Pokémon Switch: 10 Ways To Make The Best Pokémon Game Ever
One game to rule 'em all.
Like a Butterfree shedding its cramped cocoon, Game Freak's iconic franchise has, after more than two decades of gradual evolution, outgrown its current shell; Pokémon's found a new home, one that'll push the boundaries of what we thought was possible in the eternal quest to Catch 'Em All.
Even following the most tentative of release dates, Pokémon's maiden voyage on Switch won't arrive until the latter half of 2018 at the earliest, leaving Game Freak with more than enough time to take some of the series' more aged and archaic systems back to the drawing board for a touch-up. But which parts of the whole should take precedence?
The world as we know it will, of course, be built from the ground up for the hardware jump, so there's no need to make it an item on the wishlist, but what about the niggles and more formulaic elements that have received little attention since the Gen 1 days?
Multiple saves, Pokémon roaming in the overworld and vastly expanded multiplayer options represent a smart jumping off point for the potential renovations, but there's a whole lot more Game Freak can do to ensure this new beginning truly shines as the best of the bunch.
All 802 Pokémon crammed into one cartridge? Why that'll do nicely.
10. Multiple Saves
No conclusive answer has ever been provided by Game Freak as to why the Pokémon games don't allow multiple save files to exist at once.
Speculative musing over the years has suggested that the limited space of handheld hardware is to blame or, alternatively, that Game Freak simply doesn't want to open the games up to potential abuse (multiple legendaries, rare items, etc).
That last one can't be true, there's never been any system in place to stop Pokéfans from transferring their hard earned 'Mons to other systems - in fact, it's now encouraged, thanks to Pokémon Bank - before starting fresh, so what's the downside?
Being able to re-explore the world for a second or third time with an entirely new squad without having to relocate treasured catches would eliminate a lot of the unnecessary micromanaging we've endured for years.
Best of all, it would actively encourage Trainers to engage in fun, fan-made modes like the Nuzlocke Challenge without having to permanently blow up their main saves.
Make it so, Game Freak.