Topic: Pokken Tournament: Gotta Smash Em All!

[Evan_B]

So with recent reveals, I figured it was high time we made a thread about this game. Pokken Tournament is the collaboration between Bandai Namco and The Pokemon Company to turn it's beloved franchise into a technical fighting game. Superior limb-based combat? Eh, maybe not. But Pokken does possess many aspects of 2D fighting franchises that you'll either love or hate.

In Japan, the game is receiving a bundle with a Arcade Style Controller, which is a lot less arcade-y than you would think (Wii U Pro sans joysticks). First run copies in all(?) regions will receive a Dark Mewtwo Amiibo card, which will enable you to play as the original character right away- don't worry, he's still unlockable should you go digital or hate Amiibo. The game will have online capabilities (surprisingly decent online matching was a feature of the arcade title, which I can only assume had modified Wii Us within the cabinet) as well as local 1v1, with a player using the Gamepad because of the title's unique combat field, which evokes the classic Pokemon positioning.

As of this date, the revealed fighters are-
Charizard
Pikachu
Pikachu Libre
Gengar
Machamp
Mewtwo
Dark Mewtwo
Suicune
Combusken
Sceptile
Gardevoir
Lucario
Weavile
Garchomp
Chandelure
Braixen

With one more reveal planned for tomorrow (and maybe more in the future? EDIT: yeah it's Chandelure) the game is shaping up to have a much more decent roster than the original arcade title. Of course, there are support Pokemon, which can be summoned mid battle, that greatly increase the representation from the series, and alter play strategy quite a bit.

So, that being said, what would you like to see from Pokken Tournament? Any personal favorites you're hoping to play as? Curious about the fighting mechanics (I and several others could enlighten you). Anticipating the Heihachi reveal? Discuss here!

[TOPHATANT123]

After listening to the Famicast I'm hoping that the Wii U version takes out the pay to win/ stat progression silliness of the arcade version. The core game it's self though looks pretty fun.

[Evan_B]

Surprised to see the game launching so early worldwide, but that frees up the summer for something like #FE, which is probably a better release time.

In any case, the steady reveal of more characters makes me think we might get one or two more reveals before the final release, especially since the Chandelure gameplay trailer isn't going up until January 31st. One more Pokemon would set the roster at a solid 16, though I feel that 18 would be the absolute maximum.

So, the gameplay! It's okay, though I'm not a fan of how the Pokemon move when in "all range mode", which is in a constant circle around the opponent. Movement is also extremely committal in Pokken, and dodging at the wrong time can leave you severely exposed.

[Stratos]

Still hoping for Scyther or Kabutops to make an appearance. This will make or break my desire to buy this game.

[Evan_B]

Scythe-quota is filled with Mega Garchomp making an appearance, sorry.

However, I could see Scizor getting a slot. Popular competitive Pokemon with a cool design and features a type not-yet seen in the roster. Which is another thing- I would hope we would see the entire type spread in the game. As of right now we have 13 of the 16 types, not including bug, rock, and normal. While there's an ungodly representation of fire and fighting in the roster, I think we can expect the last two or three fighters to fill out these slots, though with support Pokemon they are already featured.

I'd like to see two more entries at least fleshing out the type variety, though I was kind of surprised this month's blowout of four combatants. I imagine we'll see one more in February before the launch in March.

[Evan_B]

With almost a month before release, it doesn't seem like well be getting any news regarding new fighters.

I'm a bit unfamiliar with Namco Bandai fighters, should we be expecting a lengthy DLC campaign from this?

[michaelbaysuperfan616]

I haven't even been following this game at all but now that I read Evan's lengthy description I am not only surprised a game like this is coming but that it isn't getting more hype. This could be a huge seller for the console why are they just now getting around to porting it if it's been out a while elsewhere? Why didn't they just make it for Wii U to begin with day and date with the original are arcades still popular in Japan?
Anyways I just saw a trailer on Youtube and I am not a big fan of Pokemon but this is a game I will be getting for my Wii U, assuming there is a retail release. Hell this might be the game that pushes me into getting some Pokemon Amiibo, well at least Pikachu.

[Oedo]

Arcades being popular in Japan is one part of it (though this game in particular wasn't due to some questionable decisions not directly related to the core gameplay), but the arcade version also launched with a very limited roster of eight Pokemon. They wouldn't have been able to get away with that for a full price retail release. If they don't announce any more Pokemon between now and launch the Wii U version will release with a roster of 16, which is a much easier sell.

[Luigi Dude]

So we have a picture of the incomplete roster for the home console version, which points heavily to 20 characters.






