Pokémon How do you decide which game version to buy?

[BakaRina]

I buy both just because. I have the money to buy it, so I'd like to experience both games when I could and not watch someone else play the game to see what I don't experience.

 

[saevar]

I usually buy both. When I do pick just one, I usually pick the most blue color. For example, Sapphire instead of Ruby, Diamond instead of Pearl, and so on. I did do Scarlet before Violet though, since I much preferred the past forms compared to the future forms.

 

[JulianSG16]

I would usually just grab one based on the boxart. I think for X/Y I grabbed both and played them simultaneously. It was entirely too exhausting, though it did end up being one of my favorite regions.

 

[Rykertimee]

I just grab the one that's more popular/loved. If I had to choose between both of the Lets Go games, I would go Pikachu, because lets be honest electric starters are a lot better than normal type starters. And if I recall correctly I don't think you can eeveelution your starter Eevee anyway.

 

[Bloxed]

I've not bought any Pokemon games but I am considering getting into them. I think so far I'd just pick what I prefer. I like Red more than Blue but yellow more than both, Gold is better imo than Silver, Ruby better than Sapphire, Black better than White, X better than Y, prefer the Moon to the Sun, Shield better than Sword, Violet better than Scarlet. Just from the top of my head. I'm sure if I get into the games my thought process will become more sophisticated.

 

[Geoni]

As a kid it's whatever version my brother didn't want after learning we both had to trade with friends who had Blue. Before gen 8 I would look at which exclusive pokemon the games had before making the purchase. Gens 8 and 9 I just went with my gut because I liked avoiding spoilers and buying pokemon day 1 so I could experience the games completely blind. For Sword I just went box art and with gen 9 I searched myself a quick spoiler free review of version differences to know I prefer ancient aesthetics over futuristic aesthetics.

I will not be buying a Switch 2 or the next pokemon game because I can't support not only that they're charging $90 (+10) for physical game copies but they are also moving towards the digital keycards so people can't buy used games. In protest of Nintendo I've vowed to only purchase things secondhand from them but they're trying to prevent people from playing their games that way so idk if I'm going to even be able to enjoy a gen 10 blind playthrough as it stands or even the next Animal Crossing or Zelda title. Nintendo was already very hostile towards their consumers and it's really sad to see how much lower they are going with the Switch 2 era, especially in this economy.