All through the 9 generations of the Pokémon collection, many alternative options have come and gone. From ones that affected the precise evolutionary strains of the titular Pokémon to the varied gameplay mechanics that you possibly can do, there have been so many over time.
That stated, The Pokémon Firm is devoted to letting go of older options and selling newer ones as time goes on. A few of the higher Pokémon options and mechanics by no means returned after going away. It’s time for a few of these to make a comeback, and listed below are our picks for the 25 greatest Pokémon options and mechanics which have been lacking for a lot too lengthy.
25. Battle Royale
Solar & Moon got here out at an intriguing time within the gaming trade because the battle royale craze was simply kicking off. With its personal battle royale mechanics set, gamers may compete in occasions involving 4 trainers with one Pokémon every. The battles had been loopy, with every coach getting one transfer per flip.
Ultimately, solely a single coach and their Pokémon would stay standing because the winner. The implementation was awkward on the Nintendo 3DS, however the thought was thrilling. Bringing this again and including on-line multiplayer whereas treating it as a way more in depth expertise with 100 trainers directly, presumably divided into teams, can be extraordinary and chaotic in all the precise methods.
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24. Problem Choices
Black 2 & White 2 confirmed that it may do extra than simply reinvent the collection because the first-ever canonical numbered sequels. One of many craziest additions that had been a one-off in these titles was issue choices. Like different video games, together with RPGs, these Pokémon video games allowed the person to make the battles simpler or extra difficult in the event that they’d like.
With out using mods and formally supported, these issue choices, particularly the more durable ones, had been immensely welcome for a collection typically criticized for its breezy nature. Bringing again issue choices and having them baked in from the second you begin the sport can be one option to present some like to the older followers and those that prefer to replay the story.
23. Rematch Cellphone Calls
A part of the problem with some Pokémon video games, particularly in latest generations, has been hold gamers . Positive, raid battles and the like are good, however what about rebattling NPC trainers you’ve already defeated? This was a mechanic manner again in Gen 2, and it’s excessive time for it to return.
The flexibility to name and even textual content random NPCs you meet all through the story and problem them to matches can be improbable. Seeing their Pokémon achieve ranges and evolve can be a enjoyable option to achieve XP in your personal Pokémon and get extra out of the standard storyline with out resorting to multiplayer or raids.
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22. Rideable Pokémon
The Let’s Go video games may need been problematic and never one of the best, however they did provide a number of intriguing mechanics, like using your Pokémon. The large Pokémon in these video games, like Charizard and Onix, had been so large that you’d journey them as a substitute of getting them observe you want smaller Pokémon.
This characteristic must return, particularly on condition that following Pokémon appears to be a everlasting characteristic now. Positive, Scarlet & Violet allow you to journey Pokémon like Miraidon, Koraidon, and Cyclizar, but it surely’s time to incorporate different extra big Pokémon concurrently.
21. Underground
The Underground in Gen 4 by no means returned exterior of the remakes for Nintendo Swap, and that could be a darn disgrace. The huge dungeon space was a gold mine (actually) for on-line gamers. The choice to run round and catch Pokémon not seen in the primary story whereas exploring an unlimited cavern with different gamers was a blessing.
The Underground is the precise postgame content material that the Pokémon collection is aiming for nowadays, so it’s disappointing that it hasn’t returned. With the ability to tackle raids on this space and create dwelling bases to hang around with your pals can be one option to lengthen a recreation’s playtime considerably.
20. Triple Battles
Single battles and double battles are staples within the Pokémon collection, with double battles by no means wanting like they’ll ever depart. That stated, triple battles had been a minor stint within the Pokémon collection that by no means returned. Having three Pokémon you possibly can command directly is wild however the type of chaos that deserves a second likelihood with the ability of contemporary consoles.
Plus, the return of triple battles may even see modes the place you possibly can deal with these notable fights with as much as two different gamers. We already see this in four-player raids, however that’s one-sided. Competing along with your two associates in opposition to one other group of three gamers on-line would add such an insane technique.
19. Safari Zone
It’s stunning how lengthy the Pokémon video games have gone with out the Safari Zone, given how ingrained it’s within the collection. Courting again to the primary video games, the Safari Zone represented the particular place you possibly can go to for Pokémon not seen wherever else. It’s truthfully bonkers that it hasn’t returned on this period of open-world Pokémon video games.
In spite of everything, the Safari Zone might be an space on the open world map that unlocks after beating the primary story, as an illustration. This might be the place you discover older Pokémon and even legendaries that weren’t accessible earlier than. It may even act as a particular space with distinctive Pokéballs or bug-catching contests so that you can interact in.
18. Shock Buying and selling Eggs
Shock buying and selling, marvel buying and selling, no matter you wish to name it, this mechanic is right here to remain as a gimmicky however enjoyable characteristic. With the ability to commerce with a random particular person on the earth and be stunned at what Pokémon you obtain is unbelievable. Nonetheless, one factor eliminated was the power to shock commerce eggs.
