A viral side-by-side comparison between two very different games has sparked another round of JRPG debate. The post, which contrasts Clair Obscur: Expedition 33‘s price point with Pokémon Legends: Z-A, quickly gained traction across the internet. However, the discussion quickly jumped beyond the usual US and English-speaking circles. It spilled into the Japanese internet communities as well.
The original X post from @kabrutusdeid pulled in significant attention. “Nintendo deserves every single bash for pokemon,” the caption wrote alongside a picture comparing the two games. It contrasts between a higher-fidelity, multiplatform JRPG priced at $50 and a Pokémon title selling for $70 despite criticism over visuals and limited exploration. As of writing, the post has racked up 1.9 million views and 7,800 likes.
In the replies, several English-speaking users agreed the comparison was hard to ignore. “The worst part is I can’t even argue with this one,” @mercenaryx21 admitted. “I love Pokemon […], but the proof is there.” @TriggeredB00mer added, “If it still sold as well as every other Pokemon then I really can’t blame Nintendo/Game Freak.”
Over on Japanese message boards like 5chan, the reaction was more negative. Most anonymous users brushed it off entirely, pointing out that Pokémon continues to dominate sales everywhere. One comment read, “But Pokémon still sells better, right?” Another added, “So, which one sold more in the end?“
Sales-wise, Pokémon Legends: Z-A moved 5.8 million copies in its first week across Switch and Switch 2. Because of that, sales estimates put the game at around 8.5 million units in its first month. Expedition 33, meanwhile, sold 3.3 million copies within its first 33 days — and 5 million in 5 months.
Other Japanese users questioned whether Expedition 33 was even the right comparison for the monster-catching game. “That 33 uses AI, so its real rival is Palworld.“ Another argued, “Pokémon prioritizes handheld visibility, so it probably isn’t aiming for extreme detail.”
“I always wonder why the comparison is with hyper-realistic Western games like this. Wouldn’t it be easier to criticize by comparing it to games like Genshin Impact or Xenoblade instead?” said another.
That comment overlapped with X users who defend Nintendo’s role in the franchise. Several pointed out that Pokémon is not developed by Nintendo directly, but by GameFreak, with the brand managed by The Pokémon Company consortium. One of them, @GrantTheNa1, highlighted the difference by referencing Xenoblade 3, which offered a huge open-world with outstanding anime-style visuals. “$60usd, developed by Monolith Soft, who is 100% owned by Nintendo,” their post read.
Some 5chan users also believe that GameFreak is simply limited by the Switch’s hardware. The studio’s upcoming non-Pokémon, multiplatform game, Beast of Reincarnation, seems to deliver much more ambitious visuals and gameplay.
However, other users went further, framing the discussion as a wider industry issue. “Nintendo is dragging down the overall level of Japanese games,” an anonymous user insisted. “Overseas gamers who grow up playing ‘real’ games like Expedition 33 naturally will develop higher standards, and as a result, the quality of Western games rises as well.”
As with past Pokémon debates, this argument is unlikely to be settled anytime soon. While Expedition 33 continues to be praised as a standout JRPG, Pokémon Z-A’s ability to sell millions regardless of criticism remains its strongest defense.
