Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres

The three birds, known as legendary Pokémon,[1][2][3] are some of 151 different designs conceived by Game Freak's character development team and finalized by Sugimori for the first generation of Pocket Monsters games Red and Green, which were localized outside Japan as Pokémon Red and Blue.[4][5] Originally called "Freezer", "Thunder", and "Fire" in Japanese, Nintendo decided to give the various Pokémon species "clever and descriptive names" related to their appearance or features when translating the game for western audiences as a means to make the characters more relatable to American children.[6] Articuno's English name is a portmanteau of "Arctic" and "uno", the Spanish and Italian word for one, while Zapdos' name combines "zap" and dos, the Spanish word for two, and for Moltres, "molten" and tres, the Spanish word for three.[7]

Articuno, the Freeze Pokémon, has brown eyes (red in the early anime and video games), blue plumage, a bluish-white-feathered chest, a three feathered crest adorning its head and a gray beak with matching legs. With its long, sparkling tail trailing behind, its flying form is magnificent.[8] It can create and manipulate ice freely by freezing the moisture in the air.[9] Its translucent wings are imbued with the essence of frigidity, and the flapping of its wings chills the air,[10] causing the conversion of water particles in the air into snow or ice, causing snow to fall when it flies overhead.[11] In legend, Articuno resides within the confines of icy mountains, because those who have seen it were often doomed explorers scaling such mountains, and therefore it is believed Articuno makes it a point to appear before them and save them.[12]

Zapdos, the Electric Pokémon, may be based on the thunderbird. Zapdos has the form of a large bird with black and yellow plumage, with its spiky feathers make it look as if it were made of lightning. Its tail feathers stick out in several directions, furthering this illusion. A large crest of feathers decorates its head, and distinctive black rings encircle its eyes. Zapdos is always seen in conjunction with thunderstorms, because it gathers energy from the electricity in the atmosphere, and is said to live in such clouds.[13] It also causes massive crackling and snapping sounds when it flies;[14] these are contributed to the lightning bolts it is said to shed when airborne.[15]

The mythological creature Phoenix, which Moltres resembles

Moltres, the Flame Pokémon, is literally ablaze with fire, resembling a phoenix. It has flame-colored plumage, and its dazzling wings and elaborate head crest appear to be covered with flames. It has a straight, pointed brown break, which is the same color as its feet. It can freely create and manipulate fire, and when it flaps its wings, it creates a brilliant flash of flames.[16] If its body is injured for any reason, it will head towards a volcano and dip its body in the molten magma to heal its wounds.[17] When Moltres thinks it is in the least bit possible danger, it will summon a flash of fire and seemingly disappear, flying out of sight very fast. Moltres appear to live in hot regions, particularly active volcanoes. It appears to migrate to the south during the springtime,[18] so it is said that its appearance will bring about an early spring.[19]

The legendary birds first appeared in the Game Boy video games Pokémon Red and Blue and Pokémon Yellow. As rare Pokémon, they appear only once per game in a fixed location, and are difficult to defeat or capture. If they are defeated without capturing them, they disappear, and will never be seen again. They also appear in later core series games, including the Red and Blue remake Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, and Pokémon X and Y.

Outside of the main series, they have also appeared in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games, Pokémon Snap, Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

In the mobile app Pokémon Go, Team Mystic is represented by Articuno; Team Instinct, Zapdos; and Team Valor, Moltres.[20] Following the first Pokémon GO Fest in July 2017, the legendary birds were released into the game and available via the raids feature.[21]

In Pokémon Sword and Shield's expansion pack, The Crown Tundra, the legendary birds receive a Galarian Form that changes their appearance and types. Articuno changes from Ice/Flying to Psychic/Flying, Zapdos changes from Electric/Flying to Fighting/Flying, and Moltres changes from Fire/Flying to Dark/Flying.

Since appearing in Pokémon Red and Blue, the legendary bird trio have received generally positive reception. They have been featured in several pieces of merchandise, including cards in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, figurines, plush toys, and others.

Regarding their appearance in the games, GameAxis Unwired praised the legendary birds for making Pokémon Red and Blue "cool".[22]

Concerning their appearance in Pokémon: The Movie 2000, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer editor Paula Nechak compared the legendary bird trio, as well as Lugia, to the creatures found in Igor Stravinsky's The Firebird.[23] The Daily Texan criticized the birds' appearance in the film, stating that they lacked the "human personality that make the other Pokemon so endearing".[24] Reeling Reviews editor Robin described the battle conducted between Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres as being similar to battles from the film Godzilla on Monster Island.[25] Access Atlanta editor Bob Longino criticized the birds' sounds, commenting that the squawking was "way too much for adult ears".[26]

Nintendo Power conducted a contest where readers could win a Pokémon-themed costume, which included a costume of Zapdos.[27] According to Janine Mellini of the Daily Record Zapdos was a popular costume choice amongst Pokémon characters for Halloween in 2000.[28] Zapdos has been featured in several pieces of merchandise, including cards in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, figurines, plush toys, and others. A special Zapdos card was given away to those who saw the film Pokémon The Movie 2000.[29] Author Loredana Lipperini stated that while Zapdos was not very strong, it was her favourite Pokémon.[30]

A special Moltres card was given away to those who saw the film Pokémon The Movie 2000.[31] Allgame editor Jason White compared Moltres to the mythological bird, Phoenix.[32] In a poll by Official Nintendo Magazine, Moltres was voted as one of the best Fire-type Pokémon. They described it as "Pokémon's own phoenix from the flames", stating that "this legendary bird creates a brilliant flash of flames when it flaps its wings."[33]

• Pokemon.com