The latest in a long line of Pokémon spin-offs, New Pokémon Snap released earlier this year to solid reviews and a warm reception from the Pokémon community. And while New Pokémon Snap is a solid experience for anyone looking for their Pokémon fix, there is still room for so much more, which is why Pokémon fans need even more spin-off games.
That's not to say that Pokémon hasn't had a good amount of spin-off titles already. From Pokémon Snap to Pokémon: Mystery Dungeon to Pokémon Ranger, the Pokémon name has been used in all sorts of different games over the years, but it's still not enough. The Pokémon brand has always been extremely popular, but it's bigger than ever these days, and that should be capitalized on with as many different video games as possible.
The latest installments in the mainline series, Pokémon Sword & Shield sold as well as could have been expected, becoming the first games in the series since Pokémon Gold & Silver to surpass 20 million in sales. While it's unfair to expect the spin-off games to match the main series, New Pokémon Snap is also off to a blazing start with its sales numbers, despite many considering it to have limited appeal. And of course there's still Pokémon GO, which despite not having the same mainstream popularity as it once did, still maintains a very large and dedicated player base.
The Pokémon series was also practically built for a multitude of spin-off titles. Due to its huge roster of adorable creatures, its competitive community, and its general accessibility, the vast amount of different games the Pokémon universe is capable of introducing is staggering. For example, a key component of the mainline games has been breeding and the Pokémon Daycare- an aspect that is simply begging for its own title. A Pokémon Daycare game in the vein of something like Nintendogs would probably sell exceedingly well. The game could support all sorts of cute interactions to appease the casual crowd, while also providing competitive games.
The Pokémon universe is ripe for another foray into the world of fighting video games. Pokken Tournament might have flown under the radar a bit, but it was still generally well-received. The idea of a Super Smash Bros.-style 2D fighter consisting of only Pokémon should appeal to a lot of people throughout the fandom. Some of the more beloved Pokémon spin-offs were the Pokémon Stadium games, and a large part of that was due to the mini-games that both games incorporated. The games weren't perfect, and many of them were far too simple, but the novelty of being able to partake in Pokémon-centric mini-games with friends was always a delight. That concept could be taken a step further and turned into something in the vein of Mario Party. A Pokémon Party, for instance, that allows friends to compete in a much larger collection of games all to the backdrop of some sort of board game.
Pokémon is a huge brand, and it's only getting bigger with each passing year. Fans have been fortunate to receive a good amount of quality spin-off titles over the years already. However, with such a hugely popular and versatile brand, there's always room for more.
https://ift.tt/3wcGG6s
June 10, 2021 at 12:04AM
