Fair.
Again though, I'm not sure this justifies a full purchase. Most people will not make a second save and will stick with their first choice, so choosing Sword or Shield at the start of the game will still accomplish this.
The games of Sword and Shield aren't really that different though.
Some different Pokemon, a few NPCs swapped around, and a different dungeon, right? Was there anything I missed?
I think there were way more differences in a single playthrough of Witcher 2, for example.
I think we'll have to agree to disagree here. I see Red/Blue as a very early attempt at something new, possibly tied by some kind of technical hurdles, and Yellow (and on) as a cash-in.
I realise there's not much I can say here that will change longtime fan minds. I'm not super invested in this, really, but this business model feels so off to me as a new fan of the series.
And before anybody asks, yes I know somebody with Sword and can trade if I need to.