Platform: Switch
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: The Pokemon Company/Bandai Namco Entertainment
Genre: Fighting
Series: Pokemon
Players: 2
The Nintendo Switch has been a home for ports since the platform launched in March. From classic Neo Geo titles to modern indie hall-of-famers, There’s no shortage of games that got their start elsewhere making a home of Nintendo’s hybrid console.
Pokkén Tournament DX marks the second in what will likely be a long line of Wii U titles also migrating to the Switch. Settling into a the console’s already growing fighter library, the Pokémon-themed brawler adds new characters and a ton of new and improved game features to the well-received (but perhaps ill-timed) 2016 original.
What’s New
It’s not much of a stretch to say Pokkén Tournament on the Wii U had something of a short lifespan. By the time it released in early 2016, the Wii U was already starting to show signs of decline. The game was well received at larger tournaments, like EVO 2016 and (of course) the Pokémon World Championship, though. For many outside Japan, it was a well-crafted console fighter that simply needed a bit more attention.
In Japan, the arcade version of Pokkén was already well established, and continued to receive updates and balance patches well after support waned for the Wii U version. For the Nintendo Switch version, Pokken Tournament DX has received all the polish given to the arcade version in the last year. New characters, play modes, features and balance changes are all here, ready to go as soon as you start up the game.
The additions to the character roster are, quite simply, wonderful. Fan favorites like Darkrai and Scizor, series veterans Croagunk and Empoleon, and newcomer Decidueye face off to add a new layer of variety to the lineup, and make the game feel fresh even to a veteran Pokkén player. Learning the finer points of each new character is an exciting way to jump back into the game, and while I personally landed on Decidueye’s balanced offering, there’s plenty on offer for any playstyle with these new Pokémon. New support Pokémon Litten and Poplio round out the Sun/Moon roster as well, adding even more support options to the mix.
Aside from characters, Pokkén Tournament DX adds several new stages and game modes to the mix. Team battles let you pick three Pokemon for a series of battles against multiple opponents. While its not as robust as, say, Marvel vs. Capcom‘s tag-team mayhem, it’s a nice break from the standard one-on-one battles typical to the rest of the game. Those basic one-on-one battles receive a facelift as well with “extra battles,” which add special item drops to the arena. Scooping up these items gives your Pokémon a synergy or health boost, or a special bonus status like speed or attack boosts. Plus, new daily challenges offer a mix of random characters, modes and rules that offer big experience and item payouts for winning.
Challenge the world
The online features from the original game have gotten a facelift as well. In addition to the standard friendly and ranked battles, players can also join group battles of up to 100 players each. While perhaps not the most groundbreaking new feature, these definitely add a sense of community to the online arena.
Perhaps the best new online feature is the replay gallery, which lets you save and share your recent online battle with the world. The Switch’s lack of video capture/streaming features has been a source of disappointment since launch, and features like this one are something of an oasis in the drought of media sharing options on the console. The feature lacks some polish, as there’s no way to edit or tag your replays. Still, it’s a fun option that could prove a valuable tool for trainers looking to improve their skills.
True to form for the Switch, local and wireless multiplayer are present as well. Wireless battles can be added to the replay gallery as well, and the Switch’s fantastic local wireless provides a great platform for quick head-to-head matches. Single-console local play is certainly an improvement over the Wii U version; gone is the forced split between gamepad screen and TV. Players can choose to play in splitscreen mode or battle from a single camera.
Single-console multiplayer is by far the most awkward way to play, though it’s hard to deny the appeal of passing a controller to a friend for a quick bout. Split screen can be a bit of sensory overload, while the single camera mode puts player two at a slight disadvantage in field phase. The camera stays focused over player one’s shoulders, leaving player two to suss out their approach from across the field. Splitting the joycons between players is as cramped a way to play as you might expect, so it’s best to have a pro controller or extra set of joycons handy if you anticipate a battle while you’re out and about.
