It has been considered one of the saddest and creepiest Pokémon in the series, with its concept being that it is wearing the skull of its dead mother.

This story first appeared in Red and Blue and has been redone in other works, such as the Pokémon Origins anime.

[2] In these games and their sequels, the player assumes the role of a Trainer whose goal is to capture and use the creatures' special abilities to combat other Pokémon.

Some Pokémon can transform into stronger species through a process called evolution via various means, such as exposure to specific items.

Cubone who survive in the wild long enough are able to overcome their trauma and seek vengeance, primarily against Mandibuzz.

[9] In-game, a Marowak is stated to have died while protecting its child from the villainous organization Team Rocket, and it subsequently haunts the Tower.

It retains the same story, adding scenes of Cubone being kidnapped by Team Rocket, rescued by the protagonist, and going to Pokémon Tower, where it gains closure by seeing its mother's spirit as it ascends to the afterlife.

[18] In Pokémon Sun and Moon, Cubone evolved in the game's main location of Alola can evolve into Alolan form Marowak, which have different typings and design in comparison to regular Marowak, being Fire and Ghost instead of Ground.

In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX, it is one of the playable characters the player can select.

[25][26] Cubone has received generally positive reception, noted as a particularly sad and creepy Pokémon due to its backstory.

She stated that, despite lacking in some ways mechanically, she cannot help but adore Cubone due in part to how sentimental its story is.

[17] Destructoid writer Ben Davis remarked how Cubone was always a staple in his team, stating that it was his favorite.

When he played Red and Blue, he imagined that the Cubone he caught was the one whose mother haunted Pokémon Tower, wanting to be able to be there for it.

[33] Pocket Tactics writer Nathan Ellingsworth stated that this scene made him cry, and that it was among his most memorable moments in the franchise.

[34] Bloody Disgusting writer Cian Maher felt that the changes made to Cubone's story were enough to make a big difference, feeling that the staff gave Cubone's story "some real love" and described it as "touching and bittersweet in the most heartfelt way."

[16] Author Matt Coward-Gibbs discussed the presentation of Marowak and how its departure is handled, noting how resolving the situation through helping the Marowak find peace through reuniting it with Cubone demonstrated how the games depict a ghost as a way to heal instead of simply being a violent ghost to fight.

[42][26] Part of the theory involved the idea that Alolan Marowak's Fire type may be due to this claimed connection.