Pokemon X/Y are just around the corner. And while news is slowing
down to probably keep as much under wraps as possible, I still want to talk
Pokemon and have some fun speculating the future. But speculating a game that’s
about to come out can lead to disappointment. Plus, it gets boring when you
know that no matter how much you ask, Nintendo will still refuse to give us a
moment to see Misty naked. All that said, here are my top ten games I’d like to
see from the Pokemon franchise.
10: Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire Remake
- Ruby and Sapphire were a part of
generation three for Pokemon. And while it was never my favorite game in the
franchise, I know plenty of fans are just itching for this game to make a
return much like FireRed, LeafGreen, HeartGold, and SoulSilver. I wouldn’t be
opposed to it coming out, but given that remakes and relaunches and reboots are
in such common occurrence, I’d much prefer a new entry in a concept we haven’t
seen in a while or a new concept entirely. Speaking of which…
9: Cabela’s Pokemon Poaching
- Pokemon, as a series, has always left me with some questions. What do people do in that world for meat? Where do they get their sources of leather? And where are all the guns? Luckily, a team up with Nintendo and American outfitter, Cabela, would certainly answer most of those questions. Simply put, you play a game where you can hunt Pokemon in the wild with a gun. What is done after they are shot would be left to your imagination as I don’t think Cabela’s has ever gone into detail with that in their games. But since an episode of Pokemon was banned (least in America) for having a gun present, I don’t see that happening. Maybe a Rapula’s fishing venture could be a happy middle ground?
- Pokemon, as a series, has always left me with some questions. What do people do in that world for meat? Where do they get their sources of leather? And where are all the guns? Luckily, a team up with Nintendo and American outfitter, Cabela, would certainly answer most of those questions. Simply put, you play a game where you can hunt Pokemon in the wild with a gun. What is done after they are shot would be left to your imagination as I don’t think Cabela’s has ever gone into detail with that in their games. But since an episode of Pokemon was banned (least in America) for having a gun present, I don’t see that happening. Maybe a Rapula’s fishing venture could be a happy middle ground?
8: Pokemon Snap 2: Now With Kodak Digital
- Pokemon Snap was that rare game you see where it takes a concept that sounds boring and actually makes it somewhat engaging. Driving around on rails and catching as many images of Pokemon in the best ways possible to earn the most points. And I know there are PLENTY of fans who loved this game growing up and have been demanding a sequel. My suggestion? Make it off the rails and open world to give us a chance to explore and look for events rather than wait for a pre scripted event to take place on the same usual spot. This could also give more variety for pics and give players a feel more similar to the core games where you can normally explore and walk around anyway. With damn near over 600 Pokemon, maps can be big, greatly varied, and it would be more of a challenge and way more fun to try and tackle that insanely giant number.
- Pokemon Snap was that rare game you see where it takes a concept that sounds boring and actually makes it somewhat engaging. Driving around on rails and catching as many images of Pokemon in the best ways possible to earn the most points. And I know there are PLENTY of fans who loved this game growing up and have been demanding a sequel. My suggestion? Make it off the rails and open world to give us a chance to explore and look for events rather than wait for a pre scripted event to take place on the same usual spot. This could also give more variety for pics and give players a feel more similar to the core games where you can normally explore and walk around anyway. With damn near over 600 Pokemon, maps can be big, greatly varied, and it would be more of a challenge and way more fun to try and tackle that insanely giant number.
7: Pokemon Stadium 3: Battle of Champions
- No, I don’t mean that Colosseum crap or that Battle Revolution bullshit. I mean the exact same build and formula of the original two Pokemon Stadium games, but just expanded to include more content from the latest generations. Generation 5 didn’t have a console game to coincide with the handheld titles, meaning battling in 3D with the current roster of Pokemon is impossible to do. So this leaves the door open for Generation 6 and the WiiU to bring back this classic in all new HD glory. But why specifically Stadium? To bring back rental Pokmon, minigames, the ability to play your handheld game on the TV, battling all the gym leaders and elite four in the stadium, facing the final boss mewtwo, and the flawless and FREE storage system those games offered. This would be much higher if it wasn’t for the fact Pokemon Bank will exist in Generation 6, thus making the biggest benefit of the former stadium games seemingly obsolete. But I still want my damn minigames.
