Until now, the only fighting game that included Pokémon was the Super Smash Bros. series. Well, that exclusivity will soon end with the imminent release of Pokkén Tournament, the Pokémon fighting game.
Almost a year has passed since Nintendo and Namco announced Pokkén Tournament, the Pokémon fighting game. Taking elements from the Tekken series, Pokkén Tournament lets you choose the most powerful pocket monsters of the Pokémon franchise to fight one-on-one. But don't expect a fight at Tekken's technical level; it's more centered on 3D action in the style of Super Smash Bros., allowing you to perform various techniques along with the special powers characteristic of each Pokémon. To give you a better idea of how the fights will be, check out the new trailer of Pokkén Tournament:
Alongside Lucario, Machamp, and Blaziken, now join Gardevoir, Gengar, Manyula (also known as Weavile), the legendary Suicune, the ever-present Pikachu, and the dragon Lizardon (Charizard) to the list of selectable characters. As seen in the videos of Pokkén Tournament, most Pokémon have the ability to use the Mega Evolutions we saw in Pokémon X/Y. There are also support Pokémon such as Emolga, Fennekin, Snivy, Frogadier, Eevee, Lapras, Whimsicott, and Jirachi, which can assist in battle by attacking and dealing damage or causing some status effect that reduces the opponent's stats.
There is also an energy bar that fills as the battle progresses and allows unleashing the fighter's special techniques or using the Mega Evolution. The stages are set in farms or the arena where the Pokémon Tournament takes place. Although this game is scheduled to come out only in Japanese arcades, we are waiting for an international release or for a Nintendo console. Meanwhile, if you want a fight between Pikachu and Lucario, you have no choice but to keep playing Super Smash Bros. on Wii U and 3DS.
Pokkén Tournament is being developed by Bandai Namco Entertainment along with The Pokémon Company and will be available exclusively in Japanese arcades starting July 16, 2015.
