Whether you’ve been playing since the early days or just picked it up recently, Pokémon GO is a game that comes with its share of love-hate moments. After eight years, some aspects of the game have become notoriously frustrating, and if you’ve played daily, you know exactly what we’re talking about. Here’s a look at six things that make players grind their teeth and consider hitting “uninstall.”
1. Too Many Costume Pikachus
No one hates Pikachu, but the endless variations of costume Pikachu? That’s a different story. Since Pokémon GO first introduced a Christmas Pikachu in 2016, we’ve seen 231 unique costume Pokémon – with 88 of them being Pikachu, Pichu, or Raichu. That’s a whopping 33% of all costume Pokémon, dedicated to one family!
Compared to other games like Pokémon Unite, where costumes are flashy and creative, Pokémon GO’s costumes often seem underwhelming. Instead of grand designs like “holo-ware” styles in Unite, we get simple accessories on basic Pokémon. More variety, better designs, and fewer Pikachu costumes would be a welcome change!
2. Limited Dynamax Pokémon Choices
When Pokémon GO introduced Dynamax raids, it was exciting to see such a big feature added. However, players quickly realized that you can’t Dynamax any of your existing Pokémon; only those caught in Dynamax raids are eligible. This restriction forces players to catch specific Pokémon types all over again if they want them for future raids.
While in main series games, you can make any Pokémon Dynamax by feeding it a Max Soup, Pokémon GO doesn’t offer this option, adding frustration for long-time players. To add to that, the shiny rates are painfully low, estimated at around 1 in 500, making shiny hunting in these costly raids feel more discouraging than thrilling.
3. Endless Bugs and Glitches
From the infamous server issues in 2016 to recent shiny Sprite glitches, Pokémon GO has been plagued by bugs and technical hiccups. Players in the Asia-Pacific region especially experience these issues first, as they are the testbed for new features and events. Sometimes entire events feel “broken,” like when Mega Rayquaza Elite raids glitched, or shiny Zacian lacked a visible shiny Sprite.
To Niantic’s credit, they’ve improved their compensations when these bugs arise, often offering free encounters or items to players who’ve missed out. However, the bugs themselves continue to frustrate, and the compensations don’t fully make up for the lost gameplay experience.
4. The Avatar Redesign Fiasco
In 2024, Pokémon GO overhauled the avatar designs, and the change was not well-received. Gone were the simple, iconic looks players had grown attached to, replaced with avatars that many found unsettling. Glitches added to the disaster, and Niantic’s response was minimal, with no option to revert to the old avatars.
Players voiced their dissatisfaction online, but Niantic stood firm on the change. This update felt like a missed opportunity to involve the community, leaving many players feeling alienated by the new avatars and wishing for the simple charm of the originals.
5. Remote Raid Restrictions and Price Hikes
The infamous remote raid nerf is a sore spot for players. Remote raids were a game-changer during the pandemic, allowing players to join raids from home. But in April 2023, Niantic limited the number of daily remote raids to five and increased the price of raid passes. While they raised limits for special events, the hefty price tag stuck around, which has significantly impacted the accessibility of raids for many players.
These limitations, along with the high cost of remote passes, have made players feel like they’re getting less value from the game. Many players miss the freedom of the original system, and the restrictions have left a lingering bitterness.
6. Inventory Space and Storage Woes
If you play Pokémon GO, you know the struggle of running out of storage space – it’s the game’s biggest money sink! With 7,000 Pokémon storage slots and 4,000 item slots available (both maxed out through real money), it’s easy to see how quickly this can become an expensive investment.
The endless grind of clearing Pokémon and items to make room for new catches can be exhausting. Running out of space just when you’re about to catch a legendary or shadow Pokémon is frustrating, especially if it results in missed catches. Even for long-time players who have invested in maxing out storage, it’s a constant juggling act, and players often find themselves spending valuable in-game currency or real money to keep up.
These are just a few of the frustrations that come with Pokémon GO, a game we love to hate and hate to love. It’s a unique experience with incredible highs and frustrating lows – and it keeps us all coming back for more. What are your biggest frustrations with Pokémon GO? Let us know in the comments, and check out other posts for tips, updates, and more insights into the world of Pokémon!