10 GENIUS Video Game Features No One Saw Coming

Nobody could have possibly known how literally big Pokémon Sword & Shield’s big gimmick would prove to be. With Dynamax, Pokémon swelling to Macy’s Parade balloon proportions became the new normal.

These gigantic Pokémon have double the HP (assuming the trainer had used the maximum amount of Dynamax Candies on them) and can use exclusive Max Moves (of typing and power that corresponded to the original move). After three turns pass or if they switch out of battle, it immediately wears off.

How has this mechanic been received? Well, it was certainly unexpected and is very powerful indeed, while the concept of Gigantamax Pokémon (Dynamax forms specific to certain species with exclusive, formidable moves of their own) really has added quite the wrinkle. Tricky strategies like Eject Button to remove the opponent’s Dynamax critter have come common.

Whether it will be seen again the series’ future or not, whether it should be allowed in singles or doubles formats or not, one thing’s for sure: this feature has turned so much of what fans know about Pokémon on its head.