There’s Only One Pokémon Announcement That Would Excite 2000s Gamers

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Pokémon is popular again, especially after the announcement of the impressive new generation 10 games, Pokémon Winds and Waves. I might have been too quick to criticize The Pokémon Company and Game Freak, and I’m definitely excited to see how Winds and Waves turns out. However, I’m still cautious. We can’t forget the problems with Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, or the disappointing Legends: Z-A and its expensive, underwhelming DLC.

Looking at what The Pokémon Company could do to regain fan trust, I think releasing remasters of the original Pokémon Diamond and Pearl would be the best move. Some might laugh, considering those games were recently remade, but offering the original, untouched experience would be valuable. It would also set a great example, potentially leading to remasters of other classic Nintendo DS games that are still stuck on the older hardware.

Pokémon Diamond And Pearl Remasters Would Help Close The Gap Between Now And Gen 10

Following the mixed reception to the recent release of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen on Switch, fans have been buzzing about which Game Boy Advance Pokémon games might come next. Ruby and Sapphire are the obvious choices – and very popular ones – making them strong contenders for a remake. However, while I’d enjoy seeing those games return, I believe Pokémon Diamond and Pearl truly represent the peak of the series.

While many fans strongly prefer the original Pokémon games, I believe Diamond and Pearl truly refined the series’ 3D style – a look Pokémon should have continued with on home consoles. Beyond the graphics, Diamond and Pearl boasts the best regional design, some of the most memorable Pokémon, and a good balance of gameplay variety and interesting story elements. Both Diamond and Pearl, and to a large degree Black and White, represent the very best of what makes the Pokémon series so popular, all while offering a visual experience that still holds up well compared to other monster-collecting games today.

This feels like a great temporary solution between the older Game Boy Advance ports and the newer games. I know suggesting people buy potentially expensive ports of games from 20 years ago isn’t ideal, especially with the already available, though a bit pricey, remakes on the Switch. But the original Diamond and Pearl are on the Nintendo DS, which is getting harder and more expensive to find, with copies costing over $35. It would be wonderful to have a native Switch version so players who missed out can finally experience it.

The Nintendo Switch Needs More DS Ports

Many classic Nintendo DS games haven’t been re-released on the Switch, probably because their gameplay was designed for two screens and doesn’t easily fit on a single screen. This means popular requests for DS ports on Switch often go unanswered, leaving these games stuck on older, increasingly rare consoles and driving up prices on the used market. It’s disappointing, because many of these games are still excellent and deserve a new life on modern hardware.

I think Nintendo and The Pokémon Company should take the lead in bringing these games to the Switch and finding ways to make their multi-screen features work on the new system. It would require effort, but it’s definitely achievable, as we’ve seen with games like The World Ends With You. If they succeed, other developers like Square Enix might be inspired to do the same. Even if the attempt isn’t perfect, it’s still a worthwhile project to pursue.

Unlike books, movies, and music, video games are uniquely vulnerable to being lost to time. While older forms of media are often preserved and re-released on modern formats, video games frequently become inaccessible because they require specific, aging technology to play. It’s much harder to update or ‘port’ a video game than to re-release a book or film. There aren’t dedicated organizations consistently working to keep older games playable on new systems, meaning even games from less than ten years ago can quickly become unplayable due to outdated hardware.

Look, I get it – it’s not realistic to expect every old game to magically work on new consoles. That would be a huge undertaking! But when you’re talking about a company like The Pokémon Company, who clearly make a ton of money, it feels totally reasonable to ask them to keep their older games available. It’s important to me, as a fan, that everyone can enjoy the series without being priced out, and that no game gets lost to time. Honestly, I think re-releasing Pokémon Diamond and Pearl on the Switch would be a perfect way for them to show they care about their fans and the longevity of the series.

Would you like to see Pokémon Diamond and Pearl updated for the Nintendo Switch? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-03-09 01:40