We are currently at an interesting point in the life cycle of Nintendo’s DS handheld. The system is on its final legs as the Nintendo 3DS is set to release later this month. However, many gamers have been using the DS more this week than they have all year, and the recent resurgence of DS activity can be attributed mainly to the release of Pokemon Black and White. These two games will almost certainly be played on the 3DS after it launches, which got us thinking about what the masses should expect from the eventual Pokemon 3DS titles.
Nintendo has confirmed that it is already hard at work on new Pokemon games for the Nintendo 3DS, but they didn’t have to confirm that bit of news to assure us that more Pokemon is coming – especially after Black and White’s sales in both Japan and North America.
That “announcement,” in addition to the recent release of Black and White, has peaked the interest of many a fine Pokemon fan, who may be interested in predictions for the series’ future on the 3DS.
It is for those very reasons that we have taken the liberty of crafting a list of five things we hope, nay, expect from Nintendo and Game Freak when they finally bring the immensely popular franchise to the Nintendo 3DS. Let’s get started!
Let’s get the most obvious expectation out of the way. Obviously, the game will be taking full advantage of the 3DS’s 3D display, and in order to do that that Pokemon will likely be appearing in 3D every time they battle. Yes, gone will be the cartoonish monsters that awkwardly shift back and forth when they are sent into battle. In their place will come Pokemon that are more reminiscent of those found in Pokemon Stadium. A graphical update certainly isn’t heavily required, but the game could always benefit from better graphics.
If 3D pocket monsters aren’t enough, then what about 3D attacks as well? As the Pokemon enter battle, their attacks will literally jump off the screen and into the faces of excited on-lookers. This step into the third dimension is sure to immerse players in the battle even more than the introduction of a panning camera managed to do in Pokemon Black and White. The opportunity to make use of the 3D display on the Nintendo 3DS is too good to pass up, and you can bet Game Freak will take full advantage of it.
One of the standout features of the Nintendo 3DS is its built-in pedometer, which gives the healthy individuals who use it a way to tally how many steps they’ve taken. The second this feature was announced it seemed all too perfect for the next Pokemon game. The pedometer can essentially act as the Pokewalker that came packaged with Pokemon Soul Silver and Heart Gold. Players will be able to walk around in order to level up their Pokemon, and even catch Pokemon that may not be obtainable any other way.
One of the coolest features about the pedometer is that players will receive virtual currency (called coins) for every step they take. These coins can then be used to unlock exclusive in-game content in 3DS games that support the feature. These coins could be transferred to the new Pokemon games as Pokedollars, or even be spent on rare Pokemon and/or items for use in the games. The pedometer in the 3DS is an awesome feature that is sure to be used in a lot of future Nintendo-made games. Let’s hope Pokemon leads the way.
One of the most interesting features of the Nintendo 3DS is the ability to interact with other 3DS owners without them even knowing it happened. I’m speaking about the StreetPass ability, which has been shown off prominently in Capcom’s Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition. In that game, individuals who have played SSFIV 3D can battle each other and collect trophies, and the beauty of this feature is that they won’t even know until the next time they fire up the game. The game doesn’t even have to be in the Nintendo 3DS in order for these battles to happen, which makes encounters that much more likely.
Now imagine this ability implemented in the next Pokemon games. You’ve just gone out for your evening jog, with your 3DS conveniently in your pocket, and afterwards you fire up Pokemon only to learn that the collectable creatures you had in your party have now grown by a few levels. Apparently you ran past someone who had a 3DS and had played the game, so the 3DS automatically pit you two against each other in a heated Pokebattle. This is the potential the 3DS brings to the table, and it’s a feature that could work very well… so long as you’re in a decently populated town or city.
A new piece of tech that is part of the 3DS, and is currently featured as a massive selling point for the system, is augmented reality. This feature makes use of the 3D cameras on the handheld and special AR cards that can be scanned in order to virtually “project” 3D images onto real-world surfaces. The Nintendo 3DS comes with six different cards that allow players to literally bring Mario, Link, Samus Aran, and more into their living rooms. After some thought, it’s obvious to see just how perfectly this feature would work with a new Pokemon game.
