Pokemon Diamond and Pearl (debate).

[Razola]

starjake brought up an excellent point: programming limitations. People forget that Pokémon has over 300 different playable characters.

These "Characters" are nothing more than static sprites coupled with a few equations for stats and moves. This is fallacy.

Most Final Fantasy games have fewer than ten. Heck, most games of any kind have fewer than ten.

But they also have enemies with their own animations and attacks. Pokemon uses the allies as enemies as well. Also, we're talking sprites; not the 3D polygons of the FF series.

People can bring up the greater power of the DS, but don't forget your own excited chirping about all of the other features being added as well.

Play any Ogre Battle game, especially the one for the N64. It was HUGE. Nintendo can easily fit this stuff in. They just don't need to.

Those take up space just like the characters, attacks and regions.
Plus, here's something else to think about: visiting all of the regions means all of the 400+ pokémon should be catchable, as opposed to RuSa's shutout of a lot of older species. Common sense dictates that each area would have "version-exclusives"; pokémon only catchable on Diamond as opposed to Pearl, and vice-versa. Several regions means you'd have to trade a few dozen pokémon to finish the Pokédex (FRLG, without any of the 135 RuSa rookies, requires twelve trades just on version-specifics, let alone trade-evolvers and choices like the Fossils.) That'd get dangerously tedious.
Also, people complain about how old the "8 Gyms and Elite 4" is getting. How about "32 Gyms and Elite 16"? You want to talk about getting old? There you go!

If you actually put some variety of gameplay between them, it's not tedious at all. I'm actually thinking that each region would have it's own style of battle:

Kanto- Standard
Johto- 2on2
Hoenn - A more action RPG style, like Tales of Symphonia.
Orre - Tactical RPG like Disagea

In conclusion, stop with the "all of the regions" silliness already. It's not in any way a good idea.

It's more than possible. If Nintendo kept the static sprites with each attack having one animation for ALL pokemon like they've done for years now; it's easily possible.

You ignore the fact that other RPGs have enemies. Just because you can use them and thus have an extra attack option doesn't mean much.

[rinku]

Really, there will be sufficient storage for 3D or semi-3D if they want it *and* for all the previous regions, plus new areas.

The screen resolution isn't dramatically different on the DS vs the GBA, but the colour resoltion is another magnitude better. I'd expect prettier, animated 2D sprites in the battles and pokédex, with 3D effects for the walkaround, because I reckon that will work best on the platform. However, a 3D pokémon is a lot simpler than characters in other games; many are spheres with limbs (or not, as in the case of Voltorb).

Perhaps an option to flip between traditional top-down 2D and a panoramic 3D view of the terrain (with the double screen, you could have both at once). Scenery is a lot cheaper to do in storage terms than characters, especially if they go for a cartoon look.

[Sceptile_Master]

Okay I am here with a brief summary of that story I talked about earlier. Can't spend to much time typing it at the moment (I have my reasons) so here is just a really quick summary. Enjoy.

First world Kanto.

