Some quick background as to where I stand on Pokemon spinoffs. I’ve never been one to dive into the mainline games, and frankly I believe I’m better off for that given TPC’s recent business practices. So it was to the spinoffs where I would seek my Pokemon fix and I think I’ve gotten a few bangers under my belt.
My first real foray into the world of Pokemon spinoffs was the Pokemon TCG game for Game Boy Color. It’s basically like the core games, but with deckbuilding and a crapton more RNG to contend with. Thankfully since I was playing this via the 3DS Virtual Console, I could save scum until I got the results I wanted. And while I have yall here, you got less than 3 months to buy this game before the 3DS eShop shuts down, so if you’re interested at all then go add some funds and get on that.
My second (and only other) spinoff experience was New Pokemon Snap for the Switch. This was apparently something that fans have been wanting now for over 20 years, and based on the reception it appears to have delivered on that front. More Pokemon, more replayability, more online features, and even more content via a random post-launch update a few months later. Not much else to say other than it’s more Pokemon Snap. I played using gyro controls because gyro aiming is pretty much essential for me on controllers and I had a fun cozy time.
My next (and probably last, at least for a while) spinoff venture will be [Pokemon Conquest](https://youtu.be/SaG5c-hZNBU), a tactical RPG for the DS that also serves as a crossover with Koei Tecmo’s longrunning TRPG series Nobunaga’s Ambition. I mainly bought it because I enjoy turn based strategy games, but I also looked at some top 10 lists and most if not all of them called Conquest the best Pokemon spinoff ever made. That’s pretty damn impressive given it didn’t sell all that well due to poor timing, launching in 2012 right in the middle of the Black and White 2 prelaunch hype cycle. RIP.
by Asad_Farooqui
37 Comments
Pokemon Legends: Celebi
Personally I prefer for Gamefreak to fix Scarlet/Violet and release the DLC then release anything new
Pokemon spin-offs aren’t what they used to be. They peaked along with the rest of the series on the DS. With the state of the games lately I don’t really know what I want out of it. An improvement, mostly.
Pokemon Dating Sim
A game that is not rushed but is built with passion
I would like another Pokémon Pinball game. Perfect for short playtimes when I’m waiting for something or visiting the bathroom.
A new Pokémon Conquest
Spin-offs have mostly been mobile gacha games since the switch came out. The best recent one was just a remake of the first mystery dungeon. I wouldn’t hold my breath.
2D tag fighting game in the style of MvC2. The twist is that specials and assists have type charts, adding an extra layer to teambuilding. Maybe also add hold items with passive effects.
Basically I’m asking for a game that’s the exact opposite of Pokken.
I pretty much already got my dream spin-off when they made another Pokemon Snap, and as much as I’d like another game like Colosseum or Gale of Darkness, Genius Sonority doesn’t seem to be what they used to, so it feels like it’d be pushing my luck to ask for that after dodging the potential monkey’s paw that New Pokemon Snap could have been.
I’m gonna go with a new Puzzle League because it’s hard to fuck that up and it’s probably the only way we get any new Panel de Pon-related content at this point.
More Tingle spin-offs! Severely underrated and a lovely side of the LOZ series
Pokémon Stadium 3.
A 3D battling game with graphics that are actually decent for Switch (And the Pokémon don’t dissapear or clip under the floor). It has the whole National Pokédex and it’s compatible with every mechanic introduced in the series (Megas, Z-Moves, Dynamax, whatever the Crystal thing is called), basically it becomes a place where all Pokémon can reunite and battle without restrictions.
Having Stadium mode, Gym Leader Castle, something similar to the Pokémon World Tournament from BW2, and of course, Mini Games, would give it plenty of longevity.
The ones that get r/pokemon and r/nintendo to go into full blown riot mode.
I don’t really care about the mainline Pokemon games as they’ve never really interested me, but I loved Pokken Tournament/DX because of how great the animations were and how much personality each Pokemon conveyed in-game.
So I’d say give me another Pokken game–or some kind of Pokemon fighter in which the battles can happen in real time.
I’d love another Ranger game, though I don’t know how likely that’d be on the Switch.
I was unironically looking forward to Pokémon Sleep, but it feels like that one’s been quietly shelved.
Colosseum remake would be cool or a new mystery dungeon game with some updated mechanics
A new pokken
I’d vote for ports of games like FireRed and HeartGold. Would also love an announcement for a continuation of Legends
Another Mystery Dungeon!
Pokemon moba has gone over well. Why not follow up with Pokemon auto chess? I will also accept Pokemon Vampire Survivors.
I’m hoping for Conquest 2 or Stadium 3
Pokemon Puzzle League 99
Remake or new mystery dungeon game
Pokemon 2: electric piikachuu
Let’s Go Johto is something I’ve been wanting for the past 4 years. I think it’s easy money for them, and would fill the yearly release.
POKÉMON RANGER
I’d love another game like Conquest or a new pinball game.
Pokémon Pikachu 3
I want a new pokemon pinball.
Explorers of the sky port, or new mystery dungeon
What id love to see is a return of stadium titles, now with no nat dex, gimmick swaps, a heavier desire for competitive play, lack of battle towers it would be nice to see the return of the pure battle sim titles so mons can have a place to be used outside of home. I know it sounds unrealistic knowing the way game freak and the pokemon company are but a man can dream.
None. Pokemon is becoming WAY too oversaturated.
Pokepark 3 and the pokemon X fire emblem that pokemon conquest was originally supposed to be
For me i would like a remake of Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky and a new Pokemon TCG.
Maybe too much to ask for a spinoff, but another legends game would be great. The best spinoff I’ve seen in a long time.
Next would be another let’s go. Probably johto. I know it was controversial, but I think it’s limited scope allowed it to do it well, rather than many other Pokémon games with larger scopes executed poorly.
Lastly I’d absolutely love to see a dedicated battle game. Like stadium. Integrate it with home and have it purely for battling.
As a side note, I played and enjoyed conquest. Snap was also great. Kind of hard to guess what other genre may suit Pokémon well, but these two show that some odd balls can fit well too.
Personally, I want a new Pokepark game, or a new Pokemon Mystery Dungeon game. Just something that lets me play as a pokemon.
An idea I had involved a new story for pokemon where Giratina, Darkrai, Marshadow and others joined forces to enshroud the pokemon world in darkness. You play as any of your favorite starters and learn strong moves to defeat them and stop them from carrying out their plot. It would have the gameplay of Pokepark, where you could travel the world freely, but have the story writing of Pokemon Mystery Dungeon.
In terms of strictly spin-offs – Mystery Dungeon would be cool, or a rebirth of the Shadow games.