- Zubat, Golbat, and Crobat
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Zubat, Golbat, and Crobat
Zubat (bottom left), Golbat (bottom right), and Crobat (top middle)
National Pokédex
Ariados - Crobat (#169) - Chinchou
Wigglytuff - Zubat (#041) - Golbat (#042) - OddishSeries Pokémon series First game Pokémon Red and Blue (Zubat and Golbat)
Pokémon Gold and Silver (Crobat)Designed by Ken Sugimori Voiced by Shin'ichirō Miki Zubat (ズバット Zubatto ), Golbat (ゴルバット Gorubatto ), and Crobat (クロバット Kurobatto ) are three Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise linked through evolution. Zubat evolves into Golbat after gaining enough experience in battle, while Golbat evolves into Crobat when it reaches a certain amount of happiness. Created by Ken Sugimori, Zubat and Golbat first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue, while Crobat was introduced in Pokémon Gold and Silver. They later appear in subsequent sequels, also appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed adaptations of the franchise.
Zubat, Golbat, and Crobat have appeared in various episodes of the anime, with the most notable being owned by Brock and Koga. They were seen in the Pokémon Adventures manga used by notable trainers Agatha, Janine, and Giovanni. Since their appearance in the Pokémon series, Zubat, Golbat, and Crobat have received generally mixed reception. While some call them a "Pokémon you should keep handy", others criticize the abundance of Zubat in the games. Many sources have compared Zubat to Woobat, and consider it a replacement in Pokémon Black and White.
Contents
Concept and characteristics
Zubat and Golbat were two of several different designs conceived by Game Freak's character development team and finalized by Ken Sugimori for the first generation of Pocket Monsters games Red and Green, which were localized outside of Japan as Pokémon Red and Blue.[1][2] Crobat was later created for the sequel, Pokémon Gold and Silver. Originally named Zubatto, Gorubatto, and Kurobatto in Japan, their names were changed to Zubat, Golbat, and Crobat for the English language versions. Zubat's English name is an adaptation of its Japanese name Zubatto. The "batto" means bat, while the word means "quick and to the point".[3] Golbat's English name is an adaptation of its original Japanese name Gorubatto. IGN speculated that could refer to the Japanese TV super hero named "Gorubatto".[4]
Zubat, known as the Bat Pokémon, is a small, blue bat-like Pokémon. It has two long, skinny legs. Zubat's face lacks any eyes and a nose. The insides of Zubat's ears and undersides of its wings are purple. Zubat's wings are supported by elongated 'fingers', and four teeth can be discerned from inside its mouth, two on the lower jaw and two on the upper. A female has smaller fangs. Zubat form colonies in dark places like caves, and use ultrasonic waves to identify and approach targets.[5] The waves act as a sonar to check for objects in its way.[6] During the day, it gathers with others and hangs from the ceilings of dark places.[7] It does so because prolonged exposure to the sun causes its body to become slightly burned.[8] While living in pitch-black caverns, their eyes gradually grew shut and deprived them of vision.[9]
Golbat, the evolved form of Zubat, is a fierce, nocturnal Pokémon. It resides in the darkness of caves, and is most active in the pitch black of night, especially if the moon is in its new phase.[10] It is widely known for sucking fresh blood from living things. Once it has found a living target, it attacks in a stealthy manner, often striking without warning from behind.[11] It harshly bites down on its prey with its four sharp fangs, strong enough to puncture the hide of any animal-like Pokémon, however strong the hide might be.[12] It then proceeds to drink ten ounces of blood instantly.[13] Golbat enjoys blood so much that it may not control its feeding. When weighed down with excess blood from overfeeding, it flies clumsily if at all.[13] Once it strikes, it will not stop draining energy from the victim even if it gets too heavy to fly.[14] Like Zubat, the female's fangs are smaller than the male's.
