It’s about to become more expensive to watch classic Pokemon episodes
Fans are furious as The Pokemon Company announces the shock closure of its Pokemon TV site and app that has allowed them to watch the franchise's series and movies since 2010.
09th Jan 2024 15:55
Images via The Pokemon Company
It’s about to become more expensive to watch classic Pokemon episodes
Fans are furious as The Pokemon Company announces the shock closure of its Pokemon TV site and app that has allowed them to watch the franchise's series and movies since 2010.
09th Jan 2024 15:55
Images via The Pokemon Company
Not that we need to remind you, but Nintendo has never been very good at looking after its old material. Whether it be a lack of older games appearing in the Switch Online catalogue, or the shuttering of old apps and services, retro Nintendo fans are out of luck.
Gamers have complained for years that support of its classic games has never been up to par, and as Nintendo notoriously refuses to allow any of its original soundtracks to grace YouTube or streaming services, fans have to resort to bootlegs if they want to enjoy their works.
The same goes for a lot of Nintendo's television counterparts, like the seemingly endless and exceedingly brilliant Pokemon anime series and movies. But now, it seems that things are about to get a lot tougher for fans.
Pokemon TV is shutting down
It seems that there could be a new roadblock in the way of watching the Pokemon anime, as one of the key players in its distribution is shutting down. The Pokemon TV website and app are no more, and as they prepare to wind down, it looks like we're going to have to pay to watch those golden oldies.
The site and app first appeared in 2010 and served as a platform exclusively designed for the Pokemon anime in all of its forms. This included its specials and movies, across Android, iPhone, and on an app on the Nintendo Switch. But, in a shock turn, it'll be gone in mere months.
Frustratingly, the Pokemon TV app and website have already been unlisted from the internet ahead of their full shutdown that's scheduled to occur on March 28. It's a confusing and frustrating move, and even though the Pokemon site has compiled a list of places to watch other Pokemon content, it certainly isn't the same.
The list of places to watch the Pokemon anime is extensive, but as various series are split over multiple streaming services, you'll have to pay a pretty penny to catch 'em all. Worse than this, Pokefans think this is part of a wider plan.
Fans think a new Nintendo streaming service is coming
Pokemon TV now joins Pokemon Bank in that great gaming graveyard...and we aren't happy. A hopeful few have taken this shock closure as some kind of indication that a new streaming service from Nintendo could be on the way, perhaps to coincide with the launch of its expected new Switch console in 2024.
Whether it be exclusive to Pokemon content or not is still up for debate, but the theory is that something bigger and better is set to fill the hole that Pokemon TV is going to leave.
Sadly, the more likely reason for the closure of the app is that The Pokemon Company realised it can make more money selling its series and movies to third parties. We'll hold out hope for now, but in the meantime, pour one out for Pokemon TV.
About The Author
Joseph Kime
Joseph Kime is the Senior Trending News Journalist for GGRecon from Devon, UK. Before graduating from MarJon University with a degree in Journalism, he started writing music reviews for his own website before writing for the likes of FANDOM, Zavvi and The Digital Fix. He is host of the Big Screen Book Club podcast, and author of Building A Universe, a book that chronicles the history of superhero movies. His favourite games include DOOM (2016), Celeste and Pokemon Emerald.