- No, I don’t mean that Colosseum crap or that Battle Revolution bullshit. I mean the exact same build and formula of the original two Pokemon Stadium games, but just expanded to include more content from the latest generations. Generation 5 didn’t have a console game to coincide with the handheld titles, meaning battling in 3D with the current roster of Pokemon is impossible to do. So this leaves the door open for Generation 6 and the WiiU to bring back this classic in all new HD glory. But why specifically Stadium? To bring back rental Pokmon, minigames, the ability to play your handheld game on the TV, battling all the gym leaders and elite four in the stadium, facing the final boss mewtwo, and the flawless and FREE storage system those games offered. This would be much higher if it wasn’t for the fact Pokemon Bank will exist in Generation 6, thus making the biggest benefit of the former stadium games seemingly obsolete. But I still want my damn minigames.
6: Pokemon WiiU RPG Experience (Name Pending)
- While I was disappointed with Colosseum’s attempt to be a replacement for Pokemon Stadium, it did carve a neat little niche for being the first realized 3D Pokemon RPG. Though it game with severe limitations in comparison to the core titles, it offered up a different way to play the game and a new world to experience. I’d certainly like more of that, if possible, just expanded to include more from the core games.
- While I was disappointed with Colosseum’s attempt to be a replacement for Pokemon Stadium, it did carve a neat little niche for being the first realized 3D Pokemon RPG. Though it game with severe limitations in comparison to the core titles, it offered up a different way to play the game and a new world to experience. I’d certainly like more of that, if possible, just expanded to include more from the core games.
5: Pokemon GP: Dash to Victory Road
- As some of you may know, I have a fondness for racing games that borders on the line of sexual. And that goes double for racing games that break the mold of being about fast cars on normal race tracks to wacky interpretations of vehicles on damn near everything. I loved Mario Kart and Sonic All-Stars racing on so many different levels. I enjoyed the open world aspect of Burnout Paradise. And, of course, just Sonic games in general. So why not a game where you can pick one of several Pokemon (obviously, don’t have them all available in the game) and ride them in races against your friends to see who can win. Some Pokemon might be faster, but given that it’s Pokemon, allowing you to attack other players with moves like Thunderbolt or Flamethrower to even the odds is a great way to replace item boxes seen in other “gimmicky” racing games. Also, this would likely be a no fly zone. Sorry Charizard. Maybe next time.
- As some of you may know, I have a fondness for racing games that borders on the line of sexual. And that goes double for racing games that break the mold of being about fast cars on normal race tracks to wacky interpretations of vehicles on damn near everything. I loved Mario Kart and Sonic All-Stars racing on so many different levels. I enjoyed the open world aspect of Burnout Paradise. And, of course, just Sonic games in general. So why not a game where you can pick one of several Pokemon (obviously, don’t have them all available in the game) and ride them in races against your friends to see who can win. Some Pokemon might be faster, but given that it’s Pokemon, allowing you to attack other players with moves like Thunderbolt or Flamethrower to even the odds is a great way to replace item boxes seen in other “gimmicky” racing games. Also, this would likely be a no fly zone. Sorry Charizard. Maybe next time.