Crobat is the evolution of Golbat. It is a purple bat with four wings, with two main wings above and two smaller secondary wings below. The development of these lower wings to replace its legs, as a result of its pursuit of faster, yet more silent flight, enables it to fly fast and silently indeed,[15] but also makes it tough to stop and rest.[16] Its extra wings will even allow it to fly long distances by alternating which set of wings it uses when it tires.[17] The only way it can rest is to hang on a tree branch using its lower legs to grab onto it the way normal bats would.[18]
Appearances
In the video games
Zubat and Golbat first appeared in Pokémon Red and Blue, and later appeared in Pokémon Gold and Silver, where Golbat was given an evolution in the form of Crobat. It has since appeared in every main Pokémon title, most notably Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, and Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. While their appearance in the most recent title Pokémon Black and White is less pronounced than before, it has been argued by critics that Woobat, a Pokémon introduced in Black and White, was the "new Zubat".[19]
Outside of the main titles, they have appeared in the Pokémon Pinball titles, the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon titles, the Pokémon Ranger titles, Pokémon Rumble, and PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Big Adventure. Zubat by itself appears in Pokémon Snap. In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time/Darkness, a Zubat is one of Team Skull's members along with Koffing and their leader Skuntank. In Pokémon Stadium 2, Golbat stars in its own minigame called "Gutsy Golbat". Players have to collect as many heart pieces as possible.[20] Crobat appears in Super Smash Bros. Melee as a collectible trophy.
In other media
In the Pokémon anime, Brock catches a Zubat before entering Mt. Moon.[21] It was rarely used, but it eventually evolves to Golbat after a battle with Team Rocket.[22] It later evolves into Crobat to gain more speed to catch up to Team Rocket's rocket.[23] Crobat was given to Forest, with Onix and Geodude, when he became a Gym Leader.[24] Koga used a Golbat against Ash's Charmander in his rematch.[25] A Golbat that Mandi used against Ash during the first round of the Indigo League was defeated by Ash's Kingler.[26] Golbat and its relatives were frequently employed by criminal organizations. Several Crobat appeared in Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! Part One, employed by the followers of Hunter J.[27] Crobat made a small appearance in The Rise of Darkrai as one of the Pokémon Darkrai hit with a Dark Void attack as the other trainers were attacking him.[28]
In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Zubat makes a cameo in the Red, Green & Blue chapter in Raging Rhydon as a wild Pokémon in Mt. Moon. Koga has a Golbat as one of his team members. This Golbat uses Supersonic in order to project a clear visual of the locations of others, using its gaping mouth as a screen. Agatha also possesses a Golbat. Crobat is seen owned by Janine and Giovanni.
Reception
Since their appearance in the Pokémon series, Zubat has received generally mixed reception. IGN's Pokémon Chick called the Zubat line her favourite dual-type Pokémon line.[29] GamesRadar's Brett Elston called the Zubat line "one trio of Pokémon you should keep handy."[30] He specifically wrote that in spite of the criticism it receives for its abundance in the games, it is "easily one of the most useful early in the game".[31] IGN called it a good early Pokémon and popular for use then. However, they noted that it becomes weak later on.[3] IGN's Pokémon Chick wrote that if "you can't find a Zubat you're a complete idiot."[32] IGN's Mark Bozon wrote that if he saw another Zubat he is "going to freak out".[33] IGN's Jack DeVries, Kristine Steimer, and Nick Nolan criticized the abundance of Zubats and Geodude, bemoaning the lack of variety in caves; they added that because of the simple design of Zubat it is easily replaceable.[34]
Many sources have compared Zubat to Woobat, and consider it a replacement. Edge praised Pokémon Black and White's caves for being "Zubat-free".[35] IGN's Jack DeVries questioned whether Woobat would act as a Zubat replacement.[19] He later expressed disgust at the high level of frequency of Zubat in the Pokémon titles and added that despite being unsure of Woobat's quality, he wrote that "at least he's not a Zubat".[36] 1UP.com's Kat Bailey wrote that Woobat was basically a Zubat with a pig's snout.[37] 1UP.com's Michael Vreeland wrote that Woobat was "a lot more interesting" than Zubat.[38] G4TV's Nikole Zivalich, however wrote that Woobat was derivative and inferior to Zubat and that while fans will appreciate not having to run into so many Zubats, the "alternative isn't much better".[39]
