Pokémon is on the brink of celebrating another milestone, with its inaugural games having launched on the Game Boy on February 27, 1996. Over the last 29 years, the franchise has evolved significantly, introducing numerous titles that allow fans to embark on adventures in a vibrant and colorful world, most notably in the latest releases, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. This iconic gaming series has cemented its status as one of the largest intellectual properties in the industry, not only in terms of gameplay but also regarding the expanding roster of creatures available across its mainline and spin-off games.
However, the sheer volume of Pokémon available has led to challenges for many long-time players. The initial enticing slogan “gotta catch ’em all”has transformed into an overwhelming task. While Pokémon Home offers players a solution for managing their collection by facilitating the gathering and organizing of Pokémon, there is still a significant gap in accessibility. Notably, the Pokémon Bank mechanism restricts creatures from Generations 3 through 7, creating barriers that many fans find frustrating. Despite the potential for Nintendo Switch Online to accommodate these classic games, the Pokémon franchise has yet to be included in this retro collection.
Why the Absence of Pokémon on Nintendo Switch Online is Unexpected
Anticipation for Pokémon’s Inclusion in Nintendo Switch Online
When Nintendo Switch Online first launched, it limited access to games from the NES and SNES for the initial two years. However, on February 8, 2023, an exciting announcement was made regarding the addition of Game Boy and Game Boy Advance titles to the service. This sparked hope among fans who immediately thought that classic Pokémon titles like Red, Blue, Ruby, and Sapphire would finally be part of the library. Although the platform did include some related titles like Pokémon Trading Card Game and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team, the absence of the primary games after two years remains puzzling, particularly given that the Nintendo 3DS previously offered these classics through the Virtual Console.
An intriguing angle related to the 3DS is worth noting: the initial Pokémon games were introduced for that system relatively late in its lifespan. Released in February 2016 to commemorate Pokémon’s anniversary, these titles came just four years before the 3DS was officially discontinued in 2020. Currently, the Nintendo Switch appears to have the ideal opportunity to incorporate the mainline Pokémon games, especially with rumors of the Switch 2 on the horizon. While two years have passed since the addition of Game Boy and Game Boy Advance titles, the window of opportunity for these games to join the service is unfortunately narrowing.
Even if the Switch 2 were to carry forward the Nintendo Switch Online library at launch, this does not resolve the confusion surrounding the absence of key Pokémon titles. There may be several factors at play inhibiting the inclusion of these games, including potential impacts on Pokémon Home and the extended delay in establishing compatibility with Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Regardless of the rationale, many players hold out hope that the classic games from Red to Emerald will be reintroduced, potentially coinciding with a future announcement on Pokémon Day.
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