It’s something gamers have been waiting on for the last couple years… a Pokémon MMO. So, is it even a possibility and could the Wii U be the solution?
[aditude-amp id="flyingcarpet" targeting='{"env":"staging","page_type":"article","post_id":688564,"post_type":"story","post_chan":"none","tags":null,"ai":false,"category":"none","all_categories":"gbunfiltered,","session":"B"}']The answer to the first question is yes and no. While nothing official has been announced by Nintendo period, it would be foolish to think Nintendo isn’t testing the waters. Through the past few generations of the handheld game, additions have been made to give players a more interactive experience with other trainers. The inclusion of the Global Trade Station, online battles and most recently the Pokémon Global Link are certainly telltale signs.
While these have all been steps towards improving the immersive play of Pokémon, the end result is the same. I wish it could be as easy as turning the interwebs on its side and have the 3DS sport this title, but the consoles specs just can’t do it justice. Not to mention, who would want to play an MMO on a handheld. While we’re being honest, players want that beautiful immersive experience that clings to the MMO genre.
All this could be a simple process. Making the game for PC would be the obvious solution here, but Nintendo just has to Psyduck us with their logic. The only way we will ever see a Pokémon game on a computer is either when Nintendo develops their own or someone purchases the rights to create the game. Both are very unrealistic. However the latter isn’t a new idea. Several fans have stood for the MMO idea going as far as making their own free-to-play games. The newest one on the horizon is Pokémon Universe, which according to its website is expecting to launch sometime next year.
Now before you get your hopes up, I’m going to crush them. While the site remains operational right now, it won’t be too long before Nintendo chooses Legal, the law Pokémon and drops the ban hammer attack known as copyright infringement. Nintendo has done it before with fan-made site Pokénet. But in all fairness it was the right thing to do.
So what is the solution to this puzzling problem? It could quite simply be the Wii U. With Nintendo’s plans to make the Wii U’s online capabilities top of the industry, it could be the momentum needed to get the wheels moving. Thanks to the recent success of DC Universe Online via PC and more importantly on the PlayStation 3, it shows that a console MMO can work.
The Wii U’s controller can even be utilized to add further immersion. Inventory, attack selection and everything else in the start menu can be utilized right from the touch screen. And depending on what route the MMO goes, it could benefit from a multi-tab selection much like you would find on a keyboard.
While we all hold onto what hope is left, all fans can do is pray Nintendo listens and acknowledges the obvious demand. For those who are dying in anticipation and have Minecraft, you can download the Pokemob mod. Trust me it’s worth it.