You start in Celadon city, and your dad now owns the game corner. He tells you to come (with your mate) to the secret room in the game corner (by pressing the switch behind the poster). So after alot of stuff you get your first pokemon (any of the starters from RBY, GSC, RuSa) depending on certain roots you take. Then Rockets in training bust into the place sating they are taking it back. You rush all the Rocket trying to escape wih your starter. At the end once you have beaten all the rockets and they retreat, your friend who has taken another route to escape meets up with you and you battle with your starter against the one he just aquired. Once you have won your dad comes up in surprise that you managed to drive off the rockets. Anyways you leave with your starter and your friend off down cycling road on a rented bike to Fushia. fight some cueballs and stuff down the way, you know the drill. When you get to Fushia, you find out that the rockets have now set there sights on the safari zone instead (I mean come on they something to control). You and your friend go to the safari zone where the rockets are and bust some mean ass puzzles (pokemon games need those) to do it all, while kicking rocket butt at the same time, does it get any better. Well yes it does. Once you have yet again driven off the rockets (it was hard as pokemon games need hard opponents) with the help of your mate a bit of the ever huge plot/story comes into play. A wise woman in Fushia would like to thank you and gives a Pinsir (pearl) or a Heracross (diamond) at lv 15 (a level or two higher than your starter at this point). She gives you mate the one that you would get in the other version. She also reveals the legend of the four protectors. She says one protects each region. Mew protects Kanto, Celebi protects Johto, Jirachi protects Hoenn and Mento(new pokemon) protects Orre. You want to look into this more so the kind woman tells you that you should visit Koga at the gym. When you reach the gym only Kogas best student is there, he says he will tell where Koga is (as he has gone out) if you can do something for him. he wants you to find him some stardust (for some reason). If you to slopokes house he now has a downstairs. After doing lots of cool puzzles you eventually reach slopoke. A scene happens where you see two rockets getting slopoke. You and your mate enter a double battle with them (one pokemon yours, one your mates (he controls his one). It doesn't prove to much of a challenge and you drive the two rockets off. Slopoke thanks you for your help and gives you some precious stardust from his collection as a prize. you ask him if he knows anything about the protectors. he replies that the rockets talking to him mentioned something like that (ooohhhh you want to know what don't you). Anyways You go and give the stardust to the guy and he asks you one more thing, to battle him. he only has a lv:12 drowzee and a lv:13 gulpin making him not too hard. He lets on that Koga is at lavendar town, for the opening of the ghost tower doubling up as a radio station (well, it was a radio station in GSC). Before you leave though he gives you safegaurd TM he says use it and the opponent status attacks will be useful. He says strategy is now on your side (but what does he know with such turd pokemon). You and your mate head to road leading to lavendar when you find a BIG twist in the plot.....

WHAT IS THIS TWIST.....FIND OUT NEXT POST WHEN I TYPE MORE, I HAVE ALREADY TYPED ALOT.

[Chris 2.1]

I think that if you had to compete in numerous leagues, for example, 3 or 4, it would just be as repetetive as playing 4 seperate games with 4 seperate leagues and 32 Gym Leaders, but this time, its in one game.

I'd prefer it if a massive new continent was made, which would probably have the first Gym at around level 20, and having them spaced out with much more content, with more stratergy puzzles, some Trick master-type puzzles or even just a heck load of Pokemon battling.

I thought Hoenn was big, but it would be cool having an even bigger one than that.

[Powarun]

Um, another cool thing that they could do is make mini games, like in stadium. Like have six different games, each one couid count as an EV for a stat or something. That way you don't have to just walk around and battle, but do something else instead.

[DarkestLight]

Hrm. I don't think having 32 Gyms would be a bad idea. Nor the possibility of haivng 3 groups of Elite 4. It could be done for the differed regions. What I'd like to know {and this was brung up in some other topic somewhere on these boards} is the missing route numbers, since Johto and Kanto have a gap between them numerically. Those routes could be utilized to keep some sense of continuity with the games.

But yes, the story does get tiresome. But that's ok, we can't get too much more advanced, the age bracket aimed for would not be able to capitalize on it so well. But honestly, if those last numbers were used, maybe then they could have it so the Pokemon, were highly populated in one area, but not so much the next. It would make sense as to why there are so many "new" Pokemon in a specified region, while in others the "old" ones reign supreme. Just a little enviornmental niche aspect that could be duly noted.

Hell, they could use the second screen as a full world map of all four regions, where the stylus could be used to bring up that regions' Pokemon, or to scroll through a list of them, so you can then actively look up their routes and devise the best way and time for you to catch these Pokemon/people/berries/boats/Legendary animal #435690/whatever the hell you need. The DS and Pokemon DP can really push this series forward in terms of useability and ingenuity, and hell, punt 3d, 2d is where its at for Pokemon, honestly.

