For over two decades, Pokémon has reigned as one of gaming’s most beloved and enduring franchises, celebrated not only for its addictive gameplay, iconic creatures, and nostalgic charm, but also for its distinct visual flair.
From the pixelated simplicity of Red and Blue on the Game Boy to the colorful, expressive 2D graphics of the Ruby/Sapphire and Diamond/Pearl eras, each generation of games brought with it a visual identity that reflected both the technological capabilities of the time and the spirit of the Pokémon craze.
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+ 5However, as the franchise has shifted into full 3D environments and open-world structures, its once-distinct aesthetic is starting to feel diluted—raising concerns that the series is slowly losing the visual soul that helped define it.
The turning point for this transformation was the release of Pokémon Sword and Shield on the Nintendo Switch back in 2019. While it was a monumental step forward in terms of scale and accessibility, offering the first semi-open-world experience in a mainline game, it also marked the beginning of a more uniform, less inspired visual approach.
Towns that once carried unique cultural influences now feel visually indistinct. Routes and environments have grown in size, but lack the memorable details and rich lore that once made every location feel purposeful and alive.
click to enlarge+ 5Much of this visual flattening stems from an increasing focus on realism and scale rather than style and artistic direction. Ironically, the older 2D games, despite their technical limitations, were better at giving every town, cave, and gym a personality.
Cities like Goldenrod felt bustling and modern, Fortree was organically woven into nature, and Castelia evoked the vertical grandeur of a real-world metropolis.
click to enlarge+ 5In contrast, newer entries such as Scarlet and Violet present a world that is geographically larger but often feels empty and underdeveloped. Textures are noticeably low in resolution, terrain design can be repetitive, multiple visual pop-ins and pop-outs, and the overall world lacks the cohesion and warmth of its predecessors.
This gradual loss of identity extends to the Pokémon themselves. While many modern designs remain inventive, the move from expressive to static 3D models has not always been kind.
Earlier games made clever use of pixel art to exaggerate a Pokémon’s emotion or movement. Now, despite improved hardware, battles can feel static, with animations often looking recycled or awkwardly stiff. Cinderace using Double Kick in Pokémon Sword might be one of the most notorious examples.
The Pokémon might be rendered in higher detail, but they no longer feel as alive or dynamic as they once did.
click to enlarge+ 5Adding to the issue is the inconsistency between games. Titles like Legends: Arceus leaned toward a subdued, watercolor-like style to fit its ancient setting, while Scarlet and Violet embraced a brighter, Mediterranean-inspired color palette.
But instead of committing fully to those directions, both games hover in a middle ground, visually confused between aiming for realism and retaining the franchise's cartoon roots. This inconsistency makes it difficult to pinpoint what modern Pokémon’s visual identity even is.
Compared to other Nintendo properties like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or Super Mario Odyssey, which each have a bold and unified art direction that enhances their gameplay experience, Pokémon now feels artistically uncertain.
Those franchises have evolved visually while staying true to their essence. Pokémon, meanwhile, appears to be in a struggle between technological ambition and stylistic coherence.
click to enlarge+ 5Ultimately, Pokémon’s magic lies not in photorealism or massive maps, but in its ability to craft a world that feels vivid, heartfelt, and full of wonder. Modernizing the franchise is inevitable—and often necessary—but not at the expense of its visual heart. What players want isn’t just a bigger game; it’s one that feels like Pokémon. Until the developers recapture that sense of identity, the series risks becoming visually forgettable in the very pursuit of evolution.