20 Years: A Celebration Worth Discussing

By skylight, Codraroll, DHR-107, shaymin, and Steven Stone. Art by Andrew, Bummer, brightobject and Rocket Grunt.
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Introduction

Pancham by Rocket Grunt

Told you we had something special: a discussion about the 20th anniversary! Okay, it might not be as special as the game they're probably going to announce today (or maybe have already announced; I'm really hoping the name sounds cooler than Rainbow but you never know), but we tried. Let's welcome Codraroll, DHR-107, shaymin, and Steven Stone.

Disclaimer: This article was written before the 26th, so we hold no responsibility for you being confused upon reading this article after yesterday's reveal of Sun and Moon.

Hits and misses of the last 20 years

What were the standout moments for the Pokémon franchise over the last 20 years? Is there anything we should've turned a blind eye to?

Codraroll

Codraroll

Overall, Pokémon has definitely been improving over the years, in incremental steps involving rather small changes. Some are good, some bad.

On the good side, two things immediately spring to mind. First, the continuous improvement of the game mechanics. Most importantly, the split of the Special stat, though that can almost be seen as correction of a design mistake in RBY. The physical/special split of Gen IV was a really defining improvement of the series that changed type stereotypes and the concept of coverage forever. Another standout moment for me was the "semi-main series" games for the GameCube. Pokémon Colosseum and XD took a step away from the main series formula, but they still delivered a really thrilling and atmospheric game experience. Almost as importantly, they remain the only games in the series to utilize the double battle format to its full potential.

As for turning a blind eye... I think you're all with me on this one: the Pokémon anime. Although it does a decent job as a commercial or tutorial for the games, it is not particularly kind to long-time viewers. The plot is formulaic and predictable, the number of filler episodes is staggering, and the periodical resets of Ash's progress (and competence) are just annoying. Over the years, it has turned into a joke, not acknowledging its past while making it expressively clear it has no future either.

What surprises do you think they have in store for this year?

Can we expect a seventh generation game, Pokémon Z, or something even better?

Codraroll

Codraroll

I'm firmly believing that Game Freak will make Pokémon Z before we see a seventh generation game. The tradition of copying and improving the base games of the generation harks all the way back to Gen I, and I see no reason why it should not continue. From a game development perspective, they're taking an already finished game, adding a few more locations and features, and selling it again at full price. If they were to NOT make Pokémon Z, they would effectively waste development resources and turn down revenue. The fact that the new anime season (series?) is named Pokémon XY & Z is also a bit of a hint, as is the announcement of several more Zygarde formes. Giratina got new formes and its picture on the box of Pokémon Platinum version, Kyurem got the same in Black and White versions 2, and now Zygarde has new formes too. There's writing all over the wall for this one.

Speaking of the seventh generation, I still believe it to be a couple years away, but it will come as sure as sunrise. Rumors saying "the latest/next games will be the last Pokémon games ever" have been around in some form since Gen III to my knowledge, and there will always be somebody who will believe and spread them, but take a moment to consider how incredibly profitable the Pokémon franchise is. Nintendo would not put that cash cow down until it stops making money, which, barring a disaster, will be a long, long way into the future.

But Gen VII won't come immediately. The Nintendo 3DS is nearing the end of its life cycle, and there is not enough time to make another full-fledged generation of Pokémon for the console before its successor takes its place in the store shelves. Even a short Pokémon generation has a life span of roughly three years, and considering we still have Z in store for the sixth generation, the seventh is likely to be featured on the so-called "Nintendo NX", which is rumored to be announced later this year. The long waiting time we've had for Z is likely a result of Nintendo wanting to shorten the wait for Gen VII after Gen VI is over.

Are the RB re-release gimmicks worth it?

We basically can't go a generation without Kanto (Unova being the exception)—are these games worth getting or are they just trying to boost their profits?