...They better have some more type combos damnit. I need my Gho/Drg and Drg/Steel already. o.O...

Side note-Are all dragons {Excluding Legends} 3 stagers already? Brain cannot think right now.

[P0RYG0N]

Side note-Are all dragons {Excluding Legends} 3 stagers already? Brain cannot think right now.

Altaria

[DarkestLight]

Thank you. Knew there was one. Couldn't put my hand on it.

[Poryhedron]

What I'd like to know {and this was brung up in some other topic somewhere on these boards} is the missing route numbers, since Johto and Kanto have a gap between them numerically.

/blink blink/ No they don't.

Route 21: Sea Route between Cinnabar and Pallet
Route 22: Viridian City to Indigo League Front Gate
Route 23: Front gate to Victory Road and then to Indigo Plateau
Route 24: North from Cerulean, across Nugget Bridge
Route 25: With Route 24, Cerulean to Bill's Cottage at Cerulean Cape
Route 26: South from Indigo League Front Gate toward Tohjo Falls
Route 27: With Route 26, New Bark to Indigo League Front Gate
Route 28: Indigo League Front Gate to Mt. Silver
Route 29: New Bark to Cherrygrove
Route 30: North from Cherrygrove, past Mr. Pokémon's House

etc.

There is what some people would call a break between Johto (which gets up to Route 46) and Hoenn (which starts at 101,) but honestly, 101 is clearly intended to be a fresh new start. There doesn't have to be Routes 47 though 100 anywhere.

[DarkestLight]

o_o;

Ahh you are correct, that was my mistake. I can see what you mean about the fresh new start thing now. Ehh my point is moot n_n; ::Flitters away::

[Mister_Gadget]

Here are some news about Pokemon Diamond, Pearl and Dash.

[rinku]

Here are some news about Pokemon Diamond, Pearl and Dash.

I can't link to ign from my work computer (plus posting links was still not allowed last I checked).

Could you give a brief summary, assuming the news isn't already posted at Serebii and Pokefor?

[Sceptile_Master]

Bsically all it says is it is a pokemon rpg on the ds. And we didn't know that (sarcasm)

[Chris 2.1]

It also says that, when a Pokemon game Cartridge (like Emerald) is put in the DS when Dash is played, you can use your Pokemon as a race course! I didn't know this, and am unsure how it will work fully (ie: do you select a Pokemon in your party?) but it sounds like an interesting addition.

[rinku]

Could also be fixed on your lead pokémon. Guess we'll find out soon enough.

@Poryhedron: While the missing routes don't have to be used, I reckon they will use them in a new linking area if they are going to include all the old ones. Western Honshu and the Sea of Japan area are missing from between Johto and Hoenn, so that would be a logical place to locate them. There would be enough route numbers to make up western Honshu as well as Hokkaido (i.e. two new regions to complete the map of Japan).

On the Geography note - there are a few references to the real world I noticed in Leaf Green. Russia was mentioned, the US Space shuttle in the museum was either Challenger or Columbia and someone mentioned the July 20 1969 moon landing. Be interesting to see if Diamond/Pearl or its follow up game might take us outside of Japan...

[Razola]

It also says that, when a Pokemon game Cartridge (like Emerald) is put in the DS when Dash is played, you can use your Pokemon as a race course! I didn't know this, and am unsure how it will work fully (ie: do you select a Pokemon in your party?) but it sounds like an interesting addition.

What's the point of that? A sentret on Emerald A is going to look no different than one on Emerald B.

There's really no need to link to Emerald.

[Chris 2.1]

I just meant since Emerald is a game cartridge....Ruby, Sapphire, Fire Red or Leaf green could have otherwise gone in that space.

[Poryhedron]

What's the point of that? A sentret on Emerald A is going to look no different than one on Emerald B.

There's really no need to link to Emerald.

