Flunky Quest

***Flunky Quest Go!***, also referred to as ***Flunky Quest***, is a game that first appears in "Going, Going, Gauntlet!".

## Description

*Flunky Quest* is a game playable on handheld Hinobi consoles.

The focus of the game is to battle and capture fantastical creatures known as "flunkies".

Its opening title screen features two flunkies, Ginko and a pink-and-white cat-like flunky carrying a coin.

## Gameplay

The game features turn-based battles and world exploration. The focus of the game is to battle and capture fantastical creatures known as "flunkies".

Upon opening the game, the player can immediately scroll through a number of flunkies and select a specific one to play as. Though unconfirmed, it is likely that these are flunkies that the player has previously captured. Once a flunky is selected, the player can explore the world from a top-down view as that flunky, where they will encounter other flunkies.

In some cases, when another flunky is encountered, the player can immediately attack them in this explorable overworld without initiating a turn-based battle, instantly defeating (but presumably not capturing) the flunky and gaining a numerical reward (likely XP).

In other cases when a flunky is encountered, there will be turn-based battles. In such battles, the view will switch to behind and over the shoulder of their chosen flunky, facing the enemy flunky in a battle arena. The player will have a choice between selecting one of three attacks, one of three items (represented as gemstones of unknown function), or fleeing the encounter.

### Attacks

The only attacks shown are those performed by Ginko:

* The ability to grow larger and stronger. The icon for this move, as seen in Ginko's attack list, uses Ginko's specific silhouette; it is thus unclear if Ginko is merely a "mascot" for this move, or the only one who can use it.
* Breathing blue flames or energy, represented by a flame icon.
* A strike with sharp claws, represented by a jagged scratch icon.

Attacks can only be used a limited number of time before they are depleted, presumably until they are somehow recharged.

## Characters

* Flunkies
	+ Ginko
	+ Small pink-and-white cat-like flunky carrying a coin
	+ Large green-and-red bird-like flunky
	+ Brown-orange flunky with a body comprised of rock
	+ Dark pink cat-like flunky
	+ Flower-like flunky with limbs and a face
	+ Blue-and-green bat-like flunky with a flaming body, a single eye on its torso and an eye on each wing

## Trivia

* *Flunky Quest* is a parody/expy of the *Pokémon* game franchise.
	+ Similarly, *Itty Bitty Kitty Collector* is inspired by *Pokémon GO*, a mobile spin-off of *Pokémon*.
	+ Ironically, *Flunky Quest Go!* shares a similar name to *Pokémon GO*, but its gameplay is based on the original franchise.
* The following flunkies are likely inspired by specific Pokémon:
	+ Ginko loosely resembles Gengar.
	+ The pink cat-like flunky carrying a coin that Ginko encounters in the game may be based on the Pokémon Meowth, a cat Pokémon that bears a Japanese koban coin on its forehead. It's color palette is similar to the Pokémon Sylveon.
	+ The rock-body flunky may be inspired by a number of Rock-type Pokémon such as Regirock, Coalossal, and Golem.
	+ The flower-like flunky resembles Sunflora.
	+ The bat-like flunky resembles bat-like Pokémon, such as the Zubat evolutionary line.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Going, Going, Gauntlet! (see this image)
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Going, Going, Gauntlet!
3. ↑ Going, Going, Gauntlet! (see this image)