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The Pokémon franchise is such an odd one to consider, given its rather humble origins as a GameBoy game with limited graphics and a great number of programming issues. The number of glitches and exploits of the original Red and Blue (or Red and Green for Japan) variants is fascinating. Yet the janky little mess of an RPG managed to make such a splash, and undoubtedly because the anime was there to put it on children’s radar. As a middle-schooler, it provided an escapist world of adventure like my boring school life failed to provide. We never thought to question the notion of a game where ten year-olds were encouraged to drop out of school to become vagabonds getting into dog fights with complete strangers. It was an appealing idea, and launching the anime first was honestly the best method they could have chosen to drive interest in the game.

It is with that perspective that I wonder if it’s even worthwhile pondering the quality of these games. Naturally the ones developing the titles care, though they are certainly beholden to a far greater machine. It is not really the games driving this property, however, nor its popularity. If anything, the games are popular because the idea spoke to a lot of children, and continues to speak to that spirit as they grow older and share with children of their own.

What will Pokémon look like twenty years from now, when I’m in my mid-to-late fifties? Will it look much the same? Perhaps what I really should have brought up was the idea of Pokémon as a Metaverse? With all the other publishers eager to invest and hop on board, it is possible that The Pokémon Company is the one best primed to develop a successful platform by giving fans of all ages the escapist fantasy that hooked them in so early: the possibility to jump in and go on that adventure yourself.

Until then, I will continue picking away at Pokémon Legends Arceus, which is certainly enjoyable but also becoming repetitive for me. Also somewhat frustrating, admittedly, though for a reason that I struggle with many newer Pokémon games: I cannot seem to settle on a team that I like, and therefore I’m constantly rotating Pokémon out, which leaves me needing to constantly grind them up to a higher level. It leaves me feeling under-leveled as I jump into a new territory. On the other hand, this has provided me with new challenge, though I’ve also yet to pass out and find my satchel lost in the wilds. Perhaps I should revel in a Pokémon game that’s actually a challenge?

What do you think of the latest Pokémon games? Where would you like to see the franchise go? Please leave a comment below or send us an e-mail with your opinions.

Opening theme music by Fallen Prophecy.