That's not what's being discussed. If you plug Emerald into the DS while the DS is playing the racing game Pokémon Dash, and you happen to have a Blaziken leading your Emerald party, you'll be able to play a race on a Blaziken-shaped course! Imagine the possibilities...

[Andrew]

I'd rather my head explode than be sucked in by some pathetic gimmick like that.

[Sceptile_Master]

This is about diamond and pearl. STAY ON TOPIC.

[Razola]

That's not what's being discussed. If you plug Emerald into the DS while the DS is playing the racing game Pokémon Dash, and you happen to have a Blaziken leading your Emerald party, you'll be able to play a race on a Blaziken-shaped course! Imagine the possibilities...

And we need to encourage those possibilities, not oooh and aaah over trite stuff that doesn't even require the technology.

And Sceptile Master, last time I checked, you aren't the mod. Discussions have a natural ebb and flow. This isn't off-topic, it's just where the conversation is moving.

[Sceptile_Master]

Hey. I made the topic to discuss diamond and pearl, its called a TOPIC. A pokemon dash topic would sort it all out. It's only fair.

[Mister_Gadget]

We know that Munchlax will be in Pokemon Diamond/Pearl, I think there will be a "male" version of Ralts, Kirlia and Gardevoir, it's Psychic and Girl/Woman, so the "male" version will be Dark and Boy/Man. The "male" Ralts will look like a rascal, the "male" Kirlia like a rebel, punk and the "male" Gardevoir like a gentleman, wearing a smoking.

[Sceptile_Master]

You can already get ralts as males.

[andyizcool]

You can already get ralts as males.

I think they mean a more Male looking form instead of wearing things that look like skirts.

[starjake]

Hmm...here's a good topic of discussion...what we think/wish they will put in for new pokes. Personally (pyromaniac that I am), I would like there to be some more Fire-types. I cannot understand why there is not yet a Fire/Dragon type (and why Charizard is not considered as such)...I mean, the two types seem to go hand in hand. Also, a Fire/Psychic type would be cool, though I've no idea what that would look like, for some reason candlabras always came to mind. A Fire/Water type would be awesome, like a steam type thing.

[Mister_Gadget]

We know that Munchlax will be in Pokemon Diamond/Pearl, I think there will be a "male" version of Ralts, Kirlia and Gardevoir, it's Psychic and Girl/Woman, so the "male" version will be Dark and Boy/Man. The "male" Ralts will look like a rascal, the "male" Kirlia like a rebel, punk and the "male" Gardevoir like a gentleman, wearing a smoking.

The "male" Ralts will wear a "rascal hat" (I don't know the name)



The "male" Gardevoir will wear a smoking, which has an other name in english:

[Poryhedron]

The "male" Gardevoir will wear a smoking, which has an other name in english:

Tuxedo.
And I do have trouble with male Kirlia, but I can see male Gardevoir as bishonen when I want to. The "dress" becomes this cape-thing. There's nothing particularly female about Ralts itself, either.

[rinku]

Another possible new one occurred to me while training up Eevees - currently we have 5 Eevelutions who have the same base stats numbers, but in different combos - 130, 110, 95, 65, 65, 60. None of the current ones have the top 130 base stat allocated to Defense, so I reckon there's a good chance they might complete the set with something like an Ice, Dragon or Grass *eon. Perhaps with an Ice Stone or Dragon Stone?

[WingullTrainer]

No, but gardevior just looks so weird, with it's one eye, and all. It's one psychic i don't like to use.

[Legends-Kuja]

Uhhh... Who wants a Meleeon?

Okay, I thought up of more story options. Knowing that D/P will be insanely large, an over encompassing story won't mesh too well if it's not simple, especially considering how big these Pokemon versions could possibly be.