IGN described Golbat as "essentially a more powerful version of Zubat" and commended it for its high speed.[4] IGN's Pokémon Chick called Golbat "exponentially more irritating" than Zubat due in part to its use of Confuse Ray and ranked it along Hariyama in terms of annoyance.[32][40] She also wrote that Golbat was "unforgivably ugly" in Red and Blue but has fans and will prove annoying to opponents.[29] She later used it as an example of an ugly middle evolution and wrote ""it's like the makers of the game wanted us to hate them so we'd keep our Pokémon at their earliest stage long enough to get all the good moves quickly and then evolve them twice in quick succession to get the boost in stats".[41] Newsday's Eric Holm called it a popular character in Pokémon.[42] Destructoid's Jim Sterling called Golbat "absolutely ridiculous" and that it "barely even qualifies as a bat". He added that he never liked Zubat or Golbat "either from an aesthetic or a gameplay point of view".[43]
IGN's Jack DeVries wrote that Crobat was an "amazing Pokémon" and one that "any serious competitor has one in its team".[44] IGN's Pokémon Chick wrote that Crobat was an "ultra-fast annoyer" and that it has no "actual attacking moves whatsoever"[45][46] She used it as an example of a Poison Pokémon used due to its immunity to the Ground type attack Earthquake.[47] GamesRadar wrote that Crobat was a "great offensive Pokémon" due to its "intense speed and workable attack stats".[48] GamesRadar's Brett Elston noted that the change from Golbat to Crobat wasn't "all that important" due to its lack of new moves.[30] Official Nintendo Magazine's Tom East featured Crobat as one of the "Unsung Pokémon Heroes" and wrote that despite some weaknesses, it is also very resistant and powerful.[49] GamesRadar's Carolyn Gudmundson wrote that Crobat was "awesome" and "outclasses Swoobat in every respect".[50]
References
- ^ Staff. "2. 一新されたポケモンの世界" (in Japanese). Nintendo.com. Nintendo. p. 2. http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/interview/irbj/vol1/index2.html. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
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- ^ a b "Pokemon Blue Version Guide & Walkthrough - GB, Game Boy Walkthrough - IGN". IGN. http://ie.guides.ign.com/guides/16708/page_236.html. Retrieved 2011-04-20.
- ^ a b "Pokemon Blue Version Guide & Walkthrough - GB, Game Boy Walkthrough - IGN". IGN. http://ie.guides.ign.com/guides/16708/page_53.html. Retrieved 2011-04-20.
- ^ Game Freak. Pokémon Red and Blue. (Nintendo). Game Boy. (1998-09-30) "Forms colonies in perpetually dark places. Uses ultrasonic waves to identify and approach targets."
- ^ Game Freak. Pokémon Yellow. (Nintendo). Game Boy. (1999-10-19) "Emits ultrasonic cries while it flies. They act as a sonar used to check for objects in its way."
- ^ Game Freak. Pokémon Crystal. (Nintendo). Game Boy Color. (2001-07-29) "During the day, it gathers with others and hangs from the ceilings of old buildings and caves."
- ^ Game Freak. Pokémon Ruby. (Nintendo). Game Boy Advance. (2003-03-17) "Zubat remains quietly unmoving in a dark spot during the bright daylight hours. It does so because prolonged exposure to the sun causes its body to become slightly burned."
- ^ Game Freak. Pokémon Emerald. (Nintendo). Game Boy Advance. (2005-05-01) "While living in pitch-black caverns, their eyes gradually grew shut and deprived them of vision. They use ultrasonic waves to detect obstacles."
- ^ Game Freak. Pokémon Sapphire. (Nintendo). Game Boy Advance. (2003-03-17) "Golbat bites down on prey with its four fangs and drinks the victim's blood. It becomes active on inky dark moonless nights, flying around to attack people and Pokémon."
- ^ Game Freak. Pokémon Yellow. (Nintendo). Game Boy. (1999-10-19) "It attacks in a stealthy manner, without warning. Its sharp fangs are used to bite and suck blood."
- ^ Game Freak. Pokémon Gold. (Nintendo). Game Boy Color. (2000-10-15) "However hard its victim's hide may be, it punctures with sharp fangs and gorges itself with blood."
- ^ a b Game Freak. Pokémon Silver. (Nintendo). Game Boy Color. (2000-10-15) "It can drink more than 10 ounces of blood at once. If it has too much, it gets heavy and flies clumsily."
- ^ Game Freak. Pokémon Red and Blue. (Nintendo). Game Boy. (1998-09-30) "Once it strikes, it will not stop draining energy from the victim even if it gets too heavy to fly."
- ^ Game Freak. Pokémon HeartGold. (Nintendo). Nintendo DS. (2010-03-14) "It flies so silently through the dark on its four wings that it may not be noticed even when nearby."
