What makes a Pokémon spin-off actually work?

This week, Thatch is joined by Lynian and Sharkfinnigan to break down why Pokémon Pokopia succeeded and why so many other spin-offs haven’t hit the same level.

We dive into what Pokopia gets right, where other games fall short, and what Pokémon should be doing going forward.

0:00 Opening

1:41 What We Have Been Up To

16:20 News

25:07 Pokopia Discussion

1:11:23 Trivia

1:29:23 Poké Opinion

1:35:47 Mailbag

💬 Mailbag Question

Why do you think Pokopia succeeded where other Pokémon games couldn’t?

📧 [email protected]

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#pokemon #pokopia #pokemowindsandwaves #pokemonpodcast #pokemontalk #nintendo #pokemongo #pokemontcg #pokemonlegendsza #pokemonday #gen10 #switch2 #pokemoncommunity #gamingpodcast

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Thatch is joined by Jushiro and Bocefus to discuss their predictions and wishlist for Pokémon Wind & Waves, the upcoming Generation 10 Pokémon games. What new features could Game Freak introduce? Could Poké Ball crafting finally become a mechanic?

We dive into the things we hope to see in Pokémon Wind & Waves, from gameplay systems and world design to mechanics that could change how Pokémon games are played.

Mailbag Question:

What do you think Game Freak will add to Pokémon Wind & Waves?

Send us your answer!

[email protected]

PUCL is the longest running Pokémon podcast, covering everything from the games to the TCG and everything in between.

TIMESTAMPS

Intro: 1:29

News: 18:59

Winds and Waves Discussion: 33:44

Trivia: 1:22:41

PokeOpinion: 1:44:44

Mailbag: 1:50:58

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Thatch is joined by Sharkfinnagan and Dr. Shamu to talk about Pokopia and what they think of the game so far and whether or not it is worth the price of entry. 

Mailbag Question: What do you think of Pokopia so far? [email protected]

Intro: 1:06

News: 13:37

Pokopia Topic: 39:07

Trivia: 1:17:34

Pokeopinion: 1:34:46

Mailbag: 1:42:55

PUCL Survey Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdhx-6MT5XBhGASO6bIwg7Ze-QBCwuizZeMpx9f7uVBEJUCFw/viewform?usp=header

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#pokemonpodcast #pokecast #pokemontalk #pokemonxy #pokemonza #pokemontcg #pokemongo #pokemontalk #pokemon #nintendo #nintendoswitch #nintendoswitchlite #nintendoswitch2 #pokemonchampions #pokemonlegendsza #pokemonlegendsarceus #pokemonscarletandviolet #pokemonlegendsza #pokemonday2026

#pokemonday #pokiopia #PokemonWindsandwaves #gen10 #switch2 #browt #Pombon #Gecqua #pokemonchampions

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Thatch is joined by Seth Vilo and the Fluffiest Whimsicott to talk about their initial thoughts on the Pokemon Presents!

Mailbag Question: What did you think of the Pokemon Presents? [email protected]

Intro: 0:00

Game Boy Jukebox: 9:25

Pokemon Worlds: 14:44

FireRed/LeafGreen: 23:57

TCG: 31:53

Garchomp Z: 35:51

Pokopia: 37:33

Champions: 47:00

Winds & Waves: 59:30

PokéQuiz: 1:39:21

PokéOpinion: 1:59:25

PUCL Survey Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdhx-6MT5XBhGASO6bIwg7Ze-QBCwuizZeMpx9f7uVBEJUCFw/viewform?usp=header

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#pokemonpodcast #pokecast #pokemontalk #pokemonxy #pokemonza #pokemontcg #pokemongo #pokemontalk #pokemon #nintendo #nintendoswitch #nintendoswitchlite #nintendoswitch2 #pokemonchampions #pokemonlegendsza #pokemonlegendsarceus #pokemonscarletandviolet #pokemonlegendsza #pokemonday2026

#pokemonday #pokiopia #PokemonWindsandwaves #gen10 #switch2 #browt #Pombon #Gecqua #pokemonchampions 

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Thatch is joined by Jushiro and R. Sigma to fill out their Pokemon Day 2026 Bingo Card. They also take the Poke Opinion to talk about the rerelease of Pokemon Fire Red and Leaf Green on the Nintendo Switch and the implications that it has!

Mailbag Question: What is your Bingo Card? [email protected]

PUCL Bingo Card PNG Download: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DUw3-drROzXQp6SdMhsEp6dT9G53wGtI/view?usp=sharing

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Intro: 0:01:32

News: 0:12:42

Top 5 Bottom 5 Topic: 0:35:33

PokeQuiz: 1:16:42

Poke Opinion Fire Red and Leaf Green: 1:36:26

PUCL Survey Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdhx-6MT5XBhGASO6bIwg7Ze-QBCwuizZeMpx9f7uVBEJUCFw/viewform?usp=header

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Support us at https://Patreon! Patreon.com/puclpodcast

#pokemonpodcast #pokecast #pokemontalk #pokemonxy #pokemonza #pokemontcg #pokemongo #pokemontalk #pokemon #nintendo #nintendoswitch #nintendoswitchlite #nintendoswitch2 #pokemonchampions #pokemonlegendsza #pokemonlegendsarceus #pokemonscarletandviolet #pokemonlegendsza #pokemonday2026

#pokemonday #pokiopia

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Thatch is joined by Shark and Jushiro to talk about their favorite and least favorite characters that have shown up in the Pokemon franchise the past 3 years!

