Pokémon Should Stop Introducing New Gimmicks Each Generation

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will feature some new battle mechanics for trainers to use with their Pokémon. The new battle mechanic called the "Terastal Phenomenon," allows a Pokémon to "Terastallize," the Pokémon gaining a crystallized look that culminates in an ornate headdress. However, this headdress may vary in design and location on different Pokémon when the game is released. It will also boost the Pokémon's type while making their moves stronger. Each Pokémon will also have a "Tera-type" which can change its original type when the Pokémon Terrastallizes.

This new battle mechanic will likely add some more depth to the gameplay and battles of the new Pokémon game, but it feels redundant and unnecessary. Previous Pokémon gimmicks like Mega Evolutions, Z-Moves, and Dynamax/Gigantamax Pokémon were introduced for one game and discarded with subsequent entries. Terrastallizing doesn't feel too detached from those old mechanics, and older battle mechanics could have worked just as well for the new games. Pokémon games should focus on expanding the battle mechanics, or "gimmicks," of the previous games rather than creating new ones for each new game.

RELATED: Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's Early Adopter Bonus Has a 25 Year Long History

Mega Evolutions were a fan-favorite addition to Pokémon X and Y, and it was expanded upon the most compared to other gimmicks. The mechanic continued into Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire and Pokémon Sun and Moon. Fans enjoyed discovering what the Mega Evolutions of certain Pokémon would look like and what advantages and disadvantages they would bring. Obviously, the Pokémon's stats would be affected after a Mega Evolution, but some Pokémon could even gain new types when they Mega Evolved. It was a fantastic feature, but it's similar to the new gimmick for Scarlet and Violet. While it was only included in three games, Mega Evolutions encompassed the vast majority of Pokémon, so there is plenty of room to expand Mega Evolutions and introduce new ones.

Along with including Mega Evolutions, Pokémon Sun and Moon also introduced Z-Moves. Z-Moves were super powerful attacks that, like Mega Evolutions, could be used once per battle, and they varied based on the Pokémon using them and which Z Crystals the player had equipped. Z-Moves added a surprising amount of variety to the combat, and it allowed a trainer's Pokémon to get an advantage in a battle or inflict a status ailment on a rival trainer's Pokémon. While they weren't perfect, Z-Moves could have been expanded upon to create a dynamic and interesting combat system that could have made trainers more involved in Pokémon battles.

RELATED: Pokémon Stadium Is an Underrated Gem That Deserves a Remake

Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokémon were the newest gimmicks introduced in a mainline Pokémon game. It allowed Pokémon to grow extremely large and sometimes even change their form slightly, similarly to Mega Evolutions. Naturally, this greatly increases the Pokémon's size, and it also gives them a massive boost to their HP. It introduced a new way to battle with Pokémon in the game, but it also created some incredibly fun raid battles for trainers to discover.

CBR Report

Our main newsletter packed with the latest updates, reviews and buzz from the worlds of movies, TV, anime, comics, and beyond. Get ready and let's dive in! Subscribe

CBR Report

Our main newsletter packed with the latest updates, reviews and buzz from the worlds of movies, TV, anime, comics, and beyond. Get ready and let's dive in! Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

The raids were one of the best parts of Pokémon Sword and Shield and fighting giant, kaiju-sized Pokémon made it all the more exhilarating. Since raids are returning for Scarlet and Violet, it would have been exciting to see Gigantamax forms of some new Pokémon or older Pokémon that never received the Gigantamax treatment. New abilities with those forms could have made raid battles more intense and exhilarating as well.

It is certainly true that none of these battle mechanics are vital to the success and enjoyment of Pokémon games, and most of them can be largely ignored without any real penalty. Nintendo games also tend to feature a new idea with each entry, and that has made most of those games interesting and memorable. However, it would be nice to see a few old battle mechanics return to Pokémon in new and interesting ways. Better yet, combining any of these mechanics in a game would create a Pokémon game like nothing before it.