Want to play with gaffers? Join Pokegaf! QUOTE TO REVEAL
Pokkén Tournament DX
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Bandai Namco
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release Date: September 22, 2017 (Worldwide)
Phases
Each match has two phases, Field Phase and Duel Phase, which are triggered with certain attacks - for example, landing a physical attack combo in Field Phase will cause a shift to Duel Phase, and landing a number of combos in Duel Phase will shift the match back to Field Phase. Field Phase has full 3D movement and is more projectile/zoning based, whereas Duel Phase is on a 2D plane and is more focused on close range physical action.
Combat Basics
There are three types of attacks : strikes, throws, and counters. Strikes (aka regular attacks) beat throws, throws beat counters, counters beat strikes. Yes, it's literally rock paper scissors, so it's pretty easy to pick up.
There are four base attack buttons: Light attack, Heavy attack, Special attack, and jump. Press Light and jump together to throw, and heavy and special together to counter. Hold the R button to block.
Unique attacks can be done by pressing a direction along with a button, similar to Smash Bros.
Synergy
Taking damage, landing hits, and triggering phase shifts builds your synergy gauge, which you can then activate by pressing L and R at the same time to cause a Synergy Burst. Press L and R again while in Synergy Burst mode to use your character's super. Supers are incredibly damaging but also easy to block, so use them wisely.
Pokemon Types
The playable Pokémon are split into four types, Standard, Power, Speed, and Technique. Standard Pokémon, like Lucario and Pikachu, are beginner friendly and easy to pick up. Technique Pokémon, like Darkrai and Gengar, are considerably more complicated and require a lot of practice. Power Pokémon are slow and strong, while Speed Pokémon are fast but weak.
Support
At character selection, you can pick a pair of pokemon to bring in as support. You can pick which of the support Pokémon you want to use at the start of a round. Unlike synergy, supports are entirely time-limited (attacking/taking damage doesn't affect cooldown), and different types have a different charge time. Once the support meter is full, you can press the L button to call for support. Different supports have different properties, some of which are offensive, defensive, or even heal HP.
(Click on the images for more info!)
]
Ferrum League: This is the game's story mode. You compete in a series of tournaments to become Ferrum League champion while trying to solve the mystery of Shadow Mewtwo. It's pretty lengthy, but also very grindy.
Single Battle: Fight an AI opponent in a single match.
Local Battle: Compete locally in regular or team battles.
Practice: Learn the basics of the game and practice combos.
My Town: Customize your trainer (seen in the loading screens and between rounds) by buying clothes with currency you earn from battles. This is also where you change game settings, like Nia's voice/frequency.
Online: Compete in player or ranked matches online.
~~New to DX~~
Daily challenges: Nia will supply you with a challenge to complete each day with certain Pokémon or team. Complete it to get bonus skill points.
Team battles: Instead of having one Pokémon for a best of 3 match, you can now play in a format closer to the Pokémon RPGs: You choose three Pokémon to use, each of which come out one at a time, and play until either all of your Pokémon or all of the opponents Pokémon have fainted. You can play team battles locally.
Online groups: You can create or join groups of up to 100 players of a similar skill level to play against.
Want to play with gaffers? Join Pokegaf! QUOTE TO REVEAL
So, does this game play like Tekken?
Yes and no. Each fight shifts between two phases, the field phase and the duel phase. The field phase is ranged combat in full 3D, similar to the Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm games. The duel phase is on a 2D plane and is closer to Tekken. Certain combos and attacks will shift the gameplay from field phase to duel phase and vice versa.
Is this the same game as the Wii U version?
It's an enhanced port, meaning it's the same base game with a considerable amount of new content. This includes five new characters (four from the Japanese arcade version, one that's brand new), one new support duo, and a couple new modes like team battle and daily challenge. It also has a number of balance changes that never made it to the Wii U version.
Wait, weren't the new characters found in the code of the Wii U version?
Yeah, but they were never released. Probably so that they could focus on this version instead.
