Pokkén Tournament DX Reviews

With a decent sized roster of characters and enough content in the game to keep even the pickiest of fans satisfied, Pokken Tournament DX is one of a growing list of worthy ports from the Wii U. With a fresh coat of paint splashed over the top, this fighting game is one for both Pokémon and Tekken fans alike; and while the combat depth and lack of hands-on training may throw off a few people, the game makes itself accessible for all those who are chasing a good fighting experience.

Pokkén Tournament DX brings two classic franchises together to create an exciting new fighter for everyone to enjoy.

Pokkén Tournament isn’t by any means a new title, having already established itself back in 2016 on the Wii U as the must have Pokémon fighter it was a bit of a surprise (albeit a pleasant one) to most Nintendo and Pokémon fans when it was announced earlier this year at E3 2017 that Pokkén Tournament DX would be making its way to the Nintendo Switch.

Pokkén Tournament DX serves as a definitive edition of Nintendo’s fighting game, and it fits well on the Switch aside from choppy split-screen multiplayer. Five new characters and a new three-on-three mode are noteworthy additions, though the new challenge mode doesn’t live up to its name.

Pokkén Tournament DX can be enjoyed by just about anyone. Whether you are a fighting game fan or are just looking to get your toes wet, it is a great title for both newbies and pros alike.

Besides Nia, you can customise your avatar and your battle card, with a ridiculous amount of customisable elements to unlock as you go. The problem is that there’s still not fundamentally enough difference in the key facial features of your avatar that they come out looking all that different from anyone else’s, even if they’re dressed as a chef or a clown. Then again, it’s hardly the most important part of a fighting game, and when the action is as good as it is then you should hardly notice.

The Joy-Cons themselves can also be uncomfortable to use and take away from "play with anyone, anywhere" vibe that this game has going for it at face value. If you missed Pokkén Tournament on Wii U and are a fan of fighting games, I highly recommend it, as it is easy to get into and brings some interesting changes to genre. That being said, it really isn't worth double-dipping with Pokkén Tournament DX, as this version doesn't add too much to the core experience outside of a couple new fighters.

Pokken Tournament Deluxe is a knockout fighting game that’s perfect for the Switch. With new characters, revamped game modes, and the ability to take the game anywhere, this is one Pokémon game you should fight for this fall.

Whenever a new console comes out, it's bound to have plenty of rehashes. Pokkén Tournament DX may be an update of last year's Wii U Pokémon fighter but does it provide enough new content to warrant another purchase?

Pokken Tournament was a hit on the Wii U and while not an excellent game it is a solid fighter filed with some interesting Pokemon. However for each Pikachu Libre there is a Chandelure. With a roster of almost 1000 Pokemon you’d think they could have come up with a better lineup for the 21 fighters. While games like Mario Kart 8, Splatoon 2, and Arms do magnificent jobs of taking their respective genres and making excellent interpretations of Nintendo games Pokken Tournament DX only does an...

There's a wonderfulness surrounding all of this that makes dealing with the cracks in the original's formulaic foundation a lot more bearable. While the jury is still out on whether or not the competitive scene will embrace Pokken this time around, the team at Namco Bandai can rest easy knowing that they've grown the game and left fans much better off as a result.

Pokken Tournament DX is definitely worth the upgrade. The game has changed just enough to stay fresh and the five new characters, along with the Popplio and Litten assists that were introduced, freshen the game up enough to matter in the long run. Despite the changes, everything is familiar to old players, and while Pokken DX isn’t all that welcoming to newcomers, those who put the time into the game will definitely find a wealth of enjoyment. Pokken Tournament DX is a game that deserves way more than what it got in terms of support, and hopefully, on the Switch, it will get it.

While Pokken Tournament DX is an excellent homage to Pokemon, it really shines as a straightforward yet deep fighting game.

Pokémon’s track record for offshoots is muddy. The core games are beloved, but venturing outside of the RPG genre rarely goes well for Pokémon. Pokkén does little to inspire hope for the franchise to successfully branch off in new directions, but does offer some depth during its well-paced matches. For those who want more than the small amount of Pokémon action combat seen in Super Smash Bros. over the years, it can be found here.

Pokémon just turned 20 years old this month, but Nintendo still can’t shake the belief that the “Pocket” part of “Pocket Monsters” means the beloved core adventures can only be released on handheld systems. That’s a shame.

Pokken Tournament shines when it comes to playing with friends, but the game's grind filled single player and dumb AI make for a pretty unimpressive package overall.