Instead, I propose Game Freak use sagas in a similar fashion to the Pokemon movies/anime. Observe: (Note: I will refer to any generic evil organization as Team Enigma for now)

- Instead of just finding Legendaries in some out-of-the-way cave, have them star in a Pokemovie-like saga in optional towns. Take a port city. Now add Annie, Oakley, and any sort of Legendary Pokemon that likes water. Bingo, we have a Pokemon heroes adaptation.

-When you go diving, you can find a hidden underwater base, for instance. Inside the base, you can find some super-rare water types, as well as a story of perhaps a tragedy that destroyed the base. Heck, you could even find some survivors.

-The T.V? Use it for more than cheap advertising! ON NOES! Your Girlfriend just got kidnapped! The T.V's broadcasting it all over the world: if you wanna see her again, you meet Team Enigma in some abandoned warehouse for a Pokemon duel!

-Wouldn't it be cool if the Gym Leaders saved your ass from Pokemon/people every once in a while? Or how about you see a bit more of her profession? (Such as Erika's perfume)

[rinku]

Uhhh... Who wants a Meleeon?

Well, Flareon already has the 130 Attack. 130 Defense would be a bit better IMHO.

Pretty much would have to be between Ice, Dragon and any new elemental type introduced, since it would be odd that you'd suddenly be able to evolve Eevee to a Grass type when Leaf Stones have been around forever.

I reckon odds are good that we'll get an new type - probably elemental since that would bring the total to 9 physical, 9 elemental. Maybe Light or Crystal type.

[Chrono Storm]

I myself am tired of the silent protagonist that has manifested itself in the series. At least give us a list of personality types that you can pick from that will affect certain events in the game. I'd also like to see a bit more interaction between trainers and Pokémon. Natures should affect more than stats. Maybe there'll be a mission-quest thing where you just send your Pokémon and its nature affects how it completes the mission and what items you'll get. Of course you'd get to watch, which could lead to possibly humorous situations. A translator would also be pretty cool. You could talk to your Pokémon and they'd comment on the current situation based on their nature.

Also, I nth the calendar idea. Maybe they could make it sorta like the SNES Harvest Moon, where the clock stands still when the game's turned off and days aren't as long.

The characters should be more fleshed out. Maybe give the major characters a bit of backstory that would affect events in the game? Also, I liked how certain Gym Leaders showed up in events. It would be interesting if you went on little missions with them sometime during the game. I think that it would be cool if after you beat the last Elite Four(if there are more than one) the Team would practically take over the world, and the Gym Leaders and the Elite Four would help you take 'em down. Or the Elite Four could go the manga route and help the Team, and the Gym Leaders would divide, some with you, some with the Team.

The villains should be a bit more threatening. In RBY, Team Rocket seemed kinda bad, but you didn't feel THAT compelled to beat them. D/P's Team should kidnap a family member or put human lives in danger. Also, I think that the scientist in FR/LG who commented on Giovanni's kid might've been foreshadowing something...

[Jeff]

We can say "we want, we want, we want" all we want but in the end we all know how it's going to end up, Nintendo is just going to give us the same usual clone of all past Pokemon games (although I really hope it doesn't end up that way).

I personally would like to see a bigger land and more gyms, possibly through the inclusion of a former region, as with GSC. They should also bring back the day/night system, either real-time or Harvest Moon style, I really don't care. They day/night system from GSC was a nice addition and I was upset when I found out that it was taken out in RS.

[Crazy]

All I want to see is. 2D Graphics,more pokemon,more diverse and interesting regions,return of day/night,and actual moving 2D pokemon. Not just quick animations. I mean when a pokemon uses vine whip it moves and shoots out a vine.

[Carbonite4]

>Gold, Silver and crystal were revolutionary. Should the series go back to all the features and likness of gold, silver and crystal version. Alot of people don't have the newer games as they think they are inferior. Should the new games go back to how gold, silver and crystal was. For alot of people the feel of these games was superb. How everything reflected the mood perfectly. Like the first time you stepped into Ilex forest. Now the forests don't have much feel about them. There are so many reasons it should make a decent discussion topic.

