Pokemon X and Pokemon Y revolutionized the Pokemon series. The sixth generation of games provided major graphical updates as well as new mechanics. There were a lot of steps forward as Gen 6 laid the groundwork for what Pokemon is now. In fact, many of the mechanics and features in Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield can be traced back to Gen 6.
Though the 3DS’ hardware lacked the capabilities that the Nintendo Switch has it was still able to make leaps and bounds forward when approaching one of the most successful IPs of all time. Individual Pokemon were given 3D models instead of 2D sprites, the overworld was changed from a top-down 2D approach to a 3D landscape, and also included models and cell shading. Even transportation in the game received an overhaul as players could now move across an 8-point grid as well as free roam when using roller skates or riding a bike. Gen 6 was also the first to allow character customization.
Pokemon X and Y Version Exclusive Pokemon
Pokemon introduced a lot with Gen 6 and like every installment in the series it made Pokemon X and Y different enough that it could be noticed but overall, they were the same. As is with its predecessors this was primarily accomplished through the Pokemon that are available in each game. This is a trend that has been seen in every generation of Pokemon and continues even into Gen 8 and its Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra expansions.
In Pokemon X and Y version exclusive Pokemon are found in a couple of different ways: Pokemon that can only be obtained in a specified version of the game (X or Y) or Fossil Pokemon available in a specified version. There were a few Pokemon that were version exclusive during the main story but were also obtainable in the Friend Safari regardless of which game the player had.
Pokemon exclusive to Pokemon X were:
- Staryu and its evolution Starmie.
- Houndour and its evolution Houndoom.
- Aron and its evolutionary line which includes Lairon as well as Aggron.
- Clauncher and its evolution Clawitzer.
- Xerneas, the Legendary Pokemon and mascot for Pokemon X is exclusive to that game.
While the Pokemon exclusive to Pokemon Y were:
- Electrike and its evolution Manectric.
- Skrelp and its evolution Dragalge. Dragalge is also the first dual-type Poison and Dragon Pokemon.
- Yveltal, the Legendary Pokemon and mascot for Pokemon Y is exclusive to the game.
While many of the Fossil Pokemon that were in the series were obtainable in Gen 6 Lileep, Cradily, Anorith and Armaldo were only obtainable in Pokemon X. Meanwhile Omanyte, Omastar, Kabuto, and Kabutops were only obtainable in Pokemon Y.
The Friend Safari which players gained access to after beating the Elite Four, Champion, and Entering the Hall of Fame allowed for players to obtain Pokemon from the opposite version of the game.
For players with Pokemon X the following Pokemon could be caught in the main story but were accessible in either version’s Friend Safari:
- Pinsir
- Poochyena and its evolution Mightyena.
- Sawk
- Swirlix and its evolution Slurpuff.
Whereas players with Pokemon Y could catch the following Pokemon in the main story though they were also accessible in either version’s Friend Safari:
- Shellder and its evolution Cloyster.
- Heracross
- The pseudo-legendary Larvitar, and its evolutionary line which includes Pupitar and Tyranitar.
- Purrloin and its evolution Liepard.
- Throh
- Spritzee and its evolution Aromatisse.
Overall Gen 6 added 72 new Pokemon which is the lowest so far in the series and the first time that less than 100 new Pokemon were added to the franchise. Pokemon X and Y made up for this by adding multiple new mechanics to the game, some that made major changes to the franchise’s future.
Fairy Type Pokemon and Mega Evolution
Every generation of Pokemon games introduces its changes and niche mechanics but Pokemon X and Y had a fundamental impact on the series. Fairy-type Pokemon were added to the franchise when 37 Fairy-type Pokemon were introduced in Gen 6, the first type addition since Gen 2’s Pokemon Gold and Pokemon Silver added Steel and Dark types. The Fairy type was added as a counter to Dragon-type Pokemon who up until the release of Gen 6 were only weak to Dragon-type and Ice-type moves. The addition of Fairy Pokemon also brought a new Eeveelution in the form of Sylveon. This is the only Eeveelution so far that debuted solo instead of in a group of two or more like previous Eeveelutions.
