Archivists have preserved a rare internal Game Freak documentary that exposes the hidden development history of Pokemon Diamond and Pearl. This discovery matters because it reveals over 100 scrapped creature designs that never made it into the final 2006 release. The footage offers a tangible look at the creative risks the studio considered during the game's early production.
Rare internal footage uncovers abandoned creature concepts
The documentary, titled 'Pokemon Diamond and Pearl: Behind the Scenes DVD MAKE ALL,' was originally produced for internal staff use. Public awareness of this material was previously limited to a brief 2007 blog post by director Junichi Masuda. Archivists led by Lewtwo have now uploaded the full content, making these historical records accessible to the public for the first time.
The footage details specific design iterations that diverged significantly from the final Pokemon lineup. Early concepts included a Grass-type armadillo intended for Turtwig and a heavy-set baboon for Infernape. Developers also explored a crown-wearing version of Piplup before settling on the character's iconic look.
Beyond character designs, the DVD contains early gameplay clips and videos explaining the creation of the Underground feature. It also documents abandoned concepts such as a Lapras pre-evolution and a two-stage sandcastle family. The collection includes original Japanese commercials that provide context for the game's initial marketing strategy.
The preservation effort confirms that extensive development work occurred long before the game's launch in January 2004. Lewtwo described the significance of the find by stating, 'Sinnoh will never be the same.' This archival release provides a concrete record of the creative process behind one of the franchise's most popular entries.
Source: Lost Pokemon documentary, DEXERTO
