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Games

The Wild Pokémon Fighting Game of Our Dreams Appears

Also inside: Pikachu wearing a luchador outfit.
Images courtesy Pokkén Tournament

As a six-year-old, imagining what Pokémon battles actually looked like outside of their rudimentary animations on Blue Version took up most of the free time that I didn't spend playing the game itself. My friends and I would spar on the playground, shouting out our favorite Pokémon's names and narrating our attacks over and over until someone gave up the battle of stubbornness and attrition. As soon as I first played a fighting game (ClayFighter) I thought Nintendo should make one for Pokémon. When Pikachu became a playable character in Super Smash Brothers, he was the only one for me, crushing every battle with his obnoxious thunder attack. I've enjoyed a night at the Pokémon Symphony, and I nerded out over the Pokémon game that's coming out for the iPhone, but Pokkén Tournament, a Pokémon fighting game which just released a new trailer today, is the Pokémon game I've always wanted in my heart of hearts.

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When Nintendo and BANDAI NAMCO—the minds behind Tekken—release Pokkén Tournament for Wii U in 2016, not only will I buy a Wii U, but I'll be able to kick ass with Pikachu once more. Considering that the new trailer reveals a version of the sparky little mouse person that's decked out in full-on luchador gear (he's literally called Pikachu Libre) I don't know why anyone would use someone else.

Watch the trailer for Pokkén Tournament below, and don't forget to stay after the credits for the official reveal of Shadow Mewtwo, who doesn't really jibe with my sense of canon, but looks like a stone-cold badass just the same.

Learn more on Pokkén Tournament's official website.

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