The kinda dog someone got because they thought it'd make them look like a hardass, but the dog is actually really sweet

228: Houndour

If it weren't for Umbreon, Houndour would probably feel more like a proper "mascot" for the Dark type than any other Pokemon introduced in Gen 2. This Dark/Fire type is a simple but still cool hellhound type creature design, with the sleek black fur and covered with bony-looking plating, a formation on its head looking vaguely like a skull and fake ribs on its back. Killer! We can't help but wonder if it'd look even better if it was ALL black, but it also feels like the fur pattern they're aiming for here is that of a rottweiler.

Ohoho, delightfully devilish, Houndoom.

229: Houndoom

Houndoom turns up the "Hellhound" aspect up to 10, complete now with a whole stereotypical devil's tail and horns and even having one of those rib-bones form a "collar" around its neck, like how "tough guys" like to give their dogs metal collars. And if you're sad the skull is gone, it's still there! It just moved down to be an ornament on said collar. All it's really missing is some decent excuse to give those shackle-like bands on its paws some chains and it'd be the full package.

Given Pokemon was one of the major subjects of the 90s "Satanic Panic" it's honestly kind of hilarious to see a Pokemon in the very next game invoke imagery of Satan so directly and bluntly. Stick it to 'em, Gamefreak! Make your rad as hell devil creatures! And as if Houndoom couldn't have been cooler, burns from this Pokemon's fire breath apparently never heal, really making it sound like it breaths hell fire.

They are rage, brutal, without mercy. But you, you will be worse.

Mega Houndoom:

As if Houndoom couldn't possibly look more like a metal band's mascot, here's Houndoom's devilish nature turned up even further, with face-markings like the devil's fork, more angular and cool horns, and bony armor looking more like a demon's skull now, which is absolutely METAL. Mega Houndoom is easily one of the better Megas out there for how much it really emphasizes what made the original Houndoom cool in the first place and appropriately cranks up the design without going overboard. Or at least in this case, looking a little overboard is just part of "The Look."