After a dry summer,Pokemon ScarletandViolethave returned with more news ramping up to their November release. Ever so slowly,Pokemonfans are gaining a clearer idea of what these radical new titles are bringing to the table.Pokemon Scarlet and Violetwill be the first truly open worldPokemongames, and that will enhance both the single player and multiplayer experiences in different ways. To go along with the larger space, players have the chance to freely explore the Paldea region and progress down three different story paths. Meanwhile, multiplayer fans will now get the chance to explore and cooperate in the open world with up to three other players.
There are many new things to like inPokemon ScarletandViolet, and a lot of details still feel like they’re being withheld. After themixed reception ofPokemon SwordandShield, this entry seems like a step in the right direction. There are a couple questions thatPokemonveterans still have, however. The first is how many new Pokemon there are, and how much of the old roster is returning. The second, and some would say more pressing, concern is what the post-game will be like.Pokemonfans have been asking for better bonus content for years, and there are few quicker ways to provide that than bringing back the Battle Frontier.
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The History of Pokemon Post-Game Changes
Pokemonand post-game content have always been an odd match for one another. In the first generation of the franchise, Kanto wasn’t designed to offer anything beyond the Pokemon League and most ofthe original 151 Pokemon. After becoming the champion, players are simply expected to fill out their Pokedex, with Mewtwo’s cave opening to allow this. After that, it’s all trading and battling with other humans.Pokemon FireRedandLeafGreenadded some additional content with the Sevii Islands and a few other features, but Generation 1 still lagged behind its competition.
It wasPokemon GoldandSilverthat first impressed players by including the entire Kanto region as a bonus adventure. The fight with Red at the very end is legendary, and generated enough catharsis to justify the adventure. However, anew feature introduced inPokemon Crystaldeserves special attention. This third version ofGoldandSilverintroduced the Battle Tower, a short gauntlet that has stuck withPokemon’s post-game in one form or another since its inception. It’s usually a simple tournament or series of randomized fights, but it at least provides replayable end game content in the absence of the much larger Battle Frontier.
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The Battle Frontier Is Still Pokemon’s Best Post-Game
The Battle Frontier is legendary among veteranPokemonplayers, having only existed inPokemon Emerald,Pokemon Platinum, andPokemon HeartGoldandSoulSilver. While the Battle Tower is a part of it, it’s the plainest attraction. Each facility in the Battle Frontier offers a new and exciting way toexperience high-levelPokemonbattling. The Battle Factory allows players to rent Pokemon teams, while the Battle Pyramid has them navigate a miniature dungeon. Generation 4’s Battle Hall forces duels, while the Battle Arcade chooses random effects from slots before each battle. The amount of experimentation withPokemon’s regular format in the Battle Frontier is unparalleled within the mainline games.
The Frontier is designed to keep trainers coming back for a long time, as well. Each facility has two versions, with a reasonably long one providing a silver reward and a longer, tougher course that results in a gold reward. It may not sound like much, but players need to ensure theirPokemon teams and mechanical understandingare on point to get those gold medals. For those who are struggling to keep up, it’s even possible to call in a friend to tackle some attractions together. ThePokemonfranchise had never seen such a content-rich post-game before, and sadly, it hasn’t since.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are Perfect for Bringing Back the Battle Frontier
Come Generation 5, Game Freak tried something different with the Pokemon World Tournament. While it was appreciated, it didn’t match the Battle Frontier, and future games would disappoint even further. It took untilPokemon SwordandShield’s Expansion Passto add features that would keep players coming back for more in the post-game, and they were still derided as less diverse than the Battle Frontier. Game Freak has resisted putting a Battle Frontier back into modernPokemongames despite fan demands, butPokemon ScarletandVioletmay be the ideal time to bring this feature back.
Pokemon ScarletandVioletare firing on all cylinders, and the Battle Frontier would make them a clean sweep. For as far asPokemonhas advanced since its 2D days, no one feature has shown the creativity of the Battle Frontier facilities. Just bringing some of them back would make for a great time, and there’s potential for more to be done with them. New types of battles likeTriple Battles and Rotation Battleshave been invented since the Battle Frontier was phased out, and there could be a new installation devoted to them. There could even be a fresh take on the automated Battle Palace fights involvingScarletandViolet’s new Auto Battle mechanic.
All of this can happen withScarlet and Violet’s multiplayer frameworkin place, and the outdoor portion of the frontier could act as a lobby for many players to interact. Adding in the different difficulty levels present in the original could makePokemon ScarletandViolet’s Battle Frontier the ultimate version of aPokemonpost-game. Whether the Battle Frontier returns this generation or not, fans will continue to hope that it graces the series once again.
Pokemon ScarletandVioletwill be released on November 18 for the Nintendo Switch.
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