Overview
Pokkén Tournament (known in Germany as Pokémon Tekken) is a 3D fighting game developed and released by Bandai Namco (along with The Pokémon Company) for arcades in Japan on July 16, 2015. A home version was later published worldwide for the Wii U by The Pokémon Company on March 18, 2016.
A spin-off of the Pokémon series of RPGs, Pokkén Tournament puts players in direct one-on-one Pokémon battles in a manner similar to both arena-based and traditional 3D fighting games. As the game's name is a portmanteau of "Pokémon/Pocket Monsters" and "Tekken", the game features gameplay elements from Bandai Namco's Tekken series of 3D fighting games.
The game's story is set in the Ferrum region, where "battle trainers" have one-on-one matches using special Synergy Stones (in the form of augmented reality "Battle AR" headsets) that allow them to "synergize" with their Pokémon in battle. As the player's customizable Battle Trainer rises up the ranks of each League, they cross paths with a mysterious Mewtwo who seems to be draining the power of the Synergy Stones.
The arcade version of the game is notable for its use of an affixed console controller instead of a traditional joystick and button setup. As the game's camera and UI is focused on one player over the other, each machine can only support one player (requiring two-player versus matches to use linked arcade machines). It also supported online multiplayer and persistent player stats (via Bana Passport IC Cards and the Pokkén Rendou WEB web-service), both of which were discontinued on March 25, 2019.
The Wii U version of the game supports local Two-Screen Multiplayer (allowing one player to use the GamePad for their perspective, at the cost of limited display framerate for both players), online multiplayer (with friendly private matches and ranked public matches), and a hidden LAN Battle mode (allowing two Wii U consoles to connect to eachother, unlocking all content for tournament settings). The Wii U version also has Amiibo support, allowing players to unlock special content.
The game was later ported to the Nintendo Switch (as Pokkén Tournament DX, or Pokémon Tekken DX in Germany) on September 22, 2017. Along with new Pokémon (both playable and support), this version unlocks all Pokémon from the start and adds new game modes (including online lobby matches and Team Battle mode), split-screen multiplayer, and post-release downloadable content.
Gameplay
As with traditional fighting games, players control their fighter (Battle Pokémon) directly as they use their attacking and defensive abilities to try to deplete their opponent's vitality. Along with standard movement using the Analog Stick or D-Pad, the game uses six buttons: three attack buttons (Weak Attack, Strong Attack, and Pokémon Move), dedicated Jump and Block buttons, and a button to summon the player's Support Pokémon.
Unlike most fighting games, Pokkén Tournament uses a simplistic set of commands with limited joystick motion (i.e. no quarter-circle motions or "holding" a direction).
Both Jumping and Blocking is similar to those in Super Smash Bros. series. Holding the Block button puts up a shield that negates damage regardless of location and stance. Blocks can be negated with grapple attacks, and can be broken (leaving the fighter vulnerable) with continuous damage or certain attacks.
Due to this control setup, the Arcade version of the game uses an affixed console controller rather than a traditional control panel.
Battle Phases
The main gameplay in Pokkén Tournament is split into two distinct battle phases:
- Field Phase - Plays similar to arena-based 3D fighting games (such as the Cyber Troopers Virtual-On series), with fighters maneuvering freely around a 3D plane. This is the phase each round starts with, and allows players to perform ranged attacks using Weak Attack and homing attacks using Strong Attack.
- Dual Phase - Plays similar to traditional 2D and 3D fighting games (such as the Tekken series), with fighters locked into a 2D plane (or "line"). Holding Left/Right moving the fighter along the line, while holding Up/Down switches stances for different attacks (Low Stance and High Stance).
Certain attacks in either phases performs a Phase Break, which switches between these phases and allows the attacker to recover some of their Recoverable Health while removing some of the opponent's Recoverable Health.
Attack Triangle System
The game includes two special abilities, universal to all characters, that require a combination of two specific buttons to perform (which can be mapped to shortcut buttons in the Home versions):
- Grab Attack (Weak + Jump) - Used to attempt a close-ranged grapple. These attacks take precedence over Counter Attacks and can be used against blocking opponents, but are countered by most standard attacks.
- Counter Attack (Strong + P-Move) - Used to perform a counter-attack. These attacks take precedence over most standard attacks and can be charged-up for more efficiency, but are countered by Grab Attacks.
Along with normal attacks, these make up the game's "Attack Triangle" system (similar to that from the Dead or Alive series), which uses a rock-paper-scissors mechanic in which certain types of attacks counter others. To make it easier to read, these attacks have the fighter glowing a certain color (green for Grab, blue for Counter, and red for normal attacks if they're countering a Grab).
