Detective Pikachu

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Detective Pikachu is a 2018 adventure game developed by Creatures Inc. for the Nintendo 3DS, published as a spin-off of the mainline Pokémon franchise. Rather than the series' traditional creature-collecting and battling, the game centers on mystery-solving, placing players alongside a talking Pikachu who serves as a self-styled detective. The two work as partners, investigating cases and piecing together clues across the game's chapters. The full worldwide release in March 2018 expanded on an earlier, shorter downloadable version titled Great Detective Pikachu: Birth of a New Duo, which had launched in Japan in February 2016. The game marks a notable departure in tone and gameplay structure from other Pokémon titles, leaning into a narrative-driven format that prioritizes dialogue, observation, and deduction over the combat and exploration mechanics more commonly associated with the franchise.