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Aerodactyl

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Aerodactyl
Pokémon series character
File:142Aerodactyl.png
National Pokédex
Kabutops – Aerodactyl (#142) – Snorlax
First gamePokémon Red and Blue

Aerodactyl, known in Japan as Ptera (プテラ, Putera), is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Aerodactyl 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.

Concept and characteristics

Aerodactyl was one 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] Originally called "Ptera" in Japanese as well as the American beta version, 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.[3] As a result they were renamed "Aerodactyl". According to IGN, Aerodactyl's name is a combination of the two Greek words "aero", meaning air, and "dactyl", meaning finger; however, they noted that it was more likely that they combined the ancient reptile pterodactyl with aero.[4]

Aerodactyl is known as the Fossil Pokémon, is an ancient Pokémon that roamed the skies during the prehistoric age.[5] It is resurrected from DNA found in fossilized amber.[6] It is imagined to have been the king of the skies in ancient times,[7] with a body structure similar to a pterodactyl and other features, such as the head and tail, having more in common with dragons. It captures its prey with its talons and brings it to its nest. However, if the prey resists, it may use its razor-sharp teeth to immobilize it. When attacking its enemies or opponents, it goes for the throat with its saw like fangs.[8] Aerodactyl is heavy and rough-skinned, leading to the development of strong wings.

Appearances

In the video games

Aerodactyl first appears in Pokémon Red and Blue and its subsequent remakes Pokémon Yellow, FireRed, and LeafGreen. Each player could only receive one Aerodactyl which is obtained by giving an item called "Old Amber" to a scientist to revive the Pokémon. It has since appeared in each subsequent main Pokémon title; in Pokémon Gold and Silver, it can be obtained through a trade with an NPC.

Outside of the main series, Aerodactyl has appeared in the Pokémon Pinball titles, Pokémon Trozei!, the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon titles, the Pokémon Ranger titles, Pokémon Rumble, and PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure. In Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire, once an egg has been hatched in the Ruby Field, Aerodactyl will fly by and replace it the next time the ball rolls into the Egg Stand.

In other media

Aerodactyl's first appearance in the anime was in Attack of the Prehistoric Pokémon. It was attacking Ash, so Charmeleon evolved into a Charizard to fight it. It then appeared in the Pokémon Chronicles, where it was revived by Gary Oak. Team Rocket tried to steal it and it used Hyper Beam on them. Finally, it was in the Diamond and Pearl series where it terrorized Oreburgh City after being revived from its fossil state.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Red obtains an Aerodactyl from a resurrected piece of Old Amber which he revives. He has since then used it extensively for aerial transportation and combat, such as in a battle with Deoxys. Lance also owns an Aerodactyl that he also uses for aerial transportation and combat.

Reception

IGN listed Aerodactyl as one of the best Rock types alongside Golem and Rhydon, stating that while it's weak to Electric attacks, it has high statistics.[4] IGN's Pokémon Chick wrote that she loves Aerodactyl due to its appearance and its high speed. She added that she "really can't think of anything bad to say about Aerodactyl".[9] She often references Aerodactyl in other reviews of individual Pokémon species; she wrote that it was a good Pokémon for defeating whole teams with ease; her favourite Flying type Pokémon; and she wrote that he was one of the most popular Rock types to the point where at the time she refused to use other Rock types until Aerodactyl is introduced to Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. She also named it one of her five favourite Pokémon.[10][11][12][13][14] Official Nintendo Magazine's Thomas East listed Aerodactyl's name as one of the worst in the Pokémon series due to the combination of pterodactyl and aero being redundant since it is presumed that a pterodactyl can fly.[15] 1UP.com's Michael Vreeland compared Aerodactyl to the Pokémon Archen due to its similar combination of Rock and Flying which he wrote is considered "infamous" due to "the ever-annoying Aerodactyl".[16] GamesRadar wrote that Aerodactyl's move variety made it a "worthwhile addition" and as such it does not need an evolution.[17] Independent.ie described Aerodactyl as a "macho" Pokémon due to its "bat wings and forked tail".[18] Author Ash Dekirk compared it to the mythical beast wyvern and called it "incredibly rare". He added that its head was "dragonesque".[19]

References

  1. ^ Staff. "2. 一新されたポケモンの世界". Nintendo.com (in Japanese). Nintendo. p. 2. Archived from the original on September 13, 2010. Retrieved September 10, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ Stuart Bishop (May 30, 2003). "Game Freak on Pokémon!". CVG. Archived from the original on February 8, 2008. Retrieved February 7, 2008.
  3. ^ Chua-Euan, Howard (November 22, 1999). "PokéMania". TIME. Archived from the original on September 13, 2008. Retrieved September 15, 2008. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ a b "Pokemon Blue Guide & Walkthrough – Game Boy – IGN". Guides.ign.com. September 30, 1998. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  5. ^ Game Freak (April 22, 2007). Pokémon Diamond (Nintendo DS). Nintendo. Pokédex: A Pokémon that roamed the skies in the dinosaur era. Its teeth are like saw blades.
  6. ^ 'Game Freak (October 19, 1999). Pokémon Yellow (Game Boy). Nintendo. Pokédex: A savage Pokémon that died out in ancient times. It was resurrected using DNA taken from amber.
  7. ^ Game Freak (May 1, 2005). Pokémon Emerald (Game Boy Advance). Nintendo. Pokédex: Aerodactyl is a Pokémon from the age of dinosaurs. It was regenerated from DNA extracted from amber. It is imagined to have been the king of the skies.
  8. ^ Game Freak (September 7, 2004). Pokémon LeafGreen (Game Boy Advance). Nintendo. Pokédex: A ferocious, prehistoric Pokémon that goes for the enemy's throat with its serrated, sawlike fangs.
  9. ^ "Pokemon Crystal Version Pok�mon of the Day: Aerodactyl (#142) – IGN FAQs". Faqs.ign.com. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  10. ^ "Pokemon Ruby Version Pokemon of the Day: Gengar – IGN FAQs". Faqs.ign.com. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  11. ^ "Pokemon Crystal Version Pokemon of the Day: Typhlosion (#157) – IGN FAQs". Faqs.ign.com. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  12. ^ "Pokemon Ruby Version Pokemon of the Day: Doduo – IGN FAQs". Faqs.ign.com. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  13. ^ "Pokemon Ruby Version Pokemon of the Day: Nosepass – IGN FAQs". Faqs.ign.com. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  14. ^ "Pokemon Crystal Version Pokemon of the Day: Skarmory (#227) – IGN FAQs". Faqs.ign.com. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  15. ^ "ONM Blog: Best and worst Pokémon names". Official Nintendo Magazine. November 22, 2010. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  16. ^ "The Grind: 1UP's RPG Blog : Gotta Blog 'Em All #9: A Potpourri of Powerful Pokémon!". .1up.com. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  17. ^ "The complete Pokemon RBY pokedex, part 13, Pokemon Black / White Wii Features". GamesRadar. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  18. ^ GrabOne daily deals. "Beware the Pokemon plague – National News". The Irish Independent. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  19. ^ Dragonlore: From the Archives of the ... – Ash Dekirk – Google Books. Google Books. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
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