Pokémon X and Y Retrospective: A Forgotten Chapter of the Franchise

Pokémon X and Y were two of the franchise's shortest-lived games in terms of their overall impact on the main series. In this video, I take a deep dive into this pair of games to really analyze where they fell short, where they may have been underrated, and overall why the fanbase has largely forgotten them. What did Team Flare, Xerneas, Yveltal and the Kalos region leave behind for us to remember, if anything? This is my definitive retrospective on Pokémon X and Y.

0:00 Intro
2:00 After Black & White
5:13 Summer of X&Y
8:17 Cities, Towns & Landscapes of Kalos
15:56 Pokémon of Kalos
21:53 Team Flare & Lysandre
27:49 The Ultimate Weapon & AZ
29:23 Xerneas & Yveltal
31:03 Reflecting Back
37:06 Conclusion

MUSIC CREDITS ►

VIDEOS REFERENCED ►

OROVA REGION PLAYLIST - POKEMON CARBON AND SILICON (FULL) ►

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[TamValleyProductions]

If you want to see the cinematic retelling of Pokémon Z I alluded to in this video, complete with voice acting, animations and an original story, you can check it out here:

[thoughts]

X and Y is a a lot like Diamond and Pearl a lot of potential and which could be perfected with a third entry.

DP got Platinum

X and Y got Whoops gotta rush to Gen 7.

[xthmessiahx]

I absolutely loved X and Y. Those games got me through college lol their potential being thrown away really hurt. I'm hoping if we ever get remakes, we get extended versions of the games. They deserve it.

[johnpaulcross]

I’ve always been so disappointed at how the potential of Gen6’s unique region design and lore was wasted in the first games and that Z was never made, leaving it to rot. I believe if Z had been given enough time in the oven to iron out the mistakes that X and Y had, while giving us a better story with a tighter, more engaging cast, it could’ve been an amazing game.

[AeirEclipseHayastin]

It really felt like XY was made first as GF's first real step to going into 3D, a testing ground. And it frustrates me, because at the time, I was practically begging GF to not move onto the next generation so fast. Alas, they moved on, and they left Kalos in the dust.

I really hope that when the inevitable remakes happen, that they finally give Kalos the respect it deserves.

[icantread]

Gen 6 was my first, so it hurt to get left behind like that when everyone else wanted to move on so soon, including Nintendo.

[ryanhernandez]

I really liked how X and Y was the first Pokémon game with genuine avatar customization. It just really helps players feel included in the story by having one be able to choose one’s race and change the clothing to best match one’s personal style.

[OfficialCreeperTV]

I wonder if the whole cut content from the power plant would have shown more to back up Lysandre's point about the beauty not being sustainable. Awesome video as always!

[alexisschiffer]

The main series Pokemon games could be so much better if Gamefreak/Nintendo stopped rushing to release them year after year. Like 2-3 years between a release. There would be no need for a third or enhanced version of a game if the first games released had everything fully fleshed out.

[KremBotop]

Funny how the 2 most notable legacies left so far by Gen 6 were its notorious competitive scene and its anime adaptation. For the latter, it also ended up doing its own thing just like the Gen 5 one, only this time for the better. Zygarde was actually relevant for once (kinda at the expense of Xerneas and Yveltal who barely showed up outside of the Diancie movie... But still). It was also the end of an era as it is currently the last series with the traditional formula of the "single region travel adventure", as well as the artstyle being still closely based on the original 90's one.

[realkingofantarctica]

I played X to death back when I got it and is (I think) my most played 3DS game. But, despite all the time I spent on it, I always felt as if it was lacking as a generation, by fault of both its design as well as the lack of a tertiary game or sequel. I enjoyed both Gen 7 and especially Gen 5 considerably more as a whole, so it's definitely an outlier despite Mega Evolution being the best modern Pokemon gimmick by far.

