Pokkén: NPC Trainers, LAN Battle Details Revealed

Can’t wait for more Pokkén Tournament details? Today we have a sneak preview of the NPC Pokémon trainers, as well as information on how LAN Battle mode works.

LAN Battle may not be for casual players, but if you are serious about Pokkén Tournament, it is the only way to play local multiplayer at a full 60 FPS. You will need two Wii Us, two copies of Pokkén Tournament, and 2 monitors. These monitors can be used to replace the GamePad display. To connect the two games together, you can then use either a wireless router, or 2 Wii U LAN adapters, that can then be connected together using either a router or a crossover LAN cable. While wireless connectivity is possible, it may require going through more connection settings. Once you do have the Wii Us connected, LAN Battle can be activated at the Title screen by holding down L, R, and Down.

As you may have guessed, the NPC trainers are actual characters. The Pikachu NPC trainer, Alissa is the cover image you can see above. You can see the NPC trainers for Braixen, Suicune, Garchomp, Lucario, Gardevoir, Gengar, and Machamp below. You may note that Gengar, Gardevoir, and Lucario trainers are all dressed the same. The official site implies this is connected to the storyline and Dark Mewtwo. The other NPC trainers are, as is a convention in the Pokémon games, champions of different regions. We’re sharing the name of the trainer, their Pokémon, and their leauge.

Travis, Garchomp, Green League

Glen, Machamp, Chroma

Keith, Suicune, Blue league

Erin, Braixen, Red League

Walter, Gengar, ?

Nora, Gardevoir, ?

Jake, Lucario, ?

Pokkén Tournament will be releasing on March 18 worldwide exclusively on the Wii U. Bandai Namco and The Pokémon Company clearly intend to make Pokkén Tournament a competitive game. You can read about the Pokkén Tournament Championship Series, as well as an early preview of LAN Battle mode.