Unlikely Pokémon Winds & Waves monster hides 20 years of history
A long-lost internal documentary chronicling the development of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl (2007) has been recovered and preserved by Pokémon archivists, offering rare insights into Game Freak’s design process. The documentary, titled “Pokémon Diamond and Pearl: Behind the Scenes DVD — Make All,” was produced internally by Game Freak and was never intended for public release. After fans acquired a physical copy of the DVD, they ripped and uploaded it to the Internet Archive, making the development history accessible online.
The documentary provides extensive behind-the-scenes material on the creation of one of the Nintendo DS’s most beloved titles. It includes never-before-seen early designs for iconic Pokémon starters, including Turtwig, Piplup, and Chimchar. Notably, the Chimchar design featured an unusual aesthetic choice: flaming-red butt cheeks. The material also documents Game Freak’s starter development process and reveals early iterations of other Generation IV monsters.
Beyond its historical value, the documentary has proven relevant to modern Pokémon development. Concepts conceived 20 years ago that were shelved eventually appeared in later titles like Pokémon Pokopia. Observers suggest additional ideas from the documentary may surface in the upcoming Pokémon Winds and Waves, scheduled for release next year.
Pokémon archivists and content creators, including YouTuber Lewtwo, have begun analyzing the documentary, highlighting its significance for understanding the franchise’s creative evolution. This preservation effort represents a notable moment in video game history documentation and demonstrates the dedication of fan communities to safeguarding gaming heritage.