ThePokémonfranchise has had numerous spin-off games developed over the years, but one in particular truly changed up the standard formula in a very unexpected but welcome way.Pokkén Tournamentwas originally released in Japanese arcades in 2015 before appearing on the Wii U in 2016 and later debuting on the Switch in 2017 asPokkén Tournament DX. However, despite great reviews and solid sales figures,there’s been no sign of a sequel toPokkén Tournamentin years.
While thePokémongames are typically developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo,Pokkén Tournamentwas actually produced by Bandai Namco, who has been responsible fornumerous iconic fighting game franchisesover the years. With unique gameplay and a wide variety of Pokémon to choose from, it’s no surprise that this spin-off has numerous fans both inside and outside the Pokémon community.
A Unique Take On Pokémon Battles
Battles That Closely Resemble Those Of Traditional Fighting Games
The combat inPokkén Tournamentis rather unique as, unlike the typical turn-based battles inPokémongames, ittakes many elements from traditional 2D and 3D fighting games. Combatants fight each other in a massive arena, unleashing combos until a character’s health bar completely runs out. What makesPokkén Tournamentstand out from most other typical fighting games is that the battles take place in two phases.
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Battles start in what is known as the Field Phase, where Pokémon are able to move about freely in a massive 3D space. Unleashing certain moves will cause the battle to switch to the Duel Phase, which resembles more typical 2D fighters, with limited movement and altered controls. Thisconstant switching of phasesnot only provides players with a unique challenge, but it also grants them the ability to unleash devastating combos in a massive 3D environment.
A Wide Variety Of Pokémon In The Roster
A Roster That Isn’t Just Fighting-Types
Pokkén Tournament DXreleased witha total of 21 Pokémon in the roster, and the ones that were chosen showcased a sheer variety of options to choose from. The game features some obvious Pokémon picks like Pikachu and Charizard, who are both incredibly iconic in terms of their popularity. There are also multiple powerfulFighting-types like Lucarioand Machamp, who easily feel right at home in a fighting game.
Fighting inPokkén Tournamentuses a rock-paper-scissors system of normal, grab, and counter attacks.
The roster ofPokkén Tournament DXhighlightsnumerous powerful legendary and mythical Pokémon, including Mewtwo, Darkrai, and even Suicune. However, not every Pokémon inPokkén Tournament’s roster is fully evolved or legendary. Pokémon like Croagunk and Braixen still proved to be incredibly powerful and fun to play despite having not reached their most powerful forms.
How Legendary Pokémon & Mythical Pokémon Are Different
Legendary Pokémon and Mythical Pokémon might seem similar, but one type requires a lot more real-life legwork on the part of the player.
Pokkén Tournamentwas even able to include multiple Pokémon with no visible limbs.Pokémon like Aegislash and Chandelure might seem like unusual choicesfor a fighting game, but Bandai Namco found a way to implement them both flawlessly. Ultimately, this sheer variety of Pokémon is a huge part of what makes the game so exciting, as it proves that a Pokémon fighting game is not limited to just bipedal, fully evolved Pokémon.
Newer Generations Could Provide Even More Exciting Opportunities
A Sequel Could Incorporate More Pokémon And Game Mechanics
Given the fact thatPokkén Tournamentwas released in 2015, the only major gimmick that it incorporated from the mainline games was thepowerful Mega Evolution state, a central feature in the 2013 and 2014 3DS gamesPokémon X and YandOmega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. Since many more Pokémon games have been released since then, many more new Pokémon and mechanics could be implemented. A sequel toPokkén Tournamentcouldincorporate Dynamaxing, terastalization, and so much more, thereby providing players with an even greater challenge.
Every Terastal Form Pokémon In Scarlet & Violet That Changes Type
Most of the Terastal Forms in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet do not change the Pokémon’s type, but a few special wild Tera Type Pokémon do.
With so many beloved Pokémon and interesting gimmicks to pull from, there is a lot of content that a sequel toPokkén Tournamentcan utilize to truly recapture the magic of the original.This spin-off is ultimately proof that taking risks can yield incredible results, inviting players who normally might not playPokémonto check out and enjoy the game. Ultimately, thanks to the creativity of Bandai Namco’s work onPokkén Tournament, thePokémonfranchise features an incredibly unique spin-off that well deserves a sequel.