>Are you tired of 8 badges and then the elite four. Should the story be changed. Also should the game have more of a longer and more absorbing plot, to make it into an epic tale. One that could possibly open a story line discussion forum. If so what do you think the story should be like/include. Also should there be more effort put into the after elite four or main story type thing (if you don't want the elite four) world. Alot of people find the islands very lacking and ruby and sapphire didn't have much.

Captured my views perfectly. I think GS were the epitome of the Pokemon series. I think the series should have the Gyms and such as a backstory, not a huge part of it. I personally would like the see Pokemon become less of an objective game and more along the lines of an adventure/RPG.

Look at Metroid Prime 2. Your mission was to get temple keys to unlock the Dark Temple to retrieve the energy and bring it back to the Light temple. However, there was hours of adventuring and stuff to do between when you were "assigned" this task and when you actually completed it. I'm about 6 or so hours into the game and I JUST completed my first "assignment."

Pokemon doesn't do this. It's "Get a badge, beat Team Rocket, get a badge, beat TR, repeat." There needs to be some sort of goal besides becoming a "Pokemon Master."

And I'm tired of having stupid "I'll use two quasi-powerful Pokemon with one good move" gyms like in RS. I want my opponent to be using at least 3 Pokemon who are performing at 85% or above (not 100%, because a Charmander/Charmeleon against an Onix would die). I want the gyms to be like bosses: someone who takes skill to beat. Someone who puts up a fight. They're gym leaders for a reason.

What I'd REALLY like to see is a Light/Dark storyline, where you can choose your affiliation. And not something at the beginning of the game ("What's your name? Are you a good guy or bad guy?"). Something like in Jedi Academy where you have a choice sometime in the game to become evil or not. You could even rise in the ranks. That would be awesome.

Also, I want to be able to team-up with people like Lance (in GS). I want to double-battle, with Lance as my ally. That'd be awesome, too. But nope. You get to fight two separate battles. Even in FR/LG it did that. Stupid.

Maybe you're on some sort of quest, and the gyms are just something on the side. "Oh, look, a gym, that looks like something fun to do." Not "I have to go beat the gym to continue the game." But not too far in the background like contests. Something where you can progress in the game to an extent, but you'll need to eventually beat the gyms to aquire HM abilities. Not as straightforward as it is right now.

I haven't played Colosseum in over 6 months, but could someone refresh my memory: wasn't there a subplot besides trying to defeat Team Snatch? If so, that's basically how I want the Gyms/E4 to be.

Oh, I and I want Pokemon Master status from now on. After I beat the E4, I want to be known as THE Pokemon Master. Even the Elite 4 bow down to me.

[Razola]

Gold and Silver weren't revolutionary at all. They just took the series and added a lot of stuff to it. Fine for a sequel (especially one on the aging Game Boy), but compare it to the original generation and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Giving the character...character breaks the roleplaying elements. The character is supposed to be you, or whomever you want to be. At this point it's tradition and I don't see a reason to change it.

[rinku]

And I'm tired of having stupid "I'll use two quasi-powerful Pokemon with one good move" gyms like in RS. I want my opponent to be using at least 3 Pokemon who are performing at 85% or above (not 100%, because a Charmander/Charmeleon against an Onix would die). I want the gyms to be like bosses: someone who takes skill to beat. Someone who puts up a fight. They're gym leaders for a reason.

One problem is that any pokémon trainer is easy to beat if you know what they have. All you'd need for harder gym leaders would be for them to have a stable of pokémon to choose from so that you can't utterly prepare. I do try to avoid looking up what they have the first time I fight them to make it more challenging.

