5 Changes Needed for Future Pokemon Games

I bought Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu awhile back and it was pretty fun. Pikachu was super adorable and the nostalgia value of the Kanto region was pretty high. Then Smash Bros Ultimate came out and Smash became the only game that I played. But once I had beaten the adventure mode in Smash, the single-player experience was less all-consuming. I still spend plenty of time in single-player Smash, but I also added other games that were focused on single-player gameplay. I’ve done plenty of Fire Emblem and I also am halfway through my revisit of the original Paper Mario.

The amazing thing is that I didn’t actually beat Let’s Go. I was about six badges in before Smash came out and I haven’t touched the game since. And I have very little inclination to do so. I think that’s because Pokemon has gotten pretty stale for me. The battling in Let’s Go was just… kinda boring. I don’t know. There’s only so much of the rock-paper-scissors style gameplay that you can get without it losing its shine. But I still love the Pokemon Franchise, so you figure there’s got to be a few different ways that you can spice it up, right? So here’s five ideas that could really enhance future Pokemon games and maybe make veterans a bit more interested in what it has to offer.

#1- A Difficulty Setting

My goodness does Pokemon need this. Could you imagine if, when you first started your Pokemon journey, you had the option to choose between an Easy, Normal, Hard, and Lunatic difficulty? Easy would be for all the kids out there that don’t quite know how to play Pokemon. Features like noting when moves would be super effective or not would be included. Battles would just be easier. Normal would be the experience that we’re all used to.

Hard mode would be where the fun started. It would take away the ability to change Pokemon when your opponent sends out a new Pokemon. Money would be a bit more scare and Pokemon Centers would actually cost some to use. Every trainer would have a bit more of a diverse Pokemon pool and be a bit higher leveled. Basically, I’m thinking of an experience where you’d expect a Pokemon to faint every battle or two. Once you’ve beaten the game on Hard mode, you’d unlock Lunatic mode.

Lunatic mode would be for those out there that love a stupid challenge, like me. First, trading would be turned off until after you’ve beaten the game. Maybe some in-game trades for the likes of Gengar or Alakazam, but that’s it. Second, experience would be turned down considerably, if not entirely, via wild Pokemon. Pokemon Centers wouldn’t exist, you’d have to constantly buy necessary items for healing and PP. Money would be limited. Every trainer would have incredibly diverse Pokemon.

Essentially, the Elite Four and champion would be ridiculous to fight and would cost you a lot of money. Even the gym leaders would always be a challenge because you wouldn’t be able to grind really, outside of the other trainers. And because of the diverse pool of Pokemon, you’d need a diverse team, not just one strong Pokemon. To top it all off, if you beat the game on this mode, you’d get a shiny Pokemon with Perfect IVs of your choice. No legendaries, of course, but a relatively large pool of Pokemon to try it with.

To tie in with this entry, let me also mention another needed feature…

#2- Save Slots

In order for the previous idea to work (and for some of the later ones), we really need save slots. I’m thinking two or three. Nothing huge. Just enough to have your main game and have your side game that you’re working on. That would make the prospect of getting a shiny Pokemon at the end of your long journey that much better for replay value. You can try it again for a different shiny!

Likewise, if you want to have a Nuzlocke run or whatever you don’t have to waster you one save slot or use older games (or use your other version copy for those who do such things). No, you can just use your spare save slot. Seriously, any concept of unfairness concerning trading went out the window due to the internet and the online box system. Anybody can trade whatever team they want in regardless of save slots. People just have restraint. This way, however, if I want to do something weird with my starting Pokemon off the bat, I can without getting in the way of my main game.

#3- Better Rivals

Gamefreak, hear me out on this one. I know that you’re trying to keep everything very family friendly. I know having a jerk character like Blue isn’t exactly what you want kids to experience. But, seriously, we need a rival that actually motivates us. Some nice kid from across the street is barely more motivating than Youngster Joey. Blue (and Silver), on the other hand, were incredibly motivating. Blue was a jerk and we just wanted to surpass him. When Blue was the champion before us, it made earning the champion position all the more satisfying.

Furthermore, make us lose some battles to them. I suppose “make” isn’t the right word. Allow losing to be a genuine possibility, especially early on, and let that loss stand rather than having us replay the battle until we win. I should be motivated by my rival, not amused by him. For family friendliness, give him a character arc like Silver’s. Have him slowly learn to not be a jerk. That way everyone’s happy.

#4- Mix Up  the Starter Selection

Rather than giving us the standard three Pokemon for starters, why not mix it up a bit? I’m not saying that we shouldn’t have a water, fire, and grass type. But why not let us choose from all the starters of any game ever? Now the choice would actually be hard. I’d even go as far to say that if you let us choose three starters of the twenty-one regular starters, I’d actually be very happy.

All of a sudden, I have a huge decision in front of me (especially on the higher difficulty settings). Do I want my favorite Pokemon or do I want one of each type? What’s the best type coverage that I could get? For the record, I’d probably choose Blastoise, Torchic, and Rowlett. But then again, if I was playing a second run through, I’d choose different Pokemon. Even if I only got to choose one of the twenty-one, I’d be much happier and it’d give a ton of diversity to the playthroughs.

#5- Make a Cooperative Mode

Yes, Pokemon Let’s Go had a pseudo cooperative mode. Another player could drop in a make catching Pokemon and battling much easier. Basically it was a mode that let parents help their kids out. It sucked.

Instead, give us what cooperative players want- a challenge. Give us consistent 2v2 Pokemon battles and challenges that make the players feel accomplished when all is said and done. Reward their cooperation and team work. Make them feel like they’re going on a journey together.

Could you imagine if the Lunatic mode was paired with the ability to take it on with a friend? That’s gaming gold, I tell you. Further, cooperative experiences are made best by when the other player feels integral, not just a convenience. Mix it up occasionally by forcing the players to take opposite sides of the dungeon in search of a two sides of a missing artifact. Make them fight Red and Blue together. Whatever you do, make it rewarding. There was nothing quite like taking on the battle subway with a buddy. Give me a whole story of that.

Conclusion

Well, those are my ideas. What did you guys think? Do you think you’d be more interesting in playing a Pokemon game if it utilized those mechanics? Or do you guys have some better ideas? Let me know.

Also, for fun, shoot me a message or comment with which three starter Pokemon you would choose.

Thanks for reading. Soli Deo Gloria.