Summary
Since 1996,thePokemonvideo gameshave been delighting gamers all around the world due to their unique titular creatures, accessible RPG mechanics, and fascinating worlds. However, this is a franchise that has inevitably experienced many highs, as well as many lows, which resulted in some of its entries causing a lot of controversy within the community.
WhilemanyPokemongames havebecome polarizing for one reason or another, most of them also have many redeeming qualities that have made fans wonder if they deserve a second chance. These next titles are all solidPokemongames that originally got a negative reception when they launched but have earned a more positive reputation among some fans in recent years.
After the amazing Fifth Generation ofPokemon(which many fans consider to be the best in the series), the bar was set way too high for the next generation to reach and, sadly, it seemed like they couldn’t make it. When they first came out back in 2013,Pokemon X and Ywere immediately compared to their predecessorsand criticized because they didn’t have the exact same positive qualities.
Yes, the introductory Sixth Generation games are mind-numbingly easy and introduced the smallest number of new Pokemon in the series, with 72 in total. However,Pokemon X and Yalso introduced fans to the exciting and innovative mechanic of Mega Evolution. Not to mention, they also had surprisingly good 3D graphics for running on the Nintendo 3DS, a solid soundtrack, and the best online functionality in the franchise up to that point. Fans began appreciating these games a few years after their initial release, when newerPokemongames completely removed great features like Mega Evolution or their perfected online functionality.
Many fans considerPokemon Heartgold and Soulsilverto be the perfectPokemonremakes, and for good reason. The only problem is that they set the bar so incredibly high that any other remake that followed them looks lackluster in comparison.This is exactly what happened toPokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphirewhen they launched back in 2014. Longtime Pokemon fans were furious that these remakes ofRuby and Sapphirelacked some of the best features from their third-gen enhanced game,Pokemon Emerald, like its better Pokedex and the legendary Battle Frontier. This was a reasonable criticism since, after all,Heartgold and Soulsilverdid feature content from bothGold and SilverandCrystal.
Nevertheless,Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphirewere still amazing games that faithfully adapted some of the best elements of the original Hoenn region into a 3D environment, while also improving on many of them with additions like Mega Evolution, better character designs, and online connectivity. Curiously enough, it seems that the negative reception of the Fourth Generation remakes,Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl,has made fans see these remakes in a whole new light.
For more than two decades,Pokemonfans were used to the concept of third versions that, while improving on many aspects of the original dual games, were still basically the same experience (for the most part).The popularity of titles likePokemon Yellow,Pokemon Emerald,andPokemon Platinumperfectly exemplifies why this practice was so popular. However, the Fifth Generation changed everything when Game Freak releasedPokemon Black 2 and White 2, a sequel that felt like a completely new game instead.
When it came time forPokemon Sun and Moonto receive their own third version a few years later, expectations were quite high. Some fans were hoping it would be a sequel titledPokemon Sun 2 and Moon 2, while many others believed the rumors that said it was going to be a Nintendo Switch exclusive third version, with the tentative title ofPokemon Stars. So, naturally,most fans were disappointed whenPokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moonfinally came out, and they were just another traditional third version with a few changes and improvements.
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moonare indeedsimilar to the originalSun and Moongames, but they still brought a slew of mind-blowing additions that made them distinct and completely worthwhile. These included improved pacing, the ability to catch Shiny and/or Legendary Pokemon by accessing Ultra Wormholes, and Episode Rainbow Rocket, which reunited antagonists from all corners of the franchise in one epic and fascinating storyline that must be experienced by every seasonedPokemonfan.
AfterPokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moondisappointed a large portion of thePokemonfan base, they directed their attention towards a new piece of speculation: What was going to be the firstPokemongame released on the Nintendo Switch? After all, the company’s unique hybrid console debuted in 2017, so it was finally time for this beloved franchise to make the jump. It didn’t take long for them to get an answer,asPokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!were announced shortly after.
They were immediately controversial, not only because this was the second time the First Generation was being remade, but also because it was evident that these were created to take advantage ofPokemon GO’srecent success. Things got so heated that The Pokemon Company even had to release an official statement confirming thatLet’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!were not the start of a new generation and that it was going to release a new mainline entry for the Switch the following year.
Fortunately,fans learned to appreciatePokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu! And Let’s Go, Eevee!shortly after their release. They work better when they are seen as simple but fun side games or spin-offs instead of the true next evolution of thePokemonseries. The more casual mechanics made them more relaxing and addictive, while other features like Master Trainers or the new and improved Shiny Hunting managed to keep competitive players hooked. On top of that, the Partner Pikachu and Partner Eevee are too adorable and charming for anybody to hate.
The controversies didn’t end there, becausePokemon Sword and Shieldwere released a year later for the Nintendo Switch, and they immediately became the most polarizing entries in the entire franchise. The issues began when, a little bit before their launch, Game Freak revealed that not every single Pokemon they had created was going to be available in the new Eighth Generation games, which caused a major uproar among seasoned players. This admittedly disappointing reveal causedPokemonfans to scrutinize every single aspect ofSword and Shield, both before and after release, which resulted in heavy criticism of its lackluster graphics and simplistic storyline.
Nevertheless, and despite all these controversies, these still are two very goodPokemontitles that definitely don’t deserve the reputation they currently have.Pokemon Sword and Shieldare not the best-looking Switch games out there, but they have a consistent anime-inspired art style that makes them look unique and colorful. They may not have had every single Pokemon in them, but the 96 new creatures from the Galar region are among some of the best-designed and implemented Pokemon in the entire series. Dynamax and Gigantamax may not work exactly like Mega Evolution, but these impressive and cinematic gimmicks are still a lot of fun to use. Additionally, these games also got rid of the third version release practice in favor of solid and more affordable downloadable expansions that added a lot of new content. Fortunately, fans began appreciating all these aspects ofSword and Shieldafter the infamous National Pokedex controversy slowly died down.
It’s important to keep in mind thatPokemon Scarlet and Violet—the two most recent mainline entries in the franchise—do deserve most of the criticism that has been thrown towards them over the past few years. After all, they were released in an abysmal state, with numerous technical issues (like glitches, bugs, and a slow frame rate) that made them almost unplayable for many longtimePokemonfans.
This is unfortunate, becausePokemon Scarlet and Violetdo have many positive qualities that technically make them some of the most impressive and innovative games in the series. Its open-ended world allows players to complete every main quest in whatever order they want, and its Terastallization mechanic—which lets trainers change the typing of their Pokemon in the middle of the battle—completely changes mid-battle strategies. Not to mention thatScarlet and Violetalso featured one of the best narratives seen in a mainlinePokemongame since the release ofBlack and White.
After the massive controversy surrounding the Ninth Generation games slowly faded away, the remainingPokemonfans grew to appreciate and even love them thanks to their best features. Nevertheless, and despite how admittedly fun to playScarlet and Violetare, Game Freak and The Pokemon Company should still be criticized for their lackluster release. Fortunately for fans around the world, it seems these companies have finally learned their lesson, becausePokemon: Legends Z-Ais taking longer than usual to come out.