Codraroll

Codraroll

I believe profit might be the ultimate motive behind the Kanto re-releases, but it's also a matter of preservation. Currently, the only way for young Pokémon fans to experience the roots of the franchise is via piracy. Finding a Game Boy and a legit cartridge in working condition is a difficult and/or expensive matter, outside the means of many kids. Even FireRed and LeafGreen are decade-old products that are not compatible with anything newer than a DS Lite, and they also differ slightly from the original games. Many fans who played the Game Boy games have also lost their copies to time and would like to play them over again for old time's sake. Nintendo is now giving us a reliable and legit way to access these old games while also drumming up some PR and profits from it. I'd say it's a win-win.

Hits and misses of the last 20 years

What were the standout moments for the Pokémon franchise over the last 20 years? Is there anything we should've turned a blind eye to?

DHR-107

DHR-107

For me, I think Gen II containing 16 gyms was probably the biggest standout moment. Being able to go back to those places later in time in order to re-conquer the gyms you previously visited in Red/Blue/Yellow. You got to see the changes that happened to the Pokémon world in that time: Pokémon Tower being reused as the Radio Tower, Mt. Moon being mostly collapsed, and Cinnabar Island being covered in lava, to name a few. Gen II in and of itself changed Pokémon games forevermore. It introduced day/night cycles, held items, and special catching balls, all of which (eventually, in the case of day/night cycles) became ubiquitous across every main series game.

As Codraroll said, the departure from the tried and tested methods for Colosseum and XD: Gale Of Darkness was brilliant and completely out there. Stealing other people's Pokémon? Double battles everywhere? Playing as a "bad character come good"? All were completely out of the left field for Pokémon, and I think the franchise is all the richer for those games happening.

I think we need to turn a blind eye to Diamond and Pearl, as Platinum completely rendered the original games moot. Platinum was such an enormous upgrade to the games it was based on that I refer to Gen IV as just that singular game. DP reeked of "there was an attempt," but then Platinum came along and fixed every wrong those games made.

What surprises do you think they have in store for this year?

Can we expect a seventh generation game, Pokémon Z, or something even better?

DHR-107

DHR-107

I'm not really sure what surprises they could spring outside of the impossible (Pokémon ending/Gen VII with multiple regions/Snap 2). We already know Go will be coming out later in the year, rumors are abound about Pokémon Z, and we also have new film and anime incoming as well. The rather welcome surprise of Red/Blue/Yellow being released on VC this February was great news when it was announced, as I know a lot of people who have been wanting that over a remake of the originals. We also have Pokken Fighter on the way, and unless they drop some bizarre characters into that, I'm not expecting anything huge.

I think Gen VII will be another year to 18 months or so away at this point. If Z is coming out October/November this year, then I'd expect at least a year of Z being the current game before Gen VII comes. How Nintendo works the NX into the plans of the newer games is interesting, though. We don't really know what the NX is planning to do. Will it be the all-in-one device we are expecting? Will Pokémon be a launch title?

Are the RB re-release gimmicks worth it?

We basically can't go a generation without Kanto (Unova being the exception)—are these games worth getting or are they just trying to boost their profits?

DHR-107

DHR-107

Well, I think a lot of people have been wanting a direct re-release ever since the Pokémon TCG game came out on the VC. I know a huge amount of people who aren't that interested in the newer games but would definitely throw down the money for RBY on VC. I'm still on the fence as to whether or not they are worth getting. Yeah, they are great for nostalgia, but they are limited. On the plus side, the addition of local wireless was a really good choice, and I assume that is what took the time to get these games out there. On the bad side, the "brokenness" of Gen I will be laid bare in front of everyone, including the new generations of players who haven't been there since the start. I wonder how the reaction to that will be. It's hard enough for me going back to play Gen III (without the physical/special split, etc), so it's going to be hard to adjust back to Gen I mechanics!

