Monster Hunter Stories 3 Laid Down the Gauntlet for Pokemon Wind and Wave

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The newest trailer for Monster Hunter Stories 3 has sparked a lot of conversation among gamers, particularly when compared to Pokemon. While not the most technically advanced, the trailer’s bright and appealing graphics have reminded fans of what the Switch is capable of visually. This has naturally led to comparisons with Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, which had performance problems, and Pokemon Legends: Arceus, which, despite being a bold attempt, didn’t quite deliver visually.

As leaks suggest the next Pokémon generation, tentatively titled Pokémon Wind and Wave, is coming soon, Game Freak is facing increasing pressure to improve the game’s graphics. If the visuals in Gen 10 aren’t impressive, fans will likely compare it to games like Monster Hunter Stories 3, which already shows what’s achievable on the Switch. Many are wondering if Game Freak can deliver a significant visual upgrade this time around, or if they’ll continue to lag behind in this area.

Why Monster Hunter Stories 3 Sparks Problematic Comparisons With Pokemon

While Monster Hunter Stories 3 isn’t a visual masterpiece, it looks good thanks to its appealing and consistent art style. The game features detailed, colorful environments and expressive characters that bring the world to life without demanding a powerful computer. It’s a polished experience, even if it doesn’t break any new ground graphically.

Okay, let me tell you, the launch of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet was… rough. Honestly, it was a real letdown. While I was excited to see the series move forward, the game was plagued with frustrating performance issues. We’re talking textures loading in late, a choppy frame rate, and just a generally unstable visual experience. It really dampened the fun, and a lot of fans – myself included – were expecting a much smoother, more polished game. It’s a shame, because underneath all the technical problems, there’s a good game trying to get out.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus tried something new with its open-world design, and it had some good qualities. However, the game’s graphics weren’t as impressive as other open-world games on the Switch, with environments that often felt empty and visuals that looked a bit old-fashioned. While it was a brave attempt, many players who wanted a beautiful game were left wanting more.

Monster Hunter Wilds received many negative reviews due to problems with how well it ran, and the same thing could happen with Pokemon if its performance isn’t good.

Pokemon Gen 10 Needs to Break a Longtime Pattern

As the anticipated Pokémon Wind and Wave (believed to be Pokémon Gen 10) approaches release, Game Freak is under pressure to improve the game’s graphics. Monster Hunter Stories 3 proved that a strong visual style can greatly enhance gameplay, even on less powerful hardware. While the Switch isn’t as technologically advanced as other consoles, developers can still create a visually appealing game within its capabilities.

If the graphics in the new Gen 10 Pokémon game aren’t impressive, people will likely compare it to Monster Hunter Stories 3. Monster Hunter Stories 3 showed that the Switch can handle visually appealing games, even without needing top-of-the-line graphics. Some fans might reasonably expect Pokémon Wind and Pokémon Wave to look as good, especially since Monster Hunter Stories 3 came out in March 2026.

If the environments and gameplay in the new Pokemon Gen 10 look and feel great, some players might wonder why Game Freak didn’t achieve this level of quality in earlier games. This could lead to disappointment with past releases, particularly considering how much money Pokemon has made and how many resources Game Freak has available.

Other comparisons are being drawn to Pokemon with Game Freak’s new game, Beast of Reincarnation.

Pokemon Graphics Issues in Recent Years Explained

The Pokémon games haven’t always had the smoothest graphics, especially with the recent Gen 9 and Legends: Arceus titles. Here’s a look at some of the most frequent graphical problems players have been noticing lately.

  • Frame Rate Drops: Both Pokemon Scarlet and Violet and Pokemon Legends: Arceus were criticized for inconsistent frame rates, especially in open-world areas. Players frequently reported stuttering during exploration and battles.
  • Texture Pop-ins: A common issue in Scarlet and Violet was the visible texture pop-ins, where assets would load in slowly as players moved through the world, disrupting immersion.
  • Low-Resolution Models: Many of the 3D models for characters and environments in Scarlet and Violet appeared to be lower resolution than what players expected, especially in comparison to other games on the Switch.
  • Sparse Environments: Legends: Arceus‘s open world, while ambitious, often felt empty and lacked the lush detail seen in other titles. The world could feel unpolished, with flat textures and minimal environmental interaction. In particular, the water texture was criticized.
  • Limited Animation: Certain Pokemon animations, particularly in battles, felt stiff and repetitive. Compared to other turn-based RPGs, Pokemon‘s animations seemed outdated and lacked the fluidity many fans desired.

Most Pokémon fans aren’t hoping for Gen 10 to have cutting-edge, hyperrealistic graphics. But after the technical problems with Scarlet and Violet and the less-than-ideal visuals in Legends: Arceus, players are really hoping for a more refined and polished game. Game Freak needs to show they can create a stable and visually consistent experience, even on the Switch’s hardware.

The new trailer for Monster Hunter Stories 3 shows just how good a game can look on the Nintendo Switch, and it’s now putting more pressure on the developers of the next Pokémon games. If Pokémon Wind and Pokémon Wave can deliver solid graphics with smooth performance, attractive characters, and lively worlds, it will reassure fans that Game Freak can create visually appealing games. If the graphics aren’t up to par, players will inevitably compare them to the impressive visuals of Monster Hunter Stories 3.

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2026-02-10 06:06