It’s been a while since a new main series Pokémon game featured substantial side activities outside of the usual catching and battle. While there are spinoffs, most of these also center around combat. Pokémon Contests brought something different to the series, allowing trainers to raise Pokémon in a different way and allowing some that go overlooked a chance in the spotlight. These changed up the formula, and while many would like to see Contests return to the main series, they instead deserve more than that — Pokémon Contests deserve a spin-off series of their own.
Pokémon Contests were introduced in Ruby and Sapphire. Trainers entered their Pokémon based on various factors like how cute, clever or tough they were. There were also talent portions where moves were divided into different styles and had different effects than they do in battle. At the end, Pokémon would be judged on how well they did, with the winners receiving ribbons. Winning a contest of a certain rank unlocked the next tier, with each one being more difficult than the last.
In Diamond, Pearl and Platinum, Contests were upgraded to Super Contests, which contained more competition types. Trainers could dress up their Pokémon with items for the visual competition, and there was also a dance portion with a rhythm-based mini-game. Instead of just Ribbons, trainers were also awarded items which could help in future contests.
However, HeartGold and SoulSilver replaced Contests with a Pokéathlon, which was essentially a collection of mini-games for Pokémon to compete in where different stats helped in each one. Stats were affected by natures, giving breeders another reason to raise Pokémon. Black and White upgraded Contest to Musicals, which operated similarly to Generation IV’s dance competition but on a larger scale. Since then, Contests have only appeared in remakes of the games that originally included them.
A Pokémon spinoff focusing on Contests would provide a new way to experience raising Pokémon that breaks from the main series’ traditional quest to get stronger from battles and become the region’s League Champion. Instead, trainers could raise Pokémon to compete in Contests, essentially replacing gyms with these events and setting up a journey around them. Plus, a dedicated spinoff would provide a chance for the contests themselves to evolve.
Combined with the new ways to interact with Pokémon — from touch screen functionality to pointer and motion controls — there are plenty of new ways to make Contests more exciting and engaging. Bringing them back would appeal to longtime fans, but doing so in the mainline titles would only hold them back from their full potential. Giving Contests a spinoff has the potential to refresh the entire franchise by appealing to new types of players, providing something to do with Pokémon aside from battling that isn’t just an easily skippable side activity in a much larger game.
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