A trailer for the upcoming Nintendo Switch games Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield has been released and it looks as if both titles have more than a nod to rock and metal.
While the raucous leather waistcoat-wearing and stud-adorned Team Yell make an appearance – complete with eye-catching mohican hair– in the new short, it’s the Galarian versions of Pokemon Zigzagoon, Linoone and Obstagoon which are causing a stir.
The reason? They all bear a resemblance to Kiss (opens in new tab) – and in particular, Gene Simmons.
The Zigzagoon has a star over one eye, which is more like Paul Stanley’s Starchild, but when it evolves into Linoone, it’s definitely more Simmons-like. And, when it evolves further into Obstagoon – complete with long, lolling tongue – it definitely seems to be a nod to Simmons’ Demon persona.
And it’s a story that hasn’t escaped the attention on Simmons himself, who tells Newsweek (opens in new tab): "Pokemon has been a part of our household for decades, ever since our kids first discovered them – and to see Pokemon pay homage to Kiss is flattering.”
Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield will be released globally on November 15.