4: Pokemon TCG Call of Legends
- If there’s anything I like way too much that isn’t a racing game, it’s a handheld card game. My biggest complaint about collecting shit like Magic or Yu-Gi-Oh was that I’d have to spend ungodly amounts of money to make a deck that was even worth competing with. Then came along about a dozen Yu-Gi-Oh games for the DS and I was pretty much set for life. Access to damn near every card in the game for only $30. The odds of getting the good ones are still the same, BUT now I don’t go bankrupt trying to get them. Back in the good ol Gameboy days, Pokemon also had a TCG on the handheld. Looking back, it looks dated as hell and the cards are from the oldest sets in the game. Certainly a new iteration to this franchise is much needed. If anything, it’d get me back into playing the trading card game that I loved as a youngster in my comfy shorts and I can’t think of much else that would be better than this… except for…
- If there’s anything I like way too much that isn’t a racing game, it’s a handheld card game. My biggest complaint about collecting shit like Magic or Yu-Gi-Oh was that I’d have to spend ungodly amounts of money to make a deck that was even worth competing with. Then came along about a dozen Yu-Gi-Oh games for the DS and I was pretty much set for life. Access to damn near every card in the game for only $30. The odds of getting the good ones are still the same, BUT now I don’t go bankrupt trying to get them. Back in the good ol Gameboy days, Pokemon also had a TCG on the handheld. Looking back, it looks dated as hell and the cards are from the oldest sets in the game. Certainly a new iteration to this franchise is much needed. If anything, it’d get me back into playing the trading card game that I loved as a youngster in my comfy shorts and I can’t think of much else that would be better than this… except for…
3: Pokemon World or Pokemon MMO
- Aside from probably having a generic name like Pokemon World, a Pokemon MMO would be amazing, and is something fans have been wanting for a long time (myself included). And not a shitty WoW rip off either. I mean a Pokemon game that has access to 24/7 servers to play in a world with every region and every Pokemon that can also be inhabited by other players. Obviously make more cities, regions, and things to do to keep players playing. But the concept is great. It allows for Nintendo to continue expanding the franchise with DLC rather than spend lots of money releasing entirely new games every year or two. It would allow players to face each other more seamlessly than before as well as perform trades on a whim rather than the hassle that the GTS process can be. There would be some drawbacks, however. Legendaries would have to only be seen, and not caught, to get Pokemon data and could likely not be caught since there can be only one and they can’t spawn (unless they choose to change those rules too). And of course the battle system would have to be revamped in some way… and what would be better than..
- Aside from probably having a generic name like Pokemon World, a Pokemon MMO would be amazing, and is something fans have been wanting for a long time (myself included). And not a shitty WoW rip off either. I mean a Pokemon game that has access to 24/7 servers to play in a world with every region and every Pokemon that can also be inhabited by other players. Obviously make more cities, regions, and things to do to keep players playing. But the concept is great. It allows for Nintendo to continue expanding the franchise with DLC rather than spend lots of money releasing entirely new games every year or two. It would allow players to face each other more seamlessly than before as well as perform trades on a whim rather than the hassle that the GTS process can be. There would be some drawbacks, however. Legendaries would have to only be seen, and not caught, to get Pokemon data and could likely not be caught since there can be only one and they can’t spawn (unless they choose to change those rules too). And of course the battle system would have to be revamped in some way… and what would be better than..
2: Pokken: Fists of Flame and Passion
- Pokken is actually a concept that is currently being talked about amongst the Pokemon fanbase as something that could be in the works. Teased in a recent game/trade show, there was an image at the end of a retrospective look at the Pokemon series showing Lucario standing opposite Blaziken in a fully animated 3D image. Subtle clues like the fact they’re both fighting types and that a banner in the background uses the fighting-type logo suggests this could be a fighting game. But lack of information or confirmation has left everyone in the dark. But me, I FUCKING LOVE FIGHTING GAMES! I am not the greatest with them, but a game where I can punch and kick the shit out of Pokemon as another Pokemon sounds fucking fantastic. And I also love the idea that if I’m not doing so hot, I can just shoot a flamethrower and see where it goes from there. An idea for this game that would truly help it stand out would be utilizing the leveling system and move lists from the games. Maybe allow players to switch out certain moves for others (or at least their “specials”) to help build different combos. There’s a lot that this could be and I’m hoping that aforementioned teaser is going to lead to a real thing.
