How the Pokemon Franchise Can Add Variety Without an Official Nuzlocke Mode

gamerant.com:

Following rumors from former Nintendo employees, The Pokemon Company issued a statement saying it had no issue with Nuzlocke runs of Pokemon games. That statement was welcome news for fans, but it doesn't indicate any willingness to include an official Nuzlocke mode like many have been hoping for. Thankfully, there are still ways the franchise could introduce much-needed variety into its gameplay beyond this self-imposed ruleset.

PokemonNuzlocke rules vary between players. At their core, Nuzlocke runs involve treating fainted Pokemon as permanently lost and only catching the first encounter in each area. More complex rules include level caps, item restrictions, or mechanics introduced by ROM hacks such as randomizers. ROM hacks are considered piracy by Nintendo, so excluding their mechanics is expected. However, some feel the more basic rules should get their own official recognition in the series, even if the simpler Nuzlocke rules might not be a suitable way to put a spin on the Pokemon formula.

The Pokemon Nuzlocke Challenge Explained

From a thematic standpoint, an official Nuzlocke game mode doesn't really fit in mainline Pokemon games due to its two requisite rules. Not being able to revive fainted Pokemon alludes to the idea that they have died, which Game Freak tends to stay away from. Even though there are some notable deaths in the anime, Pokemon games almost entirely avoid the topic.

There are some references to Pokemon dying in the games; for example, Lavender Town in Gen 1 houses a graveyard that is haunted by a Marowak killed by Team Rocket. But no Pokemon belonging to the player or other main characters is known to have died during the core series. It's an understandable approach considering the age of the