Edit:
re making Gyms less central:
The main reason for the Gym/HM structure is to prevent trading in plot breaking pokémon too early. No reason the Gyms couldn't be demoted to a side plot though... in fact they did that with Ruby/Sapphire to a large extent. Certainly the Aqua/Magma storyline feels like more of a main plot than the Rocket subplot ever did. I'd hope that Diamond/Pearl would have a less linear plot and would accomodate trade-in pokémon problems in more creative ways (but I'm also not holding my breath).

[Outlaw JT]

> The new generation of pokemon. What are your views on nontendo adding new pokemon to the world. We all know munchlax is being put in, but are nintendo going over the top with the amount of pokemon they are adding. Should they round it off for the up and coming diamond and pearl games to something like a nice 400.

I agree that the number of pokemon is starting to get a little high but it isn't the simplest thing to just cap off the total number of pokemon. If they don't create a new batch of pokemon for each new generation of games then there is less incentive for people to keep coming back. Why buy a new game to catch only pokemon you already have? Even though the total number of pokemon in existance may continue to grow to obscene and excessive amounts, there is really no clear way around that if they wish to continue making original pokemon games. Sad but true.

>should the two up and coming games be set in a new pokemon region or one of the ones already made (kanto, johto, hoenn, orre). Would a DS version of the orre region (probably with wild pokemon) be intresting* (*note that this ties in with the next section). If you think they should create a new world what should it be like.

To be honest, I like how they handled this in the G/S/C era. They introduced a large brand new area for the main portion of the game and then opened up a familiar but changed area from. An area altered to reflect the passage of a great deal of time. So for my opinion on this issue, a new area with a time lapsed version of an existing one as a bonus for those who wish to keep playing after the completion of the main story.

>Should the pokemon extend to 3D graphics on a hand held system or should they be touched up 2D games like at the moment. As mentioned above it may be interesting to see how the developers would do orre in 2D.

I think overall it should be touched up and improved 2D graphics but perhaps making the battle system 3D would offer a good middle ground.

>How should the new features of the DS be used to enhance the gaming experience of these two new versions. Also how should the link between the GBA/media port be used to interact with these new games (eg. pokemon trading or mabye getting secret items like the mystery ticket on fire red and leaf green).

How about using the built-in microphone to issue commands to your pokemon by voice? Or using the touch screen to groom your pokemon for contests and to increase compatibility? Obviously, using the dual screens for you and your opponents sides of the battlefield. These are the first ideas that come to mind.

>Day, night and time in general. For all people who have fire red or leaf green you may have noticed that there is no in game clock. For some having day and night added was an unbelievable and hugely fun aspect of the game. Even though ruby and sapphire still had time alot of the greatness that made the time in gold, silver and crystal. Like pokemon appearing at different times and Buenas password only being aired between 6pm and midnight. Also the loss of being able to set the day was a big blow for some. Events happening on different days was very cool in alot of peoples opions.

I agree it was a really awesome idea and it added a lot of fun to the series. However, it also added a lot of frustration. It made it that much harder to catch every pokemon and as someone else said, it requires playing just about on every day and at every time. I definately think the night/day element should be used again but only night/day, split at a sensible hour like 6 or 7pm. Using the day/week thing again could be interesting and useful but I don't think anything crucial should be linked to it. Maybe contest schedules or item availability in one or two shops but it shouldn't be linked in anyway to story or pokemon catching.

>Added ubers evry generation now means there are two many. Some people think there are to many ubers. Should Nintendo stop adding them (Ties in with the adding a 4th generation of pokemon section of discussion). Should nintendo only allow certain ubers on certain versions (ties in with the next section).

I don't necessarily think they should stop adding them. As someone else said there have to be legends to hunt. I do think they should not keep adding so many. They went from having 5 to 6 to 9 in the respective generations. Sorry if my count is off. In any case, I think maybe just 4 new legendaries and perhaps a new chance to actually catch a couple that are impossible to attain without cheating. IE Mew, Celebi, Deoxys.

