Pokemongames are all about evolutions - be it the critters changing shape and becoming a stronger version of themselves, or be it how mainline titles tend to change over time. This often happens thanks to new features introduced in a specific generation, only forPokemongames that come after to make the most out of the mechanics and gradually improve upon them. This is the case for character customization, which was first added in Generation 6 games,Pokemon XandY. At the time, it was a primitive version of what players can experience in the most recent mainline titles,Pokemon SwordandShield, and it’s likely that things will keep on changing in the future, starting withPokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearl.
Pokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearlare remakes of the Generation 4 games, meaning that the originals didn’t have any Trainer customization options at the time, but that’s something the new games will remedy. In fact, the full trailer forPokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearlshowed that players will still be able to change the way their character looks despite this not being an option in Gen 4, and it’s likely that the remakes will implement this feature in a way that’s reminiscent of Gen 8 games. It’s hard to say whetherPokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearlwill improve on the model ofPokemon SwordandShield, especially because the remakes are made outside of Game Freak, but customization being a thing means it’s safe to assume the trend will keep on escalating in future titles.
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Customization and Representation in Pokemon Games
This change fromPokemon DiamondandPearlis so important because it shows that Nintendo and The Pokemon Company are willing to improve their new and past games alike with features that are more in line with modern times. Customization became a very important aspect of video games in time, and the ability to make characters that allow players to feel like they are themselves is a valuable asset that many developers have learned not to overlook. BecausePokemongames have always been made with protagonists that are either kids or teens, it only comes as a natural consequence that they never really picked up much on critical elements related to theLGBTQ+ community and its representation.
However, it should be noted that Nintendo did share an enthusiastic reply to a child’s plea to addnon-binary Pokemonin future games, stating that it would only make sense for the franchise to go in that direction. The reason for it is that many times Pokemon are inspired by real-life creatures, and some of them too can display behaviors that don’t necessarily fit the binary view of gender and gender identities in general. Such critters eventually being added into mainline games would be great, andPokemon Brilliant DiamondandShiningPearlfeaturing Trainer customization could be another chance for things to change for the better.
Customization could open up a lot of possibilities forGeneration 9Pokemongamesand onwards, as there could even be proper representation for non-binary Trainers, or maybe other identities and orientations, even if that doesn’t actually play a role in the games. Representation is key, and being able to customize a character on a much deeper level than just hairstyles or a few clothing options seems like the natural step forward from wherePokemongames currently stand. Still, while this is a possibility that Nintendo should be carefully taking into consideration, players shouldn’t count on it until it is official.
Pokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearlwill release on November 19 for the Nintendo Switch.
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