The atmosphere was abuzz when I took my seat atNintendo’s European presentationfor the Direct that would reveal theNintendo Switch 2to the world. There was excitement for what we would see, sure things (Mario) and long shots (Kirby) being debated, and a creeping sense of fear around the edges too.
What if it fell short of the lofty expectations set by the gauntlet its predecessor laid down? What if it still felt a furlong behind the current gen in speed and power? What if it simply didn’t have any games? These fears were amplified by being there in person, by the knowledge we’d be expected to clap politely at whatever was shown. Thankfully, as you well know,the Direct was very goodand no false smiles were needed. Then, as ever, there wasPokemon.
The Switch 2 Has Already Outgrown Pokemon
Though no doubt exaggerated by the fact this was being broadcast on a giant screen byNintendoitself rather than watching with headphones hunched over a desk, there were several ‘pops’ during the showcase.Mario Kart’s rail grinding, theimpressive performance features,The DuskbloodsbeingFromSoftware(and a Switch 2 exclusive),Silksong still existing… all of these drew a variety of cheers. Then Pokemon appeared, and the noise could be generously described as a nervous murmur.
Of course, we’ve just hada Pokemon Presents, which offered more detailsof the upcomingPokemon Legends: Z-A, and the game had been revealed prior to that. In fact, it was revealed before the Switch 2 itself. Unlike the dazzling reveal ofDonkey Kong Bananzaor the first deep dive intoMario Kart World, there wasn’t much new in Pokemon’s trailer. It was just a reminder that the game existed, to advertise that Nintendo is the only place to play one of the biggest media franchises on the planet.
But being one of the biggest media franchises on the planet,shouldn’t it look a little better than this? I realise there’s an art style going on, and hope Nintendo continues in that vein even as it now has the power for photorealism. But Pokemon seems to use that as an excuse to cut corners. Pokemon scrambled for the entirety of the Switch generation, seeminglyunfamiliar with the broader horizonsa home console offered it, and it will debut on the Switch 2 still being engineered for the constraints of handheld play.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A Does Not Feel Like A Switch 2 Game
Again, we had all seen Legends: Z-A. We knew what it looked like. Nobody was expecting Pokemon of the Wild. And defenders can point to improvements: the edges are more rounded. The colours are brighter. The load times, presumably, are faster. But Pokemon undoubtedly made for a damp squib in a showcase that also bragged about the Switch 2’s ability to runCyberpunk 2077.
The awkward grumbling when Pokemon appeared felt like collective embarrassment on the game’s behalf. It still looks empty, devoid not only of grass textures or visual stimuli, but as it is increasingly feeling with Pokemon, of a soul. Pokemon has been doing the same game for far too long, clutching onto an Everstone, and whenLegends: Arceusexplored the past in a way that makes it interesting, the sequel immediately abandoned that idea.
Pokemon feels achingly distant from where it should be, and not taking advantage of the Switch hardware was one thing. Failing to see the infinite possibilities offered by the Switch 2 feels like negligence at the wheel. Still the most recognisable series Nintendo owns, it looked desperately out of place amongst the rest of the Switch 2’s roster. It should be leading the way, but it’s lagging behind.
Maybe Legends: Z-A will be great. I’ll certainly buy it to find out, which makes me part of the problem. But it does not look, or more importantly, feel like a Switch 2 game. Pokemon needs to step up. With Legends being cross-platform, maybe it has the slimmest of excuses. But by the end of the Switch 2 era Pokemon needs to have stepped into the future, or like the Legends series always should have explored, it risks being left in the past.
