'Pokkén Tournament' hitting Wii U in 2016 Spring

Tsunekazu Ishihara, president and chief executive officer of The Pokemon Company and producer of Pokemon, tries out the new "Pokemon Art Academy" game during a news conference at the 2014 Electronic Entertainment Expo, known as E3, in Los Angeles, California June 11, 2014. Reuters/Kevork Djansezian

“Pokémon” is one of the most prominent names in pop culture and it has reached many forms of media. What was once a simple RPG about pocket monsters, has spawned animated series and films, a card game, toys, and much more. Perhaps one of the most awaited adaptation of the franchise comes in the form of a new fighting game called “Pokken Tournament.”

In a report by Polygon, the “Pokémon” Company announced last Friday at the 2-15 “Pokémon” World Championships that the Japan exclusive arcade game will be heading to the Nintendo Wii U, July next year. “Pokkén Tournament” based on the name, is a new entry in the “Pokémon” franchise that is greatly inspired by the popular fighting series “Tekken.” In fact, it is developed by the same company that brought “Tekken,” Bandai Namco. The fighting game pits players against each other using various characters from the “Pokémon” franchise.

"In Pokkén Tournament, Pokémon appear more lifelike than ever before, with amazing graphics and smooth, fluid movements," the “Pokémon” Company said, as reported by Gamespot. Aside from the announcement, the company also revealed a new character to be added to the roster — Pikachu Libre. The new character is basically the regular Pikachu, but is donning a mask and a costume that is fit for a Lucha Libre Wrestler. It is not yet known whether or not Pikachu Libre will have his own set of skills, as he could just be an alternate costume to Pikachu.

Aside from Pikachu Libre, “Pokkén Tournament” also includes other popular characters including Machop, Charizard, Lucario, Gengar and Blaziken. As seen from the trailer below, the “Pokémon” will have the ability to utilize mega evolutions during battle.

Unlike “Tekken,” the players have full mobility in the arenas where the fight takes places. Players can freely and smoothly traverse the area, which makes the game more action-packed than “Tekken.”