Real live Pokemon battles have always been dreamt about by fans of the franchise, and the AR ability of the 3DS can finally make that dream a reality. By placing down a single card, trainers would be able to watch as their Pokemon comes to life right on their coffee table. The Pokemon-themed augmented reality feature could only get better if it allowed people to battle each other using commands issued via each individual’s 3DS. Though it may not appear in the first set of games to come out, it seems highly probable that AR Pokemon will happen at some point, possibly making use of new Pokemon TCG cards.
The final feature everyone should expect is an option that has been left out of every Pokemon game to-date, but has been wanted by fans for several years: the ability to connect with a friend’s game so that you and your buddy can run around the entire region catching Pokemon and battling trainers together. Yes, Black and White does have a similar (and very brief) feature called the Entralink, which will be available through Dream World after it launches on March 30th. Entralink, however, is more of a bonus option then the full-blown co-op we’ve been asking for for years.
Since the Nintendo 3DS is all about connectivity and upping the social interactions between people, it makes sense that the next pocket monster games will support an updated multiplayer option. If Game Freak took the initiative they could even add a co-op feature that allows friends to team up and do various side quests. Nobody should expect a full-blown co-op campaign, but they should expect a vastly superior online service with some co-op elements.
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All of these features should be a part of the next generation of portable gaming. One essential feature that was left off of this list is the ability to transfer Pokemon from the existing DS games, but Nintendo thought of ways to make the transition from GBA to DS possible, so we know they’ll probably be doing the same moving from DS to 3DS.
The Nintendo 3DS offers a lot of new technology and opportunities that just weren’t possible on the DS, and everyone should rest assured that Nintendo will take full advantage of the new system. If the next set of games can be created as fast as Black and White were, then there should be word on the next Pokemon titles at this year’s E3.
What do you think our list of the five things to expect from Pokemon on the 3DS? What other features do you think will appear in the next set of games that we may have forgotten to mention?
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Unless I’m very much mistaken, I was under the impression that SpotPass referred to information being received by passing WiFi hotspots. I think you guys might mean StreetPass, which (I thought) was what you guys are referring to in the article. Again, I could be wrong.
Nope! I was wrong.
SpotPass is downloaded information via the web, while StreetPass is downloaded info from other 3DS that come within proximity to the user’s system.
Thanks for letting us know
All of these 5 feature combined would be an unstoppable game. The idea of Streetpass and augmented reality are two that stick out for me.
Also, who doesn’t love jogging with a 3DS conveniently in their pocket?
I personally would just prefer the Pokewalker. It’s smaller and so easier to put in my pocket. I don’t want to walk around with my big ol’ DS taking up my pocket all day every day.
True. I think if Nintendo wants you to carry it around in your pocket though, because their StreetPass feature is more effective that way.
one thing for sure. pokemon battle revolution is a example of what i or anyone should expect from the graphics.
I don’t think they’ll be quite that nice, but hopefully something along those lines.
What’s the difference between Spotpass and Streetpass?
Never mind.
if u guys can make augmented reality and then we can make them battle in real life on r coffee tables that we be awesome because it would be a real life battle i would be so happy
The only problem with the co-op thing is that there are people who are total jerks. I mean, yeah, it would be totally awesome to see people running all over the place tht are real trainers, but then you have the people that would have level 50 pokemon who would hangout right outside the starting town and beat the crap out of your starters. Then, it’s more of just a large “Runescape” or something with pokemon. My opinion is that they should make a game for the wii or xbox that has a headset where you can virtually play pokemon on a bigger screen. THAT’S what i want to see.
Well co-op and the MMO layout that you are suggesting are radically different. I just want to run around with my friends capturing guys and battling trainers. That’s all I’m expecting the next series of games to offer.
Nintendo is pretty strict with their online policies too, so I don’t think they’ll allow players to just run around interacting with strangers.
Pokemon does seem like a perfect fit for an MMO, but that probably won’t be happening for quite some time.
I think this more of hopeful thinking than it is actaully a relality! Don’t get your hopes up about seeing any of these things because it is very unliey to happen. Polygonal Pokemon are for the home console only and I really don’t see it ever happening on the portable. Mark my words, the only thing were likely going to see that we want is a pokemon hoenn remake.
