Bloody Hell, Is That Long-Lost Gorochu Finally Peeking Out in Pokémon Legends: Z-A?! (Sort Of, And You'll Pay For It)

AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·

Bloody Hell, Is That Long-Lost Gorochu Finally Peeking Out in Pokémon Legends: Z-A?! (Sort Of, And You'll Pay For It)

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is getting a DLC that introduces two new Mega Raichu forms, Mega Raichu X and Y, which appear to be heavily inspired by the long-lost, cut Gen 1 Pokémon, Gorochu – a powerful 'god of thunder' evolution concept that fans have clamoured for, albeit behind a paywall.

Right, so you know that feeling when you've been chasing a whisper of a rumour, a myth lost in the digital ether, and then suddenly, *poof*, something that looks suspiciously like it just materialised? That's what's just happened in the Pokémon world, mate, and it’s got me tinkering with timelines and old design documents like a wizard trying to decipher a cursed scroll.

Today's Nintendo Direct – a veritable cascade of gaming goodness, mind you – dropped a bombshell for Pokémon fans, especially those of us who obsess over the deep cuts and the 'what-ifs.' We're talking about *Pokémon Legends: Z-A*, which is getting a post-launch DLC expansion called ‘Mega Dimension.’ And within that dimension? Not one, but *two* new Mega Raichu evolutions: Mega Raichu X and Mega Raichu Y.

Now, at first glance, you might just think, "Oh, cool, more Megas." And fair enough. But for a certain, slightly unhinged segment of the Pokémon fanbase – and honestly, who among us isn't a little unhinged when it comes to Pocket Monsters? – this isn't just *any* Mega evolution. This is the closest we've ever come, and probably ever will, to the legendary, long-lost Gorochu.

If that name means nothing to you, pull up a chair, because this is where it gets interesting. Gorochu isn't some fan-made hoax or a playground rumour. No, this was a *real* concept, a planned third evolution for Pikachu and Raichu, way back in the original Gen 1 games – Red, Blue, and Green. Its existence was only officially confirmed in a super rare 2018 interview with Atsuko Nishida, the original designer of the Pikachu line. Nishida, bless her publicity-averse soul, spent the entire interview hiding behind a Pikachu plush, yet casually dropped the Gorochu bombshell. She described it as having "fangs and horns and looked like a god of thunder." A 'god of thunder,' eh? Sounds pretty epic for a little electric mouse's final form, doesn't it?

So, why did this magnificent, thunder-god mouse never see the light of day? According to developers Koji Nishino and Ken Sugimori in that same interview, it basically boiled down to game balance and – wait for it – data size. Pikachu was intended to evolve only once, and they needed to save space, so Gorochu got the chop. Can you imagine? A potential thunder god Pokémon sacrificed on the altar of byte-saving! Bloody hell, the tragedies of early game development, eh?

For years, Gorochu remained a phantom. A tantalising glimpse of a 'back sprite' (you know, the view from behind in battle) surfaced from a beta leak by the Pokémon archeological fan group, Helix Chamber, but that was it. A spectral presence, haunting the dreams of completionist trainers. Junichi Masuda himself, a long-serving developer, even poured cold water on the idea in a late 2018 interview, stating, "You're probably not going to see it. None of the Pokémon that we worked on, got to a point, and then discarded them have actually ever re-appeared yet, so I would say the chances are low."

Which brings us back to Mega Raichu X and Y. While they’re not officially *called* Gorochu – and let's be fair, with Pichu, Pikachu, Raichu, Alolan Raichu, and now two Megas, the 'Gorochu' name is probably permanently benched – they’ve got a suspiciously familiar vibe. Nishida said fangs and horns? Well, Mega Raichu X and Y both sport some rather fetching fangs. And horns? Check! They’ve got different kinds of horned appendages, alright. And when you see them leaping about, crackling with amplified electric power, looking all dramatic and powerful… you can't help but feel that 'god of thunder' description might just have been stapled to their design brief.

This isn't a direct resurrection, mind you. It's more like a clever nod, a knowing wink from the developers to those of us who dig into the deepest lore. It’s an acknowledgement of a legend, a way to incorporate that lost concept without, you know, actually bringing back a completely new 'mon that breaks established evolution chains. And that, my friends, is a pretty ingenious way to please the lore nerds while still selling some shiny new content.

Ah, but there’s a catch, isn’t there? Like all good magical incantations, there’s usually a cost. To get your hands on these magnificent Mega Raichus – and presumably to progress through the Mega Dimension story involving the mischievous Hoopa – you'll need the paid DLC. Fair dinkum, nothing truly legendary comes for free, I suppose. It always makes you wonder, doesn't it? Is this genuinely about celebrating a piece of gaming history, or just a really clever way to drive DLC sales by tapping into decades of fan speculation? Probably a bit of both, if we’re being honest. The cynic in me sighs, but the curious gamer is still pretty buzzed.

Is this *the* Gorochu? Nah, probably not in name. But is it the spirit, the essence, the closest visual interpretation of what could have been? I reckon so. It’s a fascinating peek into how developers can repurpose old ideas, honouring the past while still pushing forward. And for those of us who've been waiting for a glimpse of that thunder god, well, this is probably as good as it gets. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to see if my old Pikachu plush can teach me any more secrets.

Tags: Pokémon, Nintendo Direct, DLC, Mega Evolutions, Gaming Lore

Original article: Eurogamer