If you’ve ever owned anything Pokemon-related, chances are, Pikachu’s electrified red cheeks were plastered all over it. Pikachu’s face is so famous, is almost as globally recognized as Mickey Mouse and can be seen on backpacks, mugs, lunchboxes, or etched into the corner of a rare trading card.
The yellow bolt of thunderbolt tail keeps Pokemon’s brand electrifying and relevant across generations. With that much popularity, it’s no surprise that the devs kept trying to recreate the jolt, game after game, by introducing electric, and at one time not, mimics that look suspiciously familiar.
From the cute to the terrifying, we are ranking all the video game Pikachu clones from worst to best.
What is a Pikachu Clone?
It’s not an official term, but fans use it to describe a recurring trend in Pokemon games where each new generation introduces a small, mostly Electric-type Pokemon with adorable cheek pouches, a stinking cute design, and usually a lowly stat spread that screams, “I’ll zap you, then I'll faint.”
They’re not evolutionary lines of Pikachu, but they carry the spirit and style that made Pikachu a global phenomenon.
Plusle and Minun
click to enlarge
+ 10Let’s start with the OG Pika-clones, Plusle and Minun. These twin electro cheerleaders were the Gen 3 Pikachu clones introduced alongside the brand-new double battle style.
Plusle boosts allies' stats when they're on a roll, and Minun cheers them up when they’re down. Their gimmick and abilities work best when paired together, but unfortunately, so do their weaknesses.
One Earthquake from an opponent, and both are crumbling down the battlefield in a puff of static. Still, they’re undeniably adorable and were the perfect mascots for the introduction of cooperative battling.
Dedenne
click to enlarge+ 10Then we have the Fairy-Electric Kalos cutie, Dedenne, from the Pokemon X and Y video games. The introduction of the Fairy typing added a little more sparkle to Dedenne’s identity, making it the first Pikachu clone to dip into the new typing.
Fans love its round design, especially since it even made it into the Pokemon anime as Clemont and Bonnie’s charming little sidekick. Dedenne is only held back by its poor stats, but let’s be honest. Its real job was to sit there and look cute, and it's doing really well.
Togedemaru
click to enlarge+ 10Togedemaru is like the porcupine you just had to hug, even if it zaps you or pokes with its steel barbs for trying. This Gen 7 Pikachu clone showed up in both the games and the anime, and it was a blast!
With its Steel-Electric typing and Iron Barbs ability, Togedemaru punishes physical Pokemon while looking like a spiky, iron ball. It even packs a punch with powerful moves like Iron Head and Zing Zap, turning this cute fluffball into a roll of shocking fury.
Pawmi, Pawmo, and Pawmot
click to enlarge+ 10And now we’ve got the Pawmi line from Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Game Freak really wanted to lean into the Pikachu look this time with its cheek pouches, upright ears, and the classic lightning-shaped tail. But Pawmi doesn’t stop at being a one-stage mimic. It evolves twice, making it the first Pikachu clone to become a Stage 2 Pokemon.
The addition of its Fighting type in its final evolution gives it great coverage options. Though fans have been irate about how small the design changes are with each evolution, its signature move, Revival Blessing, which can revive a fainted Pokemon, is literally game-changing. It's a divine intervention with a little bit of spark.
Morpeko
click to enlarge+ 10Morpeko might just be the hangriest Pokemon ever made (cue in Snickers). This Galarian rodent has dual personality issues, and we love it. Its Hunger Switch ability flips it between Full Belly mode and Hangry mode, altering its appearance and even the typing of its signature move, Aura Wheel.
One moment it’s cheerful and Electric-type, the next it’s grumpy and Dark-type. It’s as if Pikachu watched too many Snickers commercials and made it its life story.
Pachirisu
click to enlarge+ 10But let’s not forget the time a Pikachu clone took the competitive world by storm, a lightning storm. Pachirisu, the squirrel-like Gen 4 entry, was once dismissed for its low damage potential. That was until Se Jun Park used it to win the 2014 Pokemon World Championships.
With its high speed, the move Nuzzle, and the ability to survive hits that most clones would fall from, Pachirisu became a fan favorite overnight. It paralyzed threats while ignoring the move Taunt and drew attacks away from its partner.
Not bad for a tournament-winning ‘mon that looks like it should be chilling on a tree branch.
Emolga
click to enlarge+ 10Speaking of zipping around, Emolga soared into the hearts of players in Gen 5 with its Electric-Flying typing and adorable sugar glider design. Immune to Ground-type moves and annoyingly fast, Emolga was infamous for spamming Volt Switch and flying out before it could be damaged.
It was a slippery little pest that forced players to adapt or rage-guess. Either way, it left an impression on Pokemon fans.
Mimikyu
click to enlarge+ 10And finally, we have the tragically famous Mimikyu. This Pikachu clone is quite different because it is not an Electric-type Pokemon, but you can’t talk about Pika-clones without mentioning this Ghost-Fairy combination.
Mimikyu is the only one that consciously mimics Pikachu, hiding its true, ghastly form under a raggedy disguise. Its tragic backstory made fans instantly protective of it, and its unique typing and busted Disguise ability made it a competitive hero.
Though it’s been nerfed since its debut, Mimikyu is still the most powerful and emotionally resonant Pikachu clone to date. It wants to be loved like Pikachu, and in a way, it is.
Honourable Mention - Alolan Raichu
click to enlarge+ 10Now, before we wrap up, we have to give an Alolan shoutout to the smoothest clone of them all, Alolan Raichu. Though technically Pikachu’s evolution, this regional variant plays the Pokemon clone game with a twist.
It surfs on its tail, has a tropical tan, and adds Psychic typing to its Electric base. It’s the result of a Pikachu that spent too much time at the beach, got into surfing, and returned as a surfing master, a total ocean mystic vibe.
click to enlarge+ 10Pikachu clones are more than cheap knock-offs in the grand scheme. Each of them is a reflection of their generation’s tone, features, and design trends. Some hit hard in battle, while some hit you right in the feels. Others remind you that Electric-type Pokemon are here to stay and cuter than ever.
Whether you're a competitive battler or a casual trainer who loves cute, yellow rodents, there’s always a Pikachu clone for you.
So next time you see a chubby-cheeked critter with sparks flying from its cheeks, don’t call it a knock-off. Call it tradition.
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