Five Ways Pokémon Games Need to Evolve

This September Pokémon Black and Pokémon White will arrive in Japan before their international
release next spring. The fifth generation of Nintendo’s handheld RPG phenomenon is fast
approaching. Right now we know pocket monster fanatics can look forward to “innovations”
such as 3D graphics, three-on-three battles and idle animations for new creatures like Zorua and
something resembling a “fire pig”. Plus DSi and 3DS owners can use the cameras on their systems
for video chat. But ever since Pokémon Gold and Silver ten years ago the series has gone nowhere.
If they want me to put down the cash to catch ‘em all again more things are gonna have to change.

1. Have Pokémon That Don’t Suck
To me there are only 151 Pokémon. Sure some of the more decent ones are pretty cool but after
forcing your designers to come up with 493 of the little things it is only naturally that their
creativity has run dry. Pokémon Black and White should focus on dreaming up some higher quality
beasts even if it means having fewer of them.

2. Make a Story That Matters
We all want to be the very best, like no one ever was but that does not mean that every Pokémon
has to have the same “rise to the top of the ladder” storyline. Maybe it is time to take the criminal
gangs out of the fringes and put them in the spotlight. Or better yet, develop the Pokémon world
beyond the trainers. In a world where God can be caught in a ball by a little boy, how have
Pokémon affected the rest of the world?

3. Speed Up the Gameplay
JRPGs are the slowest of genres and Pokémon is no different. But still, the interface can definitely
be sped up, especially now that we have a touch screen. It is kind of a shame that Nintendo is so
opposed to changing their golden goose that something as simple as streamlining the menus is saved
for later installments.

4. Change the Gameplay
This is a hard one. Specifically, it is hard for this to not be vague. Basically, I’ve been doing the
same thing for the past decade of Pokémon games. I love the concept and the games are still great
but now I want to do something new. A new generation means a new chance. I do not know what
new thing I want to do but figuring that out is the job of the game designers. I trust they have ideas.

5. Consumers, Don’t be Racist
If sales data comes back saying that Pokémon White has sold four million units while Pokémon
Black only sold five copies in Detroit, America will have some explaining to do.
Game Freak has said that they want to change up the Pokémon formula with Black and White.
Here’s hoping that they are telling the truth.

- Jordan Minor