
From its inception, the Pokémon franchise has thrived on innovation, consistently providing fresh content through new mainline games and engaging spin-offs. Titles ranging from the nostalgic Pokémon Snap to the groundbreaking Pokémon Legends: Arceus have enriched the gaming landscape, ensuring that fans always have something to look forward to. Even as we approach 2024 without a new console title, excitement builds with the announcement of the next Pokémon installment.
Despite the recent surge of offerings, the absence of a new game next year is a surprising turn. In quick succession, we saw the release of titles including New Pokémon Snap, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, alongside Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, plus their downloadable content (DLC).Notably, the DLC packages for Scarlet and Violet, titled The Teal Mask and The Indigo Disk, were launched in late 2023. Upcoming announcements for future Pokémon games are anticipated during the Pokémon Presents event scheduled for early 2024.
Introducing Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Overview of Pokémon Legends: Z-A



Pokémon Legends: Z-A has been confirmed as the forthcoming addition to the Legends series, which originated with Pokémon Legends: Arceus. The announcement trailer revealed that this highly anticipated game is slated for a global release in 2025, marking a three-year gap from its predecessor. While a specific launch date has yet to be disclosed, speculations suggest it may be scheduled for the latter half of the year, a shift from the January release of Arceus.
Set in the Kalos region, the Gen 6 setting will see Legends: Z-A unfold in a future timeline, contrasting the past-focused narrative of Arceus. The adventure is confirmed to take place entirely within Lumiose City. Currently, only a few Pokémon, including Pikachu and Pyroar, have been unveiled through the promotional materials, but it is expected that a majority of the Kalos Pokédex will be featured.
Additionally, the return of the Mega Evolution feature has been teased in the announcement trailer. Given that Mega Evolution was first introduced in the Kalos games, it is anticipated that this mechanic will reemerge in exciting new forms. Expectations are high for the incorporation of not only returning Mega Evolutions but potentially brand new ones, reminiscent of how Legends: Arceus introduced various Hisuian forms alongside entirely novel Pokémon.
Future Pokémon Titles Following Legends: Z-A
Anticipating the Arrival of Gen 10 Games

While the exact number of Pokémon titles in development post-Legends: Z-A remains unclear, it is reasonable to predict that the next mainline Generation 10 games will follow this new release. Should Legends: Z-A launch in late 2025, fans might expect the Gen 10 titles to debut as early as 2026, potentially adhering to the franchise’s tradition of November releases. Following this, expansions like DLC could also be anticipated, continuing the trend set by earlier titles such as Pokémon Sword and Shield.
While no specific information about concurrent spin-off titles has been shared, the history of Pokémon suggests that additional games will likely complement the core series. Leaks hinting at new Pokémon games emerging after Gen 10’s debut have surfaced, although these should be approached cautiously until official announcements are made.
Another point of interest is that the lack of remakes within Gen 9 raises expectations for Gen 10 to include them. Enthusiasts are particularly eager for potential remakes of Pokémon Black and White, considering the significant gameplay advancements achieved since their original launch over ten years ago, setting the stage for truly remarkable remakes.
What Lies Ahead for Pokémon on Switch 2
Enhanced Functionality with the New Console

The impending launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to reshape the Pokémon landscape significantly. With enhancements in design and hardware revealed by Nintendo, future games are poised to deliver unparalleled experiences. A comprehensive Nintendo Direct scheduled for April suggests that the Switch 2 could hit the market later this year, turning Pokémon Legends: Z-A into a potential launch title for this revamped console.
Moreover, the Switch 2 is confirmed to support backward compatibility, potentially allowing Legends: Z-A to be playable on both the original Switch and the new console. This feature may extend to future Pokémon titles as well, making it possible for the upcoming Gen 10 games to be accessible across both systems, although this remains speculative at this stage. The promises of improved performance associated with Switch 2 are particularly encouraging for Gen 10, suggesting that this generation could surpass its predecessors in scale and quality.
The backward compatibility aspect not only pertains to new releases; it also offers a solution to the performance challenges that plagued Gen 9 games on the original Switch. There have been long-standing rumors regarding remakes of Gen 5 titles and a potential Let’s Go version of the Gen 2 games, although these claims have yet to be substantiated. The confirmation of Pokémon Legends: Z-A as the next franchise installment suggests an exciting future, especially with the anticipated concurrent release of the Switch 2. Looking ahead, Gen 10 games are expected to thrive on this new platform, unlocking vast new possibilities.
Source: The Pokémon Company/YouTube
Leave a Reply