A new short-form anime series fromPokemonhas been gaining attention from players across social media thanks to its slice-of-life insight into thePokemonworld, revealing an interesting new direction for a potentialPokemonspin-off. With short-form videos now one of the most successful and popular forms of online content, it is no surprise that prominent gaming franchises likePokemonwould try to capitalize on the medium. AmongPokemon’s official content across its TikTok and YouTube Shorts platforms, one series in particular has led players to express their interest in a similarly styled spin-offPokemongame.
Starting back in 2024,Pokemon’s “PokeMinutes” anime series currently consists of more than a dozen short videos, each one typically showcasing a casual moment between humans and their Pokemon. While the main focus of the franchise’s games has centered around catching and battling Pokemon, there has always been curiosity about the day-to-day lives of people and their Pokemon withinthe world ofPokemon. Prompted by player demand from its PokeMinutes series, Game Freak or a third-party developer could potentially explore this slice-of-life side to itsPokemongames with a new spin-off project.
Pokemon’s PokeMinutes Highlights Its Slice-of-Life Spin-Off Potential
Though PokeMinutes' videos focus on many areas of daily living withinPokemon’s world, a specific few of these, like the one shown below, serve as ideal examples of the franchise’s potential for a life or pet sim-like game.
PokeMinutes' videos like this one and others have received numerous comments suggesting, or even outright requesting, thatPokemonbase a spin-off game on the series' slice-of-life style. Given how fan comments on the videos suggest the topic, with some even receiving thousands of likes, it is clear that there is significantplayer demand for this kind ofPokemonspin-off.
Pokemon Could Take Inspiration From Nintendogs, Story of Seasons, And More
Based on the comments on PokeMinutes' videos shown above, many players have pointed out the existing potentialPokemonalready has should it take notes from other social, pet, and life sim games. While the series hasn’t seen a new game since the Nintendo 3DS,Nintendogscould arguably provide the best foundation for a slice-of-lifePokemonspin-off, with gameplay revolving around feeding, bathing, and playing with Pokemon. For example, the above video with Yamper playing fetch and interacting with their trainer is a dead ringer forNintendogs’own pet sim gameplay.
However, in addition toNintendogs, the resurgence in popularity of sim games likeStardew ValleyandStory of Seasonscould inspirea different kind ofPokemonspin-off. For instance, by expanding on past games and features likeMy Pokemon Ranchor in-game daycare,Pokemoncould create a similar sim game that allows players to build their own ranches, rear Pokemon livestock, and support the farming community. With farming already having been a prominent part of bothPokemon’s anime and games as well, this could be the ideal basis for a potential sim spin-off game.
A Slice-of-Life Game Could Be Perfect For Pokemon Right Now
Thanks to thesuccess ofPokemon’s more recent spin-offs, such asPokemon GO,Pokemon Unite, andNew Pokemon Snap, the franchise should carry this momentum over to a new slice-of-life sim game. Combined with player demand, aPokemonsim spin-off could help be a breath of fresh air for the franchise by pulling players away from its rinse-and-repeat formula of gyms and battles towards the cozier, wholesome side ofPokemon. While the likes ofPokemon Legends: Z-Aand its tenth generation are on the horizon,Pokemonshould stop overlooking its long-standing potential for slice-of-life spin-off games.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A
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Pokémon Legends: Z-A is an ambitious new entry to the Pokémon video game series, releasing simultaneously worldwide in 2025. A new adventure awaits within Lumiose City, where an urban redevelopment plan is underway to shape the city into a place that belongs to both people and Pokémon.
