N64 Do you think that a full Pokemon RPG could have worked on the N64?

[Waffles's iconWaffles]

I remember people being really disappointed that there was no proper Pokemon game on the N64, getting things like Snap and Puzzle League instead (fine games for sure, but not what the majority of gamers had come to expect and wanted to have).

I actually don't think that a full RPG on N64 tridimensional graphics was in the cards at all, but seeing just how well the console could make 2D graphics and sprites look, I think it'd have been a pretty cool (even brilliant) effort.

Maybe they could have gone for a less ambitious (yet deeply satisfying) approach, handling it like that same console's version of Harvest Moon (low-poly models over simple backgrounds) and have it all look and feel quite awesome, while keeping the battles confined to the Gameboy style. I think that would have been well-within the system's capabilities and result in something truly memorable, maybe even "restoring" the parts of G/S/C that were cut due to cartridge space when combining Kanto and Johto.

What do you think? Would this have worked at all or were they wise not to attempt it?

 

[moonbits]

Perhaps It could've been feasible if they used a 64mb cartridge. The original Pokemon Stadium was 32mb and I assume that most of the space was the voice lines from the announcer. If we removed that we have left 32mbs or more for the game, it sound's feasible to cram an adventure. Perhaps a simple 1:1 conversion of Pokemon Red/Blue in 3D.

Having the Expansion Pak to have more available memory to load/unload instances.

 

[zacharinolongpants]

Honestly I could see Pokémon 64 as a 3D RPG. Quest 64 and Aiden Chronicles were both full polygonal. Not great games but the template for an RPG using 3D on the 64 is there!

That being said, I would prefer that they used some kind of 2D look like Ogre Battle 64. Hell even a gimmicky presentation like Paper Mario would look good for it.

Now all we can do is daydream about it, sadly!

 

[gastd]

Yes I would play it but that will probably just remain wishful thinking!

 

[Zeo]

The reason they didnt made a "Pokemon 64" is because of their original market idea of "catch monsters anywhere you want" with the portable consoles in mind. Stadium games are more an expansion for those who already completed the main games and wanted more challenges even with Pokemons at level 100

The close thing we got was the colosseum and XD games, but those are their own thing

Also, that was part of the golden age of videogames where devs put their ips in every possible genre. But in pokemon case, a full main game for console wasnt part of their plans

 

[Luxfin]

It would honestly be impressive for it's time. But considering the amount of problems that it took for Red and Blue to be made, I would honestly image that would have been a nightmare to program and design on the N64.
But that would have been a dream come true, I honestly imaged a hypothetical Pokemon 64 to be a more expanded version of Red and Blue with some aspects of Yellow mixed in.

 

[moonbits]

To think that Pokemon Stadium has better animations than the newer Pokemon games
It wasn't made by GameFreak

 

[Zeo]

Problem is, there wasnt any moment or time a main Pokemon 64 could come out with

Pokemon Red/Blue/Green was hell to make and almost didnt made it. And lets remember that Gold/Silver had the issue where Iwata needed to create a code for part of Kanto be in the game and it was planned to be the ending with Red as the final boss

But then, money started to rain and we got where we are now

 

[Mordovah]

Mainline Pokemon games also focused heavily on trading with other people, which was far easier and already established on a handheld that could travel with a person rather then on a stationary console at a person's home.

 

[Eclipse14]

There was something close to it that existed. In Japan only. Go figure, that's the case.

The title is Zool: Majuu Tsukai Densetsu, for those curious. It's also notable because it was the only turn-based RPG (Ogre Battle 64 is a Strategy RPG) that made extensive use of 2D stuff. Arguably, it's the closest thing to a PS/Saturn RPG the system ever got.

Of course, no translation yet because everyone's kinda focused on the Saturn, console-wise. Time will tell when this one gets its due. I plan to talk about it in my work, eventually, regardless of when that happens.

 

[Ikagura]

No, the entire point of Pokémon is to go outside and share your monsters with your friends.

Home console games defeat the point.

 

[HarmonieGirl]

I dreamed of it back in the day, but now it's quite clear to me that GameFreak wasn't ready for 3D game design. They took baby steps from Gen IV on and still struggle to this day.

 

[Boo Man]

they definitely could have done something better
Pokémon snap was a huge disappointment
imo they fumbled the ball in the video game department