Unleashing the Untapped Power: Why Pokemon X and Y Still Hold Unprecedented Potential After 10 Years

Highlights

Pokemon X and Y introduced players to a new 3D world and mechanics that hadn't been possible in earlier games, such as riding Pokemon and character customization options.

Although these games were thrilling when they were released, certain new features that were introduced failed to be fully utilized and were never further developed in subsequent iterations.

Among the notable aspects of Pokemon X and Y was the Mega Evolution mechanic, which continues to hold a special place in the hearts of fans, leaving them eagerly anticipating its reappearance in upcoming releases.

The Pokemon series has undergone significant changes in the past decade, transitioning from pixel art graphics to fully rendered 3D models for its characters and creatures. It has also introduced various new gameplay mechanics that have shaped player interaction with the game's world. While each generation has built upon its predecessors, Pokemon X and Y marked a crucial turning point in the series, setting the foundation for the modern games in the franchise. However, even after 10 years since their release, Pokemon X and Y still remain somewhat out of place within the larger franchise.

These games were launched on October 12, 2013, and were notable for being the first mainline titles in the franchise to have a simultaneous worldwide release. Generation 6 introduced players to the Kalos Region, which was inspired by real-world France, and included 72 new species of creatures for players to encounter. However, this was the lowest number of new additions in a generation at the time. Despite the excitement of experiencing a fully 3D Pokemon game on the Nintendo 3DS, Pokemon X and Y faced some controversy within the series. Additionally, the lack of further development on the innovative ideas introduced in these games has not improved their overall reception.

The Pokemon Series’ Jump to 3D Opened the Door for New Gameplay Opportunities

After the DS era of Pokemon games ended, fans eagerly anticipated the series' transition to 3D, despite the Nintendo 3DS being available for two years already. When Pokemon X and Y were released, players finally got the chance to see their favorite Pokemon as 3D models in a mainline game, along with the added freedom of eight-directional movement. This shift to 3D also introduced new mechanics that were not possible in previous systems.

Fans were delighted to discover that Pokemon X and Y allowed them to ride certain Pokemon, such as Gogoat in Lumiose City or Rhyhorn on Route 9. Additionally, the games introduced features like Super Training, which streamlined EV training for competitive battles, as well as new battle types like Horde Battles and Sky Battles. For the first time in the series, players were given the option to customize their characters beyond choosing genders. Even small features like Pokemon Amie provided a unique way for players to interact with the world of Pokemon.

However, not all features introduced in Pokemon X and Y reached their full potential beyond their presence in the Gen 6 games. While mechanics like picnics and the ability to ride Koraidon and Miraidon in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet were derived from concepts like ridable Pokemon and Pokemon Amie, other features never resurfaced in subsequent generations. Despite their intriguing concepts, Horde Battles and Sky Battles never received the attention they deserved and eventually vanished from the series altogether after Gen 6.

Pokemon X an Y's Story Never Quite Stuck the Landing

The technological advancements of Pokemon X and Y on the 3DS not only enhanced the gameplay, but also revolutionized the storytelling experience. Unlike previous titles, these games utilized the power of the 3DS to bring cinematic events to life with stunning 3D-rendered visuals. This newfound capability opened up endless opportunities for captivating narrative arcs. However, while some narrative choices sparked controversy among players, certain plot threads were left unresolved by the end of the game.

The story primarily focuses on the player and their group of friends embarking on their Pokemon journeys together under the guidance of Professor Sycamore. During their adventure, they uncover a scheme orchestrated by the nefarious Team Flare, who plan to utilize an ancient weapon from a war 3,000 years ago in order to eradicate all imperfections from the world and establish a new order to suit their leader, Lysandre's desires. The player manages to thwart this malevolent plan, freeing the Legendary Pokemon Xerneas or Yveltal from Team Flare's control, and ultimately becoming the Pokemon League Champion.

Despite the promising premise of this tale, many players expressed dissatisfaction with certain characters such as Trevor, Tierno, and Shauna. These friends of the player seemed to contribute little to the storyline, mainly serving as constant companions who offer excessive guidance along the way. Another aspect of the plot that sparked controversy was the inclusion of AZ, the former king of Kalos and the creator of the ultimate weapon from 3,000 years ago. Although AZ plays a significant role in the lore of the Kalos Region, his backstory is only vaguely explored in Pokemon X and Y, and he has not made an appearance in any subsequent games.

Ten Years Later, Pokemon Fans Still Want to See Mega Evolution Return

The Mega Evolution mechanic introduced in Gen 6 was perhaps the most memorable aspect of the game. It took the concept of evolution to a whole new level, allowing certain Pokémon to evolve even further during battles. Despite initial controversy surrounding its limited availability and the imbalance it caused, fans now look back on Mega Evolution with fondness, even a decade later.

Regrettably, Mega Evolution had a diminished role in the Gen 7 games and was completely removed from Gen 8 onwards. Nevertheless, its introduction in Gen 6 paved the way for the current trend of introducing a new gimmick with each new generation of games. Despite the emergence of new battle mechanics in subsequent generations, Mega Evolution remains the most cherished among fans, who eagerly await its potential return to the series.

Pokemon Z is the Necessary Game that Never Was

Pokemon X and Y broke the pattern of previous generations in that they didn't receive a third, definitive version. Although there were rumors of a Pokemon Z, it never materialized, and the series moved on to Generation 7 after Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. This absence of Pokemon Z created a void in the Kalos Region that the series has attempted to fill with varying degrees of success.

Apart from the plot elements involving AZ's history and the ultimate weapon's connection to Mega Evolution, a Pokemon Z was necessary to properly showcase the Legendary Zygarde. Zygarde was meant to be the third iconic Pokemon alongside Xerneas and Yveltal, but its lore was instead forced into the Gen 7 games due to the lack of Pokemon Z. This felt like a disservice to an otherwise captivating creature that probably won't receive the recognition it deserves until a remake of Pokemon X and Y or a Pokemon Legends Kalos game is released.

Pokemon X and Y are available on Nintendo 3DS.