Pokemongame graphics have come a very long way over the years. After getting its start on the 8-bit Nintendo Game Boy, the upcomingPokemon Scarlet and Violetwill launch on the Switch, delivering a three-dimensional open world to explore.
WhilePokemon’s graphics have changedtremendously, the games themselves still have a lot in common with their predecessors. Perhaps that’s part of what keeps fans looking back to the older games, even when inspired by the newest entry to the franchise.
RELATED:Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Confirm New Pre-Order Bonus
Pokemon BlackandWhitewas released over 10 years ago for the Nintendo DS, and it became the subject of a sprite makeover. Reddit user CoffeeRacoon shared a compilation image of custom sprite work, converting the fifth-generation Pokemon sprites into the latest’s starters, and Gen 4 sprites into trainers fromPokemon Scarlet and Violet. The results are impressive and quite convincing.
Sprigatito, Quaxly, and Fuecoco come to life by modifying the sprites for Purrloin, Ducklett, and Totodile, respectively. The sprites are impressive, with Fuecoco and Quaxly in particular looking like they could have originated way back inPokemon BlackandWhite. Due to the design differences between Purrloin and Sprigatito, the Sprigatito sprite ends up looking a bit more mature and elegant than its actual appearance, perhaps making it a good candidate to be a sprite replacement forSprigatito’s evolved form, though only time will tell at this point.
Meanwhile, the NPC sprites of Pokemon Campers and Pokemon Picnickers, from Generation 4, have been utilized to remake thebasic trainer design fromPokemon Scarlet and Violet’s early trailer. They also look fantastic, and it’s easy to imagine running into one of them in one of the older games and being challenged to a fight.
For many fans, olderPokemongames still have their charm. While some were thrilled to seePokemonmove on to three-dimensional graphics in a mainline entry, others openly voiced missing theart from the olderPokemongames. Unfortunately for those players, this is likely the closest they’ll get to seeing the newest games in an older style.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violetlooks like it will be bringing a lot to the table, including some innovations new to the mainline series entries, like the ability to explore the Pokemon world with multiple friends. While an officialPokemondemake is highly unlikely, fans can rely on talented artists like CoffeeRacoon to show whatPokemon Scarlet and Violetcould have looked like if the series had never made the technological leap to newer systems.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violetis set to release on November 18 for the Nintendo Switch.