Hits and misses of the last 20 years

What were the standout moments for the Pokémon franchise over the last 20 years? Is there anything we should've turned a blind eye to?

shaymin

shaymin

I'd be lying if I said I had a deep understanding of the Pokémon franchise's misses over the last 20 years. I don't play the TCG, I don't watch the Pokémon anime anymore, and admittedly, even the games now have me somewhat disinterested. But yet, there's some sort of nice draw to the franchise as a whole. I'm not sure if it's just my childhood speaking or perhaps it's the natural appeal of Pokémon as it is... but I feel the need to want more Pokémon games as the years go by. One of the things that would truly sadden me is if Game Freak decided not to make Pokémon games anymore. Does that mean we'll just have to stick to what we have? What if we are bored with what we have currently? Who do we have to rely on for new, fresh content?

That, in my opinion, is the greatest "hit" that Pokémon, no, Game Freak has accomplished thus far. To produce content that has a supremely loyal audience. To produce a franchise that has spanned 20 years and has kept most people loyal the whole 20! It's definitely something not to take for granted, for sure.

Video game-wise, however, the standout moments had to be when Pokémon Colosseum and its sequel, Pokémon XD, were released. Back then, it was mindblowing to finally see your Pokémon perform in 3D on the battlefield. You get to see amazing move animations, the games had a good storyline (admit it, Cipher as an organization is at least better than most of the evil villains in the main games), and while much can be desired (XD's Michael, I'm looking at you), the games were overall very enjoyable, and that was even moreso because you can "import" you own Pokémon to the game itself! I've spent so long conquering Mt. Battle with my own team of Pokémon, and I think that's my favorite part, overall.

Of course, you can say this is the reason I enjoyed Pokémon Battle Revolution, albeit to a very slightly lesser extent simply because the game had no storyline. One can say that it served as more or less an extended Battle Frontier for the Gen IV games previously, and it did a good job at being precisely that.

Also, honorable mentions to the Gen IV games for getting the gaming experience almost perfectly for me. If mining underground had some sort of Wi-Fi feature where you could mine items with friends online and do all sorts of games and stuff, it would've been amazing! Hoping for a remade version of this in future games. Would be a damn shame to leave this as just an exclusive to Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum. Of course, maybe this will happen whenever these games get remade?

As far as misses go... in my opinion, the Gen V games feel pretty flat for me. Pokémon Black and White, while enjoyable in some aspects and at the beginning, fell really flat as far as what the player should do after they beat the Elite Four. The Battle Subway was a pathetic excuse for any post-game battling experience, and it honestly felt like Game Freak was shoehorning it at the last minute of the game's production.

Pokémon Dash was also a rather disappointing experience. I'm glad it's one of the most forgotten-about spin-offs, because it honestly does not deserve a place in anyone's mind, let alone a spot in anyone's game library. The fact that you could only race as Pikachu and the fact that there are so many restrictions that the game places on where you can race felt extremely monotonous to me. Add on to this the fact that the game is very linear and all you do is use your stylus to race... that's it! There's not even a Mario Kart aspect of it where you just Thunderbolt the Water-type nearest to you, it's just you moving as fast as you can using your stylus, and that's it. It's frustratingly boring, for sure.

What surprises do you think they have in store for this year?

Can we expect a seventh generation game, Pokémon Z, or something even better?

shaymin

shaymin

Interestingly enough, it's rather difficult for me to answer this. To put it truthfully, I'm hoping for a seventh generation more than anything else. Moreso because I like the feeling of starting fresh and I like to see the unique ideas that Game Freak has to come up with as far as Pokémon designs and moves are concerned. I think what excites me most, though, is that we never know what kind of new features Game Freak is going to include in the next generation. Would they finally eliminate HMs (gee, I hope so!)? Are they going to bring rollerblades back? All this is really up in the air as the seventh generation is in production. For me personally, I'd have a lot more fun playing a new generation game at this point. I ultimately feel the sixth gen has had its time to shine to a degree, although some may disagree on that due to Zygarde not really having had its time in the limelight... but time will tell.

Are the RB re-release gimmicks worth it?

