Summary
APokemonfan artist redesigned the ursine critters Teddiursa, Ursaring, and Ursaluna as sprites in the style of the first generation of games. ThePokemonfan artist shared their handiwork on social media for their peers to see, and received compliments for their attention to detail in their sprite handiwork.
Known as the Little Bear Pokemon, Teddiursa first appeared inPokemon Gold and Silveras a version-exclusive critter to the former entry. As one of several Normal-type Pokemon found in the Johto region, Teddiursa is known for its brown body, its crescent moon head pattern, and for constantly licking one of its honey-covered paws. Teddiursa evolves into Ursaring at level 30 and becomes a bipedal bear with a ring pattern on its chest. Six generations later, inPokemon Legends: Arceus, Ursaring received a new evolution called Ursaluna, and the process was triggered by exposing an Ursaring to a Peat Rock during a full moon.Ursaluna also had a Bloodmoon variantintroduced inPokemon Scarlet and Violet, as part ofThe Teal MaskDLC.
Thoughthe Teddiursa evolution lineis not the most popular of the Johto batch, one artist gave each bear a retro-inspired makeover. A Reddit user named MetalFlygon08 shared their sprite artwork of Teddiursa, Ursaring, and Ursaluna on the r/pokemon subreddit. The artist usedPokemon Red and Blueas the inspiration for their handiwork and gave the brown bear Pokemon family a sprite based on how they would have looked in the first generation. MetalFlygon08 designed gray and brown sprites for each Pokemon, including some backside sprites that only appear in a battle. Teddiursa’s sprite showed it licking its left paw, while Ursaring had a surprised expression on its face.
Pokemon Fan Designs Gen 1 Sprites of Teddiursa, Ursaring, and Ursaluna
As for Ursaluna, the Peat Pokemon assumed an aggressive stance, with its left front paw raised to claw its foes and its teeth bared. Ursaluna’s back sprite had it assume a bipedal position, with its eyes seemingly turned toward its trainer and awaiting a command before making its move. MetalFlygon08 said that the Teddiursa and Ursaring sprites were part of theirPokemonsprite collection that included each Johto creature in the first generation’s iconic style. However,the powerful Bloodmoon Ursalunawas not part of the aforementioned Reddit post.
Like their previous workdesigning Magmortar as aPokemon Red and Bluesprite, Pokemon fans complimented MetalFlygon08 for their effort, and a few submitted some sprite requests of their own. It remains to be seen what fans will create next.
Pokemon
Pokemon is a franchise that needs no introduction. One of the most successful media empires in history, Pokemon spans games, television, films, manga, merchandise, music, and more.
