Some common complaints I seem to be seeing about Gen VI include it being on the 3DS, which I guess no one in the world but me already has/had, the Gen VI games being made instead of R/S remakes, and of course, the usual groundless “these Pokemon look stupid” complaints. I can kind of understand most of that, but here's another one that really bugs me.
One of the main complaints I seem to be seeing about Gen VI is that it's being released too early, and that there should have been more time in between it and Gen V.
Um... really??? It will have been about 3 years between the release of B/W and X/Y. Does it REALLY take anyone 3 years to beat a Pokemon game, or even 2 Pokemon games??? That's even more than the time between releases of some other generations!
I'll prove it. Here are all the original Japanese release dates for each main series set of Pokemon games.
Red and Green: February 27, 1996
Gold and Silver: November 21, 1999
Ruby and Sapphire: November 21, 2002
Diamond and Pearl: September 28, 2006
Black and White: September 18, 2010
X and Y: October 2013
That's roughly 3.5 years between gens I and II, 3 between II and III, 3.8 between III and IV, 4 between IV and V, and finally, about 3 between V and VI. Not a significant difference.
We North American fans have even less of a reason to complain. Look at OUR release dates.
Red and Blue: September 30, 1998
Gold and Silver: October 15, 2000
Ruby and Sapphire: March 19, 2003
Diamond and Pearl: April 22, 2007
Black and White: March 6, 2011
X and Y: October 2013
That's basically 2 years between I and II, 2.5 between II and III, 4 between III and IV, another 4 between IV and V, and about 2.7 between V and VI.
Now, when they released gens II and III so close to their respective previous gens, how many of you complained that they were going too fast? Probably not that many, because at that time you were most likely more in touch with the series than you are now that you're older and making less of an effort to keep up. In gaming, a difference of about 2-4 years between sequels is standard, looking at many series. If that's too fast for you, then it's not Nintendo's fault, it's yours. It does NOT take 3 years to beat a Pokemon game unless it's somehow way too difficult for you, something forces you to go on a long hiatus of playing (a broken DS, for example), or you're just not trying. Sorry.
As for the complaints about the system choice... how does this surprise anyone? The 3DS wasn't selling and Nintendo had to fix it somehow. Besides, a lifespan of 5 or so years of Pokemon games is pretty standard for any handheld system. Just look back at the release dates again. About 5 years of GBC, 3-4 of GBA, then about another 5 for the DS. It was, by all means, time they moved on to the next handheld system.
For those of you complaining that they should have made R/S remakes first instead... Let me tell you why you should be happy they didn't.
1. Every even-numbered generation so far are the ones that include new evo/prevos of Pokemon from past generations. Wouldn't you like to be able to evolve your Sableye (I know you all use them, don't lie) in an R/S remake? I would.
2. If they made a R/S remakes right before Gen VI games, then the remakes would be outdated really quickly, not unlike HG/SS were when B/W came out a mere year later.
3. Which version of the Hoenn region would you rather see: sprites, or 3D models with Stadium style battles?
And finally, for those of you complaining about the new Pokemon designs... You people are just fickle and impossible to please. When they change the style, you say the Pokemon don't look like Pokemon anymore. When they stick with the style, you say nothing's changed and that the Pokemon designs are unoriginal. Well, if you don't like any of the new Pokemon, no one can force you. You can happily LEAVE the Pokemon fandom and the rest of us will enjoy these awesome games. Don't worry, we won't miss you or anything, just go. Don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.
