The Pokemon Company International has Rickrolled the internet with its tribute to the Pokemon Bidoof on Bidoof Day.
The Plump Mouse Pokemon was the focus of the Pokemon official twitter account during prior April Fools day celebrations, but the whole series has given the small creature its own day. In Pokemon Go, this meant Bidoof with access to moves they would typically not know all week, and today sees Special Research missions and a full blown Bidoof Cup for battles. The event also came with 4 times catching EXP.
To further hammer the point home, the official Twitter account tweeted a special announcement, linking to… A parody of Rick Astley’s Never Gonna Give You Up, with lyrics praising Bidoof. The lyrics even highlight how the Normal-type Pokemon had been used by trainers for its access to many HM moves, rather than for battle.
The Pokemon Company have also released songs dedicated to individual Pokemon in the past before; such as Slowpoke, Magikarp, and Mimikyu.
Despite the back-handed compliments and knowing-winks, Bidoof does have some praise-worthy lore. When not gnawing on trunks and rocks to whittle down its ever-growing teeth, Pokedex entries have stated it is more agile that it would appear, and has “nerves of steel, nothing can perturb it.”
Despite being the “basic rodent” of Generation 4 (equivalent to the likes of Rattata), it seems its cute yet dopey face has endeared it to the hearts of many. It will no doubt re-appear in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Pokemon Shining Pearl. Whether the remakes will continue to use HMs, or if Bidoof will be able to catch a break, is unknown.
One place Bidoof might not be forced into HM servitude is in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. Based off the ancient Sinnoh region, when the land was just being settled, it could be the game will not feature TMs or HMs. However it is still far too early to tell, and games have had human NPCs tutoring moves before.
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Pokemon Shining Pearl launches November 19th on Nintendo Switch.
Pokemon Legends Arceus launches January 28th, 2022 for Nintendo Switch.
