Spring 2016 seems lifetimes away as we wait with bated breath for the new Pokkén Tournament.
The trailer features fan favorites across multiple generations; Blaziken, Gengar, Pikachu, Suicune, Machamp, Charizard, Gardevoir, and a slew of others are confirmed as playable characters. But most importantly, the trailer reveals the new Shadow MewTwo in full.
In the way that Pokémon Colosseum felt like a proper reboot of the Pokémon Stadium games, Pokkén feels like the next logical step for this subgenre of the franchise's games.
While the stadium battle-oriented games were always fun from a strategy perspective, the battling felt rigid; players couldn't really control the Pokémon beyond choosing what moves they would use. While it's hard to tell from the trailer alone, it seems like Pokkén will give players more control over the Pokémon they deploy. The graphics are also hugely updated.
Pokkén is the fusion of Pokémon with BANDAI NAMCO’s Tekken. Though they’re not always met with acclaim (see: Pokémon Channel), these kinds of experiments are what keep the franchise interesting. They are a testament to its enduring quality; indeed, 2016 will commemorate the 20th anniversary of Pokémon Red and Blue.
Pokkén Tournament will be a Wii U exclusive. No official release date has been announced.
