Spoilers Third Versions vs. DLC Expansions

I actually dislike both. Granted DLC is the 'lesser of two demons', but my take is this: if you have an idea, then do everything you have to in order to get it in the original game, or else make the DLC free. I don't want to have to pay extra just for content you "ran out of time" getting out; take your time, get the bugs out, and then release the COMPLETE game.

Third versions are basically pre-DLC variations that are being sold at full-price, which is worse than even DLC. Yes, they often contain the best content (let's face it, Yellow/Crystal/Emerald/Platinum were the best versions of their respective generations), but the content is basically just minor updates (with Emerald being the most heavily-modified of the four).

 

I'm not going to lie, I would probably be more likely to buy a third version of the game, than DLC content. So if the stuff were free then yes. Otherwise I'd rather have an extra "save file" which is another problem people have, but it's never bothered me that much. I feel though that the DLC route wouldn't be as interesting as the third version. The minor changes they make to story line are what make them better. If Platinum was the only version that was available, it wouldn't stand out in fourth gen. I feel that its climax as compared to D&P is what makes it actually considered better.

 

I miss the third versions. Maybe we could possibly see a third version for the upcoming switch games? If so I hope it's like Platinum. Fixed so many things that were wrong in Diamond and Pearl and added new features and even showed off what the DS could handle with the Distortion World.

 

I'd prefer it if they did away with both and made complete, fleshed-out experiences the first go around, instead of cutting content for the sake of sales.

Neither option is particularly great. DLC is very rarely done right, and it could range from "just cosmetic" costumes to additional Pokémon to full story expansions...or, more likely, a mixture of both. With the disgustingly exploitative paywall for Mew in Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee, I don't want DLC anywhere NEAR Pokémon, because it will be just as bad, if not worse, than that. The "vote with your wallet" option is pretty much null and void in a series that generates sales numbers like this. Then there is the possibility that DLC could come in the form of Amiibo, which invites stock shortages and price hikes, a new kind of exclusivity that cuts the game up even further.

As for third versions...whilst they generally DO improve upon the originals - Emerald made Gen 3 enjoyable, and in my opinion is better than the 3DS remakes - they're still selling the game to you a second time with minor changes that barely affect the experience for the most part, plus some postgame content they could have easily added the first time around. With the cost of Switch titles being what it is, it isn't exactly consumer-friendly, if ever it was.

It'd be wonderful if Game Freak could do with Pokémon what was done with Hyrule Warriors - and yes, I know that game was released three times across multiple platforms, but the DLC for that game on the Wii U and 3DS is the best I have ever seen. Free content updates alongside meaningful and lengthy expansions that added dozens of hours to the gameplay. Why not give us an AFFORDABLE story-based postgame season pass of 3 or 4 instalments and continue with the distribution of event Pokémon - on a rotating schedule, so that it's not "miss it and tough shit" - like they did before they decided to distribute through stores for some stupid reason. Most importantly, do NOT gate anything off behind Amiibo, separate physical items that either cost a fortune or are in limited stock, and do not make any content essential for the full experience.

It'll never happen, because Nintendo are greedy and exploitative, which is why I don't want Pokémon to ever enter DLC territory, but if it HAD to, that'd be what I want to see. A model that respects the consumer and offers value.

 

They even did it for Mystery Dungeon! If Nintendo would add as much content to the main games as they did to Sky, I'd be a happy camper.

I did enjoy Emerald and Platinum a lot though, Black/White 2 a bit less, and was actually pretty happy when they didn't release a sequel to X/Y, ORAS, or Let's Go. In my book, Nintendo hasn't yet released a third game that is a complete waste of time.

Generally, I will always lean towards the physical copy rather than DLC or the digital downloads