ThePokemonseries has expanded massively over the years to encompass numerous spin-offs, remakes, and mobile games. While the core RPG series from Game Freak remains the franchise’s biggest success,Pokemonhas experimented with a variety of other genres like ARPGs, TRPGs, puzzle, and fighting games. In 2005, developer Spike Chunsoft would start a dungeon-crawler spin-off series titledPokemon Mystery Dungeon.Featuring the ability to play as an actual Pokemon, players would navigate randomly generated dungeons using turn-based moves.
Quickly becoming one ofPokemon’sbiggest spin-off series, thePokemon Mystery Dungeongames have developed a strong following and has seen success across multiple Nintendo platforms over the years. While the Nintendo Switch received a remake of the original duology inPokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX,there hasn’t been a newPokemon Mystery Dungeongame in nearly six years. With the improved hardware capabilities of the Nintendo Switch, there’s plenty of potential for a new game in the beloved series.
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The Potential In A New Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Game
ThePokemon Mystery Dungeonseries has retained similar gameplay mechanicsthroughout the years as players assume the role of a Pokemon that was mysteriously transformed from a human. Setting out to discover why they were transformed into a Pokemon, players team up with a partner Pokemon and explore randomly generated dungeons. Part roguelike and part turn-based RPG, the dungeons would change their layouts upon entry and players would fight other Pokemon while advancing through the floors.
With the exception of one game on WiiWare,Pokemon Mystery Dungeonhas primarily been released on handheld systems over the years. The dual screens allowed the series to take advantage of dungeon-crawling mechanics and display party information or maps alongside exploration.Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DXshowcased how the Nintendo Switch is able to translate the features despite losing the second screen and the UI is cleverly designed in a way to replicate the original experience. Alongside a gorgeous watercolor-inspired palette, QoL features, and Mega Evolutions,Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DXshowcases the potential of the serieson the Nintendo Switch.
Furthermore, the Nintendo Switch is the perfect platform to expand upon the mechanics in thePokemon Mystery Dungeonseries. Much like howPokemon SwordandPokemon Shieldintroduced the Wild Areaas a new way to explore the world,Pokemon Mystery Dungeoncould take advantage of the Nintendo Switch’s capabilities. Improving the main town hub, revamping the dungeon designs, and implementing a more sophisticated Dojo system would be great ways to iterate on previousPokemon Mystery Dungeongames while retaining the core aspect of dungeon-crawling.
The Evolution of the Mystery Dungeon Games
Although most people are familiar withPokemon Mystery Dungeon,a lot of fans aren’t aware that theMystery Dungeonname is actually a series itself. Developed primarily by Spike Chunsoft over the years,the series was conceived byDragon Questco-creator Koichi Nakamura. In 1993, Nakamura created a spin-off ofDragon Quest 4titledTorneko’s Great Adventurewhich focused on a merchant from the original game exploring dungeons. Influenced heavily by the 1980 gameRoguewhich had spawned its own genre called Roguelikes,Torneko’s Great Adventurebegan theMystery Dungeonseries and over the years, its crossover withPokemonhas become the series' biggest success.
AlthoughPokemon Mystery Dungeonhasn’t had a new game since 2015, the roguelike genre itself has experienced a surge of popularity throughout the latter half of the 2010s.Indie games likeHades,Binding of Isaac,andDead Cellsgenerated mainstream attention thanks to their dungeon-crawling mechanics, permadeath elements, and procedurally generated levels. WhilePokemon Mystery Dungeonisn’t as difficult as traditional roguelikes, its similar gameplay features could attract a new audience given the genre’s popularity over the past few years. Moreover, roguelike mechanics have been continually refined as more games are released and sincePokemon Mystery Dungeonshares similar gameplay design, it’s relatively easy to implement more traditional roguelike elements into the dungeon-crawling.
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The Lack of Mystery Dungeon Games on the Nintendo Switch
Despite the massive popularity of the Nintendo Switch, there aren’t many dungeon-crawlers available on the platform and even lessMystery Dungeongames. The biggest dungeon-crawler franchises likeEtrian Odysseyhave yet to appear on the Nintendo Switch and the remaining options are often more in theARPG territory of games likeDiabloorTorchlight. Mystery Dungeongames are even rarer as there are currently only two remakes available for the Nintendo Switch:Pokemon Mystery Dungeon:Rescue Team DXandChocobo’s Mystery Dungeon: Every Buddy.
While it’s understandable that there aren’t that manyMystery Dungeongames available, it’s a little strange to see no new ones for the Nintendo Switch despite being an excellent potential platform for the series. The short bursts of dungeon-crawling gameplay is a nice fit for the Nintendo Switch’s handheld mode and agraphical overhaul similar toPokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DXwould look incredible on the big screen. A newPokemon Mystery Dungeonisn’t just exciting for fans of the series but could easily draw in new fans looking for an in-depth dungeon-crawler on the Nintendo Switch.
The Future of Pokemon Spinoffs
Perhaps the biggest reason why thePokemon Mystery Dungeonseries hasn’t received a new game in six years is that thePokemonfranchise has shifted towards mobile games. WhileNew Pokemon Snapandthe upcomingPokemon Legends: Arceusstill indicate that the franchise is willing to experiment with spinoffs, the majority of its focus seems dedicated to mobile games. With games likePokemon GO, Pokemon Masters,and the upcomingPokemon Unitefocusing on mobile platforms, a newPokemon Mystery Dungeonis a little more risky to invest in.
While thePokemon Mystery Dungeonseries as a whole has sold well over the years, it certainly doesn’t measure up to the massive mobilePokemongames. Combined with the lukewarm reception ofPokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX,it’s reasonable to assume that the series isn’t prioritized with all of the otherPokemonprojects happening. Nonetheless, with the Nintendo Switch lacking in dungeon-crawler titles and the surging popularity of roguelikes,there has never been a better time for a newPokemon Mystery Dungeongame. As showcased inPokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX,there’s plenty of potential in a new title and with a little investment, the series could really shine on the Nintendo Switch.