Do I still need to unlock Mewtwo and Shadow Mewtwo like in the Wii U version?
No. Unlike the Wii U version, all characters/supports are unlocked from the get go.
Will there be additional DLC?
I would say probably not, since Pokkén is already a two year old game, but who knows?
Should I get the Pokkén Pro Controller?
It's a great controller for 2d games, but I wouldn't get it just for this game. Pokken plays super well on the Switch pro controller and honestly it feels better to play with an analog stick in Field Phase. Having said that, I personally think it's well worth the $25 MSRP.
Nia's voice is the worst! Can I turn it off?
Yes, it is, and yes, you can. You can change Nia's VA to Japanese or turn it off entirely.
Does this game look better than the Wii U version? What resolution does it run at?
Yes, but not by much. The game runs at 1280x720 at 60fps in both docked and portable modes. In contrast the Wii U version ran at 960x720. The game appears to have the same textures as the Wii U version as opposed to the higher quality arcade textures.
How does local versus work? Is it the same as in Wii U?
No, this is a significant change in DX. Versus mode can now run on a single screen at 60fps. You can also do split screen, but it's 30fps and looks ugly as sin. You can also play wirelessly between two Switch systems .
Does this game support single joycons? What about the Wii U Pokkén Controller?
Yes and yes!
The Wii U version had a LAN mode for local tournaments. Does this version have it too?
Yes, but the code to activate it on the main menu is different, it's Down + B + L + R. It looks like LAN play is limited to single Pokémon battles for the time being.
Why isn't Hawlucha in this game tho?????
¯_(ツ
_/¯
Review Thread
MetaCritic: 80
OpenCritic: 81
NOTE: This is my first time doing an OT this extensive, and it ended up being a way bigger endeavor than I anticipated, so I apologize if this OT comes off as sloppy or unpolished. I know there's a couple things I need to fix, but I'm at work ATM so I'll fix it when I'm home. Like other OTs, this is a living document that will continue to be updated. If people have suggestions, feel free to shoot them my way.
Want to play with gaffers? Join Pokegaf! QUOTE TO REVEAL
Pokkén Tournament DX
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Bandai Namco
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release Date: September 22, 2017 (Worldwide)
Phases
Each match has two phases, Field Phase and Duel Phase, which are triggered with certain attacks - for example, landing a physical attack combo in Field Phase will cause a shift to Duel Phase, and landing a number of combos in Duel Phase will shift the match back to Field Phase. Field Phase has full 3D movement and is more projectile/zoning based, whereas Duel Phase is on a 2D plane and is more focused on close range physical action.
Combat Basics
There are three types of attacks : strikes, throws, and counters. Strikes (aka regular attacks) beat throws, throws beat counters, counters beat strikes. Yes, it's literally rock paper scissors, so it's pretty easy to pick up.
There are four base attack buttons: Light attack, Heavy attack, Special attack, and jump. Press Light and jump together to throw, and heavy and special together to counter. Hold the R button to block.
Unique attacks can be done by pressing a direction along with a button, similar to Smash Bros.
Synergy
Taking damage, landing hits, and triggering phase shifts builds your synergy gauge, which you can then activate by pressing L and R at the same time to cause a Synergy Burst. Press L and R again while in Synergy Burst mode to use your character's super. Supers are incredibly damaging but also easy to block, so use them wisely.
Pokemon Types
The playable Pokémon are split into four types, Standard, Power, Speed, and Technique. Standard Pokémon, like Lucario and Pikachu, are beginner friendly and easy to pick up. Technique Pokémon, like Darkrai and Gengar, are considerably more complicated and require a lot of practice. Power Pokémon are slow and strong, while Speed Pokémon are fast but weak.
Support
At character selection, you can pick a pair of pokemon to bring in as support. You can pick which of the support Pokémon you want to use at the start of a round. Unlike synergy, supports are entirely time-limited (attacking/taking damage doesn't affect cooldown), and different types have a different charge time. Once the support meter is full, you can press the L button to call for support. Different supports have different properties, some of which are offensive, defensive, or even heal HP.
