Pokemon Needs to Expand Into This Genre More Than Any Other

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For the past ten years, the Pokemon series has consistently found success beyond its classic role-playing game format. Pokemon GO became a worldwide hit by combining augmented reality with the core monster-collecting gameplay, and Pokemon Unite expanded into the popular multiplayer online battle arena genre. However, it’s Pokemon Legends: Arceus and Pokemon Legends: Z-A that truly demonstrated the series’ ability to reinvent itself with a dramatically different gameplay experience. This willingness to try new things has been key to Pokemon remaining a major franchise for Nintendo, particularly as players expect more innovation on modern consoles like the Switch and the upcoming Switch 2.

It’s surprising Nintendo and The Pokémon Company haven’t made a roguelike Pokémon game, given how popular that genre is. Roguelikes, with their random levels, unpredictable team choices, and challenging battles, would actually fit really well with what already makes Pokémon so engaging. With games like Hades 2 proving how successful roguelikes can be, a Pokémon version could be a brilliant move for the franchise, particularly with the potential of the new Switch 2 console.

A Roguelike Pokemon Game Could Fit the Series Perfectly

Pokemon games are well-suited to a roguelike style because they’re already all about trying out different teams and handling surprises. A roguelike format would make this even better by challenging players to create teams from randomly caught Pokemon, short-term boosts, and tough decisions with each attempt. This would ensure every playthrough feels unique, as the Pokemon you encounter and the opponents you face would change every time.

The exciting unpredictability is what makes games like Hades, Slay the Spire, and Dead Cells so addictive. Players keep coming back because each playthrough is different, encouraging them to experiment with new tactics and find powerful combinations. With over a thousand Pokémon, hundreds of moves, and tons of ability interactions already, the Pokémon franchise has a huge amount of built-in variety that would allow for roguelike elements without drastically changing its established battle system.

I still enjoy challenging myself and playing older Pokémon games with friends, often by setting our own rules like limiting which Pokémon we can catch or using random teams. Surprisingly, these self-made challenges often felt more intense than the main games! It made us rethink which Pokémon were actually useful, turning weak or ignored ones into valuable assets. A Pokémon game designed like a roguelike – where things change with each playthrough – could really capture that same exciting feeling. Nintendo could apply this structure to a dungeon-crawling game, online battles, or even a story-based adventure, and it would fit the Pokémon world perfectly. Given how the series is already trying new things, this feels like a guaranteed success.

ROM Hacks Have Already Proven Pokemon Roguelikes Can Work

For years, fans have been creating their own versions of Pokemon, but Pokemon Rogue has become especially popular. This fan-made game mixes classic Pokemon battles with elements from roguelike games, meaning routes are randomized and encounters are always changing. Its success on platforms like YouTube and Twitch proves that players are eager for this kind of fresh gameplay. After playing it myself, I really hope Nintendo releases an official version for the Switch.

What sets Pokemon Rogue apart is how well its gameplay style fits with the classic Pokemon experience. Players assemble teams during each unique, randomized playthrough, carefully managing their supplies, healing items, and battle strategies. Because losing means starting over, there’s a real sense of risk and excitement that’s been missing from many recent Pokemon games. While modern Pokemon titles are sometimes too easy, Pokemon Rogue creates a genuine challenge through its roguelike elements, rather than relying on overly powerful opponents.

For years, fans have used modifications of existing games, known as ROM hacks, to try out new ideas and create their ideal versions of games. They were exploring open-world designs in Pokemon long before the official Pokemon Legends: Arceus game. These fan-made difficulty adjustments and competitive improvements have also shaped discussions about the series. The popularity of independent roguelike games, especially on the Nintendo Switch, further supports the idea that an official Pokemon roguelike on the Switch 2 would likely be well-received, as there’s already a strong audience for the genre.

A Roguelike Mode Could Make Pokemon Champions Even Better

I’ve been totally hooked on Pokemon Champions lately, and so have a lot of other players. It’s quickly become the go-to online Pokemon game for battling, but honestly, it’s really lacking in the single-player department. I remember how awesome the Battle Frontier was in Pokemon Emerald – it gave you something to do offline and really kept you engaged. Champions could really use something like that to draw in players who enjoy that style of gameplay. I think it would be a perfect place to try out a roguelike system, something different but that wouldn’t mess with the core RPG experience we all love.

Adding a roguelike mode to Pokemon Champions would be a fantastic way to shake up the standard ranked battle experience. Imagine randomized battles where you earn upgrades and new Pokemon – it would feel fresh and exciting every time you play, while still using the battle system competitive players already know. Regularly adding new Pokemon each season would keep things interesting, and changing up the challenges within the mode would make it even more engaging.

This game mode could make competitive Pokémon battling more accessible to new players. A major challenge for beginners is the complex knowledge required to build strong teams, choose effective moves, and train Pokémon stats. This mode lowers that barrier by emphasizing adaptability over having a perfectly planned team. Players will learn strategies naturally by responding to random challenges, instead of needing to memorize established competitive strategies.

For years, Nintendo has successfully broadened the world of Pokémon with different kinds of games. A natural next move would be to create a Pokémon roguelike – a game where each playthrough is unique and challenging. This could add a lot more replay value, strategy, and experimentation to the series than we’ve seen before. Whether it’s a completely new game or a mode within an existing title like Pokémon Champions, the possibilities are huge. Nintendo has proven they’re willing to try new things with Pokémon, and this popular genre would be a perfect fit.

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2026-05-24 16:41