Which do you prefer in Pokémon games: 2D Sprites or 3D Models?

Generation VI brought something to the main Pokémon series that fans had never had before: fully 3D graphics. Pokémon battles were suddenly much more detailed than in previous games and the monsters looked more alive than ever with stunning cel-shaded models.

That being said however, 2D sprites have been a staple of the series and some may prefer the older style to today’s new look on the Nintendo 3DS. So now it’s time to share: do you think the 3D models are superior to the previous 2D art, or do you hope that the series might one day return to its roots?!

<3 PJ

ps- I love the 3D models!

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56 thoughts on “Which do you prefer in Pokémon games: 2D Sprites or 3D Models?”

  1. I love the 3D models because now it actually looks like they’re attacking. I don’t miss flamethrower coming out of Charizard’s neck.

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  2. Oh most definitely the 3D models r the best. 2D sprites can b good, but GF never really did them very well to begin with. The models r a much welcomed step forward lol

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  3. Very hard to decide
    2D pre-gen 5 where static and only had a entry animation and staring at a motionless image with no changes until evolution and then you’ll get tired of staring at that
    But then it made it a hella lot better with animated sprites which kept the viewers attention
    but then finally with the 3D models it was a great step up from the pixel age
    I saw keep the 2D with the old and the 3D with the new

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  4. I like the 3d models but certain pokemon don’t look right in them…. i think a lot of the colours are lighter (charmander being the one that pops to mind). I liked 2d models up to gen 4 which i thought had very nice sprite designs however gen 5 tried to do something but i hate looking at the edgy pixels that move.

    So i am for 3D models but would like the colours used to be more crisp and detailed in the next generation.

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    • then in about 10 years, Humans will have abused Pokemon to the point of no return
      and i mean abuse them in every way conceivable, soldiers, slavery gambling, hell i bet even prostitution (you know it’ll happen)

      but that still doesn’t mean that the majority won’t treat them like family

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    • Ever since I was 8, I’ve been thinking of how cool and helpful it would be to have Pokémon in real life, but after 5 years of thinking, I’m starting to think it wouldn’t be so cool. There are more than 4 Pokémon that steal your soul, there are at least 2 Pokémon that eat your dreams, there are at least 3 Pokémon that kidnap children and some Pokémon are just downright CREEPY. I would like Pokémon in real life, but it would still be kinda….. Idk… If Pokemon was real.

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  5. I love the models, but something about the coloring makes me prefer the sprites better. It’s like they’re too bright or something. They’re also what I grew up with so I’m kinda attached to them…

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  6. 3D models, especially when it comes to movement.

    I’m not sure what it was but when Black and White first came out I really didn’t like the pixelated movements of the Pokemon. I preferred the cleaner looking non moving (apart from the beginning) sprites from Platinum. That being said though, I really liked how the whole back of the Pokemon was visible as opposed to the “standing on its back” view. I don’t really hate dislike it nearly as much as I did back then however. But when it comes to 2D sprites I’d prefer non moving with the entire back of the Pokemon visible probably.

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  7. I prefer the 3D, cause they are more realistic and accurate, but there is something weird regarding some Pokemon like Mega Heracross and Scizor … they seem to be made of plastic. I hope that they will be improved in next games.

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      • It might be because they’re trying to make HD models for a sub HD device. If the 3DS had a higher resolution screen (mainly the New 3DS because of the processor that could help), they would have room for more details. But until then, balloon mon is what we’ll get.

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  8. Sometimes I like the sprites better because some 3D models SUCK . I made an article on Mount Moon about some of these 3D models (like torkal and charizard X) because the smoke/fire or whatever looked like it had an outline.

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  9. The Newtype magazine has revealed another new episode title for the second episode of Pokémon XY & Z. In this episode, Ash & Co. continue to travel to Snowbelle City, with their new friend Squishy (Zygarde Core), when a wild Quilladin appears. It is due to air on November 5th 2015
    Episode 898: Hot-blooded Quilladin! Squishy is Being Targeted!!

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  10. I like the 3D more, it makes the pokemon look much more realistic
    But some pokemon kinda look weird in 3D, but that’s fine

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  11. 5 days til my birthday
    will corocoro leak within that time frame?
    i wish this weekend was Fallout 4 or Super Mystery Dungeon….

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  12. 3D models, definitely. There’s only so much you can do with 2D sprites, not only did the 3D models give a better representation of what the Pokemons look like, it also gave them life and personalities (Sableye and Porygon-Z are great examples) but I do see them leaning towards a flatter, cell-shaded art style ala Wind Waker.

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  13. I thought this was funny. The title of the second episode of XY&Z is “Hot-blooded Quilladin! Squishy is being targeted!” First it’s Larry, then Zygarde Core, and now Squishy.

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