6 features 'Pokémon GO' should take from other Pokémon games

"Pokémon GO" might be the most popular single video game in the 20-year-old Pokémon series, but it actually pulls in precious little from its pocket monster hunting predecessors. There are tons of little features that have appeared in other Pokémon games that would make "Pokémon GO" even more fun for players.

Here is a list of some of the best features from other Pokémon games we'd like to see. Things that have already been confirmed, like trading and battles with friends, are not included, obviously.

 

Pokémon costumes

YouTube/The Official Pokemon Channel

In "Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire," you can get a special Pikachu in your party called Cosplay Pikachu. You can choose between several costumes for Cosplay Pikachu that each give it a unique special attack, with the best being Pikachu Libre, of course.

Let's take it further. If I find a Pokémon outside of an NFL stadium during the upcoming season, it should be wearing the home team's colors. I want Koffing in a Jets hat. It's really all I need in my life right now.

But seriously, the developers could make some sweet money if they sold cute costumes for Pokémon. As ashamed as I am to admit it, I might buy some if the price is right.

Talent contests and other friendly competitions

GameXplain/YouTube

Right now, the only way to pit your pocket monsters against those belonging to other players in "Pokémon GO" is through battling at gyms. One-on-one friendly battles are coming later, but that's still combat.

All Pokémon are unique creatures with unique personalities, so let's allow them to show off their stuff without hurting each other for a change! Some Pokémon games have optional talent contests, where your chosen Pokémon's moves are judged based on how cute, cool or clever they are, among other traits.

I'm not saying "Pokémon GO" needs to have that specific mechanic, but it'd be neat if there were community events where players could get together and win prizes for doing things other than just having the strongest Pokémon.

 

Evolution stones

The Pokemon Company

In "Pokémon GO," you evolve Pokémon by simply capturing dozens of that same Pokémon in order to obtain enough candy to make them evolve. This is vastly different from the other games, where they evolve by leveling up through battles.

However, some Pokémon in those other games could also be evolved using stones — no grinding necessary. There are different stones for each type (like water and fire) and using the appropriate stone on the right Pokémon will make them evolve immediately.

If stones could show up in "Pokémon GO" (albeit extremely rarely), it could solve the issue where you have a Pokémon that you can never evolve or power up because of where you live. I chose a Charmander as my starter, and I literally have not seen a single Charmander since the game came out, for example.

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