The excitement surrounding Pokémon Legends: Z-A has reached a fever pitch after its recent official reveal, but it's accompanied by mixed opinions about its graphics. Two former marketing executives from Nintendo have voiced their concerns, stating that the latest RPG "doesn't look great." This has sparked a renewed wave of conversation among fans and gaming enthusiasts alike.

It's almost a rite of passage for every new Pokémon game to be met with some form of criticism about its visual offerings. Remember the uproar over the animated battle sprites in Pokémon Black and White? They were generally well-received, yet there remained skeptics. As history shows, Legends: Z-A has attracted similar scrutiny. Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang, former hosts of Nintendo Minute and notable figures within Nintendo of America, shared their thoughts in a recent YouTube video, emphasizing their lukewarm feelings about the graphics. Ellis remarked that he "was not really expecting a huge leap" visually, but expressed hope the game would run more smoothly than its predecessors, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, which were notorious for their performance issues upon launch.

While the graphics have not blown them away, neither were they left terribly disappointed. They acknowledged that improvements may still be on the way as the game is set for a vague "late 2025" release date. Although they're not necessarily expecting any grand visual overhauls, Yang remains slightly optimistic, thinking the developers might polish certain aspects further. On the other hand, Ellis remains skeptical, citing the ongoing issues with Scarlet and Violet as indicative of Game Freak's struggles to enhance their existing graphics engine.

What fans are particularly eager to know is whether Pokémon Legends: Z-A will also arrive on the next-generation Switch 2. While the game has been confirmed for the original Nintendo Switch, questions are being raised about the potential for a version tailored for the newer console. Ellis speculates that Game Freak might be reaching the limits of what they can achieve without completely revamping their development tools and game engine. With the Switch 2 on the horizon, he hopes that the team could take the opportunity to go back to the drawing board for a more immersive experience filled with intricate details.

However, Yang seems less optimistic about this possibility, suggesting that the chances of a high-resolution version of Z-A being developed for Switch 2 are slim. She expressed her belief that developers may prioritize other enhancements over a mere graphical upgrade.

As we await the anticipated release of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the community will be watching closely to see how much, if anything, will change regarding the visuals—and whether the Switch 2 could usher in a new era for Pokémon RPGs. Will this beloved franchise finally get the graphical facelift it deserves? Only time will tell!