A new machine-learning model by Lambda Labs allows users to input any prompt they desire and generate a uniquePokemon. While the results are complex, the process is relatively simple. The model pulls from a database of captioned images ofPokemonand generates a new image based on the user’s prompt. While examples accompanying the model include Barack Obama, Donald Trump, andMy Neighbor Totoro, another natural place to begin would be to pair two of Nintendo’s largest franchises.
Similar tothe DALL-E program, which uses artificial intelligence to generate a user’s image, the model by Lambda Labs yields better images with more specific prompts. Using a simple prompt such as “Link” will likely produce a fairly abstract image compared to more precise inputs like “Link fromBreath of the Wildas a fox.” The resulting image will always be rendered in aPokemonstyle regardless.
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Princess Zelda
ThePokemonversion of Princess Zelda is fairly spot on, especially considering the prompt was intended to renderZelda in herOcarina of Timeversion. As the image produced is clearly based on young Zelda inOcarina of Time, it’s appropriate that the result is a Pokemon that looks like a base evolution.
This Pokemon looks vaguely like it could fit as a Psychic-type—befitting of Zelda’s increasingly prominent magical abilities that allow her to stand againstThe Legend of Zelda’s strongest villains. The only sort of anomaly in the rendering is the overwhelming green used for Zelda’sPokemon, though this is likely pulled directly from Link’s tunic.
Ganondorf
In another astonishingly accurate rendering, Ganondorf’s wicked expression and reddish-yellow eyes remain perfectly intact in a Pokemon that looks fairly powerful. The model has done a brilliant job of capturingboth Ganon and Ganondorfin a single Pokemon. Unlike the rendering made of Princess Zelda, the Pokemon version of Ganondorf is clearly higher up the evolution chain and looks like it could possibly be a legendary-level creature. ForThe Legend of Zelda’s most well-known villain, there could be no alternative.
Link
ThisPokemon brings a huge amount of flavor from theBreath of the Wildversion of Linkbut misses the mark compared to Ganondorf and Zelda. The tunic is spot on, and probably more than enough for most fans to identify who it’s supposed to be, but the render seems to pull too much from Link’s leather gloves and sheath, leaving his iconic blond hair by the wayside. As with most of the renderings, the eyes are spot on, and the expression seems perfectly suited to Link. The resulting Pokemon also seems to be exactly right for the main character, not quite as intimidating as the Ganondorf render, but just powerful enough looking to be both an underdog and the hero that could conceivably save the day.
Happy Mask Salesman
The Happy Mask Salesman helped makeMajora’s Maskone ofNintendo’s darkest releases to date, and thePokemonrendering is no different. Unsurprisingly, using one of the creepiest characters in the franchise, as an input creates a Pokemon that is pure nightmare fuel. The resulting hybrid is something more at home in a Wes Craven movie than aPokemongame, but it somehow also perfectly captures the essence of the Happy Mask Salesman.
For what it’s worth, the Pokemon version of the Happy Mask Salesman could be nothing other than a Ghost-typePokemon. While it may not visually look too similar to the in-game character, its ability to unsettle audiences would be remarkably similar.
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Malon
Malon, who lives onLon Lon Ranch, appears as nothing other than a horse-likePokemonwith her signature red hair as its coat. It’s difficult to imagine a more accurate rendering than this one, with Malon’s character being inextricably tied to horses. The only possible gripe is that the Pokemon version of Malon appears a bit more aggressive than the kind-hearted girl fans know fromOcarina of Time. It’s also fair to say that of all the renderings, Malon would fit more seamlessly into aPokemongame than the others, appearing fairly close in design to fan-favoritePokemonlike Ponyta or Arcanine. As she appears, Malon is likely a mid-levelPokemonthat is either a Fighting or Fire-type.
Midna
The problem with one ofThe Legend of Zelda’s best companionsis that Midna already looks vaguely like she could be aPokemon. As a result, any attempts to turn Midna into aPokemonoften end up taking her further away in the process. Still, the result here is fairly promising. She appears as a bat-likePokemonwith her electric blue highlights dominating the majority of her Pokemon form.
Much like Malon, it’s fairly easy to imagine this version of Midna appearing in aPokemongame. Unfortunately, she’s definitely a low-level Pokemon, and likely the base form of a longer evolution chain. On the plus side, Midna looks exactly like the sort of Pokemon that has an extremely powerful final evolution. As far as type, she could fit a wide range, from Psychic, Dark, Electric, or even Poison.
Tingle
Whether fans love him or hate him,Tingle is one of the most iconic charactersfromThe Legend of Zeldafranchise in terms of design. Luckily, his simplistic design also lends itself perfectly to the text-to-image model, and the resulting Pokemon is faithful to the character. To boot, Tingle might be the only character on this list that could be slotted intoPokemonwithout so much as a change of name, as Tingle seems to fit the resulting Pokemon hybrid just as well as the original character.
As a result of his bright green suit, Tingle was always going to lean toward being a Grass or Bug-type Pokemon, but the render’s liberal use of the coloring from his red nose makes him a bit more difficult to place. Regardless, Tingle looks far from a powerhouse Pokemon and is at best the kind of creature thatPokemonplayers would encounter in the earliest stages of the game.
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