- Pokken is actually a concept that is currently being talked about amongst the Pokemon fanbase as something that could be in the works. Teased in a recent game/trade show, there was an image at the end of a retrospective look at the Pokemon series showing Lucario standing opposite Blaziken in a fully animated 3D image. Subtle clues like the fact they’re both fighting types and that a banner in the background uses the fighting-type logo suggests this could be a fighting game. But lack of information or confirmation has left everyone in the dark. But me, I FUCKING LOVE FIGHTING GAMES! I am not the greatest with them, but a game where I can punch and kick the shit out of Pokemon as another Pokemon sounds fucking fantastic. And I also love the idea that if I’m not doing so hot, I can just shoot a flamethrower and see where it goes from there. An idea for this game that would truly help it stand out would be utilizing the leveling system and move lists from the games. Maybe allow players to switch out certain moves for others (or at least their “specials”) to help build different combos. There’s a lot that this could be and I’m hoping that aforementioned teaser is going to lead to a real thing.
1: Rocket Row or Sleeping Growlithe… or maybe GTP: Kanto
Wars
- My recent ventures into games like Sleeping Dogs, Saints Row IV, Pay Day 2, and various other criminal games have left me realizing one big thing. I LOVE CAUSING CHAOS AND RUNNING A GANG! Something I’d like to see more than any other Pokemon game (yes, including the MMO and fighter) would be a game where I could play as a member of the dastardly Team Rocket. Clearly, missions could involve things such as stealing Pokemon, strong arming businesses and gym leaders, conducting questionable experiments on Pokemon, looking for rare and powerful Pokemon, robbing Pokemon Centers, and (among many other things) fighting other Pokemon Gangs (like Galactic or Plasma) for control over the regions/world). Now, the only issue here is that Nintendo, much like Jackie Chan, has something against playing a bad guy. Bowser has never been playing in a main game and likely never will be (something Robotnik has beaten him to already). That said, I can think of a way to make it so you (the player, at least) aren’t the bad guy(s). You can either aim for a Saints Row style where you play the protagonist whose goal is to end the gang wars between Magma, Aqua, Galactic, Plasma, and so on by rebuilding Team Rocket and eliminating the rest of them using previously mentioned missions as methods for doing so. Alternatively, aim for a Sleeping Dogs approach where you are actually playing a cop or a Pokemon G-Man (like Lance) and have infiltrated Team Rocket to bring them down from the inside while looking for their leader, Giovanni. Both still have moral ambiguity, but you aren’t out for evil’s sake (as the player anyway). Plus, I just like the idea of seeing the world of Pokemon from a perspective that isn’t the same goody-two-shoes 10 year old that restarts their journey every time 100 new Pokemon are suddenly discovered.
- My recent ventures into games like Sleeping Dogs, Saints Row IV, Pay Day 2, and various other criminal games have left me realizing one big thing. I LOVE CAUSING CHAOS AND RUNNING A GANG! Something I’d like to see more than any other Pokemon game (yes, including the MMO and fighter) would be a game where I could play as a member of the dastardly Team Rocket. Clearly, missions could involve things such as stealing Pokemon, strong arming businesses and gym leaders, conducting questionable experiments on Pokemon, looking for rare and powerful Pokemon, robbing Pokemon Centers, and (among many other things) fighting other Pokemon Gangs (like Galactic or Plasma) for control over the regions/world). Now, the only issue here is that Nintendo, much like Jackie Chan, has something against playing a bad guy. Bowser has never been playing in a main game and likely never will be (something Robotnik has beaten him to already). That said, I can think of a way to make it so you (the player, at least) aren’t the bad guy(s). You can either aim for a Saints Row style where you play the protagonist whose goal is to end the gang wars between Magma, Aqua, Galactic, Plasma, and so on by rebuilding Team Rocket and eliminating the rest of them using previously mentioned missions as methods for doing so. Alternatively, aim for a Sleeping Dogs approach where you are actually playing a cop or a Pokemon G-Man (like Lance) and have infiltrated Team Rocket to bring them down from the inside while looking for their leader, Giovanni. Both still have moral ambiguity, but you aren’t out for evil’s sake (as the player anyway). Plus, I just like the idea of seeing the world of Pokemon from a perspective that isn’t the same goody-two-shoes 10 year old that restarts their journey every time 100 new Pokemon are suddenly discovered.
That’s my top ten ideas for Pokemon games I’d like to see in
the near or probably long distant future. If you have any ideas for Pokemon
games you’d like to see, or want to discuss what has already been mentioned,
maybe leave a comment or share with some friends.
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