'Pokemon' Super Bowl 50 Ad: Did You Catch These #Pokemon20 Easter Eggs?
On Monday, Pokemon's Super Bowl 50 ad was released to celebrate the franchise's 20th anniversary. As it turns out, the video (below) contained many Easter Eggs ranging from the obvious to the obscure.
Here's what fans have found so far.
Joey
The video starts with a boy in a yellow shirt and blue shorts, which fans have taken to be a nod to Joey. The character appears in "Pokemon Gold and Silver."
"Pokemon Red" and "Pokemon Blue"
As "Joey" runs toward the gathered crowd, viewers can see a red rug and a blue rug hanging side by side on a clothesline. Fans saw this as possible references to "Pokemon Red" and "Pokemon Blue," which are the original games in the franchise.
Charizard
Although no Pokemon was actually seen, fans have taken the fire from the street battle "Joey" witnesses as Charizard's first appearance in the ad.
Mew
After getting inspired, "Joey" runs off and passes by a black truck. The side of the vehicle has some writing that fans say is clearly a nod to the original games. The Legendary Pokemon Mew was rumored to be found under a black truck near the SS Anne in the games. In addition, the writing also appears to be similar to the Ancient Mew Pokemon card.
"Learn to Surf," Kanto, and Easter Eggs in news tickers
When "Joey" gets featured on TV in the ad, fans were quick to point out a number of Easter Eggs there, too.
First is the "Learn to Surf" text found below "HM03." "Pokemon" fans would know this is the move that teaches a Pokemon how to travel across water.
Fans also noticed "Kanto Stock Report" at the bottom right of the TV screen. Kanto is a region in the game.
News tickers "Route 12 Blockage" and "Rare Fossils" had fans buzzing as well. The first one is a reference to Snorlax blocking the road in the original games, while the second one refers to the rare fossils found at Mt. Moon.
Nidoking
Another "Pokemon" Easter Egg can be found in the scene where a girl is playing chess. One of the chess pieces is shaped like the Pokemon Nidoking.
Nos. 20, 19, and 96
The next scene takes viewers to a football locker room. One player wears a no. 20 shirt, which of course is a nod to "Pokemon's" 20th anniversary.
Another scene shows two players, one wearing shirt no. 19 and the other wearing no. 96. This is clearly a reference to the year 1996 when the original games were released.
Volcano badge helmet
The football players' helmets have a fire symbol that looks like the Volcano badge from Cinnabar Island.
"Pokemon" theme song
As the football players emerge from their locker, the camera focuses on the writing above the door: "Like no one ever was." That's a line in the theme song of "Pokemon's" animated TV show.
Moomoo Milk, rare candy, and building name
Finally, the scene takes viewers to Asia. The scene where a man is looking up at a screen hides at least three "Pokemon" Easter Eggs.
The first one is Moomoo Milk that can be found at the bottom left. Moomoo Milk is a healing drink from "Pokemon Gold and Silver."
Another item from the games can be found in a sign. It's the Rare Candy that players use to instantly level up.
Not far above the Rare Candy is another sign that reads "7F." In "Pokemon," building floors are usually named like this.
Finally, there's a pokeball, Pikachu, and a few other Pokemons shown toward the end of the ad.
Watch the video below to see these Easter Eggs and more.