Pokemon has been running since the 90s. In fact, this year is the franchise's 25th anniversary. While Nintendo may not have gone all-out in the way that it did for Super Mario's 35th anniversary last year, it has some intriguing upcoming games, such as the open-world, Breath of the Wild-inspired title Pokemon Legends: Arceus, due out next year, a turn from the normal format found in main series Pokemon games such as Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
In fact, Pokemon games have been branching out in different ways in more recent years, such as with the mobile spinoff Pokemon GO and the MOBA Pokemon Unite. But one spinoff that some fans have been requesting is a Pokemon game in the same style as Stardew Valley and Harvest Moon, meaning a farming and lifestyle simulator. Based on the expansions of the Pokemon franchise, the idea is actually plausible and would likely attract many fans.
A Farming-Sim Pokemon Game
The premise of farming sims like Stardew Valley is fairly simple: the protagonist is sent off to a farm, typically owned by an elderly relative, where they tidy a dilapidated farm as well as plant seasonal crops and raise a variety of animals, such as cows, sheep, and chickens. When farm duties are done, players will engage in other activities around town like mine for ores, catch fish, and romance a villager. And it's easy to see how this gameplay could translate to any Pokemon region.
Some gamers suggest the idea that players could still catch Pokemon—as that's the main draw of the franchise—and those Pokemon would help the player with tasks. For example, Pokemon with the Surf TM could help players go fishing, Rock-type Pokemon could help with mining for ores and fossils, and Grass-type Pokemon could help with plants around the farm. This would still leave possibilities for Pokemon myths and legends, as it could be woven into the town's history much how it's normally done in main-series Pokemon games.
Pokemon often emulate real-world animals, which could give way to animal products. Miltanks have udders and canonically produce milk, being the only Pokemon that could learn the move Milk Drink until the sixth generation. There are plenty of sheep Pokemon like Mareep and Wooloo, which could be sheared for wool. Pig Pokemon like Tepig could search for highly-valued truffles, Pikachus as well as other Electric Pokemon could get battery packs during storms, and Chansey eggs are said to be very nutritious. Additionally, evolved Pokemon could mean higher-quality animal products, an incentive to spend time with them much like in Pokemon Sword and Shield. And essentially, Pokemon could completely replace most tools needed, such as scythes replaced by Scyther.
There are some obvious roadblocks that would require some thought, however. Firstly, one of the main draws of games like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing is that they're low-stress and don't feature combat. In the case of a Pokemon game, many fans would likely be pleased to see a lack of traditional Pokemon battles to keep it relaxing, but others may think differently and would miss this aspect of the game. Additionally, the idea of catching fish Pokemon and harvesting eggs could imply that players would eat them for stamina like they do in Harvest Moon and Stardew Valley, drawing back to that scene of Brock eating a Magikarp.
It isn't a perfect idea yet, but Stardew Valley and Pokemon are some of the most popular games out there, and the audience would certainly be there if the possibility ever arose.
Stardew Valley is out now for Mobile, PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.