May 11 2009
Is Pokemon Really the Most Popular RPG?
Well, according to a friend armed with sales quotes, the Pokemon franchise has blasted every other RPG franchise out of the water. He says that the franchise has sold over 186 million video games, while Final Fantasy has only sold 89 million. I’ll admit that the numbers are pretty convincing, but I’m still skeptical. I’ll admit it’s because I don’t want to believe that a game as annoying, boring, and repetitive as Pokemon could be the most popular role-playing video game.
My first question is the number of games released for Pokemon versus any other franchise. If memory serves me correctly, I believe that many Pokemon games have been re-released on additional consoles. I also remember at one time two to four Pokemon games were released at the same time, each entailing the same damn game but each having different sets of Pokemon to collect. I would think that many fans would buy each copy just to try to collect the various types of Pokemon.
One could argue that they release this many Pokemon games because of the popularity, but I wonder if it’s really because of the popularity or because they know that fans will buy each and every game.
My next question is the cult following, and I’m going to admit first-hand that I have limited knowledge and experience with this. I have attended several gaming, comic, and anime conventions over the years, and I have seen maybe one or two Pokemon cosplayers. Don’t try to tell me that the costumes for the Pokemon themselves are difficult, because I’ve seen some damn intricate costumes. One group at an anime convention dressed up as the various demons from Spirited Away. No more complicated than a handful of Pokemon.
Also, when I talk to other gamers about RPGs, Pokemon NEVER comes up. The talk usually centers around Final Fantasy games and their complex storylines and then goes to Fable, Mass Effect, a Tales game, and then random games without a running franchise. Maybe none of these gamers want to admit that they play Pokemon?
Or maybe more than half of the Pokemon demographic are children, and as every generation of children passes, a new generation comes in and sweeps up the Pokemon mania. If the cult following is really primarily with children, then I’m going to say that Pokemon is not the most popular RPG overall. It’s the most popular children’s game, period.
If anyone offers anything else to argue for the other side, PLEASE DO! I’m just trying to understand why and how Pokemon could really be the most popular RPG franchise. And if it really is, then I’ll need to write about how it’s the most overrated. Hee hee hee.
The pokemon players that I know arent into pokemon for an enthralling story. They’re into pokemon for the multiplayer. I can see what you mean about people buying several copies of the same game, because before pokemon went online with Diamond/Pearl, I definitely picked up different versions of the same game.
Honestly, its a cult game with a large fanbase. I wouldn’t say its the most amazing RPG experience I’ve ever had, because for sure I’ve had plenty that were MUCH better, but its a very marketable game. It sells very well. But sales don’t always equal popularity. I can tell you now for sure you are going to see people cosplaying Square chars like Yuna and Roxas before you ever see Ash, or Gary.
Thank you so much for your insight and additional confirmation for one of my theories. I think I’m going to have to delve into this interesting phenomenon some more.
If only I was still in grad school for psychology. This would have made a fabulous dissertation.