Word broke of another new Pokémon game, due in Japan later this year. Since this one is confirmed to a new game (not a remake), it appears that the fifth generation will soon be beginning earnest. Feverish speculation has already begun on all the major forums and websites, with wishes ranging from “I want a Mawile evolution!” to “Please let them do something different with the story for a change.”
A few fans have expressed surprise that a new entry is arriving so soon, but really, it’s arriving right on time. Pokémon has been on a 3-4 year cycle since the original was released in Japan back in 1996, with the obligatory special editions like Platinum and remakes like Heart Gold and Soul Silver appearing somewhere in between. The Nintendo DS has thus far had a much longer lifespan than the Game Boy Advance (five years and counting to the GBA’s four years), and Pokémon Diamond and Pearl first arrived in Japan back in 2006.
So really, we’re right on schedule for a new generation. Nintendo isn’t derailing this gravy train anytime soon. That said, here are a few things you should know about the next big game in the series.
It Won’t Be Much Different Than the Others, At Least in the Superficial Sense
I’m at peace with the fact that Pokémon will always follow the 8 badges, Elite 4, evil organization formula. I don’t necessarily like it, but I’m not the target audience here. The target audience is the 5-8 year old kids who were too young to enjoy the previous release, and are picking up Pokémon for the very first time. Nintendo’s “hook ’em while they’re young” philosophy is in full effect here.
What should interest the older fans are the inevitable alterations to the battle system. Diamond and Pearl brought subtle but significant changes to the gameplay in the way they realigned physical and special attacks while Ruby and Sapphire introduced the concept of traits and personalities while refining the “effort value” system. I’m not sure what mechanical changes will be brought to the fifth generation, but I’m sure they will have a big impact on competitive battling, subtle as they may be.
Here’s a hint — Game Freak is apparently hiring 3D artists for this thing. Could we be in for something more flexible than the Dragon Quest-style menus of the past?
It’s Going to Utilize the DSi in Some Way
Count on it. Nintendo wants to keep pushing the DSi in Japan and the west, and there’s no better way to do that than to implement DSi exclusive features. That means that the camera will come into play, at the very least, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see expanded wi-fi functionality either. Nintendo has already introduced the concept of wi-fi mystery gifts and downloadable legendary Pokémon. I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see the DSi’s internal memory coming into play here.
I don’t think that Pokémon is going to be a DSi exclusive, but you can expect them to push it in a big way. Look for a special “Pikachu-themed” DSi when this thing hits (at least in Japan), and for much of the marketing to revolve around the DSi-exclusive features. Seriously, this one is pretty much a no-brainer.
If it means more emphasis on the contests though? Hey, count me in. I fricking love dressing up my Pokémon.
You Won’t Have to Worry About Importing Your Old Pokémon
The release of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire was a cataclysmic event for longtime fans. Since the GBA could not communicate with the Game Boy Color, everyone had to start from scratch. Needless to say, there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth in PokéWorld.
The new games will be on the Nintendo DS though, which means that the fifth generation titles will almost certainly be able to communicate with Diamond/Pearl/Platinum and the others. Breeders, collectors and competitive battlers can all take a deep sigh of relief — your collections are safe. Of course, if you’re a battler, your old team will soon be obsolete. A bitter pill to swallow if you’ve hundreds of hours breeding and training your monsters, but an inevitable one.
So what else can you expect from the fifth generation of Pokémon? Well, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a random online battle function, and maybe even leaderboards (okay, the latter might be a little too hopeful — this is Nintendo we’re talking about). I’m sure there will be more legendary Pokémon than ever before, and that they will continue to be parceled out over the wi-fi connection. And I get the feeling that we might even get a new mode beyond contests and battles, which would potentially use the DSi in some way.
Personally, I’m having a hard time getting excited for more Pokémon. I haven’t even finished Heart Gold/Soul Silver, and the prospect of being a generation behind in the competitive battling sphere is disheartening (even if I am basically retired). If Nintendo continues to streamline the breeding, introduces some new quirks to the battling, and continues to find a way to make use of Pokémon beyond battling though, I could be right back in it.
The money train keeps right on rolling, and I’m afraid that I’m just along for the ride. Expect continued coverage and full import impressions as the year goes on.
Source: 1Up