- ^ Game Freak. Pokémon SoulSilver. (Nintendo). Nintendo DS. (2010-03-14) "The development of wings on its legs enables it to fly fast but also makes it tough to stop and rest."
- ^ Game Freak. Pokémon Ruby. (Nintendo). Game Boy Advance. (2003-03-17) "If this Pokémon is flying by fluttering only a pair of wings on either the forelegs or hind legs, it's proof that Crobat has been flying a long distance. It switches the wings it uses if it is tired."
- ^ Game Freak. Pokémon Sapphire. (Nintendo). Game Boy Advance. (2003-03-17) "Crobat sneaks up on its intended prey using wings that barely make a sound. This Pokémon rests by hanging on a tree branch with its rear legs that serve as wings."
- ^ a b Jack DeVries (2010-07-13). "Even More Pokemon Revealed - Nintendo DS News at IGN". IGN. http://ds.ign.com/articles/110/1105793p1.html. Retrieved 2011-04-07.
- ^ IGN Staff (December 21, 2000). "IGN: The Games of Pokemon GS: Part 2". IGN. http://ign64.ign.com/articles/089/089326p1.html. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
- ^ "Clefairy and the Moon Stone". Atsuhiro Tomioka (writer). Pokémon. Various. September 15, 1998. No. 06, season Indigo League.
- ^ "Hassle in the Castle". Shinzō Fujita (writer). Pokémon. Various. September 29, 2001. No. 165, season Johto League Champions.
- ^ "Control Freak!". Junki Takegami (writer). Pokémon. Various. March 30, 2002. No. 196, season Johto League Champions.
- ^ "A Family That Battles Together Stays Together!". Atsuhiro Tomioka (writer). Pokémon. Various. June 24, 2006. No. 01, season Pokémon Chronicles.
- ^ "The Ninja Poké-Showdown". Yukiyoshi Ōhashi (writer). Pokémon. Various. October 20, 1998. No. 32, season Indigo League.
- ^ "Round One-- Begin!". Atsuhiro Tomioka (writer). Pokémon. Various. October 30, 1999. No. 75, season Indigo League.
- ^ "Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! (Part 1)". Shinzō Fujita (writer). Pokémon. Various. November 1, 2008. No. 71, season Diamond and Pearl: Battle Dimension.
- ^ "The Rise of Darkrai". Hideki Sonoda (writer). Pokémon. Various. February 24, 2008.
- ^ a b Pokémon of the Day Chick (1/13/03). "Pokemon Crystal Version Pokemon of the Day: Golbat (#42) - IGN FAQs". IGN. http://faqs.ign.com/articles/382/382566p1.html. Retrieved 2011-04-20.
- ^ a b Brett Elston. "The complete Pokemon RBY pokedex, part 4, Pokemon Diamond/Pearl DS Features". GamesRadar. http://www.gamesradar.com/ds/f/the-complete-pokemon-rby-pokedex-part-4/a-20070820133028489035/g-2006100415372930075/p-9. Retrieved 2011-04-20.
- ^ Brett Elston. "The complete Pokemon RBY pokedex, part 4, Pokemon Diamond/Pearl DS Features". GamesRadar. http://www.gamesradar.com/ds/f/the-complete-pokemon-rby-pokedex-part-4/a-20070820133028489035/g-2006100415372930075/p-8. Retrieved 2011-04-20.
- ^ a b Pokémon of the Day Chick (9/17/03). "Pokemon Ruby Version Pokemon of the Day: Zubat (#81) - IGN FAQs". IGN. http://faqs.ign.com/articles/450/450410p1.html. Retrieved 2011-04-20.
- ^ Bozon (April 17, 2007). "Hands-On With Pokemon Diamond and Pearl - Nintendo DS Preview at IGN". IGN. http://ds.ign.com/articles/781/781369p2.html. Retrieved 2011-04-20.
- ^ Jack DeVries, Kristine Steimer, and Nick Kolan (2010-04-28). "What We Want: Pokemon Black & White - Nintendo DS Feature at IGN". IGN. http://ds.ign.com/articles/108/1086671p1.html. Retrieved 2011-04-20.
- ^ Edge Staff (2011-03-11). "Pokemon Black / White Review | Edge Magazine". Edge. Future Publishing Limited. http://www.next-gen.biz/reviews/pokemon-black-white-review. Retrieved 2011-04-20.
