For months now rumors have been swirling that Pokémon fans should expect to see remakes of Pokémon Diamond & Pearl on the Nintendo Switch. After the release of Pokémon Sword & Shield in late 2019, fans have already been clamoring for the next major release on the console/handheld hybrid.
The Sinnoh region is often overlooked in the series, and sadly it has several great Pokémon that are just as often overlooked and underrated. Let’s now take the time to rank the 10 most underrated Pokémon from the Sinnoh region in Pokémon Diamond & Pearl.
10 Rotom
Every since Rotom’s introduction into the franchise in Pokémon Diamond & Pearl it has quickly ascended the ranks of most notable Pokémon. This is due to it being featured in most of the generations following those games as its ability to possess technology came in handy.
It has served as transportation as well as the actual PokéDex for trainers in recent games. When it comes to battling, it happens to be quite versatile as trainers can make it a variety of dual-types which come with unique forms as well due to the objects it possesses.
9 Abomasnow
It’s hard to say Abomasnow is generally underrated considering those who love the Grass and Ice-type will let you know. It even happens to be one of the lucky Pokémon with a mega evolution form.
It lives up to being partially named after the Abominable Snowman as it comes in at a height of over 7 feet and weighs near 300 pounds. A creature capable of creating whiteout conditions by simply shaking its body is one that shouldn’t be taken for granted. It’s the reason kids in the Sinnoh Region get snow days off from school.
8 Cherrim
Often it’s natural for trainers to overlook flower and fruit-based Grass-type Pokémon simply due to their abundance throughout the series. Cherrim may seem like a cookie-cutter cherry-inspired creature, but the idea of it having two separate forms is neat.
Its overcast form makes it look like an eggplant, whereas its sunny form has the little thing doing its best Albert Einstein cosplay. Most people end up encountering the overcast form, which is unfortunate considering it’s easily the worst first impression Cherrim could make.
7 Magnezone
In a later entry, Rhyperior will be discussed as an evolution that brought new life to a Kanto evolutionary line. Magnezone also happened to do the same thing, though Magnemite and Magneton were never as maligned as Rhyhorn and Rhydon. Magnezone’s base stats are fantastic, with its one glaring weakness being its speed.
The Electric and Steel dual-type has an ability called Magnet Pull that traps Steel-type Pokémon and prevents them from escaping a battle. This is useful in both trainer battles and catching Steel-types in the wild.
6 Vespiquen
The only reason Vespiquen isn’t used and cherished by trainers is that Beedrill exists. With Vespiquen it embraces the real-life inspiration fully as it can only be female. It also happens to be both Bug and Flying-type which makes it less susceptible in certain typing matchups.
Don’t look for Vespiquen to win in a brawl as its true statistical strength lays in its physical and special defense numbers. Its long dress-like body is home to grubs it feeds with honey collected by its base form called Combee.
5 Toxicroak
Frogs and toads happen to be some of the most used real-life animal inspirations for Pokémon, which is likely a reason Toxicroak gets lost in the fold. This Poison and Fighting dual-type packs a battle strategy punch and can become a real issue for opponents if they don’t expect it to pop up.
Being able to hit hard with physical Fighting-type moves while also being able to poison opponents and drain them over time makes it so trainers get flustered real easily. The Pokédex states that a simple scratch could prove fatal, so be careful.
4 Gastrodon
It may sound unfair but the biggest reason why Gastrodon is underrated and often avoided by trainers is that it has a hideous design. It being a sea slug isn’t the issue as there are other slug-related Pokémon that have designs that simply work.
When designing both the West Sea and East Sea versions of Gastrodon the team at GameFreak chose some unfortunate color combinations. Their shiny forms happen to just give them the colors of the opposite form, so dedicate trainers can’t even find a workaround through shiny hunting.
3 Rhyperior
Rhyperior is just the latest in an entire evolutionary line of underrated Pokémon. Despite Rhydon being the first Pokémon ever created, both it and its base form Rhyhorn have been much maligned for decades. Rhyperior was created with the idea of bringing new life to their evolutionary line and boy does it pack a punch.
Not only is it more striking visually, but this thing’s physical attack and defense are also no joke. It also happens to have two rocket launchers as arms that fire rocks and should be referred to as rock-it launchers.
2 Luxray
Luxray is the Arcanine of the Sinnoh region. It’s an intimidating feline/canine hybrid Pokémon that looks super cool and is a must-own for any trainer in the region. Its base stats aren’t out of this world, but its physical attacks pack a pretty strong punch.
It is said that Luxray can see through anything and it spots and captures its prey by sitting behind objects and using its x-ray vision to get the jump on unsuspecting creatures. Being able to see through things is one of the most powerful abilities in the entire series, it seems.
1 Torterra
It doesn’t matter what region you’re talking about, almost always you’ll find that the Grass-type starter is overlooked and underappreciated. In Torterra’s case, it thankfully got a moment in the spotlight thanks to it being a prominent part of the plot of the film Detective Pikachu.
When kids first learn about fables and myths, one of the most iconic visuals they’ll come across are the giant turtles that are living islands. This sticks with kids who dive deep into those stories, and Torterra is Pokémon’s living embodiment of that. It also happens to be a dual-type, which is always appreciated.
NEXT: Pokémon: The 10 Most Underrated Alola Pokémon, Ranked
