongside Charizard, was "by far" the best-sellingPokémon action figures.[33] The Blastoise presentation card created as a proof of concept for the Pokémon Trading Card Game is among the most valuable Pokémon cards, having sold for 360,000 USD.[19]Beckett Pokémon Unofficial Collector staff identified a video of a child getting a Blastoise card as having contributed to Blastoise's popularity.[34]
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