The Pokemon series is best known for its mainline games. These take players to a new region and introduce countless new Pokemon to discover, catch, and battle with. But it also offers countless spin-off games. These include trading card games, fighting games, and other niche options. Through these creative spin-off experiments, The Pokemon Company has expanded the series and made it more appealing to wider audiences. Looking at the spin-offs released, it is plain to see that some worked while others did not. One title that combined two different genres was a major success and gathered a large following, but it has yet to receive a sequel despite its praise.
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The Nintendo DS saw one of the most unique Pokemon games ever made. It combined the iconic designs of Pokemon with tactical RPG combat. Merging the two led to the creation of Pokemon Conquest, a game that felt familiar to Pokemon and Fire Emblem fans and showcased how versatile Pokemon could be. But since its release in 2012, fans have not received anything like it, and it’s time that changed. The Nintendo Switch 2 would be the perfect home for a sequel or remake to Pokemon Conquest.
Strategy and Pokémon Are a Perfect Match
Pokemon, especially competitive Pokemon, is one of the most strategic games of all time. The mainline games are prime examples of this, but Pokemon Conquest took things even further. While the mainline series revolved around tense 1v1 battles, this spin-off took battles to an open grid containing multiple combatants. Players controlled multiple Pokemon at once and had to maneuver them strategically. Terrain, positioning, and team synergy were more important than ever. Players couldn’t rely on a single sweeper cleaning up the enemy team anymore, instead having to account for spatial control and unit placement.
For fans of Fire Emblem or Advance Wars, the transition and combination were seamless. And for Pokemon fans, the accessibility of Pokemon Conquest made it inviting to newcomers to the strategy genre. It balanced tactical depth with approachability. The tutorial introduced the gameplay mechanics and stakes, slowly easing players into the game. It encouraged experimentation, rewarding clever positioning and long-term planning rather than brute forcing through encounters. Weaker Pokemon could shine through smart plays and overtake more powerful foes.
Furthermore, the story intertwines that of Nobunaga’s Ambition, adding another layer of intrigue with historic elements. It wove these feudal Japanese aesthetics into its warlords and paired them with Pokemon. This combination sounds strange on paper, but it worked. It deviated from the usual Pokemon Gyms and Elite Four while raising the stakes.
Nintendo’s Spin-off Experimentation Is Long Overdue
One of the defining strengths of the Pokemon franchise is its willingness to experiment. From pinball to puzzle games, Pokemon has changed up its gameplay time and time again. Pokemon Conquest marks a major entry into the strategy genre, just as Pokemon Legends: Z-A heads into real-time combat. But lately, The Pokemon Company has seemingly dropped its willingness to take risks through experimental genre mashups.
This retreat to safe projects feels disheartening, especially considering the state Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet launched in. One would expect focusing on the mainline games and well-used mechanics would fine-tune development. Instead, the latest mainline game launched with bugs and performance issues.
It’s time for The Pokemon Company to take big swings again. The Pokemon franchise is successful enough that even if such an experiment failed, it wouldn’t be a noticeable drop in revenue. Not only that, but titles like Pokemon Champions and the upcoming Generation 10 games can satisfy those who just want mainline games or the classic battling. Now is the time for a new Pokemon spin-off, and a follow-up to Pokemon Conquest is a great choice.
What a Modern Pokémon Conquest Sequel Could Deliver
The Nintendo Switch 2 would be the perfect home for Pokemon Conquest. The Fire Emblem series has swelled in popularity thanks to Fire Emblem Awakening and Fire Emblem: Three Houses. Nintendo and The Pokemon Company could capitalize on this growing fan base by combining the series’ strategic gameplay with Pokemon. A sequel to Pokemon Conquest could take the foundations of Fire Emblem and Pokemon and create an incredible strategy game.
Dynamic 3D battlefields with elevation, cover, differing terrain, and weather patterns could shape every encounter. These make each battle fresh and force players to adapt their strategies to the environment. A sequel could also increase the available Pokemon, further adding depth to battles. Gimmicks like Mega Evolution or Terrastalization could be implemented as well.
The Pokemon Company could further dive into the narrative, too. Pokemon Conquest combined Pokemon mythos with historical elements, and a sequel could further explore loyalty, betrayal, and a war with Pokemon sidekicks. The Fire Emblem series is the perfect example to look at, especially Three Houses’ branching story.
Lastly, a sequel could expand on a feature from the original: multiplayer. This could extend to both a co-op campaign and online battling. Ranked ladders and casual playlists could appeal to both types of players and explore the strategic depth of Pokemon Conquest’s gameplay. With this, it could not only be a novelty among Pokemon spin-offs, but a serious contender within the strategy RPG genre.
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Image Courtesy of Ufotable
