What if we changed the way Pokemon levelled up and learnt moves?
Think about it, why should say Alakazam learn Psychic simply by wailing on some trash mons. Instead it can actually earn the right skills through some minigames. Maybe solve puzzles or some shit?

Similarly, lets say for other elemental moves, we use a water type to say shoot out a certain number of fires in order to unlock Bubblebeam to Hydro Pump, a Dark type to committ some criminal activities to unlock Sucker Punch or Thief.

Any more ideas?