Pokémon is coming as the main installment of the RPG series to the Nintendo Switch. What is really known so far about the release date, mechanics, or the game world? Are we expecting a full-fledged Pokémon MMO?
What is it about? At E3 2017, Game Freak officially confirmed that a main installment of the popular Pokémon RPG series would be coming to the Nintendo Switch. Since this announcement, the rumor mill has been boiling over. Below is a breakdown of the confirmed information and unconfirmed rumors that frequently arise.
This article originally appeared on May 3 and is continuously updated with the latest information.
The facts: What do we really know about Pokémon Switch?
So far, Game Freak and the Pokémon Company have mostly remained silent. Only a few facts are known:
- Main installment: Pokémon Switch will be a main installment of the RPG series. This was confirmed by Game Freak at E3 2017.
- No official but planned release date: The release of Pokémon Switch is planned for “2018 or later.” This was confirmed in the latest Nintendo financial report. It was also stated in Game Freak’s financial report.
That is actually all that is known for certain. Since the release date of 2018 or “later” is mentioned, it is likely that they are aiming for the end of 2018 / beginning of 2019. It should be noted that this is merely a plan and not a confirmed release date!
The leaks: Where do they come from and what’s true?
In contrast to the officially confirmed information, of which there are only a few, a lot of rumors about Pokémon Switch are circulating. Some have emerged from seemingly reliable sources, or questionable “insiders” have come forward.
Pokémon Let’s Go! – Does a logo announce the Yellow Remake?
On 4Chan, an image was released that allegedly shows a logo for “Pokémon Let’s Go!” The game is traditionally set to be released on the Switch with two versions:
- Pokémon Let’s Go! Pikachu Edition
- Pokémon Let’s Go! Eevee Edition
A previous 4Chan leak from March wanted to know more about the gameplay: According to this, Pokémon Let’s Go! is a remake of Pokémon Yellow. That was the Gameboy edition in which Pikachu followed the player. The catching of Pokémon is said to work similarly to the mobile game Pokémon GO.
The Switch is perfectly suited for playing outdoors and on the go. A mix of the mobile version and the classic handheld RPG would actually make sense here.
A blog entry seems to support the rumor: Nintendo insider Emely Rogers published an article, in which she writes about Pokémon Switch. The reveal is said to take place later in May according to Rogers. She believes that the title of the games could raise skepticism among fans. Furthermore, Rogers emphasizes that Pokémon GO could play a significant role in the future of the Pokémon series.
Domains for “Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu / Eevee” have now been registered: The registration was done by the same company that also registered Pokémon Sun and Moon.
This rumor seems to become more plausible with each new piece of information. Fans even suspect an announcement in the coming days.
Pokémon Switch as a Kanto Remake: Back to Red and Blue?
An extremely blurry image of a Lapras surfaced in March in the fan magazine Pokéjungle. This image was meant to suggest that Pokémon Switch would take us back to Kanto. Kanto is the first region of the RPG series, where many trainers began their journey with Pokémon Red and Blue on the Gameboy about 20 years ago.
Fans claimed to recognize Route 21 in the lower image, leading to the Cinnabar Islands. This created the rumor that the image was a Pokémon Switch leak. However, Pokéjungle had to remove this image, and it could be any screen. Perhaps from Pokémon X/Y.
Pokémon Stars: A Spin-Off of Sun and Moon for the Switch?
Pokémon has always released a spin-off of its various RPG titles. This was the case with Pokémon Red/Blue having the Yellow version, or Pokémon Diamond/Pearl having the Platinum version.
Eurogamer believed that Pokémon Stars would be a spin-off of the titles Sun and Moon. Furthermore, it was suspected that this spin-off would be the announced RPG title for the Switch. However, Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon were released as a spin-off for the Nintendo 3DS. What exactly will become of the Pokémon Stars project and what it will entail is still up in the air.
Nintendo Patent Suggests Interactive Trading Cards: Are They for Pokémon Switch?
Nintendo filed a patent that presumably relates to the Pokémon franchise. It involves trading cards that can interact with the console. The cards are said to show a character against a background, which can change its color and pattern in response to a signal.
The gameplay associated with the cards was described by Nintendo in a way that suggests a connection to Pokémon is likely:
- Players catch wild monsters
- They control a character
- Players can train the characters and increase their level
- Characters can evolve
Whether there is a connection to the announced RPG for the Nintendo Switch is, however, entirely unknown.
Spanish Magazine Predicts Gen 8: New Pokémon for the Switch?
The Spanish edition of the official Nintendo magazine had a small report about Pokémon Switch, announcing Generation 8. A new generation would mean new Pokémon and also a new area. In the article of the magazine, it stated something like…
“… Pokémon would only be associated with handheld consoles. Now, with the 8th generation, Pokémon would transition to home consoles. Game Freak and the Pokémon Company are rethinking the saga to surprise with new mechanics, either in 2018 or later.”
Even though this is an official Nintendo magazine, it has a history of false claims. This magazine is also the only one that has mentioned Generation 8 so far. Therefore, Generation 8 remains merely a rumor.
Story, Mechanics, New Formula: What Other Speculations Exist?
Some Chinese sources reportedly found out even more about Pokémon Switch. The information comes from the same sources that predicted Team Rainbow Rocket for Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, a villain organization in the titles.
What the sources apparently want to reveal about Pokémon Switch:
- The Chinese localization team is said to have completed the translation of the game script
- No new Mega Evolutions are supposed to exist.
- Z-Moves are returning and are supposed to be activated via motion control of the Joy-Cons
- The main story is supposed to showcase the conflict between tradition and innovation
- The region is supposed to be inspired by Spain or Italy
CEO of the Pokémon Company Talks About Multiplayer Potential: MMO Plans for the Switch?
The previous main installments of the RPG series were single-player games. An interview between the CEO of the Pokémon Company and Bloomberg however, revealed that the Nintendo Switch could change that. This is why rumors about a Pokémon MMO on the Switch arose.
Ishihara emphasized in the interview that the Switch is an opportunity to create a deep Pokémon experience with high eloquence. On the TV, completely new graphics and sounds could be possible. “So far, the [Pokémon] games were designed for people who could play 1vs1. But now it is possible to go home and play with anyone [worldwide, online]. How do we approach these topics, and how do we make it as easy as possible?” said Ishihara. This could hint at an online or at least local multiplayer.
Whether Ishihara hinted at plans for a Pokémon MMO on the Switch is purely a matter of interpretation and speculation regarding the interview. Ultimately, the development team has only previously developed for handhelds and is now venturing into new dimensions on the Switch.
What would you like to see for Pokémon on the Nintendo Switch and do you believe any of the rumors?
