Controversial Pokemon Games That Deserve A Second Chance

Since 1996, the Pokemon video games have 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.

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By  Will Buckley

While many Pokemon games have become 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 solid Pokemon games that originally got a negative reception when they launched but have earned a more positive reputation among some fans in recent years.

6 Pokemon X And Y

They're Easy And Didn't Add Many New Pokemon, But They Also Introduced Mega Evolution

After the amazing Fifth Generation of Pokemon (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 Y were immediately compared to their predecessors and 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 Y also 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 newer Pokemon games completely removed great features like Mega Evolution or their perfected online functionality.

5 Pokemon Omega Ruby And Alpha Sapphire

Just Because It’s Not The Best Remake Doesn’t Mean That It’s Bad (It's Actually Pretty Good)

Many fans consider Pokemon Heartgold and Soulsilver to be the perfect Pokemon remakes, 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 to Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire when they launched back in 2014. Longtime Pokemon fans were furious that these remakes of Ruby and Sapphire lacked 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 Soulsilver did feature content from both Gold and Silver and Crystal.

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By  Jack Boreham

Nevertheless, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire were 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.

4 Pokemon Ultra Sun And Ultra Moon

Not The Third Version Fans Were Expecting, But Still Surprisingly Solid

For more than two decades, Pokemon fans 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 like Pokemon Yellow, Pokemon Emerald, and Pokemon Platinum perfectly exemplifies why this practice was so popular. However, the Fifth Generation changed everything when Game Freak released Pokemon Black 2 and White 2, a sequel that felt like a completely new game instead.

When it came time for Pokemon Sun and Moon to receive their own third version a few years later, expectations were quite high. Some fans were hoping it would be a sequel titled Pokemon 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 of Pokemon Stars. So, naturally, most fans were disappointed when Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon finally came out, and they were just another traditional third version with a few changes and improvements.

Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are indeed similar to the original Sun and Moon games, 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 seasoned Pokemon fan.

3 Pokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu! And Let’s Go, Eevee!

The First Pokemon Game For Nintendo Switch Tried To Appeal To A Broader Audience

After Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon disappointed a large portion of the Pokemon fan base, they directed their attention towards a new piece of speculation: What was going to be the first Pokemon game 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, as Pokemon 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 of Pokemon GO’s recent success. Things got so heated that The Pokemon Company even had to release an official statement confirming that Let’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 appreciate Pokemon 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 the Pokemon series. 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.

2 Pokemon Sword And Shield

Two Excellent Switch Games, Despite Not Featuring Every Single Pokemon

The controversies didn’t end there, because Pokemon Sword and Shield were 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 caused Pokemon fans to scrutinize every single aspect of Sword and Shield, both before and after release, which resulted in heavy criticism of its lackluster graphics and simplistic storyline.

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Nevertheless, and despite all these controversies, these still are two very good Pokemon titles that definitely don’t deserve the reputation they currently have. Pokemon Sword and Shield are 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 of Sword and Shield after the infamous National Pokedex controversy slowly died down.

1 Pokemon Scarlet And Violet

Behind A Slew Of Technical Issues Lies One Of The Most Innovative Pokemon Games

It’s important to keep in mind that Pokemon 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 longtime Pokemon fans.

This is unfortunate, because Pokemon Scarlet and Violet do 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 that Scarlet and Violet also featured one of the best narratives seen in a mainline Pokemon game since the release of Black and White.

After the massive controversy surrounding the Ninth Generation games slowly faded away, the remaining Pokemon fans grew to appreciate and even love them thanks to their best features. Nevertheless, and despite how admittedly fun to play Scarlet and Violet are, 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, because Pokemon: Legends Z-A is taking longer than usual to come out.

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