One of the best parts about the Pokemon anime is how it expanded regions with dozens of unique locations and cities. Some of those choices made the world feel much larger than the games achieved. Since the series moved to Nintendo home consoles, it’s time Game Freak looked back and breathed life into regions we all know so well.
For example, we’ve revisited Kanto many times, and it rarely changes. Fans have asked for quality-of-life changes that don’t disappear every generation. Some have been especially vocal about the overuse of Kanto, so shaking up familiar locations would be a welcomed change.
9 Absentia Natural Park (Unova)
Unova had a lot to offer, even if fans, at the time, didn’t enjoy it. The United States serves as the inspiration for the region and the vast routes and scenes painted one heck of a picture. However, future releases should include Absentia Natural Park. While there’s a Nature Preserve in Unova, you need to see all 300 Pokemon in the Unova Pokedex to access it.
The Preserve isn’t much, but you can encounter a Shiny Haxorus. Imagine finding a Genesect and other rare Pokemon roaming the area. Unova already has beautiful landscapes, so why not take it up a notch?
8 Alto Mare (Johto)
The Johto region has many remarkable locations fans have become familiar with like Mt. Silver, Illex Forest, and the Johto National Park. Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver struck gold with how they reinterpreted the region. Some much-welcomed inclusions were the Embedded Tower, Pokeathlon, and Battle Frontier.
However, Johto’s island options are lacking, so why not add Alto Mare? It’s a beautiful Venetian-inspired location that would offer players unique views and one-of-a-kind exploration. The remakes included Latias and Latios but gave them a lackluster introduction. Legendaries deserve more visually appealing locales. Roaming legendaries don’t feel as special when they’re constantly running away.
7 Lake of Life (Johto)
If Johto were to get the overworld treatment, the Lake of Life would have to be included in the Illex Forest. If Sinnoh can have a Lake Trio with its respective lakes, Suicune should have one too. Johto-based games have the fortune of being multi-region, but some Johto legendaries and Pokemon are tied back to Kanto.
In a sense, Johto doesn’t get to solidify its identity as well as it should. Anime-exclusive locations would really help Johto stand out. The region tends to be neglected by Game Freak. Notice how there were no Mega Evolutions for the Johto starters?
6 Alamos Town (Sinnoh)
Sinnoh knocked it out of the park with its unforgettable cities and routes. All it needs, besides the Sea Temple, is Alamos Town. Who doesn’t love mountaintop cities? The sheer size and density of Alamos Town is also another positive. There aren’t many cities in Pokemon that feel large and expansive.
Even Unova’s Castelia City feels undersized, despite being based on New York City. Of course, Game Freak doesn’t have to make a full-scale city. Just the illusion alone would make a difference. Scale has always been a problem. Regions don’t feel large enough and towns feel underpopulated.
5 Pokemopolis and Pokelantis (Kanto)
Kanto needs to add some ancient ruins and cities. Johto has the Ruins of Alph and shares the Sinjoh Ruins with Sinnoh. However, Sinnoh already has a wealth of historical interests, while Kanto has always felt static. Even when time passes, not much changes. Adding hidden ruins could make Kanto feel even more alive.
Early on, regions were scaled down due to technical limitations. However, the series has obtained better hardware, yet Kanto never expanded beyond its original scope. You should be rewarded for roaming around and discovering more of the region.
4 LaRousse City (Hoenn)
Hoenn is the region everyone loves to hate, whether because of too much water or excessive horns in the soundtrack. OmegaRuby and AlphaSapphire’s Mirage Island system expanded travel options in Hoenn. Sadly, the cost ended up being the Battle Frontier. LaRousse City would’ve been a fun addition, especially considering how inclusions were what fans wanted for years.
The city could also be used as a bridge between lengthy water routes or even star front in the center of the Team Aqua/Magma plot. Hoenn could use more cities, and surely no one would be annoyed that they had to surf less.
3 Samiya Sea Temple (Roaming Location)
Pokemon Shining Diamond and Brilliant Pearl missed the perfect opportunity to add the roaming Samiya Sea Temple. Sinnoh was no stranger to giving legendaries a home, so why did Manaphy become the odd one out? It’s been a Mystery Gift since Pokemon Rangers was released.
Mythicals deserve more remarkable encounters instead of being handed out like candy. In Pokemon Emerald, Mew was obtainable in Far Away Island. Solving an elaborate puzzle and quest in the Sea Temple would’ve made capturing Manaphy phenomenal. Fans have vivid imaginations, but saving them the effort every once in a while is a lovely gesture.
2 Trapinch Underground Labyrinth (Hoenn)
The Hoenn Safari Zone was lackluster until Pokemon Emerald rectified it. New zones were included to bring back a few dozen Pokemon that were previously unobtainable. The Trapinch Underground Labyrinth could’ve been added in OmegaRuby and AlphaSapphire without a hitch.
The Labyrinth could also fit perfectly in the Desert Ruins and Route 111. You can find Trapinch in those areas, so it adds up with the locale. Pokemon deserts can be a bit repetitive. In fact, making the Labyrinth a hidden spot that appears after the Desert Ruins collapses would make for a cool post-game quest.
1 Orange Islands (Kanto Adjacent)
The Orange Islands have easily been the most requested region since they first appeared in the anime. Fan games have tried to fill in the gaps, but we’d all love to see how a fully-fledged version would turn out. Even though Alola and the Sevii Islands are homages, they don’t match what fans wanted.
The Orange Archipelago inspired regional variants and Alola’s lack of gym battles. Let’s not forget about Pinkan Island and its entire population of pink Pokemon. Besides, if Game Freak is going to remake Kanto again, for the twelfth time, the Orange Islands should be included.