New information surfaced via the recent Teraleak suggests that The Pokemon Company has been evaluating a potential price increase for its mainline titles for several years. Documentation discovered within the leak indicates that internal discussions regarding higher price points for the series began as far back as Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield.
Quick Facts
- The Pokemon Company has considered raising the price of mainline games since the Sword and Shield era.
- Previous attempts to increase pricing were reportedly hindered because higher price points had not yet become standard in North America.
- Data shows a significant portion of the player base purchases both versions of new games, with 50% of players buying both Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.
- The company has explicitly stated an interest in encouraging players to purchase both versions of its titles.
The Push for Dual-Version Sales
Internal files highlight that the company has actively sought to encourage fans to purchase both versions of its dual-release titles. The data highlights varying levels of consumer engagement with this strategy across previous generations:
- Pokemon Sun and Moon: 41% of players purchased both versions within the first 15 weeks.
- Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon: 50% of players purchased both versions.
- Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! (LGPE): 23% of players purchased both versions.
While the leak confirms that the company viewed a higher price point as a path to ensuring greater profit, it remains unclear if this shift will manifest in the upcoming Pokemon Winds and Pokemon Waves, which are slated for release on the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2027. Fans continue to debate the value of the series, with some recent community feedback calling for improvements to development and graphical quality before any potential cost adjustments.