A Nostalgic Glance: The Original Pokkén Tournament on Wii U Was Incredible

This isn’t just another Pokémon Stadium or a mediocre Tekken clone; this is Pokkén Tournament.

Boasting exceptional graphics and some of the best fighting mechanics available on the Wii U, Pokkén Tournament—at least in its single-fight format—surpasses Super Smash Bros.

However, the story mode? That’s a different story.

With its excessive length and lack of depth, the story mode detracts from the game’s overall appeal, making it primarily appealing to hardcore fans or those in search of a solid fighter.

That said, the gameplay is stellar, and the visuals are stunning. Each Pokémon features two move sets: one for ranged attacks and another for close combat. Like Tekken, characters include grappling moves, and with special and support attacks, you’ll enjoy a variety of beautiful maneuvers—including those fan-favorites not in the main roster. Concerns about attack diversity are unfounded here. In terms of mechanics and overall play, Pokkén Tournament can compete with any fighting game.

The main drawback is its struggle to carve out a unique identity. Although each Pokémon has distinct move sets, the story mode feels stagnant—like being stuck in Diglett’s Cave. Battles become repetitive, lacking the emotional connection to keep you engaged beyond the stunning cutscenes. The story aims to make you feel like you’ve earned the title of Pokémon master, but it ends up being overly drawn out.

If each character had their own engaging storyline—similar to Tekken—it could have made for a much more enjoyable experience with multiple characters. As it stands, finishing the story leaves little incentive to pick up other Pokémon to start the journey anew.

One of the main reasons the story flops is the limited roster of fighters. With over 100 battles to reach the story’s conclusion, you’ll face the same Pokémon repeatedly, diluting the variety. Although there are two versions of Pikachu, the character diversity falls short. While including every Pokémon might be unrealistic, a roster of 32 would have felt more balanced, especially since iconic final evolutions from the series are missing from the lineup.

Additionally, the amiibo integration feels underwhelming. Using our Charizard and Pikachu amiibos only unlocked outfits for our avatar. If these figures can’t do more than unlock minor items—especially in a game featuring them—what’s the point?

Yet, despite these criticisms, Pokkén Tournament remains an exhilarating experience. It has the potential to attract casual gamers to the franchise and excite seasoned veterans about future installments.

In the end, Pokkén Tournament marks a fantastic inaugural entry in the Pokémon fighting game series. Despite its long, lackluster story mode and limited roster of 16 fighters, it’s hard to recommend it to anyone outside of the most devoted Pokémon fans. While it strives to combine the essence of Pokémon with the Tekken engine—evident in its narrative that attempts to mirror the journey of a Pokémon master—it ultimately falls short. Throughout, you’ll find yourself wishing each character had a unique storyline akin to Tekken. With its solid mechanics and engaging action, the series is almost where it needs to be. The real question is whether Nintendo and Namco will collaborate again.

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