Gen 6 also featured the first Fairy-type Gym Leader and made major changes to Normal-type Pokemon. This was done when 22 Normal-type Pokemon had their type changed to Fairy. This was major as it suddenly made almost two dozen Pokemon viable for different battle situations as they had STAB on Fairy-type moves and were immune to Dragon-Type moves.
Pokemon X and Y also introduced Mega Evolutions. These evolutions were used in the heat of battle for certain Pokemon in the game. If players had obtained the Key Stone and the Pokemon they were using was capable of Mega Evolution and held their respective Mega Stone that Pokemon could Mega Evolve.
The following 28 Pokemon received Mega Evolutions in Pokemon X and Y:
- Venusaur
- Charizard
- Blastoise
- Alakazam
- Gengar
- Kangaskhan
- Pinsir
- Gyarados
- Aerodactyl
- Mewtwo
- Ampharos
- Scizor
- Heracross
- Houndoom
- Tyranitar
- Blaziken
- Gardevoir
- Mawile
- Aggron
- Medicham
- Manectric
- Banette
- Absol
- Latia
- Latios
- Garchomp
- Lucario
- Abomasnow
Of these 28 only Charizard and Mewtwo had two different Mega Evolutions with Mega Charizard X, Mega Charizard Y, Mega Mewtwo X, and Mega Mewtwo Y. This brought the number of available Mega Evolutions up to 30.
Mega Evolutions would continue to appear in Pokemon Omega Ruby and Pokemon Alpha Sapphire and was possible in Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon as well. The flashy feature took great advantage of the new 3D modeling and game style that Pokemon X and Y introduced. Mega Evolutions did lead to overpowered teams in competitive Pokemon battles it also was a fun new mechanic that injected life into the series. While the mechanic was taken out of Gen 8, Pokemon Sword and Shield’s Dynamax and Gigantimax Pokemon forms have clear roots to Mega Evolution.
Pokemon X and Y New Features and Minigames
Pokemon X and Pokemon Y also took advantage of the 3DS’s hardware to incorporate things like Sky Battles, Horde Encounters, Pokemon-Amie, Super Training, and the Player Search System. The Player Search System was just a replacement for C-Gear and used the 3DS’s hardware capabilities to search for players locally and on the internet. While this allowed players to be connected and facilitated battles and trades it was not entirely unique.
Sky Battles and Horde Encounters on the other hand were unique Pokemon battles that had their limitations and requirements. Sky Battles were accessible only to certain Flying-type Pokemon and Pokemon that had the ability Levitate. They also prevented certain moves from being used. Pokemon that could participate but didn’t know any appropriate moves would default to using Struggle in Sky Battles.
Horde Encounters were encounters with wild Pokemon that would have players battle against five wild Pokemon at once. Pokemon in Horde Encounters were often under-level compared to other Pokemon in the area and hordes would consist primarily of one Pokemon species. While it was possible for there to be two species of Pokemon it was always four of one species and one of another in the horde. Horde Encounters were not available everywhere but where they were they had a one in twenty chance of being initiated.
Pokemon-Amie and Super Training were minigames in Pokemon X and Y that allowed players to bond with their Pokemon. Super Training allowed players to play a minigame with their Pokemon and EV train them in ways much simpler than in past games. This made min-max strategies easier to achieve with Pokemon and provided an overall faster way to EV train different Pokemon.
Pokemon-Amie contained three different minigames that players could engage in with their Pokemon: Berry Picker, Head It, and Tile Puzzle. All three games would award Pokepuffs based on the difficulty that was completed by players. Pokemon-Amie also encouraged the development of bonds between players and their Pokemon. It was a personal way to build up affection with Pokemon and a great tool for evolving pokemon that needed affections stats to evolve like Sylveon.
Pokemon X and Y Impact on the Series
Pokemon X and Pokemon Y might not make up many fans’ favorite generation of Pokemon games but their importance in the franchise cannot be understated. Many firsts happened in Gen 6 that set the stage for what the games are like today. The launch into 3D provided customization options and upgraded graphics. Mega Evolution has led into Galar’s Dynamax and Gigantimax mechanics, while different approaches to transportation have allowed Pokemon to shed the need for HM moves. While it might not be the most beloved generation Gen 6 could turn out to be the most important for the franchise’s future.
Pokemon X and Pokemon Y are available now for the Nintendo 3DS.