Mailbag Question: What feature do you think should go? [email protected]

Intro: 0:01:35

News: 0:11:45

Top 5 Bottom 5 Topic: 0:33:01

PokeQuiz: 1:16:43

Poke Opinion: 1:36:30

Pokemon 15 Questions: 1:52:26

PUCL Survey Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdhx-6MT5XBhGASO6bIwg7Ze-QBCwuizZeMpx9f7uVBEJUCFw/viewform?usp=header

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#pokemonpodcast #pokecast #pokemontalk #pokemonxy #pokemonza #pokemontcg #pokemongo #pokemontalk #pokemon #nintendo #nintendoswitch #nintendoswitchlite #nintendoswitch2 #pokemonchampions #pokemonlegendsza #pokemonlegendsarceus #pokemonscarletandviolet #pokemonlegendsza #pokemonday2026

#pokemonday #pokiopia

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Thatch is joined by Seth Vilo and Lynian to talk about what could replace gen 10 at the Pokemon Day Presents. Like, its gonna happen, but like, what if it doesn't? 

Mailbag Question: What do you think could be as hype as generation 10 at a Pokemon presents? [email protected]

Intro: 0:01:11

News: 0:11:25

No Gen 10 Topic: 0:28:41

PokeQuiz: 1:04:17

Poke Opinion: 1:18:48

Mailbag: 1:24:41

PUCL Survey Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdhx-6MT5XBhGASO6bIwg7Ze-QBCwuizZeMpx9f7uVBEJUCFw/viewform?usp=header

Use Code PUCLPOD5 at trollandtoad.com for 5% off and support the show!

Check us out on Discord!

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Twitch: https://twitch.tv/thepuclpodcast 

Support us at https://Patreon! Patreon.com/puclpodcast

#pokemonpodcast #pokecast #pokemontalk #pokemonxy #pokemonza #pokemontcg #pokemongo #pokemontalk #pokemon #nintendo #nintendoswitch #nintendoswitchlite #nintendoswitch2 #pokemonchampions #pokemonlegendsza #pokemonlegendsarceus #pokemonscarletandviolet #pokemonlegendsza #pokemonday2026

#pokemonday #pokiopia

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Thatch is joined by R. Sigma and Mark to talk about Pokemon that are too similar and which one deserves to keep on in a world without the other. 

Mailbag Question: What set of similar pokemon do you think needs to be addressed? [email protected]

Intro: 0:01:12

News: 0:21:43

Topic: 0:32:40

PokeQuiz: 1:17:26

Poke Opinion: 1:35:53

Mailbag: 1:43:47

PUCL Survey Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdhx-6MT5XBhGASO6bIwg7Ze-QBCwuizZeMpx9f7uVBEJUCFw/viewform?usp=header

Use Code PUCLPOD5 at trollandtoad.com for 5% off and support the show!

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Support us at https://Patreon! Patreon.com/puclpodcast

#pokemonpodcast #pokecast #pokemontalk #pokemonxy #pokemonza #pokemontcg #pokemongo #pokemontalk #pokemon #nintendo #nintendoswitch #nintendoswitchlite #nintendoswitch2 #pokemonchampions #pokemonlegendsza #pokemonlegendsarceus #pokemonscarletandviolet #pokemonlegendsza #pokemonday2026

#pokemonday #pokiopia

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Thatch is joined by Whimsicott and Clod9 to talk about their thoughts on what no pokemon would mean for video games and cultures and if Pokemon could exist today!

Mailbag Question: How could you make a Pokemon game today? [email protected]

Intro: 0:01:08

News: 0:14:35

Pokemon in 2026 Topic: 0:25:30

PokeQuiz: 1:06:41

Poke Opinion: 1:21:08

Mailbag: 1:31:36

PUCL Survey Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdhx-6MT5XBhGASO6bIwg7Ze-QBCwuizZeMpx9f7uVBEJUCFw/viewform?usp=header

Use Code PUCLPOD5 at trollandtoad.com for 5% off and support the show!

Check us out on Discord!

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Support us at https://Patreon! Patreon.com/puclpodcast

#pokemonpodcast #pokecast #pokemontalk #pokemonxy #pokemonza #pokemontcg #pokemongo #pokemontalk #pokemon #nintendo #nintendoswitch #nintendoswitchlite #nintendoswitch2 #pokemonchampions #pokemonlegendsza #pokemonlegendsarceus #pokemonscarletandviolet #pokemonlegendsza #pokemonday2026

#pokemonday #pokiopia

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Thatch is joined by Lynian and Clod9 to talk about the best and worst Mega Evolutions now that they have all (mostly) been revealed!

Mailbag Question: What feature do you think should go? [email protected]

Intro: 0:01:12

News: 0:10:03

Top 5 Bottom 5 Topic: 0:17:09

PokeQuiz: 0:55:11

Poke Opinion: 1:08:52

Mailbag: 1:15:53

PUCL Survey Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdhx-6MT5XBhGASO6bIwg7Ze-QBCwuizZeMpx9f7uVBEJUCFw/viewform?usp=header

Use Code PUCLPOD5 at trollandtoad.com for 5% off and support the show!

Check us out on Discord!

www.pucldiscord.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/puclpodcast

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Blusky: https://bsky.app/profile/puclpodcast.bsky.social

Twitch: https://twitch.tv/thepuclpodcast 

Support us at https://Patreon! Patreon.com/puclpodcast

#pokemonpodcast #pokecast #pokemontalk #pokemonxy #pokemonza #pokemontcg #pokemongo #pokemontalk #pokemon #nintendo #nintendoswitch #nintendoswitchlite #nintendoswitch2 #pokemonchampions #pokemonlegendsza #pokemonlegendsarceus #pokemonscarletandviolet #pokemonlegendsza #pokemonday2026

#pokemonday #pokiopia

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