With the upcoming release of New Pokemon Snap for the Switch, many fans may have been wondering why there haven't been more Pokemon spin-offs from Nintendo. Since the Switch was first released, the only Pokemon spin-offs that have been released are Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX, Pokken Tournament DX, and the Pokemon Let's Go series.
For a console like the Switch that has so much potential, it's surprising to see that more Pokemon spin-offs haven't made a comeback from previous generations. Over the years, Pokemon has had a wide variety of spin-off games spanning different genres and new mechanics. With the Nintendo Switch only nearing the midpoint of its lifecycle, it should be interesting to see where the Pokemon series goes after the announcement of New Pokemon Snap.
Pokemon Conquest
Commonly referred to as one of the most underrated Pokemon spin-offs, Pokemon Conquest transformed the series into a tactical RPG as a crossover with the Nobunaga's Ambition series. Pokemon Conquest combined turn-based strategy mechanics with a small cast of Pokemon in the Pokemon equivalent of feudal Japan. Players would take on the role of becoming the Warlord of the Aurora kingdom, and they set off to conquer other kingdoms in an effort to unite them.
Although Pokemon Conquest only featured a limited amount of Pokemon, it had some of the most well-thought out mechanics of any other spin-off game. One of its unique features was the need to have a good management system in place as conquered countries would be sieged while the main army was stationed away. Much like the Civilization series, Pokemon Conquest relied on the player being able to manage each kingdom effectively. With the success of games like Fire Emblem and Disgaea on the Switch, a strategic, turn-based spin-off like Pokemon Conquest would feel right at home.
Pokemon Colosseum/Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness
Collectively known as the "Shadow Pokemon" games, Pokemon Colosseum and Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness were interesting departures from the mainline games. With a darker tone than the rest of the Pokemon series, the two games placed players in the Orre region where there were no wild encounters. Instead, players had to "snag" Shadow Pokemon from other trainers and purify their hearts. Though the mechanic itself was interesting, the real strength of Pokemon Colosseum and Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness was that the lack of random encounters allowed players to focus on a solid story.
While Pokemon Colosseum and Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness weren't huge successes like the mainline games, they offered a unique spin on the Pokemon formula. Both put a heavy emphasis on being a story-driven RPG, something that has been a recent criticism of the mainline games. Fans haven't been satisfied with some of the stories in the mainline Pokemon games and having a spin-off that doesn't repeat the same cycle of battling, exploring, and conquering the Elite Four might be a nice addition to the Nintendo Switch.
Pokemon Trading Card Game Online
One of the most obvious choices for a Pokemon spin-off on the Nintendo Switch is Pokemon TCG Online. With the recent surge of popularity of the physical Pokemon TCG game, it's strange to see that Pokemon TCG Online hasn't been ported to the Switch. Considering it's already available on PC, iOS, and Android, the Switch should be an obvious destination.
Featuring a faithful simulation of the tabletop version, Pokemon TCG Online is a fantastic option for players looking to get into the game or relive some of their childhood nostalgia. Along with options to play against AI or other players online, Pokemon TCG Online is directly tied with the physical version of the game as booster packs come with redeemable codes. The touchscreen capabilities of the Nintendo Switch could be very useful in a port of Pokemon TCG Online.
PokePark/Pokemon Channel
Though they weren't received well, the PokePark and Pokemon Channel games felt like misused potential rather than being outright bad games. The idea of a slice-of-life Pokemon spin-off is an enticing one especially given the popularity of casual games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Stardew Valley. Playing a wide variety of minigames or watching TV together with Pokemon sounds like a great way to unwind, especially if players can port their own Pokemon over.
Although it would take some time to perfect the mechanics, there's great potential in a casual Pokemon spin-off with the ability to bring over the Pokemon from Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield. While Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield have the option to casually interact with Pokemon through the camping mechanic, it feels underdeveloped as there simply isn't enough to do. Having a more casual Pokemon game where players can interact with their own Pokemon and enjoy minigames would be a great addition to the Nintendo Switch.
Pokemon Ranger
If there's one spin-off series that can benefit from the focus on open-world exploration seen in Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield, it's Pokemon Ranger. The original Pokemon Ranger games allowed players to control and calm wild Pokemon in order to protect nature and arrest poachers. Players start out as a rookie Pokemon Ranger, and must travel the land completing missions before gaining higher ranks.
The mechanics of a Pokemon Ranger game fit nicely into the design ideals of the Wild Area in Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield. Exploring an island or nature sanctuary as a Pokemon Ranger would be a great use of open-world mechanics, and the Pokemon captured could make use of the large area to use their moves like Surf or Rock Climb. There's plenty of potential in creating a brand new Pokemon Ranger game with everything that the series has learned from the Wild Area. From reuniting lost Pokemon to putting out forest fires to tracking down poachers, the Nintendo Switch offers tons of utility in an open-world environment.
Although the Pokemon series has focused on mobile games for its spin-offs over the past few years, the Nintendo Switch offers plenty of potential for standalone games or new additions to forgotten series. With the recent announcement of New Pokemon Snap, Pokemon fans have been wondering where the series will go next with its spin-offs. Though not all of the spin-offs were ultimately successful, the success of Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield, and the Nintendo Switch as a console should allow them to take more risks with the Pokemon series.
New Pokemon Snap releases on Nintendo Switch on April 30, 2021.