Blastoise
Encyclopedia
Blastoise, known in Japan as , is a Pokémon species in Nintendo
and Game Freak
's Pokémon
franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori
, Blastoise first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue
and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed adaptations of the franchise. Its name is composed by the words "Blast" and "Tortoise".
for the first generation of Pocket Monsters games Red and Green, which were localized outside of Japan as Pokémon Red and Blue
. Originally called "Kamex" in Japanese, Nintendo decided to give the various Pokémon species "clever and descriptive names" related to their appearance or features when translating the game for western audiences as a means to make the characters more relatable to American children.
Blastoise, known as the Shellfish
Pokémon, is the final stage in Squirtle evolution. It takes on an appearance radically different from its previous forms; the most obvious change is the addition of two retractable cannons on its shell. It is also a girthier and more imposing figure: the shape of its head is completely reformed; its limbs are now stout and segmented, bearing visible claws; and its once sought-after tail is short and somewhat stubby. The afore-mentioned cannon spouts are remarkable adaptations, allowing a Blastoise to shoot water with great power and accuracy. The jets of water it spouts from the rocket cannons on its shell can punch through thick steel, while their bullets of water can precisely nail tin cans from a distance of over 160 feet. The spouts also allow for high-speed tackles. Despite being large and heavy, Blastoise can still move well on either two legs or all fours. Blastoise can be found living on island beaches near the ocean, but their preferred habitat seems to be freshwater ponds and lakes.
as a Pokémon obtained by evolving the Pokémon Squirtle
through leveling up. Squirtle is obtained at the beginning of the game where players may choose from it, Bulbasaur
, or Charmander
. It is the mascot for the Blue version. It also appears in the remakes Pokémon Yellow and Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen
. Since then, Blastoise has appeared in each main Pokémon title. Outside of the main series, Blastoise is seen in Pokémon Pinball
, Pokémon Trozei!
, the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
titles, the Pokémon Ranger
titles, Pokémon Rumble
, and PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure. Blastoise also appears in Super Smash Bros. Melee
as both a Pokémon that can be summoned from the Poké Ball item to use against opponents and a collectible trophy.
series have owned Blastoise, notably Gary Oak who raised one from a Squirtle
. While the initial appearance of Blastoise was in a first season episode about an island filled with giant robot Pokémon, the first real Blastoise made its debut in Beach Blank-Out Blastoise, an episode where a Jigglypuff
had become lodged in one of the Blastoise's cannons, causing the latter to sleep indefinitely. Blastoise also received some screen time in the first Pokémon movie, Mewtwo Strikes Back
, as a Pokémon nicknamed Shellshocker, owned by one of the major supporting characters, Neesha. Blastoise are also owned by Cissy, a member of the Orange Crew; and Brock
’s mother Lola.
manga, Green stole a Squirtle from Prof. Oak's Lab. This Squirtle ultimately becomes a Blastoise, nicknamed Blasty, with a tricky personality like its owner, and becomes the major powerhouse on Green's team. it also provided a quick route of aerial transport by withdrawing its limbs into its shell, and blasting water out from its cannons to propel itself forward. Green lent Blasty to Red to assist his journey on Mt. Silver. Blasty inherited the ultimate water attack, Hydro Cannon, directly from Kimberly, without requiring the Jump Path, Catch Path, and Battle Path to master the skills.
