I don't think they ever needed the enormous crowds. That was helpful for getting the word out that the game existed and now everyone knows, but the truly devote

I don't think they ever needed the enormous crowds. That was helpful for getting the word out that the game existed and now everyone knows, but the truly devoted Pokemon fans are maniacs about it, and enough people are willing to spend either enormous time, enormous money, or both to keep playing. The core audience that grew up with this stuff is also mid-40s now, in the career stage where they finally have a lot of disposable income and probably young kids at the right age to introduce them to Pokemon, too. The IP on its own is so valuable, I'm not even sure the game itself needs to be that good.