Notice how Shadow Mewtwo is on the very bottom right and normal Mewtwo isn't on it yet.  So when you add normal Mewtwo, there's exactly 4 spots left on the roster.  So yeah, 20 characters for a new fighting game is a pretty good size roster and a huge improvement from the original Arcade last summer which only had 8.

[Stratos]

So the dream is still alive for Scyther, I agree that Scizor is more probable.

Hwalucha so needs to be in this game. I would not be surprised if we get a new gen 7 monster since that is becoming a thing. I also suspect we will see an Eevee type since that has consistently been a popular branch of monsters.

Based off of the missing types of bug, rock, and normal I suspect we will see:

• Eevee (maybe a type switching character?)
• Graveler or Golem
• Scizor, (or maybe Steelix)
• Hwalucha

[Evan_B]

I think people have started to get review copies, or at least, I'm seeing more coverage of the game lately, and there's no mention of unannounced fighters. I don't know if that would be covered in embargos, but we've seen fighters with weird character select screens.

I honestly think the most viable normal type Pokemon would be Lopunny, given her Japanese popularity and Mega Evolution.

[Stratos]

Good call on Lopunny. Could also be Chansey or Jigglypuff as they seem to have solid followings, though Jiggly being in Smash may cause them to not choose her for Pokken.

[Shaymin]

As long as they're born in 2002 or later, IDGAF.

[Wah]

I think people have started to get review copies, or at least, I'm seeing more coverage of the game lately, and there's no mention of unannounced fighters. I don't know if that would be covered in embargos, but we've seen fighters with weird character select screens.

I honestly think the most viable normal type Pokemon would be Lopunny, given her Japanese popularity and Mega Evolution.

eww Furry's

[Evan_B]

As long as they're born in 2002 or later, IDGAF.

Agreed, there's already an obscene amount of Gen 1 Pokemon in this game. I'd prefer some Gen 2 reps myself, or a better Gen 5 rep. Not really all that thrilled by Chandelure.

...I really hope 16 isn't the final roster. I'd just be so pleased to play around with some more Pokemon in this fighting style. I'd also like to be pleasantly surprised, but the fact that they've doubled the roster in the year since announcement is impressive enough. I just really don't know what to expect, though, since they dumped Mewtwo, Braixen, Garchomp, and Chandelure so close together.

[Stratos]

It could be that they left those slots open for possible DLC. To enable the product out as fast as possible to shore up the lineup of games this Spring they could then add extras later.

[Evan_B]

The devs said they're not planning any DLC, but you know. Fighting games.

[nickmitch]

So the dream is still alive for Scyther, I agree that Scizor is more probable.

Hwalucha so needs to be in this game. I would not be surprised if we get a new gen 7 monster since that is becoming a thing. I also suspect we will see an Eevee type since that has consistently been a popular branch of monsters.

Based off of the missing types of bug, rock, and normal I suspect we will see:

• Eevee (maybe a type switching character?)
• Graveler or Golem
• Scizor, (or maybe Steelix)
• Hwalucha

Isn't Eevee a support pokemon? Maybe they'll do Sylveon.

[Evan_B]

All of the support Pokemon have been revealed, with some legendaries filling out the rest of the spots. No news on additional unlockable characters, which leads me to believe the roster screen is much like Melee's- poorly designed.

[Stratos]

Or maybe they are actually keeping some hidden and letting the gamers figure it out on their own. That was the best part of some older games.

[Evan_B]

That so rarely happens in fighting games nowadays...

I am simply trying to temper my expectations.

[Luigi Dude]

If there is only 16 in the base game then I'd expect DLC to appear later this year.  The DLC for Smash Bros is Nintendo's best selling DLC and Namco also helped on that game.  Plus like other Wii U games Nintendo needs to do something to maximize their profits and since there isn't any Amiibos coming out with this game, DLC is the next best thing.  If Smash Bros could have 7 DLC characters, it isn't that hard to imagine 4 DLC characters being made for this game. 

[nickmitch]

I'm genuinely shocked there aren't any amiibo (aside from the card) dropping with this game.  I'd love a Pikachu Libre (or w/e) amiibo.  Nintendo could easily incorporate the amiibo into the next Pokemon game by allowing you to get that Pokemon (aside from Shadow Mewtwo, I suppose, which could just give you a Mewtwo).

Maybe Nintendo is just too caught up in the Animal Crossing amiibo production?

[Stratos]

They did a reprint of all the Pokemon amiibo for Pokemon Day and to support this game.


I'd like some new ones as well, but they seem to have their hands full with the AC and the Smash wrap-up. I'm thinking they are re-evaluating their amiibo plans after the AC line tanked. We might not get any brand new figures until this Summer.

[nickmitch]

I think Nintendo just needed to learn a lesson in which franchises are marketable and to what capacity.