listed Blastoise as one of the best Water types, alongside Gyarados
, Cloyster, and Starmie, calling it the most balanced Water type. Salon commented that Blastoise fulfilled kids' dreams of “owning the biggest Super Soaker on the block” in discussing Blastoise's twin cannons. IGN commented that it was hard to believe that Blastoise evolved from Squirtle. IGN's Pokémon Chick called it "quite popular". GamesRadar
editor Brett Elston commented that Blastoise is “hecka cool” and “well worth the effort.” GamesRadar
editor Brett Elston compared Blastoise to Charizard
, stating that while Charizard plays the "safe route" in being a dragon, Blastoise takes a more unique form by being a giant turtle with water cannons coming out of its shell. UGO Networks described Blastoise as "badass." Game Revolution's Josh Laddin described the early Pokémon phenomenon as "like a Hydro Pump from a Blastoise to the face". GamePro
s Kat Bailey wrote that a lot of players chose Blastoise for its two hydro cannons. Authors Tracey West and Katherine Noll ranked Blastoise as the best Water type as of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire
. In a poll conducted by IGN, it was voted as the 3rd best Pokémon, where the staff remembered being torn between Blastoise and Charizard, but stated "a blue turtle with giant cannons sticking out of its back was certainly amazing". They further commented that "in the Red/Blue days, Blastoise comes across more like a fat hippopotamus than a massively popular, kick ass Pokémon".
Nintendo
is a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....
and Game Freak
Game Freak
is a Japanese video game developer that currently creates games exclusively for Nintendo. It has developed the Pokémon series of role-playing games and several other games.-History:...
's Pokémon
Pokémon
is a media franchise published and owned by the video game company Nintendo and created by Satoshi Tajiri in 1996. Originally released as a pair of interlinkable Game Boy role-playing video games developed by Game Freak, Pokémon has since become the second most successful and lucrative video...
franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori
Ken Sugimori
is a Japanese video game designer, illustrator, manga artist, and director. He is most famous as the character designer and art director for the Pokémon franchise. Sugimori is also credited with the art direction for other titles, including Pulseman. Sugimori drew all of the original 151 Pokémon...
, Blastoise first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue
Pokémon Red and Blue
Pokémon Red Version and Blue Version, originally released in Japan as , are role-playing games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy. They are the first installments to the Pokémon series. They were first released in Japan in 1996 as Red and Green, with Blue being...
and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed adaptations of the franchise. Its name is composed by the words "Blast" and "Tortoise".
Concept and characteristics
Blastoise was one of several different designs conceived by Game Freak's character development team and finalized by Ken SugimoriKen Sugimori
is a Japanese video game designer, illustrator, manga artist, and director. He is most famous as the character designer and art director for the Pokémon franchise. Sugimori is also credited with the art direction for other titles, including Pulseman. Sugimori drew all of the original 151 Pokémon...
for the first generation of Pocket Monsters games Red and Green, which were localized outside of Japan as Pokémon Red and Blue
Pokémon Red and Blue
Pokémon Red Version and Blue Version, originally released in Japan as , are role-playing games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy. They are the first installments to the Pokémon series. They were first released in Japan in 1996 as Red and Green, with Blue being...
. Originally called "Kamex" in Japanese, Nintendo decided to give the various Pokémon species "clever and descriptive names" related to their appearance or features when translating the game for western audiences as a means to make the characters more relatable to American children.
Blastoise, known as the Shellfish
Shellfish
Shellfish is a culinary and fisheries term for exoskeleton-bearing aquatic invertebrates used as food, including various species of molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms. Although most kinds of shellfish are harvested from saltwater environments, some kinds are found only in freshwater...
Pokémon, is the final stage in Squirtle evolution. It takes on an appearance radically different from its previous forms; the most obvious change is the addition of two retractable cannons on its shell. It is also a girthier and more imposing figure: the shape of its head is completely reformed; its limbs are now stout and segmented, bearing visible claws; and its once sought-after tail is short and somewhat stubby. The afore-mentioned cannon spouts are remarkable adaptations, allowing a Blastoise to shoot water with great power and accuracy. The jets of water it spouts from the rocket cannons on its shell can punch through thick steel, while their bullets of water can precisely nail tin cans from a distance of over 160 feet. The spouts also allow for high-speed tackles. Despite being large and heavy, Blastoise can still move well on either two legs or all fours. Blastoise can be found living on island beaches near the ocean, but their preferred habitat seems to be freshwater ponds and lakes.
