Long-timePokemonfans rejoiced yesterday with the announcement ofNew Pokemon Snapfor the Nintendo Switch, a sequel to the beloved 1999 N64 game that featured on-rails photography. The Pokemon Presents video also highlighted a number of other things, including a puzzle game calledPokemon Cafe Mixand the addition of Mega Evolution in Niantic’sPokemon GO. After that, though, The Pokemon Company’s CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara dropped a bombshell by saying another “big project” in the works that will be announced on May 30, 2025.
Social media exploded with speculation as to what another big announcement in the wake ofNew Pokemon Snapwith high-quality graphics and representation from all eight Generations could be.Pokemonhas a long history of different potential projects that could fit the bill, so it’s worth weighing some options as to what fans may be able to expect.
Easily the most desirable option byPokemon’s fanbase is the inevitable remakes ofPokemon Diamond,Pearl,andPlatinum. This is clear evidenced by the fact that theSinnoh Region began trending on Twitterfollowing the Pokemon Presents video premiering on YouTube. Game Freak also recently posted a job listing to work on a “new entry in thePokemoncore series,” which could fitDiamondandPearlas well as an entirely new follow-up toSwordandShield.
Pokemonhas a pattern of releasing remakes as technology improves. Generation 1 gotPokemon FireredandLeafgreenas well asLet’s Go, PikachuandEevee, Generation 2 gotPokemon HeartgoldandSoulsilver, and Generation 3 gotPokemon Omega RubyandAlpha Sapphireon the 3DS. With the series having jumped to the Switch, it’s about time for Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina to be back in the spotlight.
Pokemon Let’s Go Sequels
Another likely bet is a sequel toPokemon Let’s Go, PikachuandEeveeset in the Johto region. The first two games werePokemon’s initial presence on the Switch, and succeeded by incorporating nostalgia for the original GameBoy titles with the ongoing craze overPokemon GO. In fact, the games were successful enough that speculation immediately began for what monsters could headlineLet’s Gogames based onGoldandSilver.
This title being announced, while perhaps not as exciting asDiamondandPearl, could stand out if it takesPokemon Crystalas inspiration similar to the firstLet’s Gogames being primarily based onPokemon Yellow. People are also leaning toward this being announced due toplushies and game packages displayed behind Ishiharaat the end of the Pokemon Presents video.
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Another Returning Spin-Off
Hot off the heels ofNew Pokemon Snapand the recently releasedPokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX, one possibility for a big announcement is another returning spin-off. The obvious choice isPokemon Ranger, which has not seen any play since the DS era. There are other smaller series such asPokemon Conquest, a Tecmo Koei tactical RPG crossing the series withNobunaga’s Ambition, butRangerwould likely have the biggest resonance with long-time fans.
That said, it’s safe to hedge one’s bets and assume the new announcement may be not be exactly what’s desired. What’s likely to have one fan cheering is likely to have another sobbing, depending on whether it’sDiamondandPearlremakes orPokemon Rangerthat’s announced. Another instance, givenPokemon SwordandShield’s first DLC The Isle of Armor released yesterday, could be that next week’s announcement could be something related toits next expansion The Crown Tundra.
All things considered, