Pokémon Mystery Dungeon

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon is a spin-off video game series in the Pokémon franchise, developed by Spike Chunsoft and based on the Mystery Dungeon style of roguelike dungeon-crawling games.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon is a spin-off video game series in the Pokémon franchise, developed by Spike Chunsoft, where players become a Pokémon and explore randomly generated dungeons in turn-based, roguelike-style gameplay.

What it is

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon is a spin-off series based on the longer-running Mystery Dungeon format. In most entries, the player character is a human transformed into a Pokémon who forms a rescue team and explores randomly generated dungeons. The series has expanded into manga and animated specials.

Gameplay and premise

Games use turn-based movement and combat inside randomly generated dungeons. Players complete rescue or exploration missions, recruit Pokémon, and manage items while advancing through floors. Most games start with the player awakening as a Pokémon, partnered with another, and exploring the cause of the transformation.

Series history and reception

The series began in 2005 and has continued across multiple Nintendo platforms. It is widely described as a roguelike or roguelike-inspired series. Key subseries include Rescue Team, Explorers, Gates to Infinity, and Rescue Team DX. Main story playtimes range from roughly 15 to 30 hours, with extensive post-game content.