Switch It Up
At E3 2017, Nintendo teased a new Pokemon game for the Switch. Instead of the rumored Pokemon Stars, which was thought to be an enhanced version of the 3DS games Sun and Moon, Game Freak’s untitled Switch Pokemon game is a new, “core RPG.” We know very little about the game, so we started dreaming up all the things that could make a Switch-exclusive Pokemon game extra special.
2016’s Sun and Moon–and last year’s updated versions, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon–added a few of the quality-of-life features that will most likely return in the next Pokemon game. New and improved tools for high-level training, like being able to see a Pokemon’s IVs at a glance, were a boon for competitive players, as was the reintroduction of Move Tutors in the Ultras. Alola also saw the introduction of regional variants of existing Pokemon, which is probably here to stay as well.
So what’s left to improve? We had quite a few ideas. Click forward to see nine things we want to see from Pokemon on Switch, and let us know in the comments what else you’re hoping to see!
Way Less Hand-Holding
Recent Pokemon games have been regarded as, well, a bit easy. Pokemon is for everyone, but that doesn’t mean the games should painstakingly explain the basics of catching and training Pokemon for the first two hours, either. Learning how to play Pokemon is easy, but mastering it is hard, and that’s a big part of why it’s so rewarding to build a successful team–so the next Pokemon game should actually make that a challenge again.
A Bigger, Better World To Explore
Gen 2 (Gold, Silver, and Crystal) is the best Pokemon generation of all time, in part because you got to take on all of Kanto after conquering Johto. It was like having a bonus Pokemon game after you finished your Pokemon game. That same principle could extend to Pokemon on Switch–with more power than the 3DS, the world could be so much bigger and more alive. And what’s Pokemon without the adventure part?
More RPG Elements
Pokemon has the stats and complex party-building mechanics present in a lot of RPGs, but it could go even further. There are already trainer classes, like Youngsters and Fishermen, so why not make them work more like traditional RPG classes? Imagine choosing the Breeder class and getting Egg-hatching bonuses or becoming an Ace Trainer so you can be more of a jack of all trades.
Add an MMO-Style Online Component
Pokemon has mainly been the domain of handhelds, and although the Switch is portable, it’s also a proper home console (with the promise of an online service). So if the Switch Pokemon game has a bigger, better world and a few more RPG-style details, it’s not a stretch to hope for even more of a living RPG world when you connect online. There would probably be parental controls and safety limitations, since this is Nintendo, but if Game Freak brought back Secret Bases and made online connectivity a little more immediate, we would be pretty stoked.
Bring Back Ride Pokemon
The death of HMs was one of Sun and Moon’s greatest gifts to Pokemon, which means Ride Pokemon shouldn’t go away any time soon. You should never again keep a Linoone (a very good HM Pokemon, for the record) or anything else you don’t really want to train in your party just because it can move boulders for you.
Your Pokemon Should Follow You, Dang It
This is probably the most frequently requested Pokemon feature ever. It hasn’t been a thing since HeartGold and SoulSilver, and assuming the 3D (and graphics in general) would be a lot better on Switch, walking Pokemon would be a great way to show that off. Imagine a Rowlet hopping around or a Growlithe digging at the dirt when you stand in one place too long!
Improve the Post-Game
This goes hand-in-hand with a few other things on our wishlist, but seriously–in Sun and Moon, there really wasn’t much to do after beating the game unless you play the competitive meta or want to catch lots of legendaries. Adding a significant late-game area to explore, bringing back Pokemon Contests, and adding mini-games would all go a long way toward improving the post-game experience for all kind of players. Also, Pokemon on Switch should definitely bring back the ability to call trainers you’ve battled for a rematch at any time.
Pokemon Bank Compatibility
This is a no-brainer. Pokemon on Switch has to work with Pokemon Bank, since there wouldn’t be any other way to trade up the Pokemon from your previous games. Plus, bringing your favorite Pokemon onto the Switch could be a lot like when you uploaded your Pokemon from Red and Blue into Pokemon Stadium–there’s your favorite Charizard, but on a bigger screen.
Pokemon Amie/Refresh With the Joy-Cons
Pokemon Amie (from ORAS) and Refresh (from Sun and Moon) are both very charming, simple additions that make anyone who wants to use them feel closer to their Pokemon. A version on Switch could incorporate either the touchscreen or the Joy-Cons if that’s your jam, and it would be ridiculously cute.