GameFreak are making these games as intentionally shitty and unappealing as possible so that when the next mainline games come out, we'll all flock to them like half-staved dogs, beginning for half-decent content at their feet.

They know that making one set of shitty games (even by the standard of the target audience - new and younger players) isn't going to sink the franchise so they know they can get away with it.