The Pokémon franchise has numerous adventures existing outside the main series games. From Pokémon Colosseum to Pokémon Conquest, the franchise keeps finding ways to stay relevant and fresh, twenty-five years after its debut. In 2015, they ventured into the arcade business with the Pokkén Tournament.
Heavily based on the Tekkén series gameplay, the Pokkén Tournament takes place in the fictional region of Ferrum. Like other regions in the Pokémon world, Ferrum includes several towns, cities, ruins, and other landmarks. It’s even home to a volcano and a dragon’s nest. Its earth exudes a particularly strong energy which allows for the Tournament’s battles to take place, which means most areas in the region serve as arenas.
Inspiration & Origin
Like most other locations in Pokémon, Ferrum takes inspiration from a real place. It has many similarities with Iriomote Island, the largest of the Yaeyama Islands in Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture. Ferrum’s Neos City is a literal replication of Okinawa’s Ohara Port.
As far as names go, some areas in Ferrum get their names from chemical elements. The aforementioned Neos City, for example, comes from the noble gas Neon. Phos volcano comes from Phosphorus, and Thalia Beach comes from Thallium.
Generations & Consoles
The original Pokkén Tournament premiered in 2015, making it part of Generation VI. Despite the fact it had no relation whatsoever with the games released in that generation, Pokémon X & Y, fans still consider it a part of this generation. A port for the Wii U premiered in March 2016.
In December 2017, an enhanced Nintendo Switch port premiered, Pokkén Tournament XD, further extending its presence onto Generation VII.
Six Initial Areas
Ferrum was initially split into six areas and the player can visit all of them. Old Ferrum Town, Techne City, Tellur Town, Ferrum Stadium, Selen Island, and Neos City each play a specific role in the story. The Nintendo Switch version added two more areas, Haunted House, and Thalia Beach.
While it’s not the largest or most complex region in the Pokémon world, Ferrum still has its own identity and purpose within the context of its game.
Each Town Has A Function
Each town and city in Ferrum has a specific purpose within the game’s context. Old Ferrum Town, referred to as My Town in the game’s map, serves as a base of sorts. Players can adjust their settings from there, as well as checking their progress and records.
Techne City is where the player learns the rules and mechanics of the Tournament, Tellur Town is where Single Battles take place, Ferrum Stadium is home to the Ferrum League, Selen Island allows Local Battles, and Neos City allows Online Battling. The Switch exclusives, Haunted House and Thalia Beach, provide daily challenges and recruitment options, respectively.
Arenas
The Ferrum region has a total of twenty-three arenas where battling takes place, similar to the classic Gym system that first appeared way back in Generation I.
In the original, some of these arenas are available from the start, and players can battle or train in them. Other must be unlocked by meeting certain criteria. In Pokkén Tournament XD, all arenas are available from the start, with the sole exception of Snow Gift.
Technology
The Pokémon world is rather advanced when it comes to technology and Ferrum is no exception. To aid and enhance Pokémon battling, Ferrum has things called Battle Capsules, which literally contain arenas inside, similar to the Capsule Corporation’s devices in the Dragon Ball anime.
Players can customize the arenas’ size and shape, allowing for a more personalized gaming experience. They also have a special device which allows them to connect with their Pokémon during the battle.
Synergy In Ferrum
Similar to the power spots in Galar that make Dynamaxing possible, Ferrum has its own natural phenomena. Synergy Stones react to Gaia, the energy that comes from Earth itself, and create Synergy Power, which has the ability to revitalize living creatures.
Synergy Power also allows certain individuals to communicate with Pokémon on an instinctual level. On a few occasions, a Synergy Burst will occur, when the Synergy between Pokémon and Trainer reaches its peak. It remains a mystery, but it’s thought to be related to Mega Evolution.
Culture & Customs
Because of the strong presence and relevance of Synergy in their everyday lives, the people from Ferrum developed a unique culture. Trainers exist in Ferrum, but they must be able to use Synergy. The role of Advisor also exists, referring to a person who provides help and guidance during battles.
Ferrum also uses a ranking system to classify its trainers, instead of the classic Badges that dominate the Gym system in other regions.
Ferrum League
Like other regions in the main series of games, Ferrum has its own Pokémon League. Players aim to become the Pokémon champion by becoming one of the top eight trainers. Unlike other regions, however, there are no Elite Four members.
Instead, the League consists of five trainers, each with a specific Pokémon and a rank. Players work their way up the league, facing each of the trainers and receiving a ranking depending on their results and performance. Once they become part of the top eight, they can enter the tournament to decide who will become the future Pokémon Champion of the Ferrum region.
Future
While the last update for the Pokkén Tournament came all the way back in 2017, nothing is really ever forgotten in the Pokémon franchise. Perhaps no new game will be released, but that doesn’t mean audiences won’t ever visit the Ferrum region again.
The recent announcement of Pokémon Legends: Arceus provides the perfect opportunity to revisit other corners of the Pokémon world. Considering the Synergy phenomena remains shrouded in mystery, a Legends game taking place in Ferrum becomes the perfect chance to explore it.
