Pokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearlis one of the big titles coming to the Nintendo Switch this holiday season. Remakes of the fourth generationPokemontitles are highly anticipated, as it is a fan-favorite generation among much of the fanbase. The announcement ofPokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearldid lead to some controversy, however, and that rose to the surface recently with some fresh screenshots.
Pokemongames tend to bring about some debate among the fanbase, mostly because there is a lot of passionate members in the community. In this most recent example, thePokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearlgraphics and art style are the target of discussion. This serves as a reminder of the ongoing debate between two core types of fans in thePokemoncommunity.
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Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Screenshots
ThenewPokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearlscreenshotsshared recently are designed to show graphical improvement since February, when the games were first shown. Depending on what side of the aisle fans sit on, some see a nice difference and are happy with the changes, while others see few changes whatsoever. It is the equivalent of a sports fans who sees the same play, one being sure that the play is a complete catch and the other being positive it is incomplete. However, sports arguments usually come from fans on opposing teams, but in this case most fans are rooting forPokemongames and enjoy playing them.
There were mixed reactions to the originalPokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearlannouncement, so much so that some fans created enhancements of the remake of their own. Some loved the chibi style, while others thought it looked like something that did not belong in this current generation of video games. This is the ongoing debate among fans ofPokemon: Some are content and some are asking for more.
Leading up to the launch of the eighth generation of the series,Game Freak faced backlash againstPokemon Sword and Shieldfrom a section of the fanbase. The graphics and animations were not up to par, according to some. YetPokemon SwordandShieldsold very well, and plenty ofPokemonfans enjoyed those entries in the series.
Pokemon Games Continue to Sell
A part of the reason Game Freak may not take the biggest chances with its standardPokemontitles and remakes is that they’ll likely sell well regardless.Pokemon SwordandShieldis the third-highest title in the serieswith now over 21 million copies sold. In terms of innovation with massive gameplay overhauls or graphical fidelity, the developer does not need to think about those things based on the sales numbers, and if anything the message may be sent that fans enjoy the classic approach.
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The upcomingPokemon Legends: Arceusmay be a new type of experience, but again the community was torn about whether or not to feel pleased about its announcement. Whether it be the monumental success ofPokemon GO, the return ofNew Pokemon Snap, or even the fighting gamePokken Tournament, spin-offs are often where the series takes some of its biggest gambles.
Pokemonas an entity is a major selling point for Nintendo. Whether it be plush, apparel, or games, the brand sells.Pokemon Trading Cards have sold over 34 billionin their lifespan, meanwhile the games have sold 380 million in their lifespan. Game Freak and Nintendo are sitting pretty and do not need to take risks with the mainline series. However, a big part of the fanbase often asks for more effort.
Pokemon Fans Who Want More
The Nintendo DS was a booming success with nearly 155 million units sold worldwide, and this is part of the reason whyDiamondandPearlis the fourth-highest sellingPokemontitle. There was a lot of excitement behind possible remakes, yet they were met with both elation and disappointment. Some fans were thrilled, and others wanted much more. One fan created arealisticPokemon DiamondandPearlRemake concept trailerthat many enjoyed, and this is the type of thing that some wish Game Freak put the time and attention into.
While there are plenty of fans pleased with the series, and there are alsomany unhappyPokemonfans directly after announcements. Some feel the games are lacking in scope, gameplay overhauls, and improvements to graphical fidelity and more. While other series likeThe Legend of ZeldaorMonster Huntercontinuing to evolve,Pokemonfeels like it has been the same for nearly twenty-five years in broad strokes.
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Pokemon Legends: Arceuslooks likeThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, according to the fans who are often asking for more innovation out of Game Freak, but the reveal trailer did not have the same polish that the first look atBreath of the Wildfeatured. One fear is that the next look atPokemon Legends: Arceuswill be exactly like these recent new images ofPokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearl,or the controversy behindSwordandShield. The game will likely look slightly better, but nothing drastic. Meanwhile, the other section of the fanbase will just be thrilled to play a brand-new style ofPokemongame.
The End Result is More Debate
One thing is certain when it comes to the reveal of new images forPokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearl: the debate continues. It feels as if nothing is going to change for the two core types of fans for the series.
Of course, there is another whole style of fan forPokemonas well. One fanbase argues on social media thatPokemonhasn’t evolved enough over the years and Game Freak needs to do more, and the other debates that it is perfectly pleased with playing every new title from the developer. Meanwhile, more casual fans simply see the new title in a commercial, an ad online, or on the shelf and are enthusiastic about anotherPokemongame. In the end, the dollar is what speaks the loudest.Pokemonsells. Pikachu sells.Pokemonis one of the most well-known andhighest-selling video game franchisesin existence, and that is what will likely continue to drive Game Freak.
Pokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearlwill be released for Nintendo Switch on November 19.
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