Video suggests Pokemon Sword and Shield devs are reusing Nintendo 3DS animations

Ahead of the Pokemon Sword and Shield release, Game Freak have had a lot of criticism thrown their way and now a video has emerged which suggests they have been recycling animations from previous Pokemon games.

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The build up the latest Pokemon game has been marred with negativity, mainly due to the removal of the National Pokedex. However, this isn’t the only reason a lot of fans have become disenfranchised.

It has been suggested that Game Freak are also recycling textures from past games. Now, with the below video surfacing, which looks fairly conclusive, it appears animations are also being used again.

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Specifically the video shows Wingull posturing in the same way as it does in Pokemon Sun and Moon. The video then goes onto the animations when a Pokemon receives damage – comparisons are made Bunnelby, Machoke, Pikachu and then Wingull again.

It’s pretty hard to deny the video barring a huge coincidence in how they programme the supposedly new animations. Regardless, it isn’t a good look for Game Freak who had previously used this reason for the aforementioned National Pokedex removal.

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Animation excuse is not very effective

This video has disappointed some Pokemon fans even further as in an interview with USGamer, the producer of Pokemon Sword and Shield, Junichi Masuda, had previously said: “Now [Pokemon games are] on the Nintendo Switch, we’re creating it with much higher fidelity with higher quality animations.”

• Read More: This is what Pokemon Sword and Shield SHOULD look like

In light of this video Masuda’s statement has come under additional scrutiny. It had been speculated that Game Freak were struggling with the late 2019 release schedule of Pokemon Sword and Shield – speculation that increasingly looks like it might have had some truth to it.

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Dynamax Pokemon as well?

Elsewhere, some Pokemon trainers point to the Dynamax Pokemon saying they do have unique animations. However, another video (from u/YukiiShiyoji) had been shared indicating that they are also indeed the same animations but just slowed down.

Pokemon Sword and Shield releases on November 15, 2019 and it will be intriguing to see how the fallout develops over the coming months.