Pokemon's best spinoff hits Switch Online, but there's a catch

The classic Pokémon spin-off game, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team, is set to arrive on Nintendo Switch Online. This Game Boy Advance title originally released back in 2005 (2006 for the US and EU) offers a unique twist on typical Pokémon gameplay by having players assume the role of a Pokémon. Notably, only the Red Rescue Team will be available, leaving its dual release counterpart, Blue Rescue Team for the Nintendo DS, absent from the Switch collection. Despite the omission, fans are excited to revisit one of Pokémon's best spin-offs on modern hardware starting August 9.

The primary differences between Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team lie in their platform-specific features. The Blue Rescue Team for the Nintendo DS benefits from dual-screen functionality which helps in tracking maps and teammate status more effectively. Additionally, the DS version boasts better sound design due to superior hardware capabilities. However, the core gameplay and storyline remain consistent across both versions.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team was a groundbreaking entry when it was first released, offering a novel experience by letting players become Pokémon themselves. This added a fresh dynamic compared to the main series games. Fans of the franchise and newcomers alike can enjoy this unique journey through dungeons, featuring a variety of Pokémon characters and turn-based combat mechanics, now available on Nintendo's subscription service.