Rattata
Encyclopedia
Rattata, known in Japan as , is a Pokémon species in Nintendo
and Game Freak
's Pokémon
franchise linked through evolution. Rattata evolves into Raticate after gaining enough experience in battle. Created by Ken Sugimori
, it first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue
and later appear in subsequent sequels, various merchandise, spinoff titles, and animated and printed adaptations of the franchise.
for the first generation of Pocket Monsters games Red and Green, which were localized outside of Japan as Pokémon Red and Blue
. Originally called "Koratta" 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. It was originally known as Rattatak in the English beta version, but the name was eventually changed to Rattata, which IGN
believes is a combination of "rat" and "attack".
Rattata is known as the Mouse Pokémon. Rattata resemble small purple rats with large red eyes, cream bellies and paw soles and square fangs. They walk on four legs. Rattata are among the earliest Pokémon that can be caught by players, so much so that it is said that the presence of one Rattata indicates the presence of more than forty Rattata in the area. They make their nests almost anywhere and as extreme omnivores eat anything they can scavenge. A Rattata's fangs grow continuously throughout its lifespan, so it whittles them down to a comfortable size by gnawing on hard objects. They are best known for their Quick Attack attack, which allows them to strike their enemy first, even if it is not their turn to do so.
and was an early Pokémon found by players. It has since appeared in every subsequent main Pokémon title.
Outside of the main titles, they also appeared in the Pokémon Stadium
titles, Pokémon Rumble
, the Pokémon Pinball
titles, the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
titles, and the Pokémon Ranger
titles. In Pokémon Stadium, Rattata featured in its own mini game called "Run, Rattata, Run", in which players needs to avoid obstacles as it runs on a treadmill to reach the finish line. Rattata is the sole starting Pokémon in the Wiiware
video game Pokémon Rumble
.
's bag. A trainer named A.J. has three Rattata, that he sent out to look for his missing Sandshrew. Casey also has a Rattata, whose only appearance was in a battle with Ash. Since then Rattata has had a few cameo appearances in many different episodes.
manga, Rattata's first appearance is a cameo as one of the Pokémon that escapes from Professor Oak's Laboratory. Rattata's first main appearance is when Bill is transformed into one in an accident with his Pokémon transporter. A Rattata is Yellow's first Pokémon (nicknamed "Ratty") that later evolves into a Raticate. Also, Gold has a friend that specializes in training Rattata, based on the character Youngster Joey, from the games Gold and Silver.
editor Brett Elston described Rattata as a good Pokémon for beginning players. However, he criticized it for its role in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl
, stating that because it appears late in the game, it lacks usefulness. Fellow GamesRadar editor Raymond Padilla criticized both Rattata and Raticate's design for being too similar to its inspiration and described it as a "filthy rodent". Author Loredana Lipperini wrote that despite its knife-like fangs, Rattata shares the land peacefully with Pidgey. Official Nintendo Magazines Chris Scullion criticized how common Rattata was and described it as "rubbish". He wrote that instead, there should be more varied weak Pokémon.
IGN
found it useful early in the game and that players should make use of it early on due to the limited selection of Pokémon. IGN's Mark Bozon wrote that while Rattata seemed like an easy Pokémon to catch in Pokémon Ranger
, it utilizes high speeds and maneuverability to make it more difficult than one would expect. Fellow IGN editor Lucas M. Thomas wrote that Rattata was in the same class as Pokémon such as Bidoof
, Sentret, and Zigzagoon due to being an "early, easy catch", "a Normal type, and can also be utilitarian in learning classic HM moves like Cut". IGN's "Pokémon Chick" wrote that anyone that has never seen a Rattata has never played a Pokémon game. She added that because of its underwhelming nature, it is usually sent to the players' PC box. While Poochyena was thought to be Ruby and Sapphires
version of Houndour early in its reveal, Pokémon Chick wrote that it was more like Rattata due to its early discovery and relative ineffectiveness. Eurogamer
's Chris Schilling described the Pokémon Patrat as "the new Rattata", a sentiment which 1UP.com
's Jeremy Parish shares and further describes as "weak vendor trash". ONMs Thomas East described the Pokémon Lillipup as the "new Rattata". The Escapists John Funk called it a "familiar face".
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 linked through evolution. Rattata evolves into Raticate after gaining enough experience in battle. 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...
, it 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 later appear in subsequent sequels, various merchandise, spinoff titles, and animated and printed adaptations of the franchise.
Concept and characteristics
Rattata 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 "Koratta" 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. It was originally known as Rattatak in the English beta version, but the name was eventually changed to Rattata, which IGN
IGN
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...
believes is a combination of "rat" and "attack".
