Detective Pikachu
| Detective Pikachu | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Creatures, Inc. |
| Publisher | Nintendo, The Pokémon Company |
| System | Nintendo 3DS |
| Release Date | Birth of a New Duo JP February 3, 2016 Full Version March 23, 2018 |
Detective Pikachu is a mystery adventure game spun off from the Pokémon series that was released for the Nintendo 3DS. In Japan, a version of the game containing the first three chapters was released through the eShop in February 2016 as Detective Pikachu: Birth of a New Duo, and it was removed in January 2018. The full version of the game received a worldwide release in March 2018. This game is notable as being one of the few spin-offs that that does not have RPG elements, and it has become known for acting as the basis for a live action film.
Story[edit]
A boy named Tim Goodman has traveled to Ryme City in order to look into his the disappearance of his father, a detective named Harry. As he meets up with Harry's colleagues to gather information, he ends up meeting a Pikachu and is surprised to find that he can understand its speech. The Pikachu was formerly Harry's partner and suffers from amnesia. Fancying himself to be a great detective, this Pikachu is also investigating Harry's whereabouts. Tim and Pikachu decide to work together on this investigation. Along the way, they end up getting taking on other cases to solve and end up following the trail of Harry's last investigation: the mystery of the cause behind several Pokémon-related incidents.
Gameplay[edit]
The player controls Tim. Tim can inspect areas and talk to both people and Pokémon (with help from Pikachu) in order to gather clues. Clues and other information are collected in the Case Files section, while the Case Notes contains the case's objectives and gives the player a chance to solve different objectives by matching up the right clues. The Case Files and Case Notes are both accessible on the touch screen as well as through the shoulder buttons. The touch screen or X Button can also be used to talk to Pikachu. This can involve Pikachu giving advice on what to do next, and or it can also set off Pika Prompts, which are scenes that play out involving Pikachu which either involve hints or act as humorous skits.
The game also features occasional quicktime events, in which the player must press the A button repeatedly or once with the right timing in order to accomplish a task.
Legacy[edit]
Sequels[edit]
This game was followed by Detective Pikachu Returns for the Nintendo Switch in 2023.
Other[edit]
- The release of the full game was also accompanied by the release of a free ebook containing a case set shortly before the events of the game, known as Detective Pikachu: Episode 0 - Eevee's Case.
- In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Detective Pikachu is represented as an Ace-rank Support Spirit that grants immunity to fog's effects.
- In 2019, a live action film adaptation was released in theaters as Pokémon Detective Pikachu, starring Ryan Reynolds as Pikachu and Justice Smith as Tim Goodman. This version makes various alterations to the story and includes its own resolution to the plotline that was left unresolved in the game regarding Harry's disappearance.