The Pokemon Company Missed an Epic Chance With Their Game Boy Pokemon Title Port

Highlights

While some Pokemon titles are now available on Nintendo Switch Online, fans are disappointed that more sought-after Game Boy entries haven't been prioritized.

Pokemon Gold and Silver as well as Pokemon Emerald are unlikely to be made available on NSO in the near future. However, including these iconic mainline Pokemon games on NSO could greatly benefit novice players and help sustain interest during the transition between projects. The substantial demand for these games makes it a worthwhile endeavor for The Pokemon Company.

The recent Pokemon Presents showcased the diverse projects that The Pokemon Company has been working on across various media platforms. The event highlighted the popularity of Pokemon animation, the excitement surrounding organized tournaments, and the anticipation for the upcoming DLC of Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet. Although no new mainline Pokemon games were announced, The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero promises to provide ample content to satisfy even the most avid fans for a while longer.

In addition to Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, August's Pokemon Presents also brought attention to other games, particularly those set to be featured on Nintendo Switch Online. Fans eagerly awaited the inclusion of Pokemon Trading Card Game in the Game Boy catalog, as well as the addition of Pokemon Stadium 2 to the N64 library. Both titles are now available, but many Pokemon fans believe that The Pokemon Company missed a significant opportunity by not prioritizing highly anticipated Pokemon titles for the Game Boy.

Demand For Game Boy Pokemon Games On Nintendo Switch Online Is Sky-High

Since the addition of the Game Boy catalog to Nintendo Switch Online, Pokemon fans have been eagerly anticipating the inclusion of every mainline entry from the Game Boy family. The Game Boy played a significant role in the popularity of Pokemon, providing a portable platform for gamers to enjoy their monster-catching adventures. Conversely, the success of the Game Boy can be attributed to Pokemon, as many gamers sought out the console to immerse themselves in Game Freak's captivating worlds.

However, in a perplexing turn of events, neither The Pokemon Company nor Nintendo has shown any urgency in bringing any of the ten Pokemon games from the Game Boy to the Switch. While Pokemon Trading Card Game has its own fanbase, it does not carry the same weight as beloved titles such as Pokemon Gold and Silver or Pokemon Emerald. As a spin-off, it does not have a robust fanbase compared to other Pokemon spin-offs, especially when fans can simply purchase physical trading cards and play with friends. The inclusion of Pokemon Trading Card Game on NSO becomes even more confusing considering there are almost a dozen mainline entries that are much less easily accessible.

The appeal of NSO lies in its contribution to game preservation and accessibility. Though ideal to have physical copies of beloved classics such as The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap readily accessible, digital versions still provide a viable alternative. Currently, there are limited legitimate options for gamers seeking to play mainline Pokemon titles released on Game Boy consoles, unless they have kept their original consoles and cartridges from years ago. Purchasing a Game Boy and a classic Pokemon game secondhand is also a possibility, but these options often come with exorbitant price tags, causing gamers to miss out nonetheless.

Given the Nintendo Switch's portability and overwhelming success, it seems almost imperative to include mainline Pokemon games. While The Pokemon Company may prioritize the sale of more recent entries, there are still numerous benefits to adding classic ones to NSO. They could serve as an introduction for newcomers to the series or help sustain interest between Pokemon projects. The demand for such additions is significant enough to warrant consideration from The Pokemon Company, ultimately leading to more people enjoying their games.