Sprites Or Models?

[8BitPoipole]

I've been thinking about this for a while, and while models are technically better, I prefer sprites.
Not for nostalgia, but because in Gen 2 and 3 the Pokémon had more "identity", and the rare Pokémon actually looked rare (especially in Gen 1).
For instance, Sneasel. Sneasel in Gen 2 looked like the mysterious and slightly rare Dark type it was, but in Gen 6 it's just sort of... There

(Folding your arms does not make you look mysterious)

Articuno in Gen 1 was a massively majestic bird that you always wanted, but again in Gen 6 it just sort of exists, and it's a roaming Pokémon which takes away from the legendary-ness.

Do you prefer sprites or models?

 

[Tyrfing]

I like sprites more; but that's probably mostly because of my love for Gen 5; their sprites, especially BW2 updates, were superb. They will probably get better in the future, but for now, the models are just awful; most flying Pokemon look like they're hovering, the fire effects (just look at M Charizard X), and, like Branellope said, some have ill-befitting poses; but I'm positive they'll get better; it's just the time constraints for X and Y, I'd imagine. I would be also satisfied if they fixed Typhlosion and his line; what did they do to them?

 

[Norzan]

3D models by a long shot, it adds much more personality to a pokemon than just a still sprite because each pokemon has some unique animations. The Gen 5 sprites are horrible, the opponent's pokemon look kinda pixelated, but your own pokemon looks extremely pixelated, it looks atrocious and the looping animation also got annoying after a while, the Gen 1 sprites were all terrible too but it was because of the limited hardware, Gen 5 had no excuse for the horrible sprites. I really hope the franchise never goes back to sprites.

 

[IlluminationTheory]

Sneasel in Gen 2 looked like the mysterious and slightly rare Dark type it was

I think you're projecting, a bit! I don't think Sneasel's sprite was innately mysterious, I think your perception of Sneasel has just shifted. In GS it was rare, it didn't appear until after the Elite Four. In the early games, they asked the player to make choices - you could only have Kabuto or Omanyte, Jolteon or Flareon or Vaporeon, Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle. Nowadays, with breeding and wonder trade and the GTS, that mystery has disappeared. (Mega Stones are restoring it, though, which is good! Bringing back exclusivity.)

There were pros and cons to the sprites. I think it's easy to remember just the good bits and you sort of phase out this stuff:

There are some aspects of the sprite thing that were really cool. Smoke looked better - sorry, Torkoal, but your model is rubbish. I do miss sprites a little, but I think what we've got is far better on balance.

 

[DasManiac]

Models. Have always hated sprites. Don't know why Pokemon transition to 3D models sooner. I find it hard to believe the DS wasn't capable of it.

 

[----]

HG/SS has my personal favorite look so sprites for me.

 

[Supreme Leader Palpitoad]

Models. It looks much more alive, and much cooler. It gives the pokemons life in a better way than a picture. Though sometimes its nice to remeber those old sprites in SS.

 

[TayRanitar]

Models by a long shot, though HG/SS did have the best sprites.

 

[coolcatkim22]

Both. Both can have a lot of personality if done correctly.

I actually do quite like the switch to 3D models. They don't have as much personality as the old models did (back in the days of stadium) but they do look a lot nicer then the sprites they've been making in the last few generations.

 

[Alolan Coconut]

I see sprites more as images of the Pokemon instead of the Pokemon itself. In the past I was always sort of disappointed that a still sprite can "attack".
Models however are way more alive and act very natural. I agree that a few models are a bit strange looking (Flying type), but they give me way more the feeling its my Pokemon.
The sprites only look cool to me because they only have one pose and a single chosen pose is mostly the best looking one according to Game Freak.

 

[BlackButterfree]

I hated the Unova GIF sprites with a fucking passion and Kalos' models are bleached of color and often look awkward. I mean hello, Charmander is a shocking orange in all media and previous games, yet it's a pale cream in Kalos. How the hell so?

I'd rather take the Sinnoh sprites anyday. Animation at the beginning, then static. Also, Luxray in Diamond and Pearl looked so menacing, but later sprites have it so awkwardly positioned. I'd love to see Gen. 1 style sprites for all Pokémon, though.

 

[Team Gaara]

Models, for sure. Like others have said, they have more personality and they just feel more alive. There are a lot of sprites I like, but they're just so inferior to models. On the pro-sprite side of the spectrum, up until Animated Sprites in Gen 5, Pokemon sprites could away with some really cool looking poses, which they just can't do when they're stuck in a permanent looping position. For example, BWB2W2 sprites for Raichu, Flygon, Altaria, and Sneasel just seem so awkward and unfitting, while pre-Gen 5, they look pretty cool and give off a peculiar aura about them. Models for the Pokemon fixes all of that. They get idle animations, at least 2 attack animations (some get even more), Pokemon-Amie animations; overall, models just feel better and give the Pokemon more personality and individuality.

As for the human characters, models pretty much accomplish the same thing; allowing you to see more emotions and expressions in the characters that just couldn't be expressed through overworld sprites. I have to say, though, I do miss the Trainer sprites. I always loved those and they just had a feel to them that the regular old Artwork can't really express.

 

[Peachy]

Currently I prefer the sprites. Most of the models didn't do it for me and the colors look so dull. When the colors get more vibrant and the poses change, I might change my mind.

EDIT: Also while I'm thinking about. GF needs to properly research how wings work. It's not a wave effect.

 

[Life]

Models take the win for me. I agree with what others have mentioned, the colors for the sprites were a lot better and diverse. In XY it feels like they used the same colors on a lot of different Pokemon. The poses aren't diverse either, and most have the same/similar stance.

The reason I prefer models though is because enjoy the sense of realism it adds to the game when you're able to see you're Pokemon in 3D over 2D.

 

[CynthiaLover]

Models, hands down. While there are some sprites that were fine and all, the models make the Pokemon more alive. It portrays them more like living beings, not pictures plastered to a screen. While I do like some sprites, the 3D model rendering was a major improvement. While, I admit, some models are a bit, well, let's just say off to be nice, mainly some Flying ones, but overall the transition between static sprites to brief sprite animations to sprites with looped motions to finally 3D models was a smooth process. This was obtainable through the updating of the software programs, but it still is trial and error regardless. It also helps so much for the humans and objects in the games, giving them more depth, more life, more realistic appearances. I think the did a great job, with a few minor complaints here and there, but with every move, every attack, every little detail exploded into a more fitting form. Sprites are fine in all, but they lack the feeling of life, seeing so generic, even for Pokemon.

So I place my vote on Models, as they are a beautiful new form to bring these games to a whole new level.

 

[Rainbow]

I prefer models, but I do have some gripes. Besides the dull colors like others noted, some effects like fire and smoke just look bad. I also don't like how some Pokemon are in a constant flying pose just for the sake of sky battles. I liked how the models in Stadium and such would have separate flying animations.

It's the first time the models have been in a main game though, so like the sprites, I'm sure they be more improved on with each new gen.

 

[Sakuraa]

Models definitely. With different animations for different attacks, reactions for being hit, and fainting animations they bring more life to the game than a flat sprite.

 

[PiPie314]

Models by a long shot. They just feel more "alive" and realistic. The only problem is that Gamefreak doesn't seem to be very good at modeling. Hair and fur look like playdough and smoke (From Torkoal) looks like animated playdough. (Or is it that the 3DS doesn't support fancy particle systems??)

 

[Rainami]

Models are so much better, I'm glad we moved passed sprites.

 

[Slim Shady]

Models for sure! They make the battle seem a lot more lively and give more personality to each Pokemon compared to sprites which felt kind of lifeless.