Changed Designs

Censorship

In Gold and Silver, several trainer images were changed during translation.

In the original, Beauties winked provocatively and wore short skirts. In non‐Japanese releases, their skirts were lengthened, and the provocative wink was edited out.

Japan USA

In the original, female Swimmers also winked. The wink was edited out in non‐Japanese releases.

Japan USA

In the original, Fishers smoked. The cigarette was edited out in non‐Japanese releases.

Japan USA

In the original, Sages had their hands in a praying position. Their hands were simply folded in non‐Japanese releases.

Japan USA

In the original, Mediums held a string of beads. This was removed from non‐Japanese releases.

Japan USA

One Pokémon was also censored: Jynx’s design is obviously based on blackface, so Nintendo sensitively changed Jynx’s skin color to purple. Due to technical limitations, this forced its hair color to white instead of yellow—the game has a hard‐coded limit of four colors per Pokémon. Jynx’s Silver sprite was slightly redrawn, with less hair, less fabric, and different positioning of hand, elbow, eyes, and mouth.

Japan Gold USA Gold Japan Silver USA Silver Normal front Shiny front Normal back Shiny back

Redrawn Pokémon

Jynx appears to have been the only Pokémon censored, but several other designs changed between the Japan and US releases:

Slowpoke’s belly originally matched Slowbro’s and Slowking’s; in the English versions it was changed to a solid color, and its body was made slightly smaller.

Japan Silver USA Silver Normal front Shiny front

A seam on Pinsir’s back was changed from vertical to horizontal.

Japan USA Normal back Shiny back

A white portion of Feraligatr’s underbelly was changed to blue.

Japan Gold USA Gold Japan Silver USA Silver Normal front Shiny front

A yellow spot behind Lanturn’s eye was removed.

Japan Gold USA Gold Japan Silver USA Silver Normal front Shiny front Normal back Shiny back

The fur patterns on Pichu’s neck and ears were changed. The Silver sprite was made less chubby.

Japan Gold USA Gold Japan Silver USA Silver Normal front Shiny front Normal back Shiny back

Flaaffy was given a thicker coat of wool.

Japan USA Normal front Shiny front

The spots on Politoed’s back were removed.

Japan USA Normal front Shiny front

Aipom was given a patch of skin on his belly.

Japan Gold USA Gold Japan Silver USA Silver Normal front Shiny front

The pattern on Sunkern’s back was changed.

Japan USA Normal front Shiny front

A fin running along Wooper’s back was removed.

Japan USA Normal front Shiny front

The spots on Girafarig’s neck were moved to the side of its mane.

Japan USA Normal front Shiny front

A spot on Quilfish’s tail was removed.

Japan USA Normal front Shiny front

Sneasel’s ear was made to look more solid. Its eye was changed, perhaps to look less threatening. The white patch on its forehead was rounded. It was given an extra white patch on its chest.

Japan Gold USA Gold Japan Silver USA Silver Normal front Shiny front Normal back Shiny back

Teddiursa was given white patches on its feet.

Japan Silver USA Silver Normal front Shiny front

The bubbles of lava on Slugma’s back were removed.

Japan USA Normal front Shiny front

Donphan’s trunk was made a solid color, its mouth was opened, and its feet were repositioned.

Japan Silver USA Silver Normal front Shiny front

White spots were added to Stantler’s body.

Japan Gold USA Gold Japan Silver USA Silver Normal front Shiny front

Blissey’s wing was extended over its arm.

Japan Silver USA Silver Normal front Shiny front

Pupitar’s body was elongated.

Japan USA Normal front Shiny front

Written 2010‒11‒20

©2010 IIMarckus. Released under a Creative Commons Zero license.