“The Alternate Universe Pokemon Iceberg Explained” by Midnight Krick is one of my favorite YouTube videos ever. It details a universe where Pokémon Gold and Silver were the final games in the series, and are quite different from the ones we know. I would HIGHLY recommend watching this video for yourself before I spoil the ending here.

A few of my favorite entries from the video:

1. "Plux"
Pinsir can evolve into this pokemon, which was seen in a beta build of the game.

2."Learning through Dreams"

Weird, obscure details and secrets in this game were discovered through sequences of actions seen in player's dreams. I don't know about you, but I often dream about the games I play during the day.

3. The Onix Shrine. Players debate over its purpose, because it doesn't seem to do anything.

4. Evolving Dragonite into Yoshi. This infamous real-life hoax is possible in this version of the Pokemon Red and Blue.

Among the entertaining and creepy oddities in this version of the game is the observation that the ROM file appears to have expanded in size over the years.

“It's adapting, it's growing... it wants to please us. More secrets, More rumors, More content. The game that never has to end.”

Although this story continues by having the game expanding its influence into the real world (game cartridges oozing mysterious substances, people going missing, possession), it caused me to be fascinated by the concept of a “living” game that grows and evolves within itself, despite it being an old game that should not be able to do so. It is just so fascinating and unique.