Ever since it’s launch in March of 2017, the Nintendo Switch, have become a must have for gamers of all ages. While the Switch has a limited library of games compared to either the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One, it’s first party games coupled with the console being portable has translated into ten million units worldwide in under a year.Now while I have enjoyed Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and the multi-game of the year award winning The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild there is one Nintendo series I have been extremely excited about experiencing on the Switch and that is Pokémon.
Since the announcement at E3 2017 by Nintendo that the mainline Pokémon games would be making their home console debut on the Switch, there has been speculation as to what a console version of Pokémon would be like.
So for this week’s addition of The List, I am going to go through the top five features I would like to see in Pokémon on Nintendo Switch.
1. All Seven Generations
Since the Switch game is going to be the first time the RPG style Pokémon games are coming to home consoles, I think it is important that Nintendo go big.
One game with no alternative versions, with all 800 plus Pokémon across all seven generations, mega evolutions, legendaries and mythical Pokémon included.
Imagine the possibilities for your six Pokémon team when you literally have ever Pokémon in the history of the series to choose from.
2. Multiple Regions
On top of having every Pokémon for gamers to catch, train and collect, I would love to see more than one region for players to explore.
While Heart Gold/Soul Silver and Fire Red/Leaf Green had multiple regions to explore once the player completes the game’s main story, what I am suggesting goes further.
A main story that takes players across the world of Pokémon that encourages the players to make multiple battle teams, battle the Elite Four in each region all culminating in a World Championship for players to claim.
3. Expanded Breeding
Fans of the Pokémon series will no doubt be familiar with series breeding mechanic. Catching Pokémon with the desire natured, special ability and IV’s. Leaving them in Day Care centre of whatever region you are in. Collecting your egg sometime later and then hatching them by walking around.
This breeding mechanic is sorely in need of expansion. Ability to breed more than one Pokémon couple at once. Incubation of multiple eggs at once. And maybe even a more robust breeding tutorial.
4. Pokémon Bank Support
One of my favourite features of the 3DS era Pokémon games is the Pokémon Bank. Pokémon Bank enables players to transfer their Pokémon across each of the 3DS era games and use Pokémon that players have breed in newer Pokémon games.
Imagine being able to import your favourite Pokémon from Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire, X/Y, Sun/Moon and Ultra Sun/Moon in the new Switch Pokémon game. It is an exciting prospect.
5. Adjustable Difficulty
The final thing I’d love to see in the upcoming Switch Pokémon game, is one of the most requested features in the mainline Pokémon series. The ability to adjust the game’s difficulty.
Now I am well aware that the Pokémon series has a child friendly difficulty curve on purpose. But given the wide age bracket of the series fans as a whole, I think we are long overdue an additional difficulty setting.
Nintendo could even go one set further and make the popular fan created Nuzlocke challenge an official mode in a mainline Pokémon game.
