Players might creditWizards of the Coast’sDungeons & Dragonsfor helping them get acquainted with various video games. After all, it’s thanks to the creative freedom of TTRPGs that players get to explore the many possibilities their character can do in games. For players who want a new spin onD&D’s tactical potential but don’t want to playFinal Fantasycan actually enjoy the same level of fun withNintendo’sPokémonfranchise.
RELATED:Best Third Party Books for D&D 5e, Ranked
Unfortunately, considering how the franchise stayed with gaming for more than two decades and counting, it might be difficult choosing between all of its titles, both main and otherwise. After all, whichPokémonsuits a player best? Interestingly, this decision might become much easier if players look at this fromD&D’s moral alignments perspective. WhichPokémongame fits which type of player alignment?
9Lawful Good: Pokémon FireRed And LeafGreen
For hardcore fans looking for the “authentic"Pokémonexperience, nothing says Pokémon more than a handheld with sprites. Thanks toFireRedandLeafGreen, fans and newcomers of the franchise can go back andrelive the magic of Generation One Pokémon, especially since these two games are remakes of the originalPokémon RedandGreen, which were originally for the Game Boy.
Lawful Good players who want to ascribe to a more “classic"Pokémonexperience can play these two games. After all, playing these remakes will help them stick to the classic 2D games most fans love. More importantly, playing these will help Lawful Good players avoid conflicts from “purist” fans who may chastise others for liking the 3D iterations of games or the series spinoffs.
8Neutral Good: Pokémon Let’s Go, Pikachu! And Eevee!
Pokémon: Let’s Go!is a remake of the 1998Pokémon Yellowgame. Similar to the 1998 title, this game will have aPokémonfollow the player around as they become thePokémonChampion of theKanto region. Aside from the original 151 creatures in the series, the game also features their Alolan and Mega Evolved forms, as introduced in future titles.
Players of a Neutral Good alignment can appreciate the game “balancing” the best elements from both old fashionedPokémonand newer iterations of the franchise. For instance, the game takes full advantage of theNintendo Switch’s graphical fidelity. Moreover, players can choose one of two games that determine their main companion, Pikachu or Eevee.
7Chaotic Good: Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Fans looking for a weird twist to theirPokémonexperience can look atMystery Dungeonfor a bit of adventure. Unlike the more combat-centric titles,Pokémon Mystery Dungeongames such asPokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DXlets players take control of cutesyPokémonon a quest to explore various parts of the world.
RELATED:10 Pro Tips To Create A Cyberpunk D&D Campaign
Chaotic Good players will appreciate the more “creative” mechanics ofMystery Dungeon. Fans will love the RPG-esque nature of the game. After all, this game’s story “transforms” the player into one of many fan-favorite Pokémon. Moreover, Chaotic Good players will appreciate the ever-changing nature of dungeons inRescue Team DX, as they offer a new experience with every playthrough.
6Lawful Neutral: Pokémon GO
The Age of the Smartphone came with new games to play with them. And thankfully, Pikachu’s debut in smartphones viaPokémon GObecame nothing short of worth the wait. Thanks to the game’s augmented reality mechanics,Pokémon GOsuperimposes a legitimatePokémonexperience over the real world.
This factor means players can use their smartphone camera to have an authenticPokémonexperience. They can catch Pokémon in the real world, “interact” with PokéStops and claim Gyms, or participate in raids. Players of Lawfully Neutral alignment will appreciate this game, as while people usually have a neutral response to the status ofPokémon GO today, everyone can agree that the game is a lawful adaptation of smartphonePokémongame.
5True Neutral: Pokémon Snap
Talk about a new meaning to “catch ‘em all!” Thanks toPokémon Snap, players can capture moments of Pokémon “in the wild” and share them with the family or with friends. And after more than two decades,New Pokémon Snapfor the Nintendo Switch will let long-time fans take pictures of their favorite Pokémon in captivating 3D.
Players of the True Neutral alignment can “play it safe” with theNew Pokémon Snapgame.After all, this innocent-enough game won’t force arguments over the “2D vs 3D” format of the series. Moreover, everyone will likely look at this game without having to “compare” it to anything but its predecessor. After all, with improved graphics plus more immersive gameplay, it’s a win-win.
4Chaotic Neutral: Pokémon Sword And Shield
Alongside the Nintendo Switch are newPokémontitles ready to showcase the console’s potential. Aside from the aforementionedLet’s Go!series, it’sPokémon SwordandShieldthat really set the stage forGeneration VIII Pokémon. This game has a new region (Galar), plus an interesting plot that uncovers a conspiracy in the GalarPokémonLeague.
RELATED:The 10 Most Useful D&D 5e Spells Players Should Have
Players of the Chaotic Neutral alignment live a little dangerously withSwordandShield. After all, they can avoid purists who insist “2D is better” when they argue the Switch offers better graphics and more gameplay features. Moreover, the fact that there’s a new open Wild Area for encounters adds a much-needed chaotic spice to previous grass-based random encounters.
3Lawful Evil: Pokkén Tournament
While Nintendo kept on making newPokémongames for new console releases, no title has yet to capture the intense battles of thePokémonanime. However,Bandai Namco’sPokkén Tournamentchanges this factoid. After all, players can finally take control of some of the most famous Pokémon from the franchise. Moreover, this game lets them duke it out, not in turn-based action, but as a fighting game, complete with combos and finishers.
This game can capture the fancy of Lawful Evil players. After all, the game does capture the action-packed fights of thePokémonanime in the same vein asTekkenandStreet Fighter. However, purists might see this game as evil; after all, there’s no turn-based battles, no Gym badges, and no Pokédex.
2Neutral Evil: Pokémon Battle Revolution
Interestingly,Pokkénisn’t the first game to center around Pokémon combat. In fact, thePokémon Stadiumseries focuses less on the exploration andmore on Pokémon fighting each other. As such,Pokémon Battle Revolutionfor theWiiseems perfect for fans who want to focus on 3D Pokémon battles.Battle Revolutionstill uses the turn-based mechanic from classic games but shows these moves in full 3D, which at the time is the closest fans could get to battles similar to the anime.
Unfortunately, fans seeBattle Revolutionwith a bit of mixed reception. For instance, others who love action like how skills “make contact” with enemy Pokémon and how the game cuts straight to the action. However, purists don’t appreciateBattle Revolutionfor letting go of the more casual 2D exploration format of classic titles.
1Chaotic Evil: Pokémon Cafe Mix
Pokémonfans tired of the entire “catch ‘em all” slogan can instead playPokémon Cafe Mixto unwind and spend a bit of downtime with their favorite Pokémon. Moreover, in this puzzle game, players will seek the help of Pokémon to runtheir own Pokémon establishment. Various Pokémon stop by the cafe to make their orders, while others help the players meet them. The game takes on the form of a “link ‘em up!” system where players need to connect icons to eliminate them and send ingredients to the bottom of the screen.
Purists might not like this game for its extremely casual setup. After all, aPokémongame without exploration and battle might just be a cute game. And players who think otherwise can go for the Chaotic Evil route and show them this game and that the franchise doesn’t need battles to be fun.