- ^ Jack DeVries (2010-07-13). "Why We're Excited for Pokemon Black/White - Nintendo DS Feature at IGN". IGN. http://ds.ign.com/articles/110/1105966p1.html. Retrieved 2011-04-07.
- ^ Kat Bailey (2011-03-14). "Pokemon Black/White Review for DS from". 1UP.com. http://www.1up.com/reviews/pokmon-black-white-review. Retrieved 2011-04-07.
- ^ Michael Vreeland (Oct 22, 2010). "1UP's RPG Blog : Gotta Blog 'Em All #5: Poktoberfest Continues!". 1UP.com. http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=9061884. Retrieved 2011-04-07.
- ^ Zivalich, Nikole (2011-03-25). "Pokemon Black Version for Nintendo DS - Preview - Pokemon Black and White". G4tv.com. http://www.g4tv.com/games/3ds/63897/pokemon-black-version/articles/74043/pokemon-black-and-white/. Retrieved 2011-04-07.
- ^ Pokémon of the Day Chick (4/8/03). "Pokemon Ruby Version Pokemon of the Day: Hariyama (#297) - IGN FAQs". IGN. http://faqs.ign.com/articles/392/392880p1.html. Retrieved 2011-04-20.
- ^ Pokémon of the Day Chick (10/10/02). "Pokemon Crystal Version Pok�mon of the Day: Skiploom (#188) - IGN FAQs". IGN. http://faqs.ign.com/articles/373/373521p1.html. Retrieved 2011-04-20.
- ^ Erik Holm (Dec 10, 1999). "Pokmon, Minus Manji Symbol / Swastika-like sign pulled after U.S. uproar". newsday.com. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/access/49246818.html?dids=49246818:49246818&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+10%2C+1999&author=Erik+Holm.+STAFF+WRITER&pub=Newsday+%28Combined+editions%29&desc=Pokmon%2C+Minus+Manji+Symbol+%2F+Swastika-like+sign+pulled+after+U.S.+uproar&pqatl=google. Retrieved 2011-04-20.
- ^ Jim Sterling (2008-06-26). "Thirty rubbish Pokemon: Red/Blue edition". Destructoid. http://www.destructoid.com/thirty-rubbish-pokemon-red-blue-edition-92171.phtml?s=100. Retrieved 2011-04-20.
- ^ Jack DeVries (2010-07-13). "Why We're Excited for Pokemon Black/White - Nintendo DS Feature at IGN". IGN. http://ds.ign.com/articles/110/1105966p1.html. Retrieved 2011-04-20.
- ^ Pokémon of the Day Chick (6/20/03). "Pokemon Ruby Version Pokemon of the Day: Rayquaza (#384) - IGN FAQs". IGN. http://faqs.ign.com/articles/425/425239p1.html. Retrieved 2011-04-20.
- ^ Pokémon of the Day Chick (1/29/03). "Pokemon Crystal Version Pokemon of the Day: Goldeen (#118) - IGN FAQs". IGN. http://faqs.ign.com/articles/384/384093p1.html. Retrieved 2011-04-20.
- ^ Pokémon of the Day Chick (5/23/03). "Pokemon Ruby Version Pokemon of the Day: Armaldo (#348) - IGN FAQs". IGN. http://faqs.ign.com/articles/410/410180p1.html. Retrieved 2011-04-20.
- ^ "The complete Pokemon GSC pokedex, part 2, Pokemon Diamond/Pearl DS Features". GamesRadar. http://www.gamesradar.com/ds/f/the-complete-pokemon-gsc-pokedex-part-2/a-2007082913515639040/g-2006100415372930075/p-7. Retrieved 2011-04-20.
- ^ Tom East (2009-10-12). "Nintendo Feature: Unsung Pokémon Heroes". Official Nintendo Magazine. http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/12291/features/unsung-pokmon-heroes/. Retrieved 2011-04-20.
- ^ Carolyn Gudmundson (2010-11-13). "Pokemon Black & White spotlight: Dangoro, Koromori and their evolutions | GamesRadar". GamesRadar. http://a1.gamesradar.com/f/pokemon-black-white-spotlight-dangoro-koromori-and-their-evolutions/a-2010111217192711080/p-2. Retrieved 2011-04-20.
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