Pokemon Winds & Waves Needs to Bring Back a Classic Mechanic

by

I’ve been a Pokémon fan since childhood, and I cherish the memories of catching and training Pokémon across many games. However, I started to lose interest because the series felt like it wasn’t evolving in exciting ways and was cutting out content. The new games, Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves, have genuinely reignited my excitement – more than I’ve felt in years. But there’s one feature from past games that I really hope they bring back.

I don’t really enjoy fishing in real life, but I find it surprisingly fun in video games. I’ve loved the fishing mechanic in Pokemon ever since the original Red and Blue versions. I always made sure to have a Water-type Pokemon on my team, and since I usually chose Grass-type starters, fishing was often how I got one. However, recent Pokemon games have reduced or even removed fishing, which is disappointing. With the focus on water and tropical environments in games like Pokemon Winds and Pokemon Waves, bringing fishing back feels essential to the experience.

Pokemon Doesn’t Feel Complete Without Fishing

Fishing has always been a key part of the Pokemon games, right from the start. I, like many players, remember the frustration of only catching Magikarp with the basic Old Rod! It took upgrading my rod to realize how much potential there was for finding Water-type Pokemon. Over the years, I’ve consistently enjoyed the relaxing experience of fishing in the game’s rivers and oceans, discovering new Pokemon along the way. The presence of fisherman trainers and Water-type specialists in gyms or the Elite Four really highlights how important fishing is to the Pokemon world.

Honestly, it feels like newer Pokemon games just don’t care about fishing as much as the older ones did. I remember being able to cast a line pretty much anywhere! But starting with Sun and Moon, they really limited where you could fish – only these specific rocky spots, which was weird considering the whole theme was island hopping. And then Sword and Shield just kept that going. They only gave you one type of rod, and you could only fish in these little patches of rippling water. It just doesn’t feel as open and free as it used to.

The biggest disappointment for many fans is found in the ninth generation of Pokémon games, Scarlet and Violet. They completely removed the traditional fishing mechanic. Instead of fishing, players now simply encounter Water-type Pokémon while sailing on the water. This not only restricts which Pokémon you can catch early in the game—until you unlock surfing with Miraidon or Koraidon—but also eliminates a beloved and long-standing side activity that has been a part of Pokémon since the very beginning. While Scarlet and Violet had other problems, this change particularly bothered me, and I’m hoping the upcoming Pokemon Winds and Pokemon Waves will bring fishing back.

Pokemon Winds and Waves Can Expand on This Classic Mechanic

Fishing needs to be included in the new Pokemon Winds and Pokemon Waves games. The island setting and the game titles strongly suggest a lot of water-based gameplay, and the trailer confirmed this by showing Water-type Pokemon and ideal fishing spots. However, just adding a fishing rod isn’t enough. This is a chance for the tenth generation of Pokemon to really innovate and make fishing a unique and exciting experience.

The game might bring back fishing, but with a modern twist – a fishing rod you can upgrade! It could work like different kinds of Poke Balls, using lures and bait to attract specific Pokemon. If future updates like Pokemon Winds and Pokemon Waves introduce more Water-type Pokemon, this upgraded fishing system would be a great way to target and catch them. Plus, it could let players customize their rod, adding a personal touch to their gameplay.

Adding a fishing club would be a fantastic feature. Players could join and receive challenges, like catching specific Pokémon or Pokémon from particular locations. Completing these tasks would unlock rewards and give players more reasons to fish across the game world. Improving the fishing system would especially please longtime fans, and it would really highlight what makes Pokemon Winds and Pokemon Waves special. It would be a great addition to the overall gameplay experience.

Water Pokemon Can Thrive in Pokemon Winds and Waves

Given the title Pokemon Waves, you’d expect a lot of Water-type Pokemon, and that’s a good thing! I felt like Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet didn’t have enough, so this could be a really welcome improvement. Plus, Game Freak could create some amazing water environments – think lots of rivers, lakes, ponds, swamps, underwater caves, and a vast ocean!

The ocean seems to be a major feature of the new game, with the trailer strongly suggesting players will be able to dive underwater. This could lead to a lot of interesting new areas to explore and more ways to find Water-type Pokémon. Imagine discovering Pokémon in places like shipwrecks, underwater ruins, and vibrant coral reefs – offering players diverse environments for catching them.

The game could offer more diverse fishing experiences by expanding into underwater areas. Players might enjoy deep-sea fishing from a boat, or even diving to lay traps and attract Pokémon with bait. Fishing shouldn’t be limited to just using a rod. With Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves, this generation has a great opportunity to become the best for Water-type Pokémon. As a core type in the series, I think Generation 10 should reintroduce fishing with innovative methods that truly showcase how iconic Water-types are.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

Read More

2026-03-08 16:11