The Pokemon series has expanded massively over the years to encompass numerous spin-offs, remakes, and mobile games. While the core RPG series from Game Freak remains the franchise's biggest success, Pokemon has experimented with a variety of other genres like ARPGs, TRPGs, puzzle, and fighting games. In 2005, developer Spike Chunsoft would start a dungeon-crawler spin-off series titled Pokemon Mystery Dungeon. Featuring the ability to play as an actual Pokemon, players would navigate randomly generated dungeons using turn-based moves.
Quickly becoming one of Pokemon's biggest spin-off series, the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon games have developed a strong following and has seen success across multiple Nintendo platforms over the years. While the Nintendo Switch received a remake of the original duology in Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX, there hasn't been a new Pokemon Mystery Dungeon game in nearly six years. With the improved hardware capabilities of the Nintendo Switch, there's plenty of potential for a new game in the beloved series.
The Potential In A New Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Game
The Pokemon Mystery Dungeon series has retained similar gameplay mechanics throughout the years as players assume the role of a Pokemon that was mysteriously transformed from a human. Setting out to discover why they were transformed into a Pokemon, players team up with a partner Pokemon and explore randomly generated dungeons. Part roguelike and part turn-based RPG, the dungeons would change their layouts upon entry and players would fight other Pokemon while advancing through the floors.
With the exception of one game on WiiWare, Pokemon Mystery Dungeon has primarily been released on handheld systems over the years. The dual screens allowed the series to take advantage of dungeon-crawling mechanics and display party information or maps alongside exploration. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX showcased how the Nintendo Switch is able to translate the features despite losing the second screen and the UI is cleverly designed in a way to replicate the original experience. Alongside a gorgeous watercolor-inspired palette, QoL features, and Mega Evolutions, Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX showcases the potential of the series on the Nintendo Switch.
Furthermore, the Nintendo Switch is the perfect platform to expand upon the mechanics in the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon series. Much like how Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield introduced the Wild Area as a new way to explore the world, Pokemon Mystery Dungeon could take advantage of the Nintendo Switch's capabilities. Improving the main town hub, revamping the dungeon designs, and implementing a more sophisticated Dojo system would be great ways to iterate on previous Pokemon Mystery Dungeon games while retaining the core aspect of dungeon-crawling.
The Evolution of the Mystery Dungeon Games
Although most people are familiar with Pokemon Mystery Dungeon, a lot of fans aren't aware that the Mystery Dungeon name is actually a series itself. Developed primarily by Spike Chunsoft over the years, the series was conceived by Dragon Quest co-creator Koichi Nakamura. In 1993, Nakamura created a spin-off of Dragon Quest 4 titled Torneko's Great Adventure which focused on a merchant from the original game exploring dungeons. Influenced heavily by the 1980 game Rogue which had spawned its own genre called Roguelikes, Torneko's Great Adventure began the Mystery Dungeon series and over the years, its crossover with Pokemon has become the series' biggest success.
Although Pokemon Mystery Dungeon hasn't had a new game since 2015, the roguelike genre itself has experienced a surge of popularity throughout the latter half of the 2010s. Indie games like Hades, Binding of Isaac, and Dead Cells generated mainstream attention thanks to their dungeon-crawling mechanics, permadeath elements, and procedurally generated levels. While Pokemon Mystery Dungeon isn't as difficult as traditional roguelikes, its similar gameplay features could attract a new audience given the genre's popularity over the past few years. Moreover, roguelike mechanics have been continually refined as more games are released and since Pokemon Mystery Dungeon shares similar gameplay design, it's relatively easy to implement more traditional roguelike elements into the dungeon-crawling.
The Lack of Mystery Dungeon Games on the Nintendo Switch
Despite the massive popularity of the Nintendo Switch, there aren't many dungeon-crawlers available on the platform and even less Mystery Dungeon games. The biggest dungeon-crawler franchises like Etrian Odyssey have yet to appear on the Nintendo Switch and the remaining options are often more in the ARPG territory of games like Diablo or Torchlight. Mystery Dungeon games are even rarer as there are currently only two remakes available for the Nintendo Switch: Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX and Chocobo's Mystery Dungeon: Every Buddy.
While it's understandable that there aren't that many Mystery Dungeon games available, it's a little strange to see no new ones for the Nintendo Switch despite being an excellent potential platform for the series. The short bursts of dungeon-crawling gameplay is a nice fit for the Nintendo Switch's handheld mode and a graphical overhaul similar to Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX would look incredible on the big screen. A new Pokemon Mystery Dungeon isn't just exciting for fans of the series but could easily draw in new fans looking for an in-depth dungeon-crawler on the Nintendo Switch.
The Future of Pokemon Spinoffs
Perhaps the biggest reason why the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon series hasn't received a new game in six years is that the Pokemon franchise has shifted towards mobile games. While New Pokemon Snap and the upcoming Pokemon Legends: Arceus still indicate that the franchise is willing to experiment with spinoffs, the majority of its focus seems dedicated to mobile games. With games like Pokemon GO, Pokemon Masters, and the upcoming Pokemon Unite focusing on mobile platforms, a new Pokemon Mystery Dungeon is a little more risky to invest in.
While the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon series as a whole has sold well over the years, it certainly doesn't measure up to the massive mobile Pokemon games. Combined with the lukewarm reception of Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX, it's reasonable to assume that the series isn't prioritized with all of the other Pokemon projects happening. Nonetheless, with the Nintendo Switch lacking in dungeon-crawler titles and the surging popularity of roguelikes, there has never been a better time for a new Pokemon Mystery Dungeon game. As showcased in Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX, there's plenty of potential in a new title and with a little investment, the series could really shine on the Nintendo Switch.