"All of Pokémon GO's references to other media from the Pokémon franchise"

#PokemonGO: There are three types of player groups here:Diehard Pokémon fans that have been with the franchise since the franchise was born and/or they were old enough to play video games in general.Players familiar with the Pokémon franchise, who may have grown up with it, lost interest over the years, but still holds the franchise in a special place in their hearts.New players whose only or first experience with the Pokémon franchise is with Pokémon GO.For the first group, probably everything here you already know. But for the second and most specifically the third group, here are some neat "did you know's" (in no particular order) to digest.Pyro, Sparky, and RainerThis one should be familiar for GO players by now. Nicknaming your Eevee one of the above names will guarantee its evolving to Flareon, Jolteon, and Vaporeon, respectively (but only once per nickname).Pyro, Sparky, and Rainer are the names of three brothers who each owned an Eevee in the original English-dubbed Pokémon anime in 1998. Pyro's Eevee evolved into a Flareon, Sparky's evolved into a Jolteon, and Rainer's evolved into a Vaporeon.Pokémon ModelsAll Pokémon models used in GO are the same as those found in the Generation VI and VII games (namely X, Y, Omega Ruby, Alpha Sapphire, Sun, and Moon). The number of particles are different, but the skeleton and animations are the same.Pokémon "Cries"The sound effects used by all Pokémon are the same "cries" used for the core series games. They are not some random effects designed specifically for GO.Yes, Pikachu does get special treatment as it's the only one that speaks its name. This is the same case with Pikachu starting in Generation VI games (specifically X and Y versions), though it did use its name as a cry back in Pokémon Yellow.MedalsWith the exception of "Kanto," all the medals in GO are named after Pokémon Trainer classes in the core series handheld games. These include Swimmer, Bird Keeper, Hiker, Gardener, Ace Trainer, Hex Maniac, etc. etc. etc.The Youngster MedalThe Youngster medal is focused on tiny Rattata. Like the other medals, "Youngster" is also based on a trainer class, but most specifically it's a reference to Youngster Joey from the Pokémon Gold/Silver/Crystal and HeartGold/SoulSilver games. He is famous for his Rattata, where specifically in HeartGold/SoulSilver, he will frequently call the player just to say, "Remember my super cool Rattata? My Rattata is different from regular Rattata. It’s like my Rattata is in the top percentage of all Rattata."His "Top Percentage Rattata" has become a meme in the Pokémon community.The Fisherman MedalThe Fisherman medal requires you to catch big or "XL" Magikarp. While big Magikarp were shown on more than one occasion in the original anime, the main reference comes from one of the fishing guru brothers in Pokémon Gold/Silver/Crystal and HeartGold/SoulSilver. In the Lake of Rage, the fishing guru's dream is to see the world's biggest Magikarp and will measure the ones you catch and show him.Razz BerriesRazz Berries are one of many, many, many berries in the Pokémon world. Specifically it's used to create PokéBlocks (Generation III games) and Poffins (Generation VI games), which boost the condition for Pokémon for Contest purposes (a feature in Gen. III/Gen. VI games Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald and Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire). By no means was it ever a battle/capture associated item like it is in Pokémon GO.Lucky EggsGO players know Lucky Eggs double their experience gained. The same applies for any Pokémon in the core series handheld games that held a Lucky Egg (except the multiplier is 1.5x instead of 2x).Lucky Eggs in the core series games are either gifts or unlockable rewards. But they can sometimes also be obtained from wild Chansey, their pre-evolution Happiny, and Pelipper (ugly messes that slightly resemble anatomically impossible pelicans).Has anyone tried gathering a massive group of players and simultaneously using Lucky Eggs in hopes of summoning a wild Chansey?IncenseWhile the Incense in GO attracts wild Pokémon, there are several incenses from the core series handheld games that serve other purposes, from boosting attacks of specific types, through breeding specific baby Pokémon when held by the proper parent.Though there isn't an incense in the core series games that attract wild Pokémon, a specific move called Sweet Scent (learned by many Grass-type Pokémon) can be used while out of battle to force a wild Pokémon encounter. The way that Sweet Scent turns the screen pinkish-purple is similar to the aura that GO's Incense produces.CandiesTraditional levels take a backseat in Pokémon GO, but they exist nonetheless. A number of candies are required to level up a species by 0.5, thereby boosting its CP. A similar candy exists in the core series handheld games in the form of "Rare Candy," which instantly increases a Pokémon's level by 1. Coincidentally, Rare Candy is also spherical in shape.Abra's 99% Flee RateFor GO players who have experienced the infuriating results of unsuccessfully capturing an Abra on the first ball throw, you may have realized that Abra virtually flees immediately every time it breaks out. This is a reference to wild Abra in core series handheld games that will use its Teleport move (the only natural move it can learn through leveling up) on its first turn. Barring any outside factors like status conditions and abilities (none of which are featured in GO), Teleport will instantly end any wild encounter.Gender DifferencesOriginally, Raichu used its female sprite in GO. It has since been changed to the male sprite as all Pikachu in GO use the male variant.For reference:Male PikachuFemale Pikachu (heart-shaped tail)Male RaichuFemale Raichu (shortened tail tip)If genders do get implemented, there will be many more species that showcase their differences.Critical Captures (not implemented... yet)Early datamining for 0.55.0 showed "critical catch" as a term. This is a feature originally introduced in the Generation V games (Black/White/Black 2/White 2 versions), where the more Pokémon caught lifetime by the player, the more likely a critical capture will occur. If a critical capture is triggered, the Poké Ball will only need to shake once (instead of three, in the case of GO) to check for a successful capture, meaning there is a significantly higher chance the player will capture the targeted Pokémon. via /r/TheSilphRoad http://ift.tt/2kJ4n2e