In the video games
Blastoise first appeared in Pokémon Red and BluePokémon Red and Blue
Pokémon Red Version and Blue Version, originally released in Japan as , are role-playing games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy. They are the first installments to the Pokémon series. They were first released in Japan in 1996 as Red and Green, with Blue being...
as a Pokémon obtained by evolving the Pokémon Squirtle
Squirtle
Squirtle, known as in Japan, is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. It was originally conceived by Game Freak's character development team and finalized by Ken Sugimori...
through leveling up. Squirtle is obtained at the beginning of the game where players may choose from it, Bulbasaur
Bulbasaur
Bulbasaur, known as in Japan, is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Designed by Ken Sugimori, their name is a combination of the words "bulb" and "dinosaur." First appearing in Pokémon Red and Blue as a Starter Pokémon, they later appeared in subsequent sequels,...
, or Charmander
Charmander
Charmander, known as in Japan, is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Charmander first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed...
. It is the mascot for the Blue version. It also appears in the remakes Pokémon Yellow and Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen
Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen
are enhanced remakes of the original Pokémon Red and Blue video games, which were released in 1996. The new titles were developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Advance and have compatibility with the Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter, which originally came bundled with...
. Since then, Blastoise has appeared in each main Pokémon title. Outside of the main series, Blastoise is seen in Pokémon Pinball
Pokémon Pinball
is a pinball-based Pokémon spin-off video game for the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on April 14, 1999, and in North America on June 28, 1999. In it, the ball is a Poké Ball, and most of the objects on the table are Pokémon-related....
, Pokémon Trozei!
Pokémon Trozei!
, released as Pokémon Link! in Europe, is a Pokémon-themed puzzle video game for the Nintendo DS. It was released in Japan on October 20, 2005, in North America on March 6, 2006, in Australia on March 30, 2006, and in Europe on May 5, 2006.-Gameplay:...
, the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
- Manga :*Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ginji's Rescue Team, manga adaption of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team and Red Rescue Team*Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blazing Exploration Team, manga adaption of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky.-...
titles, the Pokémon Ranger
Pokémon Ranger
is an action/role-playing video game developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS video game console. The game was released at various dates, varying between continents. The game was first released in Japan on March 22, 2006 and was later released in North America and...
titles, Pokémon Rumble
Pokémon Rumble
Pokémon Rumble is a Pokémon video game for WiiWare. It was developed by Ambrella. Pokémon Rumble was rated "E10+" by the ESRB, making it the first Pokémon video game to be given an ESRB rating higher than "E" for Everyone...
, and PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure. Blastoise also appears in Super Smash Bros. Melee
Super Smash Bros. Melee
Super Smash Bros. Melee, known in Japan as , often abbreviated as SSBM or simply as Melee, is a crossover fighting game released for the Nintendo GameCube shortly after its launch in . It is the successor to the Nintendo 64 game Super Smash Bros., and the predecessor to the Wii game Super Smash...
as both a Pokémon that can be summoned from the Poké Ball item to use against opponents and a collectible trophy.
In the anime
A handful of trainers in the AnimePokémon (anime)
, abbreviated from , is a children's TV anime series, which has since been adapted for the North and South American, Australian and European television markets...
series have owned Blastoise, notably Gary Oak who raised one from a Squirtle
Squirtle
Squirtle, known as in Japan, is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. It was originally conceived by Game Freak's character development team and finalized by Ken Sugimori...
. While the initial appearance of Blastoise was in a first season episode about an island filled with giant robot Pokémon, the first real Blastoise made its debut in Beach Blank-Out Blastoise, an episode where a Jigglypuff
Jigglypuff
Jigglypuff, known in Japan as , is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Jigglypuff first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed...
had become lodged in one of the Blastoise's cannons, causing the latter to sleep indefinitely. Blastoise also received some screen time in the first Pokémon movie, Mewtwo Strikes Back
Pokémon: The First Movie
Pokémon: The First Movie, originally released as , is a 1998 Japanese animated film directed by Kunihiko Yuyama, the chief director of the Pokémon television series. It is the first theatrical release in the Pokémon franchise...
