Pokemon Sword & Shield: Series Producer Says Not Including National Pokedex Was a Difficult Decision

Pokemon Sword & Shield went from being highly-anticipated to extremely polarizing in one Nintendo Direct-like snap (or Thanos snap for you Endgame fans). The moment trailer 2 was released, fans were ecstatic over how big the wild areas would be and how random Pokemon would be a thing of the past. Now, thanks to the National Pokedex not being in the game, there are fans who are calling it an ugly and lazy game that no one should bother with.

Since most, if not all of the controversy came from removing the National Pokedex, series producer Junichi Masuda released an official statement in the Pokemon website:

Thank you to all of our fans for caring so deeply about Pokémon. Recently, I shared the news that some Pokémon cannot be transferred to Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield. I've read all your comments and appreciate your love and passion for Pokémon.

Just like all of you, we are passionate about Pokémon and each and every one of them is very important to us. After so many years of developing the Pokémon video games, this was a very difficult decision for me. I'd like to make one thing clear: even if a specific Pokémon is not available in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, that does not mean it will not appear in future games.

The world of Pokémon continues to evolve. The Galar region offers new Pokémon to encounter, Trainers to battle, and adventures to embark on. We are pouring our hearts into these games, and we hope you will look forward to joining us on this new journey.

Obviously, the decision wasn't an easy one, but when you're making new games for a series that has lasted more than a decade, changes have to be made. Masuda even said that some Pokemon that won't be in Galar could end up in a future game. Fact of the matter is, every game has to do something new with Pokemon, adding new moves, evolutions, natural abilities, the works. They won't always be popular but it's the way of life.

Pokemon Sword & Shield will be coming to Nintendo Switch on November 15. People who say they aren't buying it have probably pre-ordered it already.

Read:Pokemon Sword & Shield: Why Some Pokemon Can't be Transferred to the New Games