Pokemonhas never shied away from experimenting with spin-off games alongside its mainline series. Had it not been for these efforts, iconic titles likePokemon Mystery DungeonorPokemon Snapwould never have come to be. While some spin-offs are seeing long-awaited revivals on Switch, one series, in particular, is still missing:Pokemon Ranger.
First released in 2006 by HAL Laboratory and Creatures Inc.,Pokemon Rangerwas one of several spin-offs that introduced novel controls using the DS touchscreen, and provided a different perspective on thePokemonworld. Its popularity garnered two more sequels through 2010, then the series fell silent. A Switch remaster of previousRangergames would certainly be welcomed, but after a decade’s absence and severalPokemongenerations,Pokemon Rangercould find its footing again by followingPokemon Legends' lead.
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How Pokemon Ranger Could Follow Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Pokemon Legends: Arceuscapitalized on the extensive history of thePokemonuniverse, and its success leaves potential for future games. Already speculation is rampant about whata second entry into thePokemon Legendslinemight look like and what new mechanics it would bring to the table, so Game Freak should take advantage of the situation.
Pokemon Rangerhas always been an odd outlier for the series. Ditching Poke Balls in favor of Capture Stylers and Discs, players took on the role of people working in Ranger Unions, part of an organization dedicated to helping humans and Pokemon in times of crisis. It was a more altruistic take on thePokemonseries, not focused oncollecting gym badgesand beating the Elite Four, but instead on saving the day and assisting regular people with their troubles.
While a new game in this series could pick up where things left off, it would be more interesting to take a page out ofPokemon Legends: Arceus’book by dropping the player in a time when the Ranger organization has yet to form or is still in its infancy. Akin to the Galaxy Team fromPokemon Legends: Arceus, a newRangergame could be filled withancester characters and familiar locations from previousPokemontitleswhile telling the story of how the first Ranger Unions formed.
How a Ranger-based Pokemon Legends Game Could Look
There are many opportunities presented in bringing a feudalPokemon Rangergame to Switch. Initial concerns arise with translating game mechanics between the Switch and DS, butPokemonhas proven to be resourceful.Pokemon Rangerthrived using the DS touchscreen to control a Capture Disc that loops around Pokemon. The Switch still has touchscreen capabilities, but this would be a concern when transitioning between handheld and docked mode. Thankfully, possibilities exist with motion controls usingthe Switch’s Joy-Cons. While it might need some experimentation, there’s a wealth of control options to choose from.
Beyond game mechanics, aPokemon Rangergame would benefit from an overhaul in design that takes lessons fromPokemon Legends: Arceus. The concept of pioneering on the frontier among wild Pokemon is in keeping with the ethos ofPokemon Ranger. In addition,Pokemon Rangeralso has a history of monsters behaving abnormally, which could serve asa substitute for frenzied Noble and Alpha Pokemonto keep the formula consistent. The lesser focus on battles may also lend itself to more exploration and navigation of an open world.
AsPokemon Legends: Arceuswas set in Hisui, which would later become the Sinnoh region, it would stand to reason that a feudalPokemon Rangergame could revisit Fiore, Almia, or even Oblivia. Along with this, older Pokemon forms as well as newer generations could join the series, creating a vibrant new world for the would-be Ranger to explore. Certain details might need to be reworked to fit the new narrative, such as how Capture Stylers and Disks would exist outside of the modern day, but as mentioned,Pokemonis resourceful.
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The Likelihood of Pokemon Ranger Returning
WhileLegends: Arceuscould lay the groundwork for a new take on thePokemon Rangerseries, no official news has been released or even leaked about newRangersgame as of this writing. Though Creatures, Inc. is still working on currentPokemongames, including spin-offs, HAL Laboratory has been far more occupied with continuingitsKirbyfranchise. It would potentially require both studios to reunite for a newPokemon Ranger, though this might entail abandoning other projects for the sake of reviving an old series.
Pokemon Ranger’squiet shift into gaming limbomay have been due to decreasing buzz around new releases, ultimately putting it on ice when it couldn’t quite draw a crowd. However, with otherPokemonclassics being brought back with remakes likePokemon Mystery Dungeon Rescue Team DX,or even the successorNew Pokemon Snap, there’s an audience out there interested in returning to old favorites. If there was ever a time to bringPokemon Rangersback, it would be now in the wake ofPokemon Legends: Arceusrevolutionizing the series.
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