Nintendo Character Profile | Snivy Page 1

Nintendo Character Profile | Snivy

17.10.2012

Snivy
Snivellius Maximus

Back when the Pokémon series began in the mid-1990s players had to choose from Bulbasaur, Squirtle, or Charmander. Oh how times have changed, though! Nowadays the selection is still from the same types -- in other words Grass, Fire, and Water -- but the cast is rather different. What do we know about them? Let us take a look at one of them, Snivy.

Statistics

Age: How old are Pokémon? Do you go from the date that the starters first made an appearance on the gaming scene -- in which case, Snivy would be just over two years old, having first appeared in the Japanese edition of Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version back on 18th September, 2010 -- or do each and every one of them start off their lives from the very moment they are chosen at the beginning of an adventure? If the latter is true, there would be a heap of confusion since Snivy would have been 'born' in 2010 and then born again in 2012! Perhaps Siri might have the answer? "I have no particular insight into the origins of a Snivy." Oh Siri, you are so useful!

Species: A monster and, amazingly enough, one of the 'pocket' variety. People often look at lil' ol' Snivellius and say "You know, the grass isn't always greener on the other side!", but it just looks at them quizzically and proclaims that it knows not, since it cannot see its back.

Location: First appearing in Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version, Snivy can be deemed to be a resident of the Unova Region, part of the Pokémon world, far, far away from the other four major areas of Johto, Sinnoh, Kanto, and Hoenn. It is a place that has been likened to New York City, but with a mix of ruralisation thrown in for good measure. Snivy longs to live up with the elite of Unova, even one day working alongside the talented folk at Game Freak.

Family Matters: Again, as with the matter of age, much confusion can come about from thinking too much into the issue of does a Pocket Monster have parents or whether they just 'are.' However, overlooking the possibility of Professor Juniper (Pokémon Black / White in Nuvema Town) or Bianca (Pokémon Black 2 / White 2 in Aspertia City) being mothers to the rather aloof Snivy, it would be more logical to look at the happenings of PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond for some solid facts. In the light-hearted Wii adventure, Snivy plays the daughter of Queen Serperior, making her (yes, her -- clearly there must be male and female…Snivy…Snivies…Snivii?) an actual princess!

Main Features: Snivy, pronounced Sny-vee (like ivy, and not Snivvy as some may think), has a general air of pomposity, almost looking down that long, pointed snout at others, although the problem is that at only 0.6 metres in height, the diminutive critter (weighing in at 8.1kg) would struggle to look down upon anyone! Initially looking like a tiny green reptile with a leaf on the tip of its tail, Snivy eventually starts to look more akin to the slender snake some believe it originates from when evolving into Servine upon reaching Level 17 in the Pokémon adventures, followed by Serperior at Level 36. The first two forms retain a green outer colour, with a cream underside, whilst the last form goes for pure long, green snake above anything else. Despite openly admitting to being a snake in the grass (although perhaps being so open due to not quite realising the connotations), Snivy actually has limbs, with little hands and feet.

Clothing: Despite supposedly being prim and proper, Snivy, as with other Pokémon, struts around without any clothing, preferring to be wild and free! After all, just like other creatures of the same ilk, there is not exactly anything to cover up. However, secretly, Snivy loves to dress up and appear superior to other monsters, donning a bowler hat and monocle, wielding a trendy cane, and even sometimes slipping on a bow tie.

Concept

The cool demeanour of Snivy stems from Game Freak's character designer, Ken Sugimori, who wanted to give the character the air of European royalty, especially taking inspiration from a historical romantic drama animation series by the name of The Rose of Versailles. This initially led to Snivy gaining the fan nickname of Smugleaf because of the snooty look and overall posh disposition exuded by the character. Rather than being an elitist snob with no brains, though, Snivy is very intelligent and calm in the most hectic of situations, before springing into action after absorbing sunlight via photosynthesis thanks to the leaf tail, and becoming far swifter in movement afterwards.

Appearances

Despite only seeming to have made two appearances on Nintendo systems (or four if you count the dual colour releases as two separate entities), quite shockingly Snivy has become somewhat of a superstar, cropping up in more games than can actually be remembered! Below is a selection of titles that the increasingly popular character has reared its head:

Pokémon Black Version / White Version (DS)
[li]Pokémon Black Version 2 / White Version 2 (DS)
[li]Super Pokémon Rumble (3DS)
[li]PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond (Wii)
[li]Pokédex 3D (3DS eShop)
[li]Learn with Pokémon Typing Adventure (DS)
[li]Pokémon Conquest (DS)
[li]Pokémon Dream Radar (3DS eShop)
[li]Pokédex 3D Pro (3DS eShop)

Best Appearance:

The latest adventures, and first ever direct sequels, Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2, have just hit the shelves and are easily a strong step up from the previous outing for Snivy, but choosing whether or not the mainline journey is better than the quirky strategy RPG battling of Pokémon Conquest is a trickier call than might be expected. The new DS RPGs could well have the edge, though, purely on the basis of the sheer weight of content squeezed into the little DS game cards, as well as Snivy taking a starring role from the opening stages (should a player choose it at the beginning, obviously). Working through the Unova Region again, this time watching for what Team Plasma is planning to do next, all the while attempting to fill the Pokédex with a full contingent of Pocket Monsters, is a highly engrossing experience. Having Snivy enlisted from the off works also wonders against the first round of Pokémon faced when heading out into the world, with its grass-type moves coming in extraordinarily useful on the travels.

Do Not Mention:

Victini. Why? Well, whilst having an on-going rivalry with fellow starter Pokémon Tepig and Oshawott, Snivy always felt safe in the knowledge that its Pokédex ranking of #001 was the best. That was until finding out one day that Victini had actually broken a long-term trend and slunk into the normally unused position of #000! What a cruel world, right?

Snivy is well and truly here to stay. Although perhaps not usurping Pikachu as the most recognisable Pokémon out there, the little grass-based critter has slid its way into the hearts of many, as well as more games than most would imagine. Seeing the snake-esque Snivy slip into a new version of Smash Bros. would not be overly shocking.

Comment on this article

Comments

«s previous1next »

jesusraz 17.10.2012#1

I used to always choose Charmander back in the day, thinking that fire was the best, but it's Snivy all the way now! Anyone else a big fan of the Grass-type?