We promise, we're going to make this test longer than its intro, but we still have to redirect you to our Pokkén Tournament test, if only to remember the gameplay mechanics. Basically, the fights are divided into two distinct phases: the field phases which allow you to move freely in the arena, and the duel phases in which the characters move on the same plane. Passing on Nintendo Switch, the game has lost none of its nervousness and its spectacular combos, and we were even pleasantly surprised by its Joy-Con playability. If big hands will probably prefer the more comfortable Pro controller, playing in split screen with a friend to kill time in the TGV is perfectly possible. Under these conditions, the framerate obviously drops to 30fps, and even when we choose an identical viewing angle for both players, we feel that the console is picking a little. Since we are talking about multiplayer, the online game now offers lobbies with different filters to configure (style of play, region, ranking, skill level). A very useful feature for meeting up with people of good company, since there is a way to create your own room and restrict access with an ID.
OK, there are five more Pokemon, 3 vs. 3, a Joy-Con grip is nice, and a better finished online mode. But it's clearly not enough to open the wallet again, especially since the graphics have hardly changed and the single player campaign is still boring.
Still with regard to online play, we appreciate the possibility of saving replays and taking a look at those of others to, for example, study their sequences. Moreover, through the menus, you can activate the display of commands. Too bad Bandai Namco Entertainment didn't go so far as to introduce a "Spectator" mode like real fighting games. As for the production, even if the game has slightly gained in finesse, it has also retained all the graphic defects of the original version: poor modeling of Pokémon, empty sets, anti-aliasing to absent subscribers; in short, zero effort to make things a little more presentable. On the other hand, the developers have withdrawn their fingers from the buttocks to integrate new characters. Well, almost, because only Archeduke really serves as a new Pokémon – Empoleon, Scizor, Cradopaud and Darkrai are defectors from the arcade version. To speak two seconds of Archeduke, the guy is as powerful as he is fast, and the multiple arrows he is able to shoot make him a difficult character to manage from a distance. It's really no coincidence that he is considered by many to be a top tier. Finally, let's not forget to mention the appearance of the clashes in 3 vs. 3, as well as Daily Challenges that require battling with different Pokémon. No, Pokkén Tournament DX hasn't made it to Nintendo Switch at all.
