Pokémon Creators Set to Break 30-Year Tradition
It looks like the Pokémon series might be gearing up for some significant changes. In a recent discussion between the battle director and the game director, it was revealed that one of the main motivations behind the release of the latest game was to maintain a space for the classic turn-based battles. This hints that even the core titles could eventually move away from this traditional format.
In a translated statement shared on social media, the game director mentioned, “One major reason for the new game is that the battle rules we’ve relied on for so long may start to evolve as the series progresses. There are players who have been with us since the early days, so simply saying ‘battles have changed, now play the new one’ didn’t feel right.”
In recent years, Game Freak has taken a different route with the spin-off Legends titles, where players engage in real-time combat, choosing attacks that then go on cooldown. While these games represent a notable shift, the mainline Pokémon games have continued to stick with the classic turn-based system, the latest being 2022’s Scarlet and Violet.
The upcoming installments, Winds and Waves, have yet to be officially confirmed as turn-based or real-time, but leaks suggest they will maintain the turn-based format. However, significant changes are expected, incorporating elements from the Legends games. Reports indicate that battles may allow for team changes mid-fight, with new opponents joining the battle. One leaked image even shows a trainer facing off against nine Charizards. Additionally, over 300 new Pokémon are rumored to be introduced, nearly doubling the previous record for the series.
Game Freak’s recent release, Pokémon Champions, received a mixed response upon its launch. This PvP battle simulator allows players to create teams and compete online. Initially, the competitive community was skeptical due to the limited Pokémon roster, but many have since recognized its value as a solid entry point into competitive play, as it encourages players to build new teams distinct from the Scarlet and Violet meta. The game’s monetization model is also relatively player-friendly for a free-to-play title, making it easier to earn the in-game currency needed for team development.
Despite the ongoing commitment to turn-based battles in the mainline series for now, Iwao’s comments may resonate with fans who cherish this style but prefer to avoid the intense competition against players using powerful Pokémon like Charizard Y. While the RPG will continue to feature turn-based battles, they are expected to evolve in how they play out.
