Pokémon enthusiasts are living the best times at the moment. With Switch 2 updates for "Pokémon Legends: Z-A" and for the upcoming "Pokémon Champions" on the console and mobile platform, it feels like every game from the popular franchise will be a huge hit for gamers. Unfortunately, "Pokémon Duel" was abandoned in 2019, but some fans wanted to see it once again.
With 11 distinct Pokémon mobile games out there today, The Pokémon Company has undoubtedly doubled down on getting people of various playstyles and genres involved.
From the real-world escapades of "Pokémon GO" to the intense battles from "Pokémon Masters EX," the mobile games are for everyone. Can the forgotten mobile "Duel" game launch someday with improved features?
What Was 'Pokémon Duel' and Why Did It Fail?
For those who played "Pokémon Duel" from 2017 until 2019, it's pure enjoyment, especially if you love Pokémon figures. Players acquired digital figures of Pokémon via gacha mechanics and employed them in battles that were akin to a chess-like race around the board.
Although the idea was innovative, Duel was marred by several fundamental flaws. The game was criticized largely as being pay-to-win, with unique characters trapped behind random pulls. Its combat system, which used a roulette wheel to decide attacks, came across as too luck-driven for many gamers. Uncertainty regarding whether or not physical figures were required to play also did not help it spread wider.
But despite its flaws, "Duel's" combination of collecting, strategy, and digital artwork foreshadowed as-yet-unrealized potential—a potential that may be ripe for a second bite.
'Pokémon TCG Pocket's' Success Indicative of a New Way
What makes "Pokémon TCG Pocket" stand out is its fundamental emphasis on collecting. Unlike other mobile games in which success commonly relies on the win rate of battles, "TCG Pocket" is all about opening booster packs, pulling one-of-a-kind cards, and creating a virtual binder. The application provides free daily packs, inviting players to visit repeatedly without extreme pressure to spend.
Had "Pokémon Duel" followed a similar format—to make figure collecting the focus and gameplay ancillary, it might have steered clear of many of its early mistakes. A redesigned "Duel" that compensates for players merely collecting digital figures and creating custom collections could draw in casual fans as well as hardcore enthusiasts.
Turning Luck Into Fun, Not Frustration
One of Duel's most divisive elements was its roulette battle system. Unpredictable, yes, but perhaps enjoyable with a redesign. Instead of prioritizing competitive balance, a return could push the randomness as a playful bonus to the figure collection experience, less about conquest, and more about exploration.
The Pokémon franchise survives on nostalgia, imagination, and easy-to-understand gameplay. Redesigned "Duel" could combine those things by creating a game in which collecting figures is the main focus, and battling exists as an extra sport for fun instead of being stressful occurrences.
A Comeback Is Possible, But Timing Is Key
With Pokémon mobile gaming at an all-time high, "Pokémon Duel" has a window to return, but it must be carefully timed, according to GameRant. The current market is crowded with popular titles like "Unite," "GO," and "Masters EX." Still, as "Pokémon TCG Pocket" shows, there's a strong demand for casual, collection-focused experiences.
If The Pokémon Company could pinpoint the moment, there is room for a revamped "Pokémon Duel" to prosper in mobile today, giving fans a second chance at a game that was far too advanced for its time.
