Since the initial release of the Pokemon franchise in the mid to late 1990s, its video games have consistently garnered significant attention. From the Game Boy to the Nintendo Switch, these blockbusters have typically stirred quite a fuss when launched, resulting in a staggering 480 million units sold by December 2023. The upcoming game Pokemon Legends: Z-A is expected to further boost this number, but its lengthy trailer fails to convey the legendary stature it holds on Nintendo’s Mount Rushmore. Although it showcases some intriguing gameplay enhancements over Arceus, the visuals of Z-A appear somewhat amateurish and, in certain areas, downright unattractive. While this may not be unexpected, it’s high time the graphics in these Pokemon games started reaching their full potential.
It’s not surprising that the recent Pokemon titles on Nintendo Switch, such as Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, have received criticism for technical issues like poor pop-in, subpar frame rate, glitches, and a lackluster visual appearance. These games also seem to be set in rather uninteresting, barren worlds. Interestingly, earlier titles such as Pokemon Sword, Shield, and the two Let’s Go games, which were released years before these more recent ones, appear comparatively better, but they too fall short of being showstoppers for the Switch. Despite their flaws, they manage to hold up a bit better under scrutiny due to their lower level of ambition.
Approaching its third year since release, it appears that game Z-A, with its initial questionable state, isn’t shaping up to be the groundbreaking title many were hoping for. The muted textures and uninspiring lighting in the trailer don’t go unnoticed, and the decision to maintain stylized characters within a more realistic backdrop seems incongruous, adding to an overall underwhelming impression of Z-A.
Typically, games released at the tail end of a platform’s lifespan serve as a showcase of what a studio has learned over the years – think God of War 2 from 2007 and The Last of Us Part 2 from 2020. However, the trailer for Z-A suggests that Game Freak may not have fully grasped the capabilities of the hardware yet.
Indeed, it’s worth noting that this clip was taken from a game still in development, well before its scheduled release date. While visuals are important, they aren’t the only factor that determines quality. Sadly, many studios have faced collapse due to their relentless pursuit of graphical trends, which can significantly extend development time and cost millions more for marginal improvements. Enhancing every strand of Growlithe’s fur or creating a sophisticated liquid physics system for Magcargo’s molten exterior might not necessarily make Pokemon better. It’s conceivable, though improbable, that an unannounced Nintendo Switch 2 version could offer improved graphics and help modernize the Pokemon series.
Despite using a relatively old chip, it’s still inexcusable for Game Freak to fall short of contemporary standards yet again on the Nintendo Switch. While it’s true that the platform is powered by a 2015-era tablet chip, other studios have managed to produce exceptional games on it. Compared to many Pokemon releases, titles like Xenoblade Chronicles and Dragon Quest boast more vivid worlds and harmonious art styles, suggesting a higher level of detail and cohesion.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild remains one of the most visually stunning games in the system’s library, an impressive feat for a launch title that is also available on the previous generation. Tears of the Kingdom, its successor, continued this trend by offering a breathtaking visual experience and one of the most lively and immersive worlds in gaming. Given its projected release date at the end of 2025, it’s expected that Z-A will be released after the Switch 2, meaning the expectations for graphics will likely be raised again, making it probable that it may fall short when compared to games on the more advanced hardware.
Compared to other franchises, Pokémon consistently outsells them all, which might be a major reason why it hasn’t innovated technologically as much. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that Pokémon should avoid striving for better visuals altogether. Other popular Nintendo series like Mario, Zelda, and Animal Crossing make the most of their hardware capabilities, setting high standards in visual presentation. It’s high time Pokémon did the same to match these benchmarks.
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2025-03-01 05:10