What Is The Next Pokémon Game?

Since its debut, the Pokémon series has kept things fresh by regularly releasing new mainline games. Spin-offs from the first Pokémon Snap to the more recent Pokémon Legends: Arceus have filled the gaps between mainline releases, and in more recent years, remakes of past gens have meant a new Pokémon game is always on the horizon. Even now, with no new console game releasing in 2024, the next Pokémon game has already been announced.

After the recent releases of Pokémon games, the lack of a new title in 2024 is somewhat surprising. New Pokémon Snap, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (and their DLCs) were released in fairly quick succession, with some games even releasing within the same year of each other. The two DLCs for Scarlet and Violet – The Teal Mask and The Indigo Disk – released in late 2023, with announcements for future Pokémon games coming during a Pokémon Presents in early 2024.

The Next Pokémon Game Is Pokémon Legends: Z-A

What Is The Next Pokémon Game About?

The next Pokémon game should be Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest entry in the Legends spin-off series previously established by Pokémon Legends: Arceus. As revealed during its announcement trailer on YouTube, Legends Z-A will release worldwide in 2025, three years after its predecessor. As of the time of this writing, there’s no specific release date, but rumors point to Legends Z-A releasing in the latter half of the year, a window that is notably distinct from Legends: Arceus’ own January release.

Although story details are scarce at the moment, Pokémon Legends Z-A is set in the Kalos region of the Gen 6 games. Whereas Legends: Arceus was set in Sinnoh’s past, it looks like Legends: Z-A will be set in Kalos’ future, and it has been confirmed that the game will take place entirely within Lumiose City. Beyond a few Pokémon like Pikachu and Pyroar being shown off in the announcement trailer, very few Pokémon are confirmed for the game right now. It can be assumed that all or most of the Kalos Pokédex will be included, though.

Furthermore, the announcement trailer for Legends: Z-A indicates the return of the Mega Evolution mechanic. As Mega Evolution was introduced alongside the Kalos region in Pokémon X and Y, this is only to be expected as the series returns to the setting, but the prospect still provides plenty of exciting new possibilities. This popular feature could be utilized in many ways, but there is a strong expectation that the game will include brand new Mega Evolutions, similar to how Legends: Arceus introduced many new Hisuian regional forms of known Pokémon in addition to a few entirely new species.

What Pokémon Games Are Releasing After Legends Z-A?

Pokémon Gen 10 Games Should Arrive Fairly Soon

It’s unclear just how many Pokémon games are in the works after Legends: Z-A. However, the next mainline Gen 10 games should be following Legends: Z-A. If Legends: Z-A is indeed released in the later part of 2025, then that means the Gen 10 titles probably won’t come out until at least 2026, perhaps in November to keep with that long-running tradition. These titles may themselves be well be followed by DLC, following the trend set by Pokémon Sword and Shield and Scarlet and Violet in providing impressive expansions to their content.

Of course, there is also a strong possibility that other new games will be produced alongside these core games. Although no details of any such titles have been announced so far, it is worth noting that every Pokémon Generation so far has included several side games and other spin-offs. There have already been some leaks pointing to new Pokémon games arriving after the debut of Gen 10, although without any official confirmation, these rumors should naturally be treated with caution.

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Furthermore, with there being no sign of Gen 9 featuring any remakes of previous core titles, expectations are high for Gen 10 to provide the next examples of such games. Following the established pattern, remakes of Pokémon Black and White are strongly believed to be due to be released within the next few years. With the franchise having enjoyed many striking gameplay improvements since the debut of Gen 5 over a decade ago, remakes of these titles clearly have the potential to be truly special games.

What To Expect From Pokémon On Switch 2

The New Console Will Enable Better Functionality

The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 will naturally have an immense influence on the future of the Pokémon franchise going forward. As Nintendo has now officially provided a look at the design of the Switch 2 with improved hardware, it is clear that the experience of playing future Nintendo games is shaping up to be better than ever. Moreover, with a full Nintendo Direct scheduled for April, it seems increasingly likely that the console will be released later this year. As its own timeline coincides with this, Pokémon Legends: Z-A will therefore likely be a launch title for the Switch 2.

It is also worth noting that the Switch 2 will be backward compatible, opening the possibility for Legends: Z-A to be a cross-platform title. Although the new console will have exclusive games as well, this same feature may also extend to other future Pokémon games. As a result, the Gen 10 games could be playable on both the original Switch and the Switch 2, although this is ultimately only speculation at present. Regardless, the Switch 2’s upgrades promise great things for Gen 10, which could very well be bigger and better than any of its predecessors.

Remakes of the Gen 5 games, and a Let’s Go version of the Gen 2 games have long been rumored, but not officially confirmed. What is known right now is that Pokémon Legends: Z-A will be the next Pokémon game, and its release later this year is now likely to coincide with the arrival of the Switch 2. Beyond this, the Gen 10 games will also clearly be available on the new console, with all the benefits that affords them.

Source: The Pokémon Company/YouTube

Lumiose City is undergoing redevelopment to create a space shared by people and Pokémon. This second entry in the Pokémon Legends sub-franchise builds off the unique catching and exploration mechanics first established in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

Platform(s)

Switch

Released

2025

Developer(s)

Game Freak

Engine

Proprietary Engine

ESRB

e

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