Summary
ThePokemonseries is renowned by gamers for encouraging a sense of exploration. From wandering through sprawling metropolitan cities and sneaking through the tall grass, players have no shortage of locations to discover.Where Game Freak excels, however, is its creation of maze-like dungeons and labyrinthine challenges for players to overcome.
They can act as the connective tissue between a region’s points of interest, as barriers for progression until players have completed enough of the story, or even as housing for the most powerful Pokemon in the entire franchise. From claustrophobic cave networks to sprawling foggy forests, there’s no shortage of ingenuity on display in the best dungeons thePokemonseries has to offer.
Like many aspects of Generation 7’s Kalos region, Turnback Cave is not difficult to navigate. While many gamers can best the trainersand wild Pokemonin the dungeon relatively easily, the strength of Turnback Cave rests in its design.
As a more linear experience, Turnback Cave lends itself to a more atmospheric feel. Its mirrored surfaces not only reflect the player’s image but hide trainers and entrances to the dungeon’s depths. NPC trainers can even spot the reflection of players and challenge them to a battle.
Most dungeons in thePokemonfranchise tend to be desolate caves or majestic labyrinths. However, in connecting the player to Eterna City, Eterna Forest is a major point of interest in the Sinnoh region.
While navigating the foggy forest, players are joined by Cheryl who tasks them with aiding her to the exit. As gamers venture through the twisting trees, they will stumble across the Old Chateau andmultiple ghost-type Pokemon. That’s alongside one of the most memorable music tracks in the Generation 4 titles.
As players venture through the Johto region, they will naturally stumble across Union Cave. Connecting Violet City and Azalea Town, which shelter the flying and bug-type badges respectively, the dungeon also holds an ancient secret.
In Union Cave’s depths, players can enter the lower levels ofthe Ruins of Alphwhich houses many of Generation II’s mysteries. While it’s a relatively simple cave, its central location and connection to Johto’s points of interest make it one of the best dungeons in the series.
Situated in the Generation 1 games, the Kanto Power Plant is one of the first dungeons in the entire franchise. As it has fallen into disrepair, it acts similarly to Kanto’s own Pokemon Mansion. Housing many electric-type Pokemon, the Power Plant also guards a legendary secret - Zapdos.
While players can venture to the Power Plant in the Generation 2 titles, it has seen a massive overhaul and now powers the Kanto-Johto Magnet Train. Unfortunately, this commotion seems to have scared offthe legendary bird.
6Turnback Cave - Pokemon Diamond & Pearl
A Musty Maze Housing Horrifying a Legendary Presence
Turnback Cave is a dungeon accessible only to the most powerful trainers of the Sinnoh region. Players can only enter the dungeon after they have defeated the Pokemon League and - while the entrance and one other room are fixed - they must navigate a randomly generated set of rooms.
Through the thick fog of the dungeon, players can finally stumble on the dastardly figure of the legendary Renegade Pokemon Giratina.
Chargestone Cave is a multi-level dungeon that players must navigate to find their way to the shelter of Mistralton City, where they can attempt the flying-type Pokemon gym challenge.
The cave network houses a special electromagnetic field that allows Pokemon such asNosepass and Magneton to evolve, while also containing electrified rocks which have to be moved out of the way by the player before moving forward.
While players will require a Mach Bike to navigate their way through Sky Pillar’s maze of falling floor tiles, the spectacle of this Generation 3 dungeon is its greatest achievement and a temple dedicated to the Legendary Pokemon Rayquaza is an added bonus.
Players have to call on Rayquaza’s aid duringPokemon Emerald’scampaign to stop the cataclysmic battle between Groudon and Kyogre. This lore is expanded upon in the Generation 7 remakes ofRubyandSapphire, to include the Draconid people who worship Rayquaza and have dedicated a mural in Sky Pillar to it.
3Mt. Coronet - Pokemon Diamond and Pearl
The Heroic Height Housing A Labyrinthian Network
Mount Coronet is not only the tallest point in the entirePokemonfranchise, but a central point of the Sinnoh region. The dungeon has multiple levels and connects players to the rock, grass, ghost, and ice-type gym battles.
On top of this mountain range sits Spear Pillar - a focal point for the Pokemon lore and the story of the Generation 4 titles. Using the Surf and Rock Climb HMs, players can reach the top and stop Cyrus from destroying reality by freeing Dialga and Palkia.
InPokemon Platinum, after players have surmised Team Galactic’s plan to use Dialga and Palkia’s power to destroy the universe, they must head to the top of Mount Coronet to stop them. However, gamers are ultimately too late.
Players chase after Cyrus, as he is taken by Giratina to the Distortion World. This parallel world is a labyrinth that players must navigate by solving Strength and Surf puzzles in multiple new dimensions. Trainers can eventually capture Giratina and escape back to Sinnoh, but Cyrus remains.
The journey through Victory Road is one made by all trainers who seek to challenge the Pokemon League, regardless of region. However,Black and White 2’s Victory Road sets itself apart. The rocky caves and cliffs of the original Generation 5 games remain, with challenging trainers and rare Pokemon encounters.
However, through the in-game passage of time between the games, Victory Road went into disrepair. As remnants of that original challenge remain, with new additions, it’s ultimatelythe greatest Victory Road in the franchise.
