Featured image from Nintendo
I recently started thinking about the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series after looking at games that Spike Chunsoft developed. I honestly didn’t realize that they developed these games.
What Is Pokémon Mystery Dungeon?
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon is a rouge like RPG where you play as a Pokemon. It’s a spin off from the main series, like Pokémon Ranger. In these games you’ll form a team and go on various mission helping your fellow Pokémon. Just like the main entries, each game has its own story and you don’t need to play a previous one to understand the other entries in the series. The main focus of these games is exploring dungeons, hence the name. There are currently seven games in the series, with one of them being a remake.
First Game
The first games in the series were Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Blue Rescue Team. While Red Rescue Team was released for the Game Boy Advance, Blue Rescue Team was released for the Nintendo DS. These games were developed by Chunsoft, now Spike Chunsoft. Yes this is the same Spike Chunsoft responsible for developing the Danganronpa series. Both games were released in 2006. I find that a bit interesting, but I guess they wanted a version for the Game Boy Advance and the DS.
What Makes it Different from other Pokémon Games?
What makes it different is that you play as a Pokémon. Each game gives you a personality quiz, the results determine the Pokémon that you’ll be. There’s a predetermined list of possible Pokémon you can be. Movements and actions are still turn based, but battles take place in the same dungeon environment. Unlike other games in the series, you can only have four Pokémon total with you in a dungeon. Each game involves exploring dungeons and completing quests. What I like the most is that the dungeons are random each time you go in.
Great Music
Below are some of my favorite tracks from the games in the series that I’ve played. There are others I want to share, but those are end game themes.
My Favorite Game
My favorite game from the series is Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time. This was for the DS and I actually own a copy still that I plan on replaying at some point. I absolutely loved the story. There were some really good twists in there that I didn’t expect. It’s a pretty good length game as well with plenty of end game content to do. This is definitely one of my favorite games for the DS and I would definitely recommend it.
Most Recent Game
The most recent game in the series is Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX, released in 2020. This is a remake of the first two games Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team. I haven’t had the chance to play this yet, but it received an updated art style and is a good entry point if you’re looking to get into the series.
It’d be cool to see a new entry in the series
The main thing I’d like is a completely new entry, the last new game was Super Mystery Dungeon since Rescue Team DX is a remake. I think the 3D art style in Super Mystery Dungeon was good, so I’d like them to stick with that style. Another important piece would be having Spike Chunsoft develop the next game, like they’ve been doing. I think they’ve done great work with the series, not only story wise, but music wise as well. Maybe something that serves as a series reboot, just to give the series a fresh start?
Conclusion
Have you ever played any games in the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon series? If so, what’s your favorite? I’d eventually like to play the others starting with Rescue Team DX. From there I’d probably play Super Mystery Dungeon. I’ve got quite a few games to get through so it’ll definitely be a good bit before I do any of that. As always thank you all for reading!
If you want my opinion on the main series, I reviewed Pokemon Scarlet
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