Synergy Burst
By pressing both Support and Block buttons (which can be mapped to a shortcut button in the Home versions), players can perform a limited-time transformation known as the Synergy Burst. While in Burst Form, they gain a boost to their attacking and defensive capabilities, with some fighters gaining unique character-specific buffs (such as reducing HP consumption for certain Pokémon Moves and gaining the ability to double jump).
This technique can only be performed when the Synergy Gauge is full, and slowly depletes the Gauge while Burst Form is in effect. The Gauge is filled by either picking up Synergy Gauge Boost pickups, by dealing or receiving damage, or by performing Phase Breaks.
In addition, pressing both Support and Block buttons while in Burst Form can perform a one-use Burst Attack that can deal a lot of damage in a cinematic fashion if the attack connects. Only one Burst Attack can be used per Burst Form transformation.
Support Pokémon
After choosing their fighter, players also choose a duo of Support Pokémon that serve as assist characters. Players can only have one Support available during the round, can switch between them in-between rounds, and can only call them when the Support Gauge (which fills up over time) is full (after which the Gauge fully depletes). Players can only call them in a neutral state (i.e. not attacking, not getting hit, not in the air, and not knocked down) using the dedicated Support button.
There are three types of Support Pokémon: Attack (which performs a powerful attack), Disrupt (which inflicts the opposing fighter with a de-buff), and Enhance (which grants a buff to the player's fighter).
Cheer Skill
The player's advisor, Nia, provides a special boost to either the player's Synergy Gauge or Support Gauge at the beginning of specific rounds. These can be chosen by the player:
- Standard - Boosts Synergy and Support Gauges in-between rounds, with a greater effect after losing the previous round.
- Synergy Focused - Boosts Synergy Gauge at the beginning of every round.
- Pressure Focused - Greatly boosts Synergy Gauge, but only for the final round.
- Support Focused - Greatly boosts Support Gauge in-between rounds.
- Special - Boosts Synergy Gauge in-between rounds after losing the previous round, and boosts Support Gauge in-between rounds after winning the previous round.
- Whimsical - Randomized effect at every round.
Skill Level
As players fight matches with each Battle Pokémon, they raise their Skill Level and gain Skill Points to distribute in four stats:
- Attack - Increases damage dealt.
- Defense - Decreases damage received.
- Synergy - Increases Synergy Burst duration and its attack/defense boost.
- Strategy - Hastens Support Gauge charging and enhances Support Pokémon effects.
Bonus Game Modes
Along with the standard one-on-one fights (Basic Battle), the game includes two alternate game modes:
- Extra Battle - Instead of Synergy Gauge Boost pickups, randomized orbs appear in the playfield that grant a random buff or de-buff to the fighter.
- Team Battle - Similar to the King of Fighters series, Team Battle has both players forming teams of three Battle Pokémon. Rather than using a round system, the rules have each player trying to eliminate all opposing fighters, with the winning fighter's HP not recovering between rounds.
Characters
Playable Characters
Standard
- Blaziken (#257, known as Bursyamo in Japanese versions) is a Fire/Fighting Pokémon and the final evolution of the Torchic line. It made its debut in Gen. 3 (Ruby/Sapphire) and can transform into Mega Blaziken in Burst Form. Added in the Arcade version on September 1, 2015.
- Braixen (#654, known as Tairenar in Japanese versions) is a Fire Pokémon and the evolution of Fennekin. It made its debut in Gen. 6 (X/Y). Added in the Wii U version, and brought back to the Arcade version on July 20, 2016.
- Decidueye (#724, known as Junaiper in Japanese version) is a Grass/Ghost Pokémon and the final evolution of the Rowlet line. It mades its debut in Gen. 7 (Sun/Moon). Added in the Switch version. Unavailable in the Arcade and Wii U versions.
- Empoleon (#395, known as Emperte in Japanese versions) is a Water/Steel Pokémon and the final evolution of the Piplup line. It made its debut in Gen. 4 (Diamond/Pearl). Added in the Arcade version on December 15, 2016. Unavailable in the Wii U version.
- Mewtwo (#150) is a Psychic Legendary Pokémon and a genetic clone of the mythical Mew. It made its debut in Gen. 1 (Red/Blue) and can transform into Mega Mewtwo X in Burst Form. Added in the Wii U version as an unlockable, and brought back to the Arcade version on May 2, 2016.
Power
- Blastoise (#009, known as Kamex in Japanese versions) is a Water Pokémon and the final evolution of the Squirtle line. It made its debut in Gen. 1 (Red/Blue) and can transform into Mega Blastoise in Burst Form. Added in the Switch version on March 23, 2018 as DLC. Unavailable in the Arcade and Wii U versions.
