I’m Excited to Replay These Nintendo Classics Soon, but I Don’t Know If I Like What It Says About the Franchise

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For decades, Pokémon has been a cornerstone of Nintendo’s success, with each new game often becoming one of their biggest hits. The series has changed a lot over the last ten years, branching out into huge spin-off games, movies, and even completely reimagining the core gameplay. However, more recently, new Pokémon releases haven’t resonated with fans as well as they used to.

Recent Pokémon games – including Scarlet, Violet, and Legends Z-A – haven’t been universally loved by fans. So, while it’s great to see a classic Pokémon game getting a modern update for the Switch, many fans are cautiously optimistic. They hope this remake is a special case and that the series will focus on innovation rather than just re-releasing older titles.

A Great Retro Pokémon Is Getting A Fresh Rerelease, But That Makes Me Worried

Originally released in 2004 as updated versions of the classic games, Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are coming to the Nintendo Switch on February 27th. While it’s fun to be able to play these games again, I’d personally prefer Nintendo focus on new projects. That said, FireRed and LeafGreen are excellent remakes – they don’t just update the graphics, they significantly improve the original Pokémon Red and Blue while still keeping the same enjoyable feel. Plus, at only $19.99 each, they offer a great value for players wanting to relive the adventure and become Pokémon champions.

The latest releases also highlight a trend of Pokémon relying heavily on nostalgia rather than innovation. While celebrating the series’ history, especially as it approaches its 30th anniversary, is understandable, these remakes feel like a safe choice. Considering the mixed reception to recent Pokémon games, simply revisiting familiar territory isn’t the most exciting direction. It might even suggest Nintendo is taking a step back after some less-successful launches, which would be a disappointing approach.

Pokémon Needs To Look Forward, Not Back

When Pokémon Scarlet and Violet came out in 2022, fans had a very divided reaction. Many were frustrated by the game’s bugs and performance problems, leading Nintendo and The Pokémon Company to publicly acknowledge the issues and promise improvements in future titles. However, this didn’t fully satisfy players, who felt similarly disappointed with the next game, Pokémon: Legends Z-A. While critics gave Legends Z-A a decent score of 78/100, players were much more critical, averaging a score of only 4.7. Because of this, the company’s recent decision to revisit an older game instead of pushing the series forward feels like a step back. There hasn’t been much news about the next main Pokémon game, except for unconfirmed concept art that hasn’t been officially released.

The upcoming anniversary celebration seems to be looking back at older games, which is nice, but I hope the series doesn’t drastically change course. Recent Pokémon games have been great, especially with their open-world designs and interesting creatures. I’d love to see the series keep innovating and taking risks, and the Switch 2 gives developers a fantastic opportunity to do just that. While revisiting classic games like FireRed and LeafGreen will be fun, Pokémon thrives when it evolves. I’m hoping the developers build on the foundations laid by games like Scarlet and Violet and Legends Z-A, improving what needed work and making the good parts even better. I’m worried the remakes signal a step backwards, and I really want the series to continue moving forward, not revert to older styles.

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2026-02-22 23:15