Both games nailed their world design and mechanics, but failed to build a varied, replayable structure around that. In many respects, the troubles with Pokkén Tournament were analogous to the problems with ARMS. The gameplay became fairly monotonous in the face of shallow, repetitive modes. RELATED: The 5 Best Limited-Edition 3DS Designs Unfortunately, that experience was fairly short-lived. The flashiness of myriad Pokémon's signature moves and the ease of executing their combos resulted in an empowering experience. Like Super Smash Bros., the game was approachable for newcomers while offering enough nuance for competitive players. This aesthetic and technical success was paired with mechanical success as well. With a realistic aesthetic that beat Detective Pikachu to the punch, Pokémon never looked more life-like, and Wii U games rarely looked better. This proved to be a winning combination in both arcades and Wii U, as well as in Pokkén's subsequent Nintendo Switch port. The game took heavy inspiration from Bandai Namco's Tekken series, imagining the world of Pokémon in the context of a fighting game.

This success was equally evident in Pokkén Tournament. RELATED: Monster Hunter Rise: 5 Monsters We'd Love To See Return Snap is brilliantly detailed and shows a true understanding of the source material, as well as fans' expectations of it. This project is emblematic of Bandai Namco's strengths and ability to work with the Pokémon IP. The door is open, as Bandai Namco and The Pokémon Company are still collaborating considering the upcoming release of New Pokémon Snap. With any luck, Bandai Namco will have the opportunity to work on a true Pokkén sequel for the Nintendo Switch. Bandai Namco also cemented itself within the ranks of The Pokémon Company, a partnership which resulted in Pokkén Tournament on Wii U. Through its work on titles from Mario Baseball to Super Smash Bros., the team cemented itself in the heart of Nintendo fans and the company itself. Few outside teams know how to handle Nintendo and Nintendo-adjacent IP better than Bandai Namco.

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