Pokémon Scarlet and Violet might be new games in the series, but there are plenty of references to past games to please older fans. In fact, one of those references is a direct apology for one of the meanest things Game Freak ever did way back in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl.
Fans who played Pokémon Diamond and Pearl on the Nintendo DS will remember Mindy, an NPC that can give you a Haunter via trading. As many know, trading Haunter immediately evolves the Pokémon into a Gengar. However, this Haunter came holding an Everstone, meaning it never evolved, infuriating many players.
Naturally, many were hoping that this transgression would be fixed in the Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl remakes. That wasn’t the case and Mindy still gives you a Haunter with an Everstone. Thankfully, that has changed in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
As fans play through Scarlet and Violet, they will see an NPC in Levincia City. This NPC will trade you a Haunter for a Pinchurchin. Many players were preparing themselves for hurt again but, in a nice surprise, it actually evolves into Gengar when you get it (via GamesRadar).
While newer players will just think getting a Gengar like this is neat, older players see this as a proper apology for Mindy in Diamond and Pearl. Hardcore fans of the series claim to have nightmares over the encounter and the fact there’s an entire subreddit dedicated to Mindy says a lot.
Gengar has always been an iconic Pokémon, thanks to its fun design and powerful attacks. Locking this evolution through trade is seen as cruel, hence all the outrage when fans played Diamond and Pearl. Now that Pokémon Scarlet and Violet fixes that, we’re interested in seeing what other “apologies” lurk in these titles.
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Despite numerous technical difficulties, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet received mostly positive reviews upon release. Both games are available now on the Nintendo Switch, either individually or through the Double Pack.