Summary
A newPokemonarcade game is coming out this summer - but only in Japan. In addition to the mainlinePokemongames, Nintendo’s long-running, monster-collecting JRPG series has spawned numerous spin-offs in a variety of different genres. These run the gamut from less-remembered one-offs likeHey You, Pikachuto more successful ventures likeDetective PikachuandPokemon GO, the latter of which continues to be a global sensation thanks to new events and content being released regularly.
There have also been plenty ofPokemonarcade cabinets over the years, especially in the franchise’s native country of Japan. Thefighting spin-offPokken Tournament, a collaboration between The Pokemon Company and Bandai Namco that combined the colorful creatures ofPokemonwith the blistering action ofTekken, saw a limited arcade run at the Dave and Busters at Times Square before hitting the Wii U in 2016. A variety of otherPokemon-themed cabinets include Pikachu-centric card games and rhythm titles, though these rarely leave Japan.
Japanese toy manufacturer Takara Tomy Arts Co. and game maker Marvelous recently announced that they would be releasing a brand-newPokemonarcade game in Japan later this year, as reported byPR Times(viaSiliconera).Pokemon Friendawill be aimed at younger players and features a touchscreen display and traditional buttons that will allow gamers to take part in immersive 3v3 battles. The game will also utilize Frienda Picks, small card-like items that represent different Pokemon and are rewarded to players who catch them in-game. The Picks are then inserted into the arcade machine, which generates the Pokemon and presumably assigns them attacks to use in battle.
Pokemon Frienda Will Only Be Available in Japan
Pokemonfans from around the worldhoping to dive intoPokemon Friendaoutside of Japan may wish to temper their expectations, as the arcade cabinet is currently not scheduled to launch in other territories like the US or UK. Instead, it will be stationed in game centers in Japan in July 2024. On the plus side, Takara Tomy Arts Co. and Marvelous are planning to makePokemon Friendacompatible with otherPokemonmachines like 2020’sPokemon Mezastarby allowing players to unlock special bonuses usingMezastar’s “Memory Tags” - though details are still scarce as of this writing.
Pokemon Friendasounds like aninteresting arcade experience forPokemonfansthat uses the franchise’s primary tenant of collecting different elementally-empowered monsters to hopefully keep players coming back to their local game center, though there will likely be gamers outside of Japan disappointed that the cabinet won’t be appearing at their local arcade anytime soon. If the latestPokemonarcade game proves successful in Japan, there is a chance that it could see a wider release abroad, but that would depend on how players react toPokemon Friendawhen it launches this July.
Pokemon
Pokemon is a franchise that needs no introduction. One of the most successful media empires in history, Pokemon spans games, television, films, manga, merchandise, music, and more.
