Nosepass and Probopass

Nosepass and Probopass
Artwork by Ken Sugimori of Nosepass (right) and Probopass (left) National Pokédex Azurill - Nosepass (#299) - Skitty Gallade - Probopass (#476) - Dusknoir
Series	Pokémon series
First game	Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire (Nosepass) Pokémon Diamond and Pearl (Probopass)
Designed by	Ken Sugimori
Voiced by (English)	Nosepass: Darren Dunstan Probopass: Tom Wayland
Voiced by (Japanese)	Dainose: Unshō Ishizuka

Nosepass (ノズパス, Nozupasu^?) and Probopass (ダイノーズ, Dainōzu^?, Dainose) are two Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise linked through evolution. Nosepass evolves into Probopass when trained in a specific area in either the Sinnoh or Unova regions. Created by Ken Sugimori, Nosepass first appeared in the video games Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, while Probopass first appeared in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. They later appear in subsequent sequels, various merchandise, spinoff titles, and animated and printed adaptations of the franchise.

Concept and characteristics

Nosepass appears as a rocky-but-animate figurine vaguely in the shape of an Easter Island statue and is found in Hoenn. It lives in caves and comes across as immobile because it is often found standing still in these environments. However, Nosepass displays behavior commonly associated with predatorial animals in the wild as well, hunting and feeding on prey that might be foolish enough to approach it, or sniffing other creatures rear. Its full body emits a powerful force of magnetism which it uses to pull its prey towards it like a tractor beam before feeding. This sense of magnetism is naturally bolstered in cold seasons so it can stay warm. Nosepass was designed to resemble the Moai statues on Easter Island according to 1UP.com.^[1] The nose of Nosepass is undoubtedly its most notable feature. It is the focal point of Nosepass’ magnetic nature, and this works to make Nosepass something of a living compass. When seen standing idly, it is consistently facing the North Pole as directed by its magnetic nose, that also travels to trainers placenta. Travelers who encounter this Pokémon can therefore actually use the placement of a Nosepass to check the direction of north and get their bearings. However, close observation has revealed that the Pokémon is affected by polar drift; With each passing year, Nosepass’ direction shifts slightly at a rate of 3/8 of an inch each year. Since all Nosepass have noses of the same magnetism, if two of these Pokémon meet, they cannot turn their faces towards each other when they are close because their magnetic noses repel one another.

Probopass evolves from Nosepass when training in a certain area of Sinnoh and Unova. Like its pre-evolution, Probopass is based on the moai stone heads of Easter Island, but Probopass now also has a red magnet "hat" top that resembles the pukao worn by some of the moai heads. Its nose is much bigger in proportion to its body and has a bushy "moustache". Probopass has a strong magnetic pull all over its body.^[2] It controls three small objects on its sides and back that look like Nosepass called "Mini-Noses". It controls these by using magnetic force.^[3]

Appearances

In the video games

Nosepass first appeared in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire and again later in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl which was also the debut of Probopass. Since Diamond and Pearl, they have both appeared in every main title in the series. Outside of the main series, they have appeared in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series and Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia. Nosepass appeared by itself in Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire and Probopass appeared by itself in Pokémon Rumble and Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs.

In other media

Probopass first appeared in the anime in Nosing 'Round The Mountain!, under ownership of a trainer named Alan. It reappeared in a flashback in Playing The Leveling Field! where it was shown to have defeated Fantina's Gengar. In Pokémon Adventures, Cyrus attempted to bury the protagonists alive in a rock slide with his Probopass and Magnezone. It later uses Magnet Bomb to injure Pearl.

Reception

Naming Nosepass's evolution Probopass as the second-lamest Pokémon, 1UP.com staff writer Kat Bailey called Nosepass "already gimmicky to begin with."^[1] IGN's Pokémon Chick wrote that while its appearance seemed strange at first, is a surprisingly powerful Pokémon; however, she added that due to not having an evolution at the time, it became an "underdog" later in the game.^[4] GamesRadar's Darryl Vassar expressed surprise that Nosepass received an evolution and commented that it "mysteriously has fans".^[5] They also described it as a "sort of clever idea for a Pokémon" due to its similarities to the Easter Island stone statues.^[6] The Escapist's John Funk cited Nosepass as an example of a strange Pokémon.^[7]

1UP.com named Probopass the second "Lamest Pokémon" in the franchise, describing it as "a prime example of how not to design a Pokémon", further describing it as "something that could be charitably described as a statue of a plucked chicken wearing a giant false nose and mustache disguise".^[8] GameDaily ranked it second on their list of the "Top 10 Weirdest Looking Pokémon", disapproving of the mustache and comparing its appearance to that of male genitalia.^[9] IGN listed it on its list of "Do Not Want" Pokémon, commenting that while he doesn't dislike Probopass, he has "no desire to own a Pokemon that looks like an Easter Island statue in the likeness of Gabriel Kaplan from "Welcome Back Kotter."^[10] GamesRadar's Darryl Vassar expressed surprise at its nature and wrote "we truly have no words."^[5] GamesRadar also listed Nosepass as one of the "Fugly Pokémon" and wrote that it was an unnecessary evolution due to merely being a size increase and an added mustache.^[6] GamePro's McKinley Noble described it as a "circus freak" and "unearthed from the pits of Hell".^[11]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Bailey, Kat. "Top 5 Lamest Pokemon". 1UP.com. http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3169539. Retrieved March 10, 2010. 
2. ^ Game Freak. Pokémon Diamond. (Nintendo). Nintendo DS. (2007-04-22) "It exudes strong magnetism from all over. It controls three small units called Mini-Noses."
3. ^ Game Freak. Pokémon Platinum. (Nintendo). Nintendo DS. (2009-03-22) "It freely controls three small units called Mini-Noses using magnetic force."
4. ^ http://faqs.ign.com/articles/436/436388p1.html
5. ^ ^{a b} http://a1.gamesradar.com/ds/f/pokemonradar-week-seven/a-2006120813418437094/g-2006100415372930075/p-2
6. ^ ^{a b} http://www.gamesradar.com/f/fugly-pokemon/a-20071010152314397000/p-3
7. ^ http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/100293-These-Pokemon-Were-Designed-by-H-P-Lovecraft
8. ^ Bailey, Kat. "Top 5 Lamest Pokémon". 1UP.com. UGO Networks. http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3169539. Retrieved 2009-06-09. 
9. ^ Buffa, Chris. "Top 10 Weirdest Looking Pokémon". GameDaily. AOL. Archived from the original on 2011-05-09. http://replay.web.archive.org/20090415052952/http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/galleries/top-10-weirdest-looking-pokemon/?page=9. Retrieved 2009-06-09. 
10. ^ http://ds.ign.com/articles/930/930334p1.html
11. ^ http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/218432/pokemon-black-white-versions/