Positive, receiving an egg means you’ll must run round till it hatches, however this solely provides to the shock of what you’ll obtain. Plus, chances are high, you’ll obtain a greater Pokémon than the regional rodent or bug since most eggs might be leftovers from somebody breeding for shiny Pokémon. You may even find yourself with a shiny your self this manner.
17. Legendary Pokémon Occasions
Legendary Pokémon will perpetually be a part of the collection, however they don’t obtain the therapy they as soon as did. These days, they’re only a code you obtain and enter to get an on the spot reward. That is removed from the olden days when there have been whole aspect quests you would need to compete with and gadgets you’d must obtain to achieve the legendary.
It’s excessive time for legendary Pokémon to get the occasions they as soon as had, particularly if there’s a brand new anime film themed round it. As an alternative of simply displaying followers the story of that legendary Pokémon in a movie, let gamers reenact it within the video games themselves with a particular occasion that culminates in them receiving that legendary.
16. Shiny Overworld Pokémon
One other Let’s Go underrated characteristic was the power to see shiny Pokémon within the overworld. Positive, some video games since have allowed this, however not all of them ( you, Sword & Protect). This must be a continuing characteristic, not one that’s hit and miss relying on the video games that come out. Seeing a shiny overworld Pokémon and instantly realizing it’s one saves the time of getting to come across each single Pokémon you discover.
15. New Child Pokémon
Child Pokémon was one of many essential elements of the Gen 2 video games, providing child variations of already current Pokémon that you possibly can solely get by breeding and the like. It’s a disgrace that this by no means returned or grew to become a everlasting characteristic within the collection because it breathes new life into current Pokémon.
This wants to return again, and never just for older Pokémon. There might be totally new strains of Pokémon that revolve round this mechanic and require breeding to entry the infant variations. On the identical time, a number of the Pokémon in nice want of child variations, corresponding to Kangaskhan and Tropius, may benefit, too.
14. Sport Nook or Minigames
Within the early Pokémon video games, the Sport Nook was one option to lengthen your playtime with enjoyable minigames and the power to earn superb prizes like uncommon Pokémon and strikes. Whereas the controversy surrounding this gambling-centric mechanic is comprehensible, there are seemingly methods to avoid this.
Minigames are good methods of letting gamers get probably the most out of video games, so it’s time for this to return. For one, it doesn’t must happen in a transparent on line casino or Pachinko parlor-style place or contain controversial machines like slots. As an alternative, it may possibly have easy minigames and elective content material for gamers to work together with, resulting in improbable prizes.
13. Extremely Beasts
Although the Extremely Beasts are a sore topic for some, different Pokémon followers adore the creativity and uniqueness of those legendary creatures. Solar & Moon impressed with so many alternative new Pokémon so that you can catch after beating the primary story in a story that was enjoyable and fascinating.
Extremely Beasts are aliens from one other dimension, so it lets Sport Freak stretch its artistic muscular tissues and exhibit designs which are not like the rest within the collection. The creatures have been part of the video games, at the very least in lore and occasional point out, since Gen 7, so it’s excessive time for them to return with some new ones to catch.
12. Evolutions for Older Pokémon
Much like the infant Pokémon, there are evolutions that gamers can and may get for current Pokémon. Far too many single-stage and dual-stage Pokémon deserve an evolution however by no means received one. It’s about time that TPC makes this characteristic a everlasting one which occurs at the very least as soon as each single technology, if no more.
Some Pokémon that deserve evolution nowadays embody fan favorites like Pyukumuku and Mawile. Whereas we’re at it, the place are all the new Eeveelutions? Eevee hasn’t had a brand new evolution since Gen 6, and that was solely a single one then. It’s time for Sport Freak to step it up on this division, particularly because it reduces the variety of total new Pokémon it wants for a brand new technology.
11. All New Pokémon in a Era
Since Gen 5, gamers haven’t seen a set of video games that characteristic all-new Pokémon in the primary story. There was such a singular pleasure then and in Gen 3 when there have been nearly no older Pokémon till you accomplished the journey. For followers, this was the height of pleasure because it meant a brand new Pokémon round each nook.
It might be good to see this grow to be a everlasting characteristic the place all new video games featured solely new Pokémon till the postgame, otherwise you transferred them in your self. However that might require extra new Pokémon every technology, after all. There didn’t must be the yawn of seeing an outdated Pokémon you’ve seen one million occasions earlier than, plus it pressured gamers to flex their brains to determine methods round all-new Pokémon they didn’t know.
10. Rebattling Gymnasium Leaders
In the identical vein as rebattling NPCs, health club leaders are a vital a part of the primary story in a Pokémon recreation. Since Gen 3, gamers haven’t seen the choice to return to a health club and tackle the chief as soon as extra, however with modified groups and the like. And, no, options just like the event in Gen 8 don’t depend.
