>>717588658
Because they used to have SOVL put into them, that and the sprites are drawn in cool dynamic poses, the 3D models are fucking lifeless.
Mega Dragonite for instance looks lame as fuck as a 3D model, but it looks vaguely better in sprite form.
There's other big examples like Nidoking being completely gutted in 3D due to how stiff and lifeless his model is.