We basically can't go a generation without Kanto (Unova being the exception)—are these games worth getting or are they just trying to boost their profits?

shaymin

shaymin

I'm rather mixed on this. I'm going to get the games regardless (Blue, specifically), but part of me also believes that, despite what many people believe, I don't think people are going to "feel" the same way as they once did when they purchased the games as a child. I notice that when you're older, you notice the finer details as compared to when you're a child. It is because of this that I think people won't have as much fun, mostly in part due to concerns regarding the graphics, or maybe they won't feel the same because that "Mew under a truck" glitch won't produce the same feeling, etc etc.

I also believe, however, that despite the analytical nitpickings of RBY being re-released in a modern era, that people should enjoy and take the games for what they are. Immerse yourself in the games, and the experience will reproduce itself naturally.

Hits and misses of the last 20 years

What were the standout moments for the Pokémon franchise over the last 20 years? Is there anything we should've turned a blind eye to?

Steven Stone

Steven Stone

To be honest, the biggest standout of the franchise was definitely the spin-off games. From Pokémon Snap to Detective Pikachu, all of the spin-off games have made a huge impact on the fans, some of them even marking their childhood. If you ask me, the best spin-off series Pokémon has released so far is the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series. This games are well known for the amazing plot, intense boss fights, broken mechanics, and incredible music they have.

Most people who know me probably would kill me if I didn't mention it, so before they start calling me hypocrite, another big standout of the franchise is the official tournament circuit. Nine years ago, when I started playing Pokémon, I never got to imagine the fact that there could be a Pokémon World Championship. But somehow, The Pokémon Company managed to organize these tournaments. Going to new places, meeting up with people, making new friends, and winning prizes while playing the game you love is possibly the best gift Pokémon could have given us. Two years after I started playing in this competitive scene, I can say that I'm glad I became a VGC player.

If I had to turn a blind eye into something, that would be the Hey You, Pikachu! spin-off game released for the Nintendo 64 and PlayStation. Like, I'm pretty sure there are only a few people who even know of this game's existence because it is so pointless. Besides the terrible voice-command controller, the game doesn't even have a plot. Like, you only do three daily activities for a year, and after that, you just release Pikachu like it's nothing. Heck, at least Pokémon Snap, even if it didn't have a plot either, was a REALLY fun game.

What surprises do you think they have in store for this year?

Can we expect a seventh generation game, Pokémon Z, or something even better?

Steven Stone

Steven Stone

Besides Pokémon Go being released at some point of the year, it's pretty clear that Pokémon Z will be announced this year. I'm not sure if it will be released this year, but I'm positive about it. Pokken is also a upcoming title people have their eyes on thanks to its incorporation in this year's US Nationals and Worlds and its presence in EVO as well.

Regarding Gen VII, it's more than clear it won't be released this year. There's much to Gen VI that still hasn't been clarified that Gen VII will have to wait for a year or two. However, I believe that Pokémon will stay with the 3DS for the next generation unless they see something on the New 3DS that can be used for Pokémon or they're forced to change systems due to Nintendo's corporative decisions. We stuck with the DS from 2006 to 2012, so I don't see a reason to change systems this early, especially with the New 3DS offering almost no new games.

Are the RB re-release gimmicks worth it?

We basically can't go a generation without Kanto (Unova being the exception)—are these games worth getting or are they just trying to boost their profits?

Steven Stone

Steven Stone

I would recommend these games to those who never got to actually play the original games, as they're definitely worth a try. And if you feel nostalgic but for some reason you don't have your Game Boy anymore, you should definitely try them out too. The re-released games will be a lot more enjoyable than the original versions for the players that played RBY on a Game Boy thanks to the wireless connection the 3DS offers. The removal of the Link Cable will definitely make the experience a lot more enjoyable because, well, to put it softly: connecting the Link Cable correctly was really tedious, and playing without disconnecting it.....


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Poliwhirl by Rocket Grunt

Conclusion

Join us tomorrow for the last personal account!

Hint: This user lead the entire NU tier at one point. He used to be adorable, but then he grew up and became a supermod. I'll leave you guys to think about it for the next 24 or so hours.

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