Rattata is known as the Mouse Pokémon. Rattata resemble small purple rats with large red eyes, cream bellies and paw soles and square fangs. They walk on four legs. Rattata are among the earliest Pokémon that can be caught by players, so much so that it is said that the presence of one Rattata indicates the presence of more than forty Rattata in the area. They make their nests almost anywhere and as extreme omnivores eat anything they can scavenge. A Rattata's fangs grow continuously throughout its lifespan, so it whittles them down to a comfortable size by gnawing on hard objects. They are best known for their Quick Attack attack, which allows them to strike their enemy first, even if it is not their turn to do so.
In the video games
Rattata 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...
and was an early Pokémon found by players. It has since appeared in every subsequent main Pokémon title.
Outside of the main titles, they also appeared in the Pokémon Stadium
Pokémon Stadium
Pokémon Stadium, known as in Japan, is a strategy game developed by Nintendo EAD with the assistance of Creatures and HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64 video game console. It was released on April 30, 1999 in Japan, February 29, 2000 in North America, and April 7, 2000...
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...
, the 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....
titles, 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, and 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. In Pokémon Stadium, Rattata featured in its own mini game called "Run, Rattata, Run", in which players needs to avoid obstacles as it runs on a treadmill to reach the finish line. Rattata is the sole starting Pokémon in the Wiiware
WiiWare
WiiWare is a service that allows Wii users to download games and applications specifically designed and developed for the Wii video game console made by Nintendo. These games and applications can only be purchased and downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel under the WiiWare section...
video game 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...
.
In the anime
In the anime, Rattata debuted in the first episode of the series, trying to steal food from AshAsh Ketchum
Ash Ketchum, known as for all appearances in Japan, is a fictional character in the Pokémon franchise owned by Nintendo. He was created by, and named after, Satoshi Tajiri as the protagonist of the anime and manga series, as well as on various merchandise related to the franchise...
's bag. A trainer named A.J. has three Rattata, that he sent out to look for his missing Sandshrew. Casey also has a Rattata, whose only appearance was in a battle with Ash. Since then Rattata has had a few cameo appearances in many different episodes.
In other media
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, Rattata's first appearance is a cameo as one of the Pokémon that escapes from Professor Oak's Laboratory. Rattata's first main appearance is when Bill is transformed into one in an accident with his Pokémon transporter. A Rattata is Yellow's first Pokémon (nicknamed "Ratty") that later evolves into a Raticate. Also, Gold has a friend that specializes in training Rattata, based on the character Youngster Joey, from the games Gold and Silver.
Reception
GamesRadarGamesRadar
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 described Rattata as a good Pokémon for beginning players. However, he criticized it for its role in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl
are role-playing games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS. With the enhanced remake Pokémon Platinum, the games comprise the fifth installment and fourth generation of the Pokémon series of RPGs...
, stating that because it appears late in the game, it lacks usefulness. Fellow GamesRadar editor Raymond Padilla criticized both Rattata and Raticate's design for being too similar to its inspiration and described it as a "filthy rodent". Author Loredana Lipperini wrote that despite its knife-like fangs, Rattata shares the land peacefully with Pidgey. Official Nintendo Magazines Chris Scullion criticized how common Rattata was and described it as "rubbish". He wrote that instead, there should be more varied weak Pokémon.
IGN
IGN
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...
found it useful early in the game and that players should make use of it early on due to the limited selection of Pokémon. IGN's Mark Bozon wrote that while Rattata seemed like an easy Pokémon to catch in 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...
, it utilizes high speeds and maneuverability to make it more difficult than one would expect. Fellow IGN editor Lucas M. Thomas wrote that Rattata was in the same class as Pokémon such as Bidoof
Bidoof
Bidoof, known in Japan as , is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Bidoof first appeared in the video games Pokémon Diamond and Pearl and in subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed...
, Sentret, and Zigzagoon due to being an "early, easy catch", "a Normal type, and can also be utilitarian in learning classic HM moves like Cut". IGN's "Pokémon Chick" wrote that anyone that has never seen a Rattata has never played a Pokémon game. She added that because of its underwhelming nature, it is usually sent to the players' PC box. While Poochyena was thought to be Ruby and Sapphires
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,...
version of Houndour early in its reveal, Pokémon Chick wrote that it was more like Rattata due to its early discovery and relative ineffectiveness. Eurogamer
Eurogamer
Eurogamer is a Brighton-based website focused on video games news, reviews, previews and interviews. It is operated by Eurogamer Network Ltd., which was formed in 1999 by brothers Rupert and Nick Loman. Eurogamer has grown to become one of the most important European-based websites focused on...
's Chris Schilling described the Pokémon Patrat as "the new Rattata", a sentiment which 1UP.com
1UP.com
1UP.com is a video game website owned by IGN Entertainment, a division of News Corporation. Previously, the site was owned by Ziff Davis before being sold to UGO Entertainment in 2009....
's Jeremy Parish shares and further describes as "weak vendor trash". ONMs Thomas East described the Pokémon Lillipup as the "new Rattata". The Escapists John Funk called it a "familiar face".