[alexsandifer]

Gen 6 will always have a soft spot in my heart because of the low pressure feeling of the games. It’s (mostly) a fun romp through a beautiful setting with a group of friends

[frownyclowny]

X was my first mainline Pokémon game, Fennekin was my first starter, and Fletchling was my first caught Pokémon. I had been a fan prior to X/Y’s reveal, but I’m so happy that I started with THOSE games. They would be easily forgotten between two genuinely awesome regions, but I know that X/Y would be special to me. Thank you Pokémon X, you may’ve been weak for the most part, but damn it you are my Kanto. And that’s they best way these games could be described- as “Kanto-Like”. Not a lot of content or engaging stuff, but solid enough in the memory of a 10-year old to hold a special place in their heart forever.

[mysteryx]

Kalos is the definition of a region that is full of life and had massive potential to become one of the most beloved regions but just never reached its full potential. I love the games but if they had made a sequel they could've explored AZ more and open up the powerplant. Maybe even rationalize Lysander as he's never confirmed dead and could've returned. I wouldn't mind a small town that Lysandre grew up with that was ruined to rationalize his goal. Man I wish they made a pokemon Z or sequels to make Kalos amazing. Only hope for Kalos now is in the remakes that'll probably be out in 2032. (Side note I think the Kalos pokemon and music are some of the best parts of the game).

[kadoharp]

I love X and Y they’re some of my favorite games, it’s so weird to hear how unpopular and forgotten these games are

[Aukejorrit]

Gen 6 was honestly great to me. After a period of years of not really getting new games because og a lack of money, getting a 3ds felt like a triumph. Starting out with this game just made me feel like i was truly in a new era. These games still feel like a new chapter in many ways, and i really enjoy the style!

[TheNamelessOne]

For me, the most frustrating aspect of X & Y's incompleteness was the lack of Zygarde lore during Gen 6. It was shoehorned in Sun & Moon with no purpose whatsoever. The themes of Gen 6's games set up Zygarde as the controller of life and death, the one who either awakens Xerneas and Yveltal or the one who puts them to sleep depending on what the ecosystem needs.

There was also a hint of a connection between the Aura Trio and the Weather Trio almost as if they were counterparts to each other, one controlling life energy and the other nature energy. They might even share a common origin, and I dare to say that it is the Original Dragon of Unova. There are themes that connects them all to Taoism and how yin and yang produce chi (lifeforce), both life energy and nature energy being the two types of chi.

[Clemehl]

I believe Sycamore used to be a "villain" in the script, and Lysandre / Sycamore were kind of the equivalent of Maxie / Archie. I don't have any proof, but it always seemed off that Lysandre has Yveltal's color and Sycamore has Xerneas's color (why?). I can see Sycamore as an idealist with good intention but completely in denial of the purpose of death, wanting to use Xerneas to grant immortality to all, unsatisfied about having so little time to enjoy the beauty of world. Lysandre would keep its realist stance and its plot of "removing" most people in order to preserve the beauty of the world.
It is just an hypothesis, nothing real. But if it was, I would understand why they scrapped it: too similar of Hoenn plot (future remake) while using Ideal (N) vs Reality (Colress) dilemna from Unova (last game).

[VictoryReviews]

I personally love Mega Evolutions but I understand your critique towards how they don't really evolve the concepts or even change them much yet to me their exaggerated quirks are appealing to me.
I agree that wonder trade and X/Ys internet features were perhaps the best of any generation
Team Flare could've been way you cooler but they're never developed it just goes to show how desperately needed a Pokemon Z would've been.
X and Y as a whole screams untapped potential and I wish we could've seen it fully fleshed out.
Great analysis of one of my most nostalgic generations. You really knocked it out of the park. I can't wait to hear your in depth thoughts on other gens

[De_La_Soto]

To touch on your point of the story feeling rushed/incomplete: I feel this Generation suffered greatly from not having a 3rd game (Z). Not only could it have expanded/completed the story/lore behind Kalos, but also highlighted Zygarde, who was a “do-nothing” legendary in its own gen because of this, and we had to wait till the next one to find out who it really is (same with Hoopa and Volcanion, who didn’t really shine until Sun/Moon).

Great video! X and Y got me back into Pokémon after missing out on the previous generation and despite its flaws (which you brilliantly analyzed), I very much enjoyed this Generation. I also missed out on 3rd Gen originally, so this one also gave me a chance at redemption with ORAS.