Let’s talk about nuance. Specifically, when a piece of media comes around and evolves not because of the people who made it, but because of the fans themselves. You might think we’re talking about cult classics, and those may be an example, but it isn’t what we mean here. In video games, fans have taken certain titles to new heights and levels, with some being completionists, trying to 100% every game, or speedrunners trying to get through a game as fast as possible. Then, for the Pokemon titles, there’s the Nuzlocke Challenge, a massive favorite amongst fans.
There are a lot of variations on this, so we’ll give you the basics. The Nuzlocke Challenge was made in reference to a comic and was basically created to make a challenging version of the main Pokemon games. If you think about it, in each title you have the freedom to roam around, catch all the Pokemon you want, and gather together the perfect squad to use to go up against gym leaders and the Elite Four, typically. But in this challenge, it’s a bit more restrictive.
In this challenge, players can only capture the first wild Pokemon they meet in an area and no more. If they run away or they fail to capture them, they can’t catch any more in that zone. Furthermore, if any Pokemon you have faint, you have to consider them dead and thus must release them as soon as possible.
Other people add in their own rules to further increase the difficulty, such as randomizing what starter Pokemon you get and not doing things like trades or Mystery Gift additions. Furthermore, you have to nickname your Pokemon to create a true emotional bond with them, likely fighting harder to keep them alive.
It’s harmless fun and it creates a lot of interesting runs in the titles. But apparently, The Pokemon Company doesn’t like this challenge at all.
This comes from the former hosts of the Nintendo Minute, Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang, who made their own show when Nintendo Minute was abruptly canceled by Nintendo themselves. They noted in the Kit & Krysta Podcast that they once suggested that they do a Nuzlocke Challenge and it was apparently shot down really quick.
In fact, they pitched it to the company themselves and they were told.
“‘We consider this to be on the same level as using hacking’ – ROM hacks.”
That’s a bold statement, especially since, as the hosts noted, there are no hacks here–just players putting in their own rules. Apparently, that doesn’t matter to the company.
At least you can still do it. For those seeking out a serious challenge in the Pokemon world, this might be the perfect set of rules for you.
Source: Kit & Krysta Podcast
