Introduction: The Unexpected Boom

In 2016, Pokémon GO took the world by storm. Developed by Niantic in partnership with Nintendo and The Pokémon Company, the game redefined mobile gaming with its augmented reality mechanics, encouraging players to explore the real world to catch virtual creatures. It quickly became a global sensation—amassing hundreds of millions of downloads and generating billions in revenue.

But the impact wasn’t limited to just Pokémon GO. The game’s popularity also sparked massive growth in the iOS third-party app ecosystem. Platforms like TopStore, TweakBox, and AppValley saw a surge in users eager to install tweaked versions of Pokémon GO with features like joystick-based GPS spoofing. These unofficial app marketplaces, which allowed users to install modded apps without jailbreaking, suddenly exploded in relevance, riding the wave of Pokémon GO’s viral success.

The Missed Momentum: What Happened After?

With such phenomenal success, many expected Nintendo to fully embrace mobile gaming. Instead, what followed was relatively modest: Super Mario Run (2016), Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp (2017), and Mario Kart Tour (2019). While some of these games performed decently, none matched the cultural or financial impact of Pokémon GO. Even more puzzling, games tied to legendary IPs like Mario failed to reach their expected heights.

Meanwhile, the Pokémon brand continued to thrive—with new content added regularly to Pokémon GO and various Switch releases. But Nintendo as a whole never built a true mobile empire, despite holding some of the world’s most recognizable gaming franchises.

A Different Philosophy: Nintendo’s Reluctance

To understand this, we must look at Nintendo’s philosophy. The company has always emphasized hardware-software integration, tightly coupling its games to its own consoles. Mobile games, in contrast, are often seen as lacking depth or as potential cannibalizers of console sales. Nintendo has publicly stated multiple times that mobile is merely a “supporting pillar” of its broader strategy.

This philosophy stands in stark contrast to other gaming giants like Sony or Microsoft, which have begun adapting their console franchises to mobile with full commitment.

Pokémon Champions: A Delayed Opportunity?

Originally expected to launch on iOS in 2025, Pokémon Champions—a new mobile entry in the Pokémon universe—has seen little public movement. Some speculate technical hurdles; others believe Nintendo is simply not prioritizing it. The lack of updates feeds into the broader narrative that Nintendo remains hesitant to go all-in on mobile, even with clear demand.

Conclusion: Holding Back or Playing the Long Game?

Nintendo’s post-Pokémon GO behavior suggests a company deeply cautious about losing control over its brand and ecosystem. While mobile could offer short-term gains, Nintendo appears more focused on long-term loyalty via its hardware platforms. That said, the door remains open. Should they ever decide to lean into mobile, few competitors could match their IP strength.

Until then, it’s the third-party platforms—like TopStore—that continue to meet the unmet demand for flexibility and access.