The Pokémon franchise has so many designs and personalities amongst its roster that it became apparent that there's a spirit Pokémon for every figure within the Nintendo world. This Pokémon help to sum up the familiar characters from a range of other properties, that can be found on the Switch and various Nintendo consoles.
Whether it's because they look very similar, carry the same personality traits, or perhaps even boast a backstory or powers that are reminiscent of these characters, there are plenty of ways that a Nintendo figure and a Pokémon could be linked to one another! Of course, fans may have the combinations that they feel more accurately represent these characters!
Mario And Pikachu
The retro arcade-style character Mario is more likely to be a fire-type than he is electric, although some of the abilities he demonstrates throughout the games do meet that of Pikachu's. It's not the power sets of the two characters that make them so alike though. It's both their standing in their franchises and their personality traits.
Both Mario and Pikachu are arguably the face of their respective series and by extension Nintendo itself. They are both loyal friends and brave in the face of danger but are always jovial despite the situation. Pikachu is Mario's spirit Pokémon, even if they don't look all that similar.
Luigi And Turtwig
Although there's so much more that fans wish to know about Luigi from both the look of the character to his general attitude, Mario's brother has always felt like a grass-type. Indeed, if Mario on the surface is a fire-type then it's fitting that Luigi would in many ways be his opposite.
He's excitable and daring but has been known to go into his shell a bit, especially when facing off against ghosts. All of those details pit him alongside Turtwig, an important starter Pokémon. Both are structural building points of their respective franchises and their shared color palette certainly doesn't go unnoticed.
Bowser And Druddigon
Bowser is a monstrous creature that is far from misunderstanding. He is usually pitched as the antagonist of various Nintendo series and has been given a design that matches the villainous personality put forward. His spikes and teeth give him an edge in combat.
It feels obvious that Bowser would be a dragon Pokémon, but out of all the little monsters within that category, it's Druddigon that's beastly enough to convey the ominous tone of the Mario villain. By sheer looks alone they are very similar, but they have a very similar attitude as well, with Druddigon usually utilized as a dangerous entity.
Fox McCloud And Lucario
Fox McCloud is ahead of his time, proud of his abilities, and a hero even at dire odds. He is adventurous and one of the most uniquely designed characters in Nintendo history. He's also hugely underrated, which are all descriptions of this spirit Pokémon.
Lucario has been presented as one of the coolest Pokémon within the series. Some iterations have been able to talk and there's a pride to the character that the Star Fox certainly shares. They are two sides of the same coin, even if the sci-fi elements of Lucario are slightly lacking.
Toad And Foongus
Anyone who has started with a Toad title on Nintendo consoles will know just how inquisitive the character is. He's quite innocent and never means any harm, falling from one adventure to the next and narrowly escaping grave danger. There's one Pokémon that comes to mind for Toad.
Foongus is reminiscent of all of those characteristics. On top of that, it is also a mushroom Pokémon, copying Toad's design and even color palette. While Foongus might continue to evolve and become braver, this very much mimics Toad's maturity as he develops in-game.
Yoshi And Totodile
Yoshi is a star in Nintendo's series that's managed to become an entity unto himself. He's a beloved member of the Mario roster, boasts games of his own, and never backs down from a challenge. It's fair to say that Yoshi can be a bit silly sometimes as well though.
Totodile is absolutely a character that might seem ridiculous on the surface but also boasts some genuine strength. The two share very similar designs in terms of their dinosaur and crocodile-esque shapes, and it's easy to imagine Yoshi as a water-type!
Samus And Dragonite
Samus is a character that boasts two distinct sides. The armored tank version of the Metroid character and the futuristic blue iteration that's a little more graceful and streamlined in their design. Samus is a mighty warrior with great ferocity but also with a deeply empathetic temperament.
Dragonite parallels all of these things. Its evolution looks very much like the blue suit variation of Samus, while Dragonite itself feels like the armored tank. It seems monstrous on the outside but is very calculating, intelligent, and usually morally driven when digging a little deeper.
Link And Dartrix
Link is a character that feels very entrenched in the mysticism of his world. There's something wise and ancient about the young warrior, who is constantly seeking to explore new aspects of his fantasy land. His inquiring mind is never satisfied and he's always compelled to do the right thing.
Dartriz may visually look like earlier green variations of Link, but he also parallels some of the other traits of the character. An owl is always the symbol of wisdom and there's something ancient about this Pokémon too. It's one with nature just like Link and sees the world as it glides above the trees, exploring in the same way that the Nintendo character does in all his best games.
Zelda And Gardevoir
Zelda is even more mystical than Link and there's a grace and decorum to the princess. She's powerful in her own right, but there's a quiet strength to the Nintendo character as well. Her traits have made her one of the most iconic characters on the company's consoles.
Gardevoir doesn't share that same popularity but is extremely mystical and graceful just like Zelda. She too is one with nature, as a grass-type and therefore links to the themes of the games tremendously well. The two both have a difficult presence, to sum up, but can be felt whenever they appear.
Donkey Kong And Exploud
Donkey Kong is loud, destructive, sometimes a hero and sometimes a villain and a valuable member of the Mario team. He's a staple of Nintendo titles and his gorilla design has continued to be one of the most simple yet effective character creations in all of gaming.
Exploud is very much like Donkey Kong in both its physical design and its penchant for chaos. It is just as loud as the gorilla and its imagery is usually depicted as if it is a primate. It's far more underrated than Donkey Kong is, but the two would probably get along pretty well.
