Bidoof, known as Bippa (ビッパ) in Japanese, is a species of Pokémon that was featured in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Bidoof first appeared in the video games Pokémon Diamond and Pearl and in subsequent releases, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed adaptations of the franchise.

Concept and characteristics edit

Bidoof are small brown rodent-like creatures with large front teeth which they use for gnawing on wood. Bidoof need to constantly gnaw on hard substances to keep their teeth ground down, since they grow constantly.[1] Without something to gnaw on, they become violent because of the pain and inconvenience the unwieldy growing teeth cause. A comparison revealed that Bidoof's front teeth grow at the same rate as a Rattata's.[2] They have tufts of fur on their tails and a ring of them on their faces. They also have slightly webbed paws. Males have five lumps on their tails, unlike females, who have three. Bidoof build their nests along the side of bodies of water.[1] They are more agile and active than they appear.[3] Bidoof feed mainly on berries, and occasionally they can eat tree bark.

Appearances edit

In the video games edit

Bidoof first appears in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl as an early Pokémon encountered by players. It later appears in HeartGold and SoulSilver as well as Pokémon Black and White. It eventually evolves into Bibarel. In the main games, Bidoof is often considered an "HM slave", a term which refers to a Pokémon that is only good for its ability to use most "Hidden Machines", items which teach Pokémon new abilities.[4] It also appeared in Pokémon Platinum, Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, Pokémon X and Y and Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.

Outside of the main series, it also appears in some of the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon titles, some of the Pokémon Ranger titles, Pokémon Rumble, and PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure. In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness, Bidoof is a major supporting character; in the remake Explorers of Sky, a series of side missions called "Bidoof's Wish" is available to players. It also appeared in Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia, Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky, Pokémon Rumble, Pokémon Rumble Blast, PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond, Pokémon Conquest , Pokémon Battle Trozei, Pokémon Shuffle, Pokémon Rumble World, Pokémon Picross and Pokémon Rumble Rush.

In other media edit

Bidoof have appeared a few times in the Pokémon anime, first randomly appearing in the wild and then having a whole episode where a Steelix is destroying a Bidoof village. Since then they have had many more appearances such as one being under care of Reggie, Paul's older brother. In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Platinum was attacked by a group of Bidoof in her own house.

Reception edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b Pokédex: It constantly gnaws on logs and rocks to whittle down its front teeth. It nests alongside water. Game Freak (2007-04-22). Pokémon Pearl (Nintendo DS). Nintendo.
  2. ^ Pokédex: A comparison revealed that Bidoof's front teeth grow at the same rate as Rattata's. Game Freak (2009-03-22). Pokémon Platinum (Nintendo DS). Nintendo.
  3. ^ Pokédex: It is more agile and active than it appears. Game Freak (2007-04-22). Pokémon Diamond (Nintendo DS). Nintendo.
  4. ^ Audrey Drake. "Why Pokemon Starters Matter - DS Feature at IGN". Ds.ign.com. Retrieved 2011-12-07.