Rhydon is widely credited as the first Pokémon designed for the franchise.
Rhydon’s early design was created by Ken Sugimori during the development of the original Pokémon games. It appears as a statue in the first games’ Gym environments, a detail often cited as an in-game trace of its early importance during development.
The claim does not mean Rhydon was the first Pokémon shown to the public or the first entry in the Pokédex. Bulbasaur occupies National Pokédex position 001, while Pikachu became the best-known mascot through the anime and merchandise. Rhydon’s National Pokédex number is 112.
Rhydon is a Ground/Rock-type Pokémon and evolves from Rhyhorn. Its early design history illustrates how the final Pokédex order, marketing prominence, and development chronology are separate things in Pokémon history.