At the time, with three generations of games and 251 creatures to get your hands on, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon welcomed you into their imaginative world. Though as expansive as the universe was, the first entry allowed only 16 choices from the beginning, leaving Steel, Rock, Dragon, and other types in the dust. It’s a travesty for players of the more multifaceted variety.
If you’re excited as we are about Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX, then you’ll be interested to see which of your favorite pocket monsters can’t be played from the start of the game… and why we wish they were.
DISCLAIMER: This is not meant to imply that you can’t play as these Pokémon through recruiting, only that you can’t make them the titular character for the main story.
8 Zangoose
Even though Zangoose is not evolvable, it is teeming with mischievous energy. This cool cat made a more defined appearance in Mystery Dungeon’s sequel Explorers of Time and Darkness as a member of Team Razor Wind. Compared to some of its other normal type compatriots, it is most like Meowth. Maybe they share the common bond of being a cat, or maybe they know how to dole out a proper payback. Zangoose just looks like its ready to tussle at any given time.
While Normal types aren’t exactly lacking in candidates, Zangoose would be a star example of power without evolution.
7 Nidoran
You’d be referring to two different Pokémon with this entry. Depending on whether it’s female or male, Nidoran will take on a different appearance. Adding the option of a Poison-type would liven up the battlefield. Similar to both Machop and Cubone, Nidoran can use Fighting-type moves that can land some heavy blows.
Once you’ve gotten into the post-game, the fruits of your labor would be revealed. You take your pick between Nidoking or Nidoqueen respectively. These royal rodents have more to them than meets the eye, transforming into bonafide Ground-types along wth retaining their poison attributes.
6 Swablu
The interesting thing about Swablu is not that it is a hybrid Normal/Flying-type Pokémon. The reason this cloud of cuteness is on this list compared to, say, Pidgey, is for having a more diverse move set.
Though it can’t use it in this game, Swablu is part of an exclusive bunch of Pokémon that have the ability, Natural Cure. When withdrawing your Pokémon, all status effects are healed upon re-entry. That already sets it apart from the rest of the crowd. At level 35, Swablu evolves into the elegant Altaria, meaning that you would gain access to dragon-type moves of varying caliber: the deadly Dragonbreath or the helpful Dragon Dance. I guess the other thing that’s amusing is seeing it use Perish Song with no remorse.
5 Aron
A Steel representative, Aron is as tenacious as they come. While the payoff can be slow, the reward is high. Starting level 13 onwards, Aron is granted access to iron-type moves such as Iron Defense and Iron Tail. For the post-game, he can learn some HMs, so you don’t have to worry about outsourcing help from a different Pokémon.
A big reason why Aron is a chip off the old block is that he takes heavily from his final form, Aggron. The quantifiable progress is what makes this little guy so appealing over Beldum—another Steel Pokémon with a 3 stage evolution, but without any progress indicator. Up until level 20, Beldum can only use Take Down. Talk about a letdown.
4 Elekid
This angry Pokémon has a sparky personality. Considering that Pikachu is the sole, happy go lucky choice in the electric department, Elekid would be able to counteract that. For all the courageous, slightly robust people out there, you may find yourselves attracted to it.
Before Generation four, it was set to just one evolution, Electabuzz, who has no qualms lighting up the competition as well. As far as final evolution Electric-types go, Electabuzz has some great attacks that are available at a fairly low level. A Thunderpunch here and a Thunderbolt there, and you should be all set.
3 Poliwag
There’s not much to say about such a small fry. Poliwag mostly flounders with its move set. Starting at level 1, you get Bubble and the next move is Hypnosis at level 7. That suffices for the first two dungeons, but it’s not exactly the most reliable.
Luckily, what’s great about Poliwag is that there is so much potential with it. Like Nidoran, it has two choices of evolution. If you want a straight Water-type, you can evolve it into Politoed. If you want a mix of a Fighting/Water-type, you can evolve it into Poliwrath. All in all, it’s not too big of a deal that Poliwag is weak since you fight with a partner that can pick up the slack.
2 Spheal
A bundle of freezing love, Spheal comes onto the scene with a big smile. Not only is this Pokémon incredibly attuned to Ice-type moves, but it also has the ability Thick Fat. This would prove especially useful during the blistering Mount Blaze, which can prove easy or difficult depending on your playthrough.
Spheal’s next two phases also retain the Thick Fat attribute, so Walrein can continue swabbing the deck and clearing rooms with Blizzard and Hail. As long as you know what you’re doing, no one will be able to stop you.
1 Bagon
Bagon is a hard-headed little runt that would serve as an initial powerhouse to your team. By being a Dragon-type, it automatically puts you at an advantage. Since this is the days before the Fairy-type, most everything simply scratches you. Fire, Water, Electric, Grass–you name it, Bagon will deflect it.
And Bagon has arguably one of the coolest evolutions ever. Shelgon is not much to look at, but Salamence is resolute. Some may say Dratini is the poster child of the Dragon clan, but Salamence has its place high up on the totem pole too. It is absolutely one of the best choices the game can offer–if it was an offer in the first place.
NEXT: The Switch Could Bring Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Back In a Big Way