- Chandelure (#609, known as Chandela in Japanese versions) is a Ghost/Fire Pokémon and the final evolution of the Litwick line. It made its debut in Gen. 5 (Black/White). Added in the Arcade version on February 9, 2016.
- Charizard (#005, known as Lizardon in Japanese versions) is a Fire/Flying Pokémon and the final evolution of the Charmander line. It made its debut in Gen. 1 (Red/Blue) and can transform into Mega Charizard X in Burst Form.
- Garchomp (#445, known as Gaburias in Japanese versions) is a Dragon/Ground Pokémon and the final evolution of the Gible line. It made its debut in Gen. 4 (Diamond/Pearl) and can transform into Mega Garchomp in Burst Form. Added in the Wii U version, and brought back to the Arcade version on July 20, 2016.
- Machamp (#068, known as Kairiky iin Japanese versions) is a Fighting Pokémon and the final evolution of the Machop line. It made its debut in Gen. 1 (Red/Blue).
- Scizor (#212, known as Hassam in Japanese versions) is a Bug/Steel Pokémon and the the evolution of Scyther. It made its debut in Gen. 3 (Ruby/Sapphire) and can transform into Mega Scizor in Burst Form. Added in the Arcade version on October 20, 2016. Unavailable in the Wii U version.
Speed
- Croagunk (#453, known as Gureggru in Japanese version) is a Poison/Fighting Pokémon. It made its debut in Gen. 4 (Diamond/Pearl). Added in the Arcade version on November 10, 2016. Unavailable in the Wii U version.
- Sceptile (#254, known as Jukain in Japanese versions) is a Grass Pokémon and the final evolution of the Treecko line. It made its debut in Gen. 3 (Ruby/Sapphire) and can transform into Mega Sceptile in Burst Form. Added in the Arcade version on December 16, 2015.
Technical
- Aegislash (#681, known as Gillgard in Japanese versions) is a Steel/Ghost Pokémon and the final evolution of the Honedge line. It made its debut in Gen. 6 (X/Y). Added in the Switch version on January 31, 2018 as DLC. Unavailable in the Arcade and Wii U versions.
- Darkrai (#491) is a Dark Mythical Pokémon. It made its debut in Gen. 4 (Diamond/Pearl). Added in the Arcade version on July 20, 2016. Unavailable in the Wii U version.
- Gardevoir (#282, known as Sirnight in Japanese versions) is a Psychic/Fairy Pokémon and one of the final evolutions of the Ralts line. It made its debut in Gen. 3 (Ruby/Sapphire) and can transform into Mega Gardevoir in Burst Form.
- Gengar (#094, known as Gangar in Japanese versions) is a Ghost/Poison Pokémon and the final evolution of the Gastly line. It made its debut in Gen. 1 (Red/Blue) and can transform into Mega Gengar in Burst Form.
- Shadow Mewtwo is a special character based on the Mewtwo species, and is exclusive to the game as a boss character. Added in the Wii U version (where it can be unlocked each time the game starts using a special Amiibo card prior to a permanent unlock in-game) and brought back to the Arcade version on July 20, 2016.
Support Characters
Starting Sets
Unlockable Sets
DX Version Sets
Stages
Circle (14m)
- Neos City - Fighters start 7m away from each other.
- Magikarp Festival - Fighters start 9m away from each other.
Circle (16m)
- Diggersby Land - Fighters start 11m away from each other.
- Dragon's Nest - Fighters start 11m away from each other.
- Dark Colosseum (Final) - Fighters start 7m away from each other.
Circle (18m)
- Ferrum Stadium - Fighters start 9m away from each other.
- Thalia Beach - Fighters start 11m away from each other.
- Tellur Town - Fighters start 9m away from each other.
- Ferrum Dojo - Fighters start 9m away from each other.
- Training Gym - Fighters start 9m away from each other.
Circle (20m)
- Tellur Town (Autumn) - Fighters start 17m away from each other.
- Mystery Carnival - Fighters start 15m away from each other.
- Neos City (Night) - Fighters start 13m away from each other.
- Blue Dome - Fighters start 11m away from each other.
- Dark Colosseum - Fighters start 11m away from each other.
Oval (20m x 12m)
- Old Ferrum Town - Fighters start 9m away from each other along the 12m axis.
- Phos Volcano - Fighters start 15m away from each other along the 20m axis.
- Old Ferrum Town (Winter) - Fighters start 17m away from each other along the 20m axis.
- Haunted House - Fighters start 9m away from each other along the 20m axis.
- Regi Ruins - Fighters start 11m away from each other along the 20m axis.
Trivia
- The game is titled Pokémon Tekken in Germany due to the word "Pokkén" being too similar in spelling and identical in pronunciation to "Pocken" (the German word for "pox").
Log in to comment