The Truth Behind Mew: Did Nintendo Know About the Secret Pokémon?
The short answer is yes, eventually, Nintendo knew about Mew. However, the initial insertion of Mew into Pokémon Red and Green (later Red and Blue in the West) was a closely guarded secret kept between a small group of developers, particularly Shigeki Morimoto. The full story, as you might expect, is far more nuanced and fascinating, involving clever programming, a near-miss with removal, and the birth of a legend that propelled Pokémon to global phenomenon status. Initially, Mew was not part of the official design.
Mew’s Inception: A Developer’s Secret
The story of Mew is intrinsically linked to the technical constraints and creative ingenuity of the early days of Pokémon development. As the release date loomed for Pokémon Red and Green, the development team was focused on bug fixing and optimization. Shigeki Morimoto, a programmer at Game Freak, saw an opportunity. After the debugging process was complete, some space was freed up in the game’s ROM. Against company protocol to prevent destabilizing changes to the ROM, and without informing everyone on the team, Morimoto secretly tucked in a little something special: Mew.
Morimoto’s motivation wasn’t malicious or reckless; rather, it was a desire to inject some extra fun and mystery into the game. He hoped that players would discover Mew through glitches and rumors, adding an element of urban legend to the Pokémon experience. And that’s exactly what happened. He wasn’t entirely rogue; he did consult with the director, Satoshi Tajiri, who gave the go-ahead. The creation of Mew, hidden away and requiring ingenuity to unlock, created a sense of discovery among players that greatly benefited Pokémon’s popularity.
Nintendo’s Discovery and the Birth of a Legend
While Morimoto may have initially kept Mew secret from many at Game Freak, it couldn’t remain hidden forever. Once rumors of Mew’s existence began circulating, it was only a matter of time before they reached Nintendo. Initially there may have been some shock, but the response was largely positive. Nintendo, recognizing the potential of Mew’s mystique, decided to embrace it.
Instead of removing Mew from the game entirely, which would have been technically possible (though perhaps difficult given the potential impact on save data), they decided to officially acknowledge its existence and use it as a promotional tool. They launched distribution events where players could receive Mew, further fueling the Pokémon craze. This strategic decision transformed Mew from a secret glitch into a cornerstone of the Pokémon legend. Nintendo understood the power of word-of-mouth marketing and the allure of the elusive. Mew became a symbol of the hidden depths and endless possibilities within the Pokémon world.
The Impact of Mew on Pokémon’s Success
It’s hard to overstate the impact of Mew on the success of the Pokémon franchise. In an era before widespread internet access and social media, rumors and secrets spread through playgrounds and schoolyards like wildfire. The hunt for Mew created a sense of community among players, as they shared tips, tricks, and theories on how to capture the elusive Pokémon.
Mew’s presence transformed the game into more than just a monster-collecting RPG; it became a puzzle to be solved, a mystery to be unraveled. It also fostered a sense of discovery and adventure, encouraging players to explore every nook and cranny of the Kanto region in search of clues. This added depth and engagement contributed significantly to Pokémon’s longevity and enduring appeal.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into the Mystery of Mew
1. Was Mew actually in Pokémon Red?
Yes, Mew was indeed present in the original Pokémon Red and Blue games (and Green in Japan), albeit hidden and inaccessible through normal gameplay. It was added late in development by programmer Shigeki Morimoto after the removal of debug features freed up space.
2. Is Mew or Arceus the “God” Pokémon?
While Pokémon lore is open to interpretation, Arceus is generally considered the “God” Pokémon. Arceus is depicted as the creator of the Pokémon universe, responsible for bringing time, space, and antimatter into existence. Mew, while possessing the DNA of all Pokémon, is more commonly regarded as the ancestor of many existing Pokémon, not the creator.
3. Is Mew the rarest Pokémon ever?
In terms of in-game availability in the original games, Mew was extremely rare. It was not obtainable through regular gameplay and required participation in special distribution events or the exploitation of glitches. However, with subsequent games and methods of distribution, other Pokémon might be considered rarer depending on the specific criteria used.
4. Why was Mew so difficult to obtain in Pokémon Red and Blue?
Mew was deliberately made difficult to obtain to enhance its mystique and create excitement. It was meant to be a secret that players would discover through rumors and share with each other, adding to the game’s overall appeal.
5. Is there only one Mew in existence within the Pokémon universe?
While the games don’t explicitly state that only one Mew exists, the Pokémon lore often portrays Mew as a unique and incredibly rare Pokémon, suggesting its significance as the ancestor of many Pokémon. The exact number is left open to interpretation, but it’s certainly not a common Pokémon.
6. Why is the Ancient Mew card relatively inexpensive?
The Ancient Mew card was a widely distributed promotional card, which resulted in high availability. The fact that it was a promo card and the overall print run contribute to its low value compared to other rare Pokémon cards.
7. What is the oldest Mew card?
The oldest Mew card is the Ancient Mew released in July 1999 as a Japanese promo card for the series’ second movie, Revelation Lugia.
8. What is considered the overall rarest Pokémon card?
The 1st edition shadowless Charizard is the rarest of all Base set cards in the world, as well as one of the most expensive Pokemon cards ever sold.
9. Which Pokémon is stronger, Mew or Mewtwo?
Mewtwo is generally considered stronger than Mew in terms of raw power. Mewtwo’s stats are higher, and it possesses immense psychic abilities. Mew, however, has the ability to learn any move, making it versatile and unpredictable.
10. Which Pokémon came first, Arceus or Mew?
According to Pokémon lore, Arceus is the first Pokémon. It is believed to be the creator of the Pokémon universe, while Mew is often considered an ancestor of many Pokémon on Earth. Mew was created by Arceus.
11. Is Mew considered a male or female Pokémon?
In most Pokémon games, Mew’s gender is unknown. However, in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness, Mew was referred to using male pronouns. Generally, as a Legendary Pokémon, Mew is often considered genderless.
12. Why does Mew have the DNA of all Pokémon?
According to the established lore, Mew is believed to be the ancestor of most Pokémon, which would explain why it possesses the DNA of all Pokémon. Some theories suggest that Mew predates even Arceus.
13. Why is Mew designated as Pokémon #151?
Mew was intentionally placed at #151 to maintain its secret status. Hiding it at the end of the Pokédex prevented players from easily discovering it and fueled the mystery surrounding its existence.
14. Can Mew evolve into another Pokémon?
Mew does not evolve. It is a legendary Pokémon, and legendary Pokémon typically do not have evolutionary lines.
15. Why was the Ancient Mew card banned from tournaments?
The Ancient Mew card was banned from official tournaments because the text on the card was written in a Runic alphabet, making it difficult for players to read and understand the card’s effects. The text was unreadable due to being written in a Runic alphabet.
The story of Mew exemplifies the magic and serendipity that can occur during game development. From a secret addition by a programmer to a central figure in Pokémon lore, Mew’s journey is a testament to the power of creativity, mystery, and the enduring appeal of the Pokémon franchise. Games can become even more meaningful when players participate in communities like the Games Learning Society that focus on learning through game play, found at GamesLearningSociety.org.