Summary
One new feature introduced toPokemon ScarletandVioletas part of The Indigo Disk DLC could herald the return of one of the franchise’s most popular spin-offs,Pokemon Mystery Dungeon, potentially leading to the series' soft reboot in time for Gen 10 and the Switch’s successor. Though there have been manyPokemonspin-off games, only a few have been able to establish themselves as fully-fledged series, such asPokemon Ranger,Detective Pikachu, andPokemon Snap. Among these, however, isPokemon Mystery Dungeon,which has arguably beenPokemon’s most successful spin-off series, spanning eleven games in total to date.
But beyond the most recent 2020 Switch remake that was based on the series' first-ever games,Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX, the only “new” game added to the series was in 2015 withPokemon Super Mystery Dungeon. Since then, apart from rumors circulating earlier this year thatPokemon Mystery Dungeonmight make a comeback, the future of the spin-off series has been as uncertain as the Switch’s own. The latest release of The Indigo Disk DLC and its new Synchro Machine feature could offer fans hope, possibly hinting that an open-worldPokemon Mystery Dungeonsequel could be in the spin-off’s future.
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Has An Enduring Legacy
Despite a few false starts, such asPokemon Mystery Dungeon: RedandBlue Rescue Team’s mixed reviews andPokemon Mystery Dungeon: Adventure SquadJapan-only release, the series has proven itself to be a sleeper hit. As a testament to its endurance, the recent release ofRescue Team DXhas highlighted that its developer, Spike Chunsoft, still has an interest in the games and can adapt these for the Switch. But while this could mean that there will bemorePokemon Mystery DungeonremakeswithExplorers of Time, Darkness, andSkynext in line, an all-new sequel should take priority after theRescue Team DXremake.
The Indigo Disk Could Hold The Key To Pokemon Mystery Dungeon’s Future
Though it was just one of many new features added toPokemonScarletandVioletin the second part of the game’s DLC, the Synchro Machine has been welcomed by players as a fun, quirky mechanic. While this wouldn’t be the first time players could play an actual Pokemon, with recent examples includingPokemon UniteandPokken Tournament DX, this mechanic is not usually available within the corePokemonseries. In addition to certain Pokemon receiving unique synchronized effects adding another layer to the mechanic alongside Game Freak’s new open-world approach, it’s arguably unsurprising that the Synchro Machine has captured players' interest.
However, with hints pointing towardnewPokemon Mystery Dungeongamesin the future, it seems that the Synchro Machine might be more than just a novelty DLC mechanic forScarletandViolet.Pokemon Mystery Dungeonis possibly the most well-known game in the franchise where players take control of Pokemon, especially when the games' stories heavily focus on an amnesic human mysteriously becoming a Pokemon. Yet much likePokemon’s core series before Gen 8 and 9,Pokemon Mystery Dungeonhas never featured an open-world design before, something which might finally change thanks to the Synchro Machine.
It’s Time For An Open-World Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Game
Specifically, The Indigo Disk’s Synchro Machine could help provide a blueprint forPokemon Mystery Dungeonto adopt an open-world approach and give the spin-off series an all-new edge. Similar suggestions thatPokemon Mystery Dungeoncould learnfromPokemon Legends: Arceusafter it reshaped the franchise’s approach to open-world gameplay. WithScarletandVioletshowcasing various examples of fun synchronization such as Gholdengo’s surfboarding, Varoom’s racing, and Joltik’s hopping,Pokemon Mystery Dungeonhas an ideal opportunity to surpass even the core series for an open-worldPokemongame as players look ahead to Gen 10.