All things considered, the experience in Pokkén Tournament DX is leaps and bounds ahead of the original Wii U version. It may not feel like an entirely new game, but it definitely feels like a more complete one. Everything we loved about the first Pokkén Tournament is wonderfully preserved, but there’s so much more to keep players invested beyond the core battle system.
A well-oiled machine
Aside from all the new goodies in Pokkén Tournament DX, not much has changed in the way the game looks and feels. The game does run at a much smoother 60 frames per second, though the models do still feel a little fuzzy and aliased at times. It can be jarring at times, but the overall aesthetic isn’t hurt much by this, and the game is smooth and responsive without a trace of slowdown or input lag in single player modes. Switching between docked and handheld play is as smooth as you’d expect; the game looks and plays great no matter what mode you prefer.
Online play is somewhat at the mercy of your wireless connection. With poor signal I did feel a bit disadvantaged at times. This could be where the Switch’s inherent design could be something of a hang-up for some players. With a reliance on wifi internet and extra dongles required for an ethernet connection, you may want to saved ranked online play for those times when you’re safely on your home network, or when the local coffeehouse wifi isn’t clogged beyond all hope.
One of the few areas that don’t seem to have gotten much of a refresh is the cosmetic customizations found in the game. You can still dress your trainer up with a metric ton of clothing, hairstyle and background options, and the deluge of trainer cards and comments made the journey from the Wii U as well. However, there’s not much beyond this to dress up your battling duo as you go, and it doesn’t seem that any new cosmetic items are included. You do get access to all of your advisor’s adorable costumes from the get-go, but it would be nice to see a few extras here. Flashy accessories or even rare drops for “shiny” Pokemon alternate colors wouldn’t go amiss.
Pokkén Tournament DX takes advantage of every controller option the Switch has to offer, and then some. Players can easily switch between single or both Joy-con, Pro Controller, and the small but growing number of third party fightsticks now available for the switch. Hardcore fans can opt for Hori’s licensed Pokken Tournament DX pro pad, which copies the original arcade fight pad in a wired home controller. The original Wii U pro pad even works with the Switch version, if you have one lying around.
As far as controls go, I definitely found the Pro Controller or Hori Pro Pad to be optimal ways to play Pokken Tournament DX. The Joycons’ smaller buttons are a bit cramped an imprecise here, and the thumbsticks are more of a hindrance than they have been for other Switch titles. Playing in handheld mode is certainly enjoyable, but the Pro Controller offers far more real estate for your fingers, making counters and grabs more reliable. Regardless of how you play, I recommend having a dedicated gamepad handy if you plan on training for tournament play.
Overall, Pokkén Tournament DX is the same fun, accessible, deep fighter its predecessor set out to be. The hybrid 3D/2D battle system and stripped down combo pool are wonderfully designed to welcome new players, and should prove a comfort to casual players just looking for an action-packed Pokemon game for the Switch. Still, there’s a subtle complexity that earned the game a spot in some of 2016’s toughest eSports arenas. Trainers looking for a serious tournament experience should find in Pokkén Tournament DX, a game that’s aching to be perfected; one that demands the quick reflexes and precise game sense to rise to the top.
…like no one ever was
Pokkén Tournament DX is a marked improvement over the original Wii U title, and a worthy addition to the fighting game roster available on the Switch. It deftly maneuvers the fine line between casual-friendly and tournament-worthy, setting it up for success among the platform’s varied fan base.
New Pokémon, battle stages and added game types do wonders to flesh out what felt like a sparse experience on the Wii U. The local and online multiplayer feels more robust, and the Switch’s inherent portability has once again proven its worth. Pokkén goes where I go, and I squeeze game time into every spare moment.
It remains to be seen if an eSports resurgence is in store for Pokkén DX, but the bones of a top tier tournament fighter are certainly there. With a little time and a few key event appearances, Smash Bros. may finally have a cousin taking the competitive stage in the coming months.
Pokkén Tournament DX is now available on the Nintendo Switch eShop and at major retailers.
Review Copy Provided by Nintendo
