As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of Pokémon adventures under my belt, I must admit, the latest Nintendo Switch Online update has left me a bit puzzled. Don’t get me wrong; I’ve got a soft spot for the Mystery Dungeon series, but it’s hard not to feel a tad underwhelmed when we were hoping for the classic Pokémon Red and Blue, not another iteration of Red Rescue Team.
Over the last 28 years, we can’t keep track of the number of Pokemon games that have been released, as the franchise has expanded from the core series into a wide variety of genres, including Snap, Stadium, Ranger, and Rumble. Among these spin-offs, one of the most popular has been the Mystery Dungeon series.
As a gamer, I find myself drawn to the captivating world of the Mystery Dungeon games, which have paved the way for the beloved roguelike genre, notably Hades. In these exciting adventures, I transform from a human into an endearing Pokémon creature, embarking on a journey through a sequence of unpredictable, randomly generated dungeons. Alongside my trusted partner Pokémon, we aim to grow our team and conquer the challenges that lie ahead.
Nintendo adds the ‘wrong’ Pokemon Red to the Switch Online catalogue
Announcing the latest addition to the Pokémon family – you! The classic Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team, originally for Game Boy Advance, is now available on Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack starting from August 9th.
— Nintendo UK (@NintendoUK) August 2, 2024
Although many fans adore the Mystery Dungeon series, it doesn’t quite reach the level of popularity as the mainline Pokémon games. This trend has been evident, as shown by the recent Nintendo Switch Online update announcing that Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team will be available on NSO starting August 9.
The Red Rescue Squad makes an appearance, contributing to the ongoing mission of incorporating classic games onto the platform, now including the enlarging library of Game Boy Advance titles. Regrettably, the Blue Rescue Team doesn’t seem to be part of the celebration, as both versions of the initial Mystery Dungeon had exclusive Pokemon for each version.
In addition, the unveiling has sparked a significant outcry because the original Pokemon Red and Blue (Green if you’re in Japan) are yet to appear on NSO. It’s accurate to say that emulators have made it simpler than ever to enjoy classic games in 2024, but with the closure of the 3DS and Wii U stores, the lack of accessibility to vintage Pokemon titles is surprising.
In the comments section, several individuals expressed their dismay that it wasn’t the Pokemon Red game they had anticipated, with one dissatisfied player suggesting, “Why not focus on the main series games instead?” Another commenter stated, “It’s not FireRed or LeafGreen, but it’s a step in the right direction,” and a third user concluded, “Great! Now let’s introduce generations 1, 2, and 3 as well.”
Previously, we’ve voiced worries about Nintendo’s approach to releasing main Pokemon games, given the apparent void in their NSO library suggesting larger strategies at play. It seems plausible that if they were planning to launch them, it could be through a new tier of the service similar to the release of N64 games.
As someone who grew up playing Pokémon games and fondly remembers collecting every single one as they were released, I can’t help but feel a twinge of excitement at the thought of Nintendo bringing back some classic versions in physical form. The nostalgia is strong with this one!
Since Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX was remastered in 2020, we’re unsure who this updated version is targeted towards. However, if you’ve already purchased the GBA expansion and haven’t played this game yet, why not give it a try? But remember, it won’t resemble the classic greatness of Pokemon Red in any way.
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2024-08-02 15:44