>Pokedex or exclusive pokemon. Ruby and sapphire has introduced another type of pokedex with certain pokemon. Should in an effort to limit ubers make a pokedex for each version. with some pokemon including ubers not being able to be traded to the other versions because they are not in the pokedex. This could allow each version to be more exclusive, or do you prefer it the way it is (having access to all pokemon in all versions).

I think the way it is down now is alright since you have to reach some benchmark in the game before you can trade with other versions. For the better part of the main story you are forced to rely on only those catchable in game but eventually you gain the ability to trade with other regions to attain all pokemon.

>Promotional events. Are nintendo going over the top with promotional events AND trading with newer versions. Are to many pokemon now hidden by tickets etc. Are nintendo making it to hard to get all of these special pokemon by having spread them over to many pokemon games. Even after red, blue and yellow (in gold, silver and crystal) it all the pokemon were already available in previous games and there weren't to many promotional events. The type of promo events and stuff were originally meant so that you would buy all the games to get all the pokemon (a marketing tactic), although this has forced people to not get the games therefore sales have stayed the same but the games are less fun. people who liked the series bought the games anyway.

Way overboard with the promotional events. I can't tell you how much it pisses me off that I could never legitimately have some pokemon just because I can't afford to travel to these darn events.

>Are you tired of 8 badges and then the elite four. Should the story be changed. Also should the game have more of a longer and more absorbing plot, to make it into an epic tale. One that could possibly open a story line discussion forum. If so what do you think the story should be like/include. Also should there be more effort put into the after elite four or main story type thing (if you don't want the elite four) world. Alot of people find the islands very lacking and ruby and sapphire didn't have much.

Absolutely! I would love if the main focus was more on the story and the gymn's were used as a side story. It is well past time there was a focus beyond becoming a Pokemon Master for these games and that is one of the reasons I actually loved Colosseum's story mode. The gymn's should still be a necessary part of the game but perhaps not until later. As someone else put it you would be able to progress a great deal further without beating the gymn's and would only have to beat them to clear a few select points in the game. Kind of like the colosseum battles are set up in Pokemon Colosseum actually.

[Misty]

Here's what I've been thinking of.

First, a bombshell that's going to get me at least one flame: I think Pokemon could learn something from Final Fantasy 7.

I want some story. And I want a main character with some personality. I want a powerful enemy - no, multiple powerful enemies - with some backstory. Not just "We're Team Rocket, we're evil lolz!" Nobody says they're evil. Magma and Aqua were better - but aside from the Team Leaders who you met all of three or four times, they were just an army of drones.

Actually, I think the next Pokemon should do something like the Magma/Aqua rivalry - but expand on it. Even throw Team Rocket in the mix. I want some gang warfare mentality going on here.

The one thing I want to see overall is a plot that I can enjoy - Reggie claims the DS is going to be aimed at an older audience than the GBA. I want to see something actually come of that. Pokemon is the thing that gets Nintendo pigeonholed above all for "kiddiness" - a Pokemon game that older gamers could enjoy would be the first step towards proving Nintendo is really interested in older gamers.

Another thing - I want a game with some length. Pokemon games are fairly long and have some nice replay value, but I want a game where the final boss is going to take on my level 100 Pokemon and have a good chance at winning. Or better yet - take on level 255 Pokemon and have a chance. Though that may be a bit much.

Graphics - my gut tells me Pokemon should stick with 2D, but take it to it's furthest level. I want to see Chrono Trigger detail with DKC's rendering. That would be a sight and the true epitome of 2D. And none of that character-on-a-square crap.

But why stop there? Another FF spin - FMV cutscenes. Not just Tales' handful, but lots of them. GBA Video uses some wicked compression to get 44 minutes of FMV anime on a 32MB cartridge - surely a 128MB cart(actually, allegedly there's already a game using a 256MB one) could hold a decent amount. Hell, FF7's FMV could be compressed to the point where the ENTIRE GAME would fit on a 64MB N64 cartridge.