ThePokémonfranchise has had numerous spin-off games that have featured on various consoles over the decades. Each one stands out in their own way mainly due to the gameplay, taking the core concept of the mainlinePokémongames and turning it on its head. With the Switch 2 and Generation 10 currently on the horizon, there aretwo spin-off titles that futurePokémongames can learn fromif they want to be incredibly memorable.
Pokémon ColosseumandPokémon XD: Gale Of Darknessare two games that were released on the GameCube back in the early 2000s. These two games mainly stand out due to their interesting stories, how much there was to explore, and especially how they altered the typicalPokémonbattle mechanics. All of these combine to create immenselyfun and challenging experiences for playersthat future Pokémon games should definitely learn from.
Pokémon Colosseum & XD Were Great Console Entries
Intriguing New Protagonists And 3D Environments
At the time ofColosseum’s andGale Of Darkness' releases, there was a lot that made them unique, and their environments are an immediate standout. These games allow players to explorePokémon’s previously unknown Orre region,traveling through massive deserts, cities, and even a volcanic island in a 3D environment, spending time not only battling and catching Pokémon, but also solving various puzzles during exploration segments. With how much thePokémongames encourage exploration, they should continue to provide players with intriguing new locations with a lot of worldbuilding and discoveries to keep them coming back.
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On top of this, the games' protagonists were also unique, allowing players to experiencethe role of someone other than a typical Pokémon trainerthat is starting out their journey to become their region’s champion. Between the two games, Wes fromPokémon Colosseumstands out the most, as he is actually a former member of the game’s evil team, Team Snagem. This immediately makes him leagues more interesting than many of the other protagonists in the franchise, and futurePokémongames should consider giving more of their protagonists some engaging backstories to potentially add to their intrigue.
New Challenges That Test Players' Skills
Although bothColosseumandGale Of Darknessfeatured battles that were mechanically very similar to the mainline games,they had numerous ways to provide players with more of a challenge. Both games have a primary focus on double battles, which require facing two Pokémon at once, adding an extra layer of complexity that is absent from single battles. This means that players constantly have to account for fighting multiple opponents at once, thereby requiring them to figure out how to utilize both carefully thought-out strategies alongside their individual Pokemon’s strengths to win.
On top of this, these two games also introduced the concept of Shadow Pokémon.These corrupted versions of Pokémon are a major threat to the player, especially since Shadow moves are super effective against any non-Shadow Pokémon, regardless of their typing. This unique spin onPokémonbattles provides players with an interesting challenge by introducing a brand-new type to challenge their previous knowledge ofPokémon, providing an experience that is both fun and more difficult without the need for extra items or flashy spectacles.
Pokémon Needs To Bring Back Actual Evil Teams
These Games Need More Teams That Are Actually Threatening
One of the biggest complaints that many have stated about the recentPokémongames on the Switch concerns thelack of iconic evil teams. Although enemy teams likeSword and Shield’s Team Yell andScarlet and Violet’s Team Stardo exist,they are not that evil compared to Team Rocket, Plasma, or Galactic. If futurePokémontitles on the Switch 2 want to recapture the terrifying threat that many previous evil teams posed towards the player, then they should learn from how threateningColosseumandXD’s Team Snagem and Cipher were, who utilized terrifying Shadow Pokémon and stole Pokémon from other trainers.
Overall, future additions to this iconic monster-catching franchise have a lot to learn before they can be released on the Switch 2. By adding more challenging battle mechanics, unique environments to explore, and bringing back enemies that are truly threatening, many players will find something they can enjoy. Ultimately, bothColosseumandXD Gale Of Darknessare two titles in thePokémonfranchise that should be referred to more when figuring out how to make a great new game.