That is particularly vital as video games transfer extra into the open-world format with the power to problem leaders in no matter order they’re in, however they lack stage scaling. With the power to rebattle, you possibly can face off in opposition to an early chief with a way more important problem that really exams your ability.
9. Secret Bases
A part of touring the area is visiting new sights and sounds, however generally you want a well-recognized place to relaxation and name dwelling. Secret bases had been simply that, and it has been far too lengthy since they final appeared within the video games. They let you’ve got nice customization in your base to point out off to your pals on-line.
If secret bases return, it will be good to see them flip right into a full-on home that you possibly can customise from high to backside and spend time with your pals. Maybe you possibly can even flip it right into a pseudo-gym like earlier than and arrange NPCs in your associates to tackle earlier than confronting you as the ultimate boss.
8. Sequel Video games
Black 2 & White 2 shouldn’t be the one makes an attempt to make sequel Pokémon video games. With the period of DLC, the collection is now in; it nearly nips that concept within the bud for good. That’s a misstep, although, for the reason that Gen 5 sequels allowed gamers to revisit the Unova area and see it brand-newly.
There have been new eras, modified conditions, and follow-ups to the earlier storyline. Whereas DLC is welcome and may proceed, possibly it’s time for a brand new spin-off expertise to be the true sequel to each technology, very similar to what Pokémon Legends Arceus did for prequels.
7. A number of Evil Groups
The evil groups in Pokémon video games are nearly a joke at this level, nowhere close to the evil nature that they as soon as had. A part of this lies in the truth that they’re throwaway villains that usually distract from the true enemies within the area. One option to clear up this downside is to carry again a number of evil groups.
Scarlet & Violet had the potential to do that with doable previous and future-themed evil groups, however The Pokémon Firm missed that chance. Convey again version-exclusive villains that might come collectively in a possible third model or sequel recreation. This provides immense worth to replayability and shopping for the opposite Pokémon recreation from that technology whereas enhancing the general plot.
6. Legendary Evolution
It’s a disgrace that Cosmog and its evolution line stay the one legendary Pokémon evolution line in all the collection historical past. Even a Pokémon like Manaphy provides delivery to Phione eggs however doesn’t evolve from them. There may be a lot underlying potential in doing this methodology.
For one, there may even be some video games that characteristic you receiving the legendary child Pokémon close to the beginning of the sport and having it a part of your major group all the time, main as much as its story-based last evolution close to the tip of your journey. This may create a bond not like every other with the legendary field artwork Pokémon.
5. Breeding
Scarlet & Violet controversially removed probably the greatest and most important options in all the collection: breeding. Ever since Gen 2, each mainline recreation allowed for this crucial characteristic. Eliminating it was a mistake, and the substitute wasn’t definitely worth the elimination, both.
Breeding wants to return again sooner or later and by no means depart once more. Breeding is way too essential for shortly acquiring eggs to commerce with others and for shiny searching.
4. Battle Frontier
Probably the most excellent postgame content material of all time is the Battle Frontier. It was like having extra Pokémon gyms to go to, every with its distinctive gimmicks. There was no endgame content material like this ever since, and it’s time for that to alter. The Battle Frontier must make a comeback and within the grandest manner doable with the power to finish it with associates.
Have a Frontier facility that has to do with double battles? Let gamers group up with a good friend on-line to finish it.
3. Pokémon Contests
Pokémon Contests confirmed that battles didn’t must contain immediately attacking your opponents however may allow you to present your creative aspect with trend exhibits and dance sequences. Contests additionally felt like a full-on aspect mode to the health club chief problem gamers usually took on in the primary story.
Fleshing out Contests into its elective marketing campaign, full with many alternative occasion facilities in several cities and a storyline with rivals to compete in opposition to, can be a technique so as to add to the generally brief Pokémon principal tales.
2. Mega Evolution
This checklist wouldn’t be full with out mentioning the most well-liked and greatest battle gimmick to by no means return to the Pokémon collection: Mega Evolution. The flexibility for a brief final and even fourth-stage evolution freshened up older Pokémon that might by no means see an enhanced type of them.
The Pokémon neighborhood adores Mega Evolution for a motive, and it’s excessive time for it to make its long-awaited return with many new short-term evolutions for Pokémon. On the identical time, this return have to be for good with out ever leaving once more. There’s no motive the collection can’t embody new battle gimmicks for every technology and this one concurrently.
1. A number of Areas
The best twist in all the Pokémon collection was in Gen 2 when gamers had been allowed to go to the Kanto area after beating the Johto story. Nonetheless, to at the present time, no different technology options a couple of area in a single title. Not each recreation has to characteristic this, but it surely should come again at the very least as soon as extra.
The best option to pay homage to Gen 2 can be to characteristic a Pokémon recreation in Japan as soon as extra, corresponding to within the Okinawa prefecture. As a twist on the finish of the primary story, maybe gamers may go to Johto and have a pleasant callback to what the collection did so many generations earlier than.
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