With the recent release of "Pokemon Sun" and "Pokemon Moon", the "Pokemon" franchise is going strong. But what does the future hold? None of us can be sure, but some of us can confidently say it should hold a remake of "Pokemon Yellow."
The "Pokemon" series has enjoyed tremendous popularity over the last 20 years, with continued new releases every few years. Starting with "Pokemon FireRed" and "Pokemon LeafGreen" on the Game Boy Advance, "Pokemon" developer Game Freak began remaking games from older generations. "FireRed" and "LeafGreen" are remakes of the very first games in the series, "Pokemon Red" and "Pokemon Green." These remakes were followed by "SoulSilver" and "HeartGold" and most recently "Omega Ruby" and "Alpha Sapphire." Now with "Sun" and "Moon" released, the series seems poised for another remake.
But why is it that "Pokemon Yellow" should be the next game to receive the honors? Following the current trend it makes sense that "Pokemon Diamond" and "Pokemon Pearl" would be the next games to get remade as they were the games that came after "Ruby" and "Sapphire." However there were games released between "Ruby/Sapphire" and "Diamond/Pearl" and those games were none other than "FireRed" and "LeafGreen."
"FireRed" and "LeafGreen" released on the Game Boy Advance, just like "Ruby" and "Sapphire." "Diamond" and "Pearl" were released on the Game Boy Advance's successor, the DS. So it stands to reason that if "Ruby" and "Sapphire" were old enough to get remade, "FireRed" and "LeafGreen" must be as well; at least before "Diamond" and "Pearl." The only issue is that "FireRed" and "LeafGreen" are remakes themselves.
So what's the solution? "Pokemon Yellow." "Yellow" was the third (or fourth when considering "Pokemon Blue," a re-upped "Green") game in the first generation. It was labeled as a "special Pikachu edition" and highlighted the series mascot by making it the player's partner Pokemon. "Yellow" released way back on the Game Boy Color and has never been remade, but it could be now. Remaking "Yellow" would spare Game Freak from "remaking the remakes" and releasing yet iteration of the classic "Red/Green" duo while also giving the company another chance to celebrate the mascot who has endured in popularity after all these years, Pikachu.
Of course, there is a counter argument here. While "Yellow" isn't "Red," "Green," "FireRed," or "LeafGreen;" it is still set in the same region with the same Pokemon and the same characters. Furthermore, "Yellow" was recently ported to the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console for download. All in all it's easy to see how a "Yellow" remake could feel a bit repetitive and why some might favor "Diamond" and "Pearl" remakes that would only represent the second visitation of those locations and storylines.
"Diamond" and "Pearl" remakes are definitely something that could be worthwhile in the future, but they hardly are now. Those games can still be played in their original format on Nintendo's current system, the 3DS. Their mechanics and advancements are already ahead of any iteration of the first generation that fans have seen thus far. "Yellow" could bridge the gap and allow for more refinements before "Diamond" and "Pearl" remakes come along. Also, there is the upcoming Nintendo Switch to consider. The handheld/home console hybrid represents something revolutionary and exciting. It's quite likely that the next "Pokemon" game could come to Switch, and what better way to bring the cherished franchise into the next generation than with a remake of one of the most beloved titles in the series?
Pretty much every diehard Pokemon fan has thoughts on this. What do you hope to see? A "Yellow" Remake? "Diamond/Pearl" remakes? Something else? No more remakes at all? Let us know in the comments!
