Pokken Tournament and its enhanced version, Pokken Tournament DX, were surprisingly fun games from Bandai Namco and The Pokemon Company. What started as an arcade game in Japan launched into one of the most interesting fighting games on the Wii U and Nintendo Switch. It soon earned a dedicated following, but ultimately failed to achieve mainstream success, which is a shame. Pokken Tournament proved the franchise’s ability to exist outside of the mainline games like no other before it. Pokemon is incredibly versatile and managed to break out in a niche genre. Ten years after Pokken Tournament’s release, we need a Pokémon fighting game more than ever.
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Fighting games have grown in popularity considerably since Pokken Tournament was first released. Street Fighter 6 has brought more attention to the genre thanks to its gameplay and Modern Controls. Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls saw a huge turnout for its first closed beta. Nintendo needs to capitalize on this fire and give fans another Pokemon fighting game.
Pokkén Tournament DX: A Hidden Gem
Pokken Tournament was a dream come true for fans wondering what Pokemon battles would look like in real time. 3D movement and cinematic attacks brought something that was only seen in anime for years. Players could pilot Charizard and battle against Lucario and more in real-time battle. They didn’t just issue commands to their Pokemon, they controlled every movement and launched every combo. Its roster also didn’t just focus on fan favorites, but included niche Pokemon like Chandelure and Croagunk.
What’s more, the gameplay was surprisingly deep. It wasn’t just button-mashing, but it contained so many intricate systems. Phase-shifting was the biggest, blending 3D and 2D fighters into one as players alternated between field-based movement and close-quarters combat. It also expanded Pokemon beyond their stats, giving them personality. Gengar’s mischievous mid-battle grins and Suicune’s elegant poise brought each Pokemon to life like never before.
But despite its promise and cult-following, Pokken Tournament never received the long-term support it needed. While it did receive some updates and DLC, these weren’t enough to propel it into the ranks of other great fighters. The Pokemon Company seemed fine to let it fade once the initial support had passed. With the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, now is the time for a Pokken Tournament resurgence.
Pokémon Works Beyond RPGs
Pokémon’s greatest strength isn’t its roster of iconic Pokémon, but rather how versatile the franchise is. Games like Pokemon Puzzle League, Pokemon Snap, and Pokemon Go tap into different aspects of the series, but adapting it into a fighting game is something most fans would not see coming. Like those before, Pokken Tournament bent the rules to fit into a new genre without sacrificing the charm of Pokemon.
Pokemon battling has also been framed as a duel. One-on-one contests of strategy, timing, and reading your opponents. This translates into a fighting game so easily that it’s a wonder Nintendo never created something like Pokken Tournament before. Partnering with Bandai Namco brought this concept to life in the best way possible, translating the feeling of a Pokemon battle into a flashy and attention-grabbing spectacle.
Additionally, the roster poster is unmatched. With over 1,000 Pokemon to choose from, a new Pokken Tournament has so many choices. It could go a traditional fighter style with a Pokemon like Hitmonchan using real-life boxing techniques. An aerial Pokemon like Minior could be fast and agile, using its body in an unorthodox method. Or, Garbador could be an interesting take on a zoner or trapper that just trash on the ground throughout a match. Pokken Tournament represents a creative outlet where the franchise could showcase how diverse Pokemon are.
Smash and A Pokemon Fighter Can Coexist
One counterargument to Pokken Tournament is the existence of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Nintendo’s premier fighting game, and it’s a fair point. Smash already features several Pokemon in its roster and also has numerous other iconic characters. But Nintendo has shared its view that Smash is a party game, not a fighting game. And even if it was, there is room for more, as ARMS proved several fighting games can coexist.
The answer lies in focused design. Whereas Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a celebration of gaming history and features different mechanics, Pokken Tournament is built around a single identity and mechanic, phase shifting. Players don’t have to worry about percentages, character-specific gimmicks, or knocking their opponent off stage. All they have to do is believe in their Pokemon and master the skills and combos available to them.
Pokken Tournament is a dedicated fighter set in a single franchise. It and Smash are the same as comparing Mario Kart and F-Zero. Both are fighting games, but are rooted in different aspects of this. A new game could easily have breathing room alongside Super Smash Bros. Ultimate or even a sequel to this legendary game. Smash represents the chaotic party game that fans love, while a new Pokemon fighting game could be a real venture into competitive fighters for Nintendo, if only it seizes the chance.
The absence since Pokken Tournament DX needs to be filled. With how the fighting game landscape and community have grown and a huge audience of Pokemon, it would be a major hit for the Nintendo Switch 2. Players still organize unofficial tournaments for this game, and a new entry would bolster the player base and give it a more mainstream appeal. Plus, it provides more opportunities for fan favorites and niche Pokemon to get more time in the spotlight.
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