How can the Pokemon franchise please both its younger and older fans?

Question

With the release of Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, the franchise has truly entered the next generation of gaming with a bang, as well over half a million pre-orders were filed for the two games. It also introduced a much different aesthetic feel, since even the graphics simulate 3D.

Plus, the new games host the massive land of Sinnoh and an underground area. Combine that with worldwide battling and trading, and these two games may offer the best gameplay in Pokemon history.

However, there are now nearly 500 Pokemon, so it may be extremely difficult to “Catch ‘Em All.” Additionally, many Pokemon are still unobtainable: players have to pray they can attend a Nintendo event.

The new Pokemon have also drawn criticism; some argue they are much less original than those of the earlier games, while others say the flashy characters belong more in Yu-Gi-Oh! than in Pokemon.

So, how can the Pokemon franchise continue to cater to its older fans while still attracting the invaluable younger gamers?

Answer 1

Be able to choose to play as Brock, Ash, Misty, May, Max, Professor Oak etc or your own custom made character.
Be able to catch all the pokemon in 1 game .
Be able to have Battle challenges between your friends.

Answer 2

Make an enhanced copy of Gold and Silver; they deserve it.
Incidentally, though, I have little desire to play a new Pokemon game; I'm perfectly content with the old 8-bit ones, or at least FireRed and LeafGreen. Most newcomers to Pokemon have never heard of the originals, and some old-schoolers don't like the new ones. Pretty soon, there will be over a thousand Polemon, but no one will remember them all, let alone want to "catch 'em all". So set a cap on the number of Pokemon. Then, maybe, I'd be more willing to stay involved. And buy the newer games.

Answer 3

I was in the 6th grade when the Pokemon franchise first hit the United States. A friend of mine introduced me to it. And then I was hooked. I watched every single episode of the anime. I owned Pokemon Red, Pokemon Yellow, and Pokemon Gold. I even had many sports cards binders full of Pokemon cards! What had attracted it to me as a kid...I do not know. It was probably just a fad, as I gave up Pokemon entirely as I hit the 8th grade. Now, I just turned 20 last week, and a friend of mine, who is just as old as me, is still heavily into the franchise. What turned it off for me was the fact that Pokemon seemed childish as I grew older. It seemed...stupid. I feel that Pokemon is meant to be targeted at the younger crowd, not the older set, especially with such adult themed anime, and hentai, to keep them busy from such childish fantasies. Perhaps its one of those things we all grow out of eventually...

Answer 4

I'm 19 years old and I still enjoy playing the Pok'emon games. I have been playing them since I was a kid and been addicted ever since. I like the fact that they come out with all new Pok'emon every now an then to keep the franchise alive.

Answer 5

i agree with hawk girl 100%

Answer 6

ditto as wat that other guy said. I dont play any more, but that would be cool if we could play as brock or others.