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GameFreak Doesn't Want Home Console Pokemon, Series is Portable

by Nicholas Taylor, posted on 15 February 2011 / 3,700 Views

A lot of people have been dreaming about a home console, full scale Pokémon game ever since the series' inception back in 1996, but Junichi Masuda, co-founder of GameFreak is here to crush all of those hopes. When asked by IGN about the possiblity of a Wii main series entry in the franchise, he said “I don’t think so. I think the Pokemon core series is always going to be with handheld hardware, in the future as well.”

“I consider handheld hardware you can carry around with you as almost being equal to being with Pokemon, always. I think handheld really matches the idea of Pokemon that we have. Also, you can communicate and transfer data all the time, whenever you want with a handheld. That’s also a match with the Pokemon concept.”

He doesn't rule it out entirely, though, saying that “Maybe in the future, if we can think of a way to do something cool with that, then that’s the sort of environment we can work in,”. But right now, no plans are on the table.


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24 Comments

Freyt
Freyt (on 16 February 2011)

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

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Salnax
Salnax (on 16 February 2011)

Good. Having Pokemon on a console is like having God of War on a handheld. It can be done, and can even be done well, but it would not do as well as it would in its native environment. Plus, any Pokemon console game would cost more and sell less than the portable titles.

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llewdebkram
llewdebkram (on 15 February 2011)

I'd love an mmorpg of pokemon. exploring a vast world looking for pokemon and batling against them and their trainers. I was never interested in the handheld versions.

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Rath
Rath (on 15 February 2011)

Also it doesn't need to be main series. A Red/Blue remake on a home console would make me ecstatic.

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Zugdar
Zugdar (on 15 February 2011)

What a waste of potential. If they can't come up with a good console idea in 15 years they need to retire.

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Lafiel
Lafiel (on 15 February 2011)

there goes my hopes of a full blown pokémon MMO - thanks for ruining my dreams after building it up ~10 years ago *sigh*

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radiantshadow92
radiantshadow92 (on 15 February 2011)

dammit it all......

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Rath
Rath (on 15 February 2011)

@Naz. But we won't. We'll get slightly updated graphics but with exactly the same game and the same camera. I'd like a Pokemon with a far more flexible camera. Think Pokemon crossed with Zelda.

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Michael-5
Michael-5 (on 15 February 2011)

They are called "Pocket Monsters" in Japan. Pokemon is simple RPG, they have established themselves as handheld giants and it makes sense. Also, I don't think a Pokemon Wii would ever sell well.

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Godsman
Godsman (on 15 February 2011)

Portable pokemon makes sense. It matches the theme of the anime where you can catch and trade pokemon on-the-go. Especially the DS where it opens up like a pokedex. It's a simple game that just works extremely well remaining portable.

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Roma
Roma (on 15 February 2011)

they said this in the GC days and who cares now that we have 3DS! i have been waiting for a handheld Nintendo console that can do what GC could since they said that back then. finally we will get proper Pokemon game in full 3D and in 3D :D

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ssj12
ssj12 (on 15 February 2011)

damn, I've always wanted a console Pokemon RPG.

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dark_gh0st_b0y
dark_gh0st_b0y (on 15 February 2011)

and the series is getting repeating too we didn't ask for a main Pokemon Wii game, at least a Pokemon Colosseum 3 or smth, not just Pikachu adventures

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naznatips
naznatips (on 15 February 2011)

I'm fine with that. With the power of the 3DS we should basically be able to get a portable Pokemon Wii game anyway.

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Silver-Tiger
Silver-Tiger (on 15 February 2011)

I don't care if Sony or MS have to copy it, a game with the system of Pokemon, decent graphics and online matches/trade system would be a day 1 for me. Hell, I'd probably break into the development center and steal the game, SO much I would want that game. XD

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Christian973
Christian973 (on 15 February 2011)

Pokemon core series should always stay portable. I agree with this.

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NoirSon
NoirSon (on 15 February 2011)

I understand the idea behind it, but it is wasteful not to try to do something decent with a console version of Pokemon. It doesn't have to be a full adventure, but it must not be another one of the half ass demo attempts they have done in recent years. My goodness, the N64 Pokemon games seemed to have more effort put into them then the Wii ones do.

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Soleron
Soleron (on 15 February 2011)

A Pokemon MMO on Wii would be hugely successful, but Nintendo wouldn't want to get into that business. I think they should contract it to Blizzard or SOE or someone like that - no risk, just a % of subscription revenue.

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Immortal
Immortal (on 15 February 2011)

They've said this several times before, haven't they? Online isn't as valuable as a lot of core gamers seem to think for Pokemon's sales and Pokemon's local effect (why do you think it's Japan's biggest franchise?) will be crushed on a home console so the best I can see a proper home console Pokemon game selling is 10m, and that's with awesome graphics, perfect online and a whole lot of advertising.

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Mad55
Mad55 (on 15 February 2011)

wow that sucks bad

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NYANKS
NYANKS (on 15 February 2011)

I weep for Sony and MS if this ever comes to fruition. Please leave it on handhelds lol.

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SecondWar
SecondWar (on 15 February 2011)

If they did I wonder how it would affect sales of the console. I remember I asked for a GameCube for my birthday becaue of Pokemon Colosseum and the (rather impressive) GameCube bundle that came out with it.

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d21lewis
d21lewis (on 15 February 2011)

Well fuck you whale and fuck you dolphin. This is the perfect opportunity for a Pokemon Ripoff like Digimon to come in and steal Pokemon's thunder. An online version of Playstation home with people challenging each other for Pokemon supremacy is a gold mine. Is it because Pokemon is a portable franchise (and a great one at that) or is it because the Wii's online isn't capable enough to pull it off?

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trasharmdsister12
trasharmdsister12 (on 15 February 2011)

Any full Pokemon game that comes to console I will buy... twice... without hesitation. I own a Wii but am not sure if I'll invest in the next Nintendo console given the lack of Pokemon on their home consoles. I'm not the biggest Mario fan (I do love playing them) and I like handheld Zeldas more than the full 3D ones (I'm sad to say that :-(). If they announce a full Pokemon game for any future Nintendo console I will buy the console solely for that one game without hesitation. It's a shame that the folks making these games don't plan on it though.

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