The Nintendo Switch 2 Could Really Use a Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Game

Alright, so here we go. The Nintendo Switch 2 is dropping on June 5th. Big news, right? With all these flashy games ready to launch, you’ve got stuff like Mario Kart World (obviously a must-play) and even crazier, Cyberpunk 2077 making its way over. Yeah, unsolvable mysteries from the first Switch! And this got me thinking—or maybe just daydreaming—about all the old games that could make a comeback. Remember how they brought back Link’s Awakening and that Pokémon Yellow revamp? Here’s hoping they give us more of the weird, like Pokémon Mystery Dungeon. I mean, transforming into a Pokémon? Classic oddball Nintendo.

Now, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon’s got its roots in Spike Chunsoft’s Mystery Dungeon series. So basically, you’d be diving into these randomly thrown-together dungeons, taking turns fighting other Pokémon. It kinda mirrors the main games but not really. You did jobs, too. Like, delivering stuff or saving Pokémon. And sometimes you’d bump into Legendaries like Rayquaza, and they weren’t just trophy creatures for your collection. Fascinating, right? Or maybe I’m just a sucker for side quests.

Gosh, can you believe the first games, Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team, are about to celebrate two whole decades? They hit Game Boy Advance and DS in 2005. Talk about different vibes from the usual “Gotta catch ’em all!” games. You didn’t lob Pokéballs; you actually turned into one of these little critters. A personality quiz decided which Pokémon you’d become. Yep, the kind of thing you’d share on your DeviantArt back in the day. Those were the times.

Between 2005 and 2015, they dropped a few more titles across DS and 3DS. The last one came out in 2015, and they gave the original a facelift with Rescue Team DX for the Switch in 2020. Same old gameplay and quiz, but DX let you pick your Pokémon if you didn’t vibe with your initial result. Oh, and the art style? A stunning, kind of painterly vibe.

So, Rescue Team DX—mixed reviews, right? But it sold over a million copies pretty fast. But, you know, Nintendo does its own thing. Like, they’re reviving Kirby Air Ride after 22 years with a sequel for Switch 2. Who saw that coming?

Since the last original Pokémon Mystery Dungeon, there’ve been a heck of a lot more Pokémon games. We’ve got new Pokémon generations and the Legends spin-offs. Imagine a new Mystery Dungeon? Seriously, playing as small adorable newbies like Fuecoco or Grookey? Give me drumming monkey vibes any day. But yeah, knowing Nintendo, we might be waiting a while. Or—I’m just dreaming here—it’ll pop up in July’s Pokémon Presents for the Switch 2. Fingers crossed, right?