, as a Pokémon nicknamed Shellshocker, owned by one of the major supporting characters, Neesha. Blastoise are also owned by Cissy, a member of the Orange Crew; and Brock
Brock (Pokémon)
Brock, known as in Japanese versions, is a video game character in the Pokémon franchise. In the Pokémon video games, he is the Gym Leader of Pewter City and mainly uses Rock -type Pokémon; in the anime series, he left his position as a Gym Leader to travel alongside Ash Ketchum and become a...
’s mother Lola.
In the manga
In the Pokémon AdventuresPokémon Adventures
Pokémon Adventures, released in Japan as , is a Pokémon-related manga based on the video games. Satoshi Tajiri once stated that the Pocket Monsters Special series is closest to what he imagined the Pokémon world to be:...
manga, Green stole a Squirtle from Prof. Oak's Lab. This Squirtle ultimately becomes a Blastoise, nicknamed Blasty, with a tricky personality like its owner, and becomes the major powerhouse on Green's team. it also provided a quick route of aerial transport by withdrawing its limbs into its shell, and blasting water out from its cannons to propel itself forward. Green lent Blasty to Red to assist his journey on Mt. Silver. Blasty inherited the ultimate water attack, Hydro Cannon, directly from Kimberly, without requiring the Jump Path, Catch Path, and Battle Path to master the skills.
Reception
IGNIGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
listed Blastoise as one of the best Water types, alongside Gyarados
Gyarados
is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Gyarados first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed adaptations of the franchise....
, Cloyster, and Starmie, calling it the most balanced Water type. Salon commented that Blastoise fulfilled kids' dreams of “owning the biggest Super Soaker on the block” in discussing Blastoise's twin cannons. IGN commented that it was hard to believe that Blastoise evolved from Squirtle. IGN's Pokémon Chick called it "quite popular". GamesRadar
GamesRadar
GamesRadar is a multi-format video game website featuring regular news, previews, reviews, videos, and guides. It is owned and operated simultaneously in the UK and US by worldwide publisher Future Publishing...
editor Brett Elston commented that Blastoise is “hecka cool” and “well worth the effort.” GamesRadar
GamesRadar
GamesRadar is a multi-format video game website featuring regular news, previews, reviews, videos, and guides. It is owned and operated simultaneously in the UK and US by worldwide publisher Future Publishing...
editor Brett Elston compared Blastoise to Charizard
Charizard
Charizard, known in Japan as , is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Charizard first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue and subsequent sequels. They have later appeared in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and...
, stating that while Charizard plays the "safe route" in being a dragon, Blastoise takes a more unique form by being a giant turtle with water cannons coming out of its shell. UGO Networks described Blastoise as "badass." Game Revolution's Josh Laddin described the early Pokémon phenomenon as "like a Hydro Pump from a Blastoise to the face". GamePro
GamePro
GamePro Media was a United States gaming media company publishing online and print content on the video game industry, video game hardware, and video game software developed for a video game console , a computer, and/or a mobile device . GamePro Media properties include GamePro magazine and...
s Kat Bailey wrote that a lot of players chose Blastoise for its two hydro cannons. Authors Tracey West and Katherine Noll ranked Blastoise as the best Water type as of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire
are the third installments of the Pokémon series of role-playing games, developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Advance. The games were first released in Japan in late 2002 and later released to the rest of the world in 2003 . Pokémon Emerald, a special edition version,...
. In a poll conducted by IGN, it was voted as the 3rd best Pokémon, where the staff remembered being torn between Blastoise and Charizard, but stated "a blue turtle with giant cannons sticking out of its back was certainly amazing". They further commented that "in the Red/Blue days, Blastoise comes across more like a fat hippopotamus than a massively popular, kick ass Pokémon".