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

Monster Hunter Stories 3s latest trailer has sparked considerable discussion in gaming communities, particularly in relation to Pokémon. The new trailer for Monster Hunter Stories 3 showcases vibrant, charming visuals that, while not top-notch, have reminded fans of the potential for colorful, well-executed graphics on the Switch. This has led to comparisons with the troubled graphics of Pokemon Scarlet and Violetwhich suffered from performance issues, as well Pokemon Legends: Arceuswhich, while ambitious, fell short in the visual department.

With Pokemon Gen 10with the title Pokemon Wind and Wave based on leaks, on the horizon is the pressure on Game Freak to deliver a more polished visual experience. If Gen 10s graphics are underwhelming, it will inevitably draw direct comparisons to games like Monster Hunter Stories 3which has set a relatively modest but effective standard for what a Switch game can look like. The question on many fans' minds is whether Game Freak can step up its game or if it will continue to fall short in this department.

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Why Monster Hunter Stories 3 creates problematic comparisons to Pokemon

Monster Hunter Stories 3 doesn't push the boundaries of graphical fidelity, but it gets the job done with a solid, stylized aesthetic. The environments are detailed and colorful, the characters are expressive and the world feels alive without overloading the hardware. There's a distinct sense of polish, even if the game isn't visually groundbreaking.

In sharp contrast, Pokemon Scarlet and Violetthe launch was marred by numerous performance issues that led to fan frustration. Texture pop-in, low frame rates and general visual instability marred what was otherwise an exciting step forward in Pokémon series. The underwhelming graphics, combined with the technical flaws, led to widespread disappointment among fans, many of whom expected a more polished experience.

Then there is Pokemon Legends: Arceuswhich presented an open world approach that had its merits but still fell short in the graphics department. The game's environments felt sparse, and its graphics often looked dated compared to other open-world titles on the Switch. While Legends: Arceus was a bold experiment, it did not satisfy gamers hoping for a visually arresting experience.

Pokemon Gen 10 must break a long-standing pattern

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With Pokemon Gen 10it is rumored Pokemon Wind and Wavethat will be released in the near future, Game Freak is facing significant pressure to deliver on the visual front. Monster Hunter Stories 3 has set a standard for how a well-executed visual style can elevate the player experience, even if it's not the most technically advanced game. The Switch is a less powerful console than its contemporaries, but that doesn't mean developers can't create something beautiful within its confines.

If Gen 10s graphics are once again underwhelming, it will be hard to ignore the comparisons with Monster Hunter Stories 3. After all, Capcom's title has proven that visually appealing games can exist on the Switch, even if they aren't graphically intensive. Some fans might argue that, about March 2026 Monster Hunter Stories 3 can look like this, Pokemon wind and Pokemon Wave should too.

But if Pokemon Gen 10s new environments and mechanics provide a polished visual experience, some might argue that Game Freak was capable of this all along but held back. This can give rise to frustration at the perceived lack of effort in previous contributions, especially given Pokémons massive sales and the resources at Game Freak's disposal.

Pokemon graphics issues in recent years explained

The Pokémon series has had its fair share of graphical issues, particularly with Gen 9 and Legends: Arceus. Here's a rundown of some of the most commonly reported issues that have plagued the series in recent years:

The frame rate drops: Both Pokemon Scarlet and Violet and Pokemon Legends: Arceus was criticized for inconsistent frame rates, especially in open-world areas. Players often reported stuttering during exploration and combat.
Texture pop-ins: A common problem in Scarlet and Violet were the visible texture pop-ins, where assets would load 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 have a lower resolution than players expected, especially compared to other games on the Switch.
Sparse environments: Legends: Arceuss 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. The water texture in particular was criticized.
Limited animation: Some Pokemon animations, especially in battles, felt stiff and repetitive. Compared to other turn-based RPGs, Pokémons animations seemed dated and lacked the fluidity many fans desired.

The reality is, Pokémon fans don't expect Gen 10 to have hyper-realistic graphics or to push the limits of console hardware. But after performance issues of Scarlet and Violet and the visual deficiencies of Legends: Arceusthere is a growing expectation for something more polished. Game Freak needs to prove it can deliver a solid, consistent visual experience, even on the Switch's limited hardware.

The Monster Hunter Stories 3 trailer has raised the bar for what a colorful, engaging game can look like on Nintendo Switch, putting extra pressure on Pokemon Gen 10 to meet these expectations. If Pokemon wind and Pokemon Wave can reach a stable visual baseline with a stable frame rate, appealing character models, and vibrant environments, they will help restore player confidence in Game Freak's ability to produce visually satisfying games. If the graphics fall short again, comparisons to Monster Hunter Stories 3 becomes difficult to avoid.