5 most unpopular Pokemon GO decisions Niantic implemented over the years

Since its launch in 2016, Pokemon GO has been a worldwide sensation, captivating millions of players with its innovative use of augmented reality and location-based gaming. However, not all decisions made by Niantic, the game's developer, have been met with universal applause. Some updates and changes have sparked a considerable backlash from the community.

To that end, here are five of the most unpopular decisions that Niantic implemented over the years.

Note: This article is subjective and solely reflects the writer's opinions.

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5 decisions by Pokemon GO that the community disliked since its release

1) Candy XL requirement

Candy XL makes maxing out a Pokemon a more tedious process (Image via The Pokemon Company)

One of the more contentious updates was the introduction of Candy XL. This new form of currency is necessary to max out certain Pokemon to their highest forms and levels. Many players found Candy XL overly difficult to acquire, feeling it unfairly gated their progress and limited their ability to enhance their Pokemon's abilities.

This requirement has been particularly frustrating for casual players who find the grind for Candy XL tedious and demotivating.

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2) Introduction and removal of Remote Raid Passes in free boxes

The easy and cost-free availability of Remote Raid Passes immersed many players in Pokemon GO (Image via The Pokemon Company)

During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Niantic introduced Remote Raid Passes, allowing players to participate in raids from the comfort of their homes. Initially, these passes were included in free weekly boxes, a move praised for its inclusivity and consideration of global health guidelines.

However, the subsequent removal of Remote Raid Passes from Pokemon GO free boxes drew significant criticism, with players accusing the game of veering towards a "pay-to-win" model, alienating those unable or unwilling to spend real money on the game.

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3) Changes to Incense effectiveness

The player base has been upset about nerfs on Incenses in Pokemon GO (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Incense, an item that attracts Pokemon to the player’s location, was more effective during the pandemic, spawning a Pokemon every minute even while the player was stationary. Post-pandemic adjustments for Incenses reduced the number of spawns when stationary, a change that upset many players.

This decision was seen as a step back for those who preferred, or needed, to play from a fixed location, whether due to disabilities, restrictions, or personal preference, reducing accessibility.

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4) Mega Evolution cost

Mega Venusaur in the game (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Mega Evolution in Pokemon GO, a feature that temporarily boosts a Pokemon’s power, comes with a high cost, limiting how often players can utilize this feature. The community felt that the high cost inhibited their ability to experiment with different Mega Evolutions and strategically use this game mechanic in various aspects of gameplay, such as raids and battles.

This was seen as a missed opportunity to fully explore an exciting feature.

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5) Disappointing Avatars

A side-by-side comparison of the Avatar changes (Image via The Pokemon Company)

A more recent controversy involves changes to Pokemon GO's player avatars. After an update targeting avatar customization, players were disappointed with what they saw as a downgrade in visual quality. This dissatisfaction highlighted how deeply players care about their in-game representations.

Complaints about "awkward, bulky proportions" and a lack of diverse facial shape options flooded social media, with some players and influencers, such as Asmongold, harshly criticizing the new designs as "scuffed."

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While Pokemon GO remains a beloved and highly active game, these decisions by Niantic have stirred considerable debate within its community. Each of these changes reflects broader challenges in game development, such as balancing monetization with player satisfaction and maintaining engagement while ensuring accessibility.

Moving forward, Niantic's responsiveness to player feedback will be crucial in sustaining Pokemon GO's popularity and community support.