(Click on the images for more info!)
]
Ferrum League: This is the game's story mode. You compete in a series of tournaments to become Ferrum League champion while trying to solve the mystery of Shadow Mewtwo. It's pretty lengthy, but also very grindy.
Single Battle: Fight an AI opponent in a single match.
Local Battle: Compete locally in regular or team battles.
Practice: Learn the basics of the game and practice combos.
My Town: Customize your trainer (seen in the loading screens and between rounds) by buying clothes with currency you earn from battles. This is also where you change game settings, like Nia's voice/frequency.
Online: Compete in player or ranked matches online.
~~New to DX~~
Daily challenges: Nia will supply you with a challenge to complete each day with certain Pokémon or team. Complete it to get bonus skill points.
Team battles: Instead of having one Pokémon for a best of 3 match, you can now play in a format closer to the Pokémon RPGs: You choose three Pokémon to use, each of which come out one at a time, and play until either all of your Pokémon or all of the opponents Pokémon have fainted. You can play team battles locally.
Online groups: You can create or join groups of up to 100 players of a similar skill level to play against.
Want to play with gaffers? Join Pokegaf! QUOTE TO REVEAL
So, does this game play like Tekken?
Yes and no. Each fight shifts between two phases, the field phase and the duel phase. The field phase is ranged combat in full 3D, similar to the Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm games. The duel phase is on a 2D plane and is closer to Tekken. Certain combos and attacks will shift the gameplay from field phase to duel phase and vice versa.
Is this the same game as the Wii U version?
It's an enhanced port, meaning it's the same base game with a considerable amount of new content. This includes five new characters (four from the Japanese arcade version, one that's brand new), one new support duo, and a couple new modes like team battle and daily challenge. It also has a number of balance changes that never made it to the Wii U version.
Wait, weren't the new characters found in the code of the Wii U version?
Yeah, but they were never released. Probably so that they could focus on this version instead.
Do I still need to unlock Mewtwo and Shadow Mewtwo like in the Wii U version?
No. Unlike the Wii U version, all characters/supports are unlocked from the get go.
Will there be additional DLC?
I would say probably not, since Pokkén is already a two year old game, but who knows?
Should I get the Pokkén Pro Controller?
It's a great controller for 2d games, but I wouldn't get it just for this game. Pokken plays super well on the Switch pro controller and honestly it feels better to play with an analog stick in Field Phase. Having said that, I personally think it's well worth the $25 MSRP.
Nia's voice is the worst! Can I turn it off?
Yes, it is, and yes, you can. You can change Nia's VA to Japanese or turn it off entirely.
Does this game look better than the Wii U version? What resolution does it run at?
Yes, but not by much. The game runs at 1280x720 at 60fps in both docked and portable modes. In contrast the Wii U version ran at 960x720. The game appears to have the same textures as the Wii U version as opposed to the higher quality arcade textures.
How does local versus work? Is it the same as in Wii U?
No, this is a significant change in DX. Versus mode can now run on a single screen at 60fps. You can also do split screen, but it's 30fps and looks ugly as sin. You can also play wirelessly between two Switch systems .
Does this game support single joycons? What about the Wii U Pokkén Controller?
Yes and yes!
The Wii U version had a LAN mode for local tournaments. Does this version have it too?
Yes, but the code to activate it on the main menu is different, it's Down + B + L + R. It looks like LAN play is limited to single Pokémon battles for the time being.
Why isn't Hawlucha in this game tho?????
¯_(ツ
_/¯
Review Thread
MetaCritic: 80
OpenCritic: 81
NOTE: This is my first time doing an OT this extensive, and it ended up being a way bigger endeavor than I anticipated, so I apologize if this OT comes off as sloppy or unpolished. I know there's a couple things I need to fix, but I'm at work ATM so I'll fix it when I'm home. Like other OTs, this is a living document that will continue to be updated. If people have suggestions, feel free to shoot them my way.
Want to play with gaffers? Join Pokegaf! QUOTE TO REVEAL
