Fans of Nintendo's iconic Pokémon franchise have yet another crossover to look forward to, as Ravensburger has announced a Pokémon edition of the classic board game, Labyrinth. The upcoming maze adventure will see elements of both iconic names come together for an all-new experience. The game isn't the only new board game based on a Nintendo IP coming soon, thanks to the recently-revealed Super Mario Game of Life edition.
2021 has been a great time to be a Pokémon fan as players celebrate the 25th anniversary of the beloved franchise. Commemorative events have been happening throughout the year with multiple new Pokémon announcements and reveals. Alongside lots of promotions happening in Niantic's mobile hit Pokémon GO, including the upcoming GO Fest event to celebrate the game's fifth anniversary, Nintendo will release remakes of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl this November. Titled Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, the games will come to Nintendo Switch with all-new graphics and features. It doesn't end there, as gamers also have open-world adventure Pokémon Legends: Arceus coming in January 2022.
Pokémon trainers looking for a tabletop experience to enjoy will soon be able to get their hands on the upcoming Pokémon edition of the Labyrinth board game. As spotted by BoardGameGeek, Labyrinth will be getting a Pokémon makeover later this year starring Generation One favorites Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle, as well as newer pocket monsters. Players will have to use their skills to move paths along the board, allowing them to catch other Pokémon to add to their collections. Ravensburger promises "magical and addictive family fun" for 2-4 players, with the winner being the person who catches the most Pokémon.
Pokémon Labyrinth isn't the first board game featuring the franchise, with Pokémon Monopoly and more hitting store shelves over the years. Fans of the trading card game have also been treated to the board game Pokémon Battle Academy, a TCG board game to help younger trainers get to grips with card battles. According to BoardGameGeek, the new edition of Labyrinth will be available in Germany from September 1, 2021, though the game is already listed with some UK retailers. With game rules downloadable from Ravensburger in a range of languages, it's likely the game will be released outside of the EU at some point soon.
The Labyrinth and Pokémon crossover is just one of many upcoming releases fans have to look forward to. In addition to the new video games releasing later in 2021 and in early 2022, players will soon be able to enjoy the upcoming MOBA, Pokémon UNITE. Teams of five low-level Pokémon will battle it out in the free-to-play title, with their characters and teams growing stronger the more they succeed. Pokémon UNITE is coming to Nintendo Switch on July 21, and to mobile devices in September.
Pokémon Labyrinth will release this September.
Source: Ravensburger (via BoardGameGeek), BoardGameGeek/Twitter