The Pokémon series is one of the biggest gaming franchises in the world, yet over the past several years, one aspect of the games has consistently disappointed fans: their visuals. Despite massive financial success, each new Pokémon game seems to look worse than the last, with uninspired environments, low-resolution textures, and technical issues that make even flagship titles feel outdated.
But here’s the thing—it’s okay to want more. Pokémon fans shouldn’t feel guilty for expecting better graphics and performance from a series that dominates the gaming industry.
The Declining Visual Standards of Pokémon Games
Since Pokémon made the jump to full 3D on the Nintendo 3DS and later the Nintendo Switch, the franchise has struggled to maintain a consistent visual identity.
A Look at Pokémon’s Visual Downgrade:
🎮 Pokémon Sun & Moon (2016) – A charming cel-shaded style but heavily limited by the 3DS hardware.
🎮 Pokémon Sword & Shield (2019) – Marked Pokémon’s first mainline console game, but the Wild Area looked rough, with low-resolution textures and stiff animations.
🎮 Pokémon Legends: Arceus (2022) – An ambitious attempt at an open-world experience, but plagued by low-poly environments and pop-in issues.
🎮 Pokémon Scarlet & Violet (2022) – Easily the most visually underwhelming Pokémon game to date, with glitchy animations, empty environments, and severe performance issues.
Each new Pokémon release is met with huge anticipation but also frustration over the series’ visual stagnation. While the core gameplay remains fun, the graphics and polish have fallen behind industry standards, especially compared to other Nintendo titles like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom or Super Mario Odyssey.
Why Are Pokémon Games So Ugly?
Many fans wonder: Why does the biggest media franchise in the world struggle to make good-looking games? The answer lies in Game Freak’s development cycles and Nintendo’s hardware limitations.
1. Rushed Development Cycles
Pokémon games release on a strict schedule, often tied to merchandise, trading cards, and anime releases. This means:
⏳ Less development time for improving graphics and performance.
📅 Tight annual deadlines that prioritize getting a game out rather than refining it.
🛠️ Limited resources because Game Freak is a relatively small studio compared to other major game developers.
2. Nintendo Switch Hardware Limitations
Unlike PlayStation and Xbox, the Nintendo Switch is weaker in terms of hardware. Pokémon’s open-world ambitions in Scarlet & Violet ran into major technical issues, showing that Game Freak may not have the experience or tools to optimize large-scale 3D worlds effectively.
3. Game Freak’s Inexperience with High-End Graphics
Unlike Nintendo’s other developers (Monolith Soft, Retro Studios, etc.), Game Freak has traditionally been a handheld-focused studio. While they excel in gameplay design, their graphical capabilities lag behind other industry leaders.
It’s Okay to Want Better Graphics in Pokémon
Some fans argue that graphics don’t matter in Pokémon games as long as the gameplay is fun, but that doesn’t mean players shouldn’t expect more. Other Nintendo franchises have evolved visually, yet Pokémon remains stuck in the past.
👉 Why should it be “okay” for Pokémon to look worse than games with a fraction of its budget?
👉 Why should fans accept graphical mediocrity when they know the franchise can do better?
Expecting better visuals doesn’t mean abandoning the core gameplay. Instead, it means wanting a Pokémon experience that feels polished, immersive, and worthy of its legendary status.
