Animation is an important part of any video game. Weather itbe as photo-realistic asThe Last of Us 2or as stylish asPersona 5, the effort and time developers put into the character animations is something fans seem to appreciate. Over the years though, some fans of thePokemonfranchise have shown dissatisfaction with the attack animation produced by Game Freak within later generations.
From Generations 1-5, thePokemonfranchise maintained a sprite-based art style with 3DPokemontitles being limited to rare home console games. While the sprite-based Pokemon would attack with simplistic animations, 3D games such asPokemon Stadiumand its sequel featured far more extravagant attacks. Once the mainlinePokemontitles became fully 3D in Generation 6, some fans may have been expecting the animations to be ofStadium’squality and were left disappointed.
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A user on Reddit by the name of MortonShekelstorm recent posted a video directly comparing the animations inPokemon StadiumtoPokemon: Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee.The video in question showcases two different Pokemon performing the move Mega Kick inPokemon Stadium. Kabutops flings itself forward using its scythe-arms to perform the kick while Snorlax throws its entire weight into the Mega Kick, flying into a drop-kick animation.
The video continues displaying a Pikachu performing Double Kick which sees it hop twice while a foot symbol appears on the opponent. MortonShekelstorm would caption their post “Why are people okay with this?” questioningPokemonfans' willingness to accept the currentattack animations and look of modern Pokemon. It should be noted that it wasn’t Game Freak who developedPokemon Stadiumbut, instead it was HAL Laboratory, developer of theKirbyfranchise.
What may be the reason somePokemonfans have grown resentful towards the current animations inPokemongames is due to the comparison to titles from the past.Pokemon Stadiumreleased for the Nintendo 64 and features smooth animations full of life despite its other outdated elements. In comparison, modernPokemontitles feature stiff and limited movement in battle. Though, HAL Laboratory may have devoted more time to animation than Game Freak sincePokemon Stadiumwas a battle simulator and not a full RPG.
Pokemonfans continue to debate the quality of animations in the mainline games and withpossiblePokemon Scarlet and Violetleaksdepicting the attack motions of the newer creatures, only time will tell ifPokemonaudiences will be satisfied.
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