I think it’s very possible to see all of these thing happen over the course of the 3DS’s life-cycle.
StreetPass and the Built-in Pokewalker are almost givens, and Iwata has already confirmed that the game will feature 3D gameplay, and it’s very hard to picture 3D working without legitimate 3D Pokemon.
I do agree with your last point though, there is definitely going to be a Hoenn remake at some point.
ALSO online, like battleing people around the whole world.
I would also like to add to the idea of online play. well I play runescape and world of warcraft (yep imma nerd) but I thunk a sort of huge expansive world where people from all over the world could play and interact with each other through thair handheld 3Ds. possably like traveling all over all of the previous regions and many many different servers to insure no crashing or over crowding. so what do you guys think? is that a good thought?
If all 5 of these things happen I will buy Pokemon game’s again. I skipped black and White because they were not minerals but maybe next time…
Black and White are the best ones to come out ever. They got a 10 out of 10. It would be insane to skip that especially when gray might not come out for another 2 or 3 years!
They announced that there will be no gray. Get Black or White though. Great games!!
I wish they’d back away from all this online gaming nonsense. I love Pokemon, but I’m sick of having to do things online in order to complete the games.
I also hope there aren’t Stadium-esque real Pokemon. They should definitely make use of the 3D capabilities, but not to the point where the Pokemon lose their anime feel. Keep it cartoon, just make it like the TV show.
Agreed!
Regarding the pokewalker, although I do they hope they use the built in pedometer for when I use it, but the vast majority of the time I use my pedometer while playing football at school. I’m not going to play football with a ds in my pocket, so that’d be a let down for me.
Very nice theory, if all these functions were to happen it would be a never ending game, but 1 thing i doubt that would happen is the pokemon AR cards especially when its hard to use them when it starts to get dark even with lights on…
but a battle style like pbr will get me to play pokemon a lot again, as it is i barely play pokemon b/w cuz the battle style is just too boring so i hope its not just animated sprites like b/w i want it something similar to pbr where you see them running to attack, or maybe something like pokepark wii where you can possibly shake the 3ds to dodge attacks or jump etc even tho its unlikely for that to happen lol
look at that PBR over there. im going to kick it.
Good idea! I wait for Ruby and Sapphire remake and Black and White revision on 3DS!
In my opinion, Nintend should release two regular pokemon games for the 3DS and one huuuge MMO, with every pokemon of every generation, for the 3DS AAAND the newly announced WII U, with full integration between them. This would be perfect
5 3D gameplay
“In their place will come Pokemon that are more reminiscent of those found in Pokemon Stadium.”
I would like Pokémon Battle Revolution graphics. That would be really cool! The DS has nintendo 64 3D graphics and the 3DS has Gamecube 3D graphics, just like the Wii, I think.
4 Built-in Pokéwalker
If they are going to make that, then for the love of god don’t count the time spent walking as playing hours. Because after a day you got 12 hours more playing time and you only got coins, pokemon or items. If you do that everyday you look like a noob because people will think it took you 500 hours to reach the Pokemon League. They already did this on Black and White, so I turn the C-gear off when I close it or I just don’t turn it on after I pressed continue.
3 StreetPass
Like the built-in Pokéwalker they shouldn’t count the time as playing time.
2 Augmented Reality
This would be awesome! It could be used in battles as an option. So when you have access to the cards, you can battle with your pokemon “in real life”. You will need 6 cards in total if you want to have a triple battle/rotation battle, though. It definitely shouldn’t be mandatory because you don’t always want to do that. Just when you feel like it. Maybe L or R should have additional options like enabling this feature.
1 Enhanced Online Multiplayer
This would be very cool! Entralink is pretty cool, but it has very short missions and you can’t do much. It can definitely be improved! Maybe you can fight wild pokemon in multi battles with your friend when walking through grass or in a cave, online or wireless.
if game freak did all five of those things it would be #@$%&^ amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! though all those features r possible, i think game freak is going to let us down and make another batch of pokemons or another ranger game. because its much easier to just make everything like it was then to create a whole new 3D version
Someone send this page to Nintendo asap.