Logan Paul believes Pokémon’s next big step forward could come from embracing its past.
In a recent post on X, Paul argued that The Pokémon Company is sitting on a huge untapped opportunity rooted in nostalgia. According to him, the same excitement that pushed Pokémon into global mainstream culture during the late 1990s still exists today, particularly among adults who grew up with the original games.
The popular YouTuber and WWE wrestler said that he regularly revisits classic Pokémon titles every few years, replaying them on original cartridges and hardware. He described the experience of beating the Elite Four as delivering the same sense of joy he felt as a child, calling it a cycle he has returned to for more than a decade. While he acknowledged liking certain newer Pokémon, such as Annihilape and Baxcalibur, he admitted that he does not feel the same emotional connection to modern generations as he does to the originals.
That disconnect, Paul suggested, is not unique to him. He believes millions of longtime fans still crave the simplicity and charm of early Pokémon games, but have struggled to find that feeling in newer entries. To address that, he proposed the idea of a remastered Pokémon game inspired directly by the originals.
Paul’s vision centers on classic pixel-style graphics paired with modern technology. He suggested combining standout Pokémon from multiple generations while introducing adaptive NPCs that evolve alongside the player’s journey. Modern features, such as online trading, battling, and downloadable content, would coexist with old-school aesthetics, creating what he described as “old school vibes powered by modern technology.”
Paul framed his idea as more than a nostalgic wish, calling it a clear business case for the franchise. He said Pokémon has a “massive opportunity to capitalize on the decades of nostalgic equity that fans have with the franchise,” arguing that millions of adult players are still chasing the feeling the original games delivered.
He outlined three potential benefits of such a project. First, it could reawaken a large, dormant audience of older fans eager to relive their childhood. Second, it would give younger players a chance to experience what originally made Pokémon special. Third, it could bridge the gap for longtime fans who no longer connect with newer Pokémon designs but still love the franchise.
His comments are backed by more than casual fandom. Paul is one of the most high-profile Pokémon collectors in the world and famously owns a PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator card, widely regarded as the rarest Pokémon card ever produced. In 1998, only 39 copies of the card, designed by Atsuko Nishida, the original creator of Pikachu, were awarded to winners of a Pokémon illustration contest. While just 36 of those cards are believed to still exist today, Paul’s copy is the only one to ever receive a perfect PSA 10 grade.
He revealed the card in 2022 after purchasing it for a reported $5.275 million, a sale certified by Guinness World Records at the time as the most expensive Pokémon card transaction ever. Paul has since worn the card publicly, including during boxing appearances at WrestleMania 38.
The card is currently listed for sale with Goldin Auctions, where bidding has already reached $1.7 million, with roughly 40 days remaining before the auction closes.
With Pokémon Red and Blue having sold more than 30 million copies worldwide, he believes few franchises are better positioned to successfully blend nostalgia with modern design. In the past, the company has experimented with multiple directions through projects like Pokémon Go, Pokémon Sleep, and the Pokémon Trading Card Game to expand the brand beyond its core RPG roots.
Logan’s suggestion points to a different kind of evolution, one that looks inward rather than outward. As Pokémon continues to explore new formats and audiences, the enduring pull of its earliest adventures suggests that revisiting its classic era, with a modern touch, could be one of the franchise’s safest and most powerful bets yet.
