Regardless of one's appreciation of a franchise, many dedicated fans wouldn't mind highlighting issues they have for a franchise in hopes of making them better. Pokémon has maintained continuous success over time but falls victim to much criticism concerning its company's decisions.
Whether the concerns lie with The Pokémon Company or with the media's fanbase, the complaints will continue to be thrown at the franchise, no matter what decision its company makes. Thus, it's worth noting the many issues with Pokémon that annoy dedicated fans to find common ground.
10 No Difficulty Setting In The Mainline Pokémon Games
Even if fans argue Pokémon Red & Blue are the best Pokémon games ever, many will agree that not implementing a difficulty setting into the newer games bothers hardcore fans. From explaining Pokémon catching and taking gamers to areas they'd have no issue finding, including a difficulty setting is something the franchise needs to do.
Ideas worth considering would be to give non-playable trainers items on their Pokémon and have them dish out strategies often seen from competitive battlers during worldwide Pokémon competitions. Also, providing intriguing modes akin to the Nuzlockes would challenge hardcore players and entice them to purchase newer entries.
9 National Pokédex Complaints About The Future Mainline Pokemon Games
Many changes the Pokémon anime made from the games include real-time battles and giving them standalone personalities. A decision that didn't sit well with many fans was the Pokédex cut administered in Pokémon Sword & Shield. Although it was a sad sight to see for many, others found it not too bothersome since not every Pokémon is viable in a competitive sense.
However, National Pokédex complaints continue to flood The Pokémon Company's Twitter feed many times, and it may never stop until fans get what they want. These outcries have led to many quitting and abandoning the fandom since they find it annoying to see. Although the issue may never get resolved, the Pokémon fandom may suffer a similar fate if problems like this are not fixed.
8 The First Pokémon Generation Getting More Attention Than Other Generations
Although many people would love seeing future regional forms for specific Pokémon, many fear that Kanto will be getting more love in the next round for newer Pokémon titles. Like Mega Evolution and other mechanics from older games, Pokémon loves paying respect to the generation that kickstarted their success.
Although it makes sense to show love toward the first batch of creatures that started one's success, the oversaturation and attention to those Pokémon tend to rub some fans the wrong way. Thus, it'd be best for them to show some love for Pokémon outside of the Kanto region
7 When Older Pokémon Fans Argue That New Generation Pokémon Designs Are Unoriginal
With over 900+ Pokémon at their disposal, it's common for a company to run out of unique ideas regarding Pokémon designs, personalities, and lore. Although some inanimate, everyday Pokémon designs have gotten better over the years, many fans love picking apart Pokémon designs that closely resemble animals or objects like keys or sandcastles.
Although these Pokémon may look ridiculous to most fans, others will take a liking to their designs and create ways that these Pokémon can contribute to everyday life if they existed. Although the complaint lies with one's preference, the unoriginal Pokémon debates and arguments remain prevalent after all these years.
6 Adding New Mechanics To Games & Than Abandoning Or Not Expanding Upon Them In Future Titles
With over 25 years of creating a game that remains a worldwide success, it makes sense for a company to test out new mechanics that could sit well with their targeted demographic. Even the anime dabbled with these concepts as one of Ash's most powerful opponents used her Mega evolved Gardevoir to battle against him.
What didn't sit well with fans was Game Freak's possible abandonment of the newer ideas fans loved. It's a decision that'll make many fans scratch their heads and wonder why, and it's something they hope gets resolved soon in newer entries.
5 The Pokémon Games Are Too Linear & Lack Exploration Outside Of The Wild Area
Although the Pokémon world is an anime world many people would want to live in because of its vast scenery and Pokémon variety, the game's take on exploration isn't something that vibes well with most fans. For the most part, the Pokémon games always follow a specific formula that remains prevalent throughout each new generation.
However, there are times where gamers feel detached from the game's universe because of their inability to explore everything each region offers, whether it be an abandoned building or an alleyway. It's a staple Pokémon convention many fans expect, but many fans would like to see changes for future titles moving forward.
4 When Pokémon Can Learn Attacks They Shouldn't Learn & Vice Versa
Considering how large the Pokémon universe has become, inconsistencies with the franchise aren't something fans would be shocked to see. Mostly, some fans have been annoyed that some Pokémon can learn moves they shouldn't be able to use and vice versa.
Some examples include generation one Pokémon Rhydon and the fire Legendary Dog Pokémon, Entei. Regarding Rhydon, some fans noted that Rhydon's ability to learn Surf doesn't make sense considering he's a Ground-type, a Pokémon type weak against water types. As for Entei, others believe it should learn Earthquake since the lore mentions it as the "Volcano Pokémon."
3 Giving Pokémon Questionable Typings That Don't Make Much Sense From A Visual Perspective
Another aspect of Pokémon fans are annoyed by would be some Pokémon typing decisions given to certain Pokémon. A common and ongoing argument amongst some fans includes dragon Pokémon that shouldn't be dragon given their appearance not meshing well with the selected type.
Alolan Exeggutor's palm tree-like design is one example of a Pokémon typing decision that made fans question the game's lore and logic. Others even argue that Pokémon like Charizard should've received the dragon Pokémon typing considering its design resembles that of said creature. Pokémon may have a fictional world, but fans expect reasonable conclusions for why Pokémon receive the typings they do.
2 Certain Pokémon's Stats Don't Coincide With Their Lore In The Franchise & Pidgeot's Speed Is A Famous Example
The Pokémon lore may contain some intriguing insight on certain Pokémon to win over its enthusiasts; many logical errors in the game's text don't coincide with the creatures implemented into the games. A famous example of this notion concerns the Kanto generation normal-and-flying type Pokémon, Pidgeot.
Regarding Pidgeot, the Pokémon lore states that it can fly faster than the speed of sound. Although that's impressive on paper, it doesn't seem to be the case when comparing Pidgeot's speed stats to other bird Pokémon, who have higher speed stats than it does. It's a weird error that may annoy most Pokémon enthusiasts, who argue against its lore.
1 Rushing To Pokémon Centers After Losing A Battle Is One Of Many Inconveniences That Doesn't Make Sense Anymore
Despite the Pokémon games needing reasons for trainers to experience some challenges during their journies, there are many inconveniences many players come across in recent titles. For example, many fans have nitpicked that it seems illogical for a player to blackout after an intense battle and rush to a Pokémon Center after losing.
Since trainers sometimes carry revives, potions, and other healing items along with them, many fans feel it should be the player's choice to visit a Pokémon Center after losing. Even after defeating an NPC in the games, they don't show any worry or travel to Pokémon Centers like the player's character.