Here is the truth. The reason the pokemon fanbase is so split on everything is because of how big it is. Mario and Zelda don't span across a wide array of media. There are no TV shows or cards for them, they only have games. If someone is introduced to those franchises, they'll like it because of the games and gameplay, and accept it for what it is. No Mario fans are asking for a mature, deep story, they just like Mario games. With pokemon, many people are introduced in many ways. The TCG and anime are two big ones. People may watch the anime first, play the games, be disappointed, and then want the games to change to be more like the anime, while someone who started with the games may like them for what they are. There are millions of conflicting opinions on where the franchise should go, and there's no way in hell GameFreak can please everyone. Open world, going back to sprites, completely changing the battle system, ir doing something else entirely, there are thousands of pokemon fans who want each of these and hate each of these. Most will end up disappointed in some way. So honestly, I've given up caring about the pokemon fandom. The fans don't know what they want, and no matter what gamefreak does, they'll be hated for it. Just understand this when Gen 9 comes out and it isn't exactly how you wanted.