Throughout its many generations, the Pokemon franchise of games has introduced various gimmicks to its fans. What they did was provide a new element to the standard battle formula, and they've certainly made gameplay more engaging.
However, among them, there is one I strongly believe should not return in a future game, as what it does is already done much better by other gimmicks. What I'm referring to here is the mechanic introduced in Pokemon Sword and Shield: Dynamax and Gigantamax.
Both allow one's Pokemon to grow to absurdly large sizes, granting them a big health boost and turning their regular attacks into Max Moves, with Gigantamaxing providing a special form and G-Max Move for only specific creatures. As great as all that sounds, it doesn't change the fact that Dynamax and Gigantamax shouldn't come back, and that's because of two reasons: Z-Moves and Mega Evolutions.
As for how Z-Moves and Mega Evolutions are better, to start, Z-Moves are essentially just the Max and G-Max Moves, but the key differences are that the former can only be used once and requires a special item.
While that sounds like it would actually be a point in favor of both Dynamaxing and Gigantamaxing, it's the exact opposite. Having Z-Moves require an item slot and being only usable once adds a layer of depth to strategizing, as it provides both players with a trump card that they should learn to play with and prepare against.
With Sword and Shield's Pokemon gimmick, it feels more like a "use this to win" kind of move, as it lasts three turns, and the player who uses theirs first is likely going to lose to the one who has yet to. I can attest to this, as I usually Dynamax or Gigantamax only after my opponent does, and it has led to me winning more matches than I can count. I, and likely many others, wouldn't want a move that basically guarantees the battle is won, which is why Pokemon Sword and Shield's gimmick shouldn't return.
As for the second reason why both Dynamax and Gigantamax should stay in the past, it's that they don't have the same impact as Mega Evolutions do. The gimmick introduced in X and Y, and making a return in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, was a huge game-changer with how it basically provided a boost to all of a creature's stats. That alone is far more impactful than the health increase provided by Dynamax and Gigantamax.
Also, Mega Evolved Pokemon just look much more intimidating compared to those of Dynamax and Gigantamax, even if they don't tower over their opponents. The way I see it, bigger only means something that takes a little longer to bring down, while an alternate appearance that drastically changes a design proposes that there is something I or my opponents should be scared of.
With all that said, since Mega Evolutions and Z-Moves already do better jobs of Dynamax and Gigantamax, there's really no reason for the Pokemon Sword and Shield gimmick to return. If it ever does in a future game, then I hope Nintendo and The Pokemon Company do something to make it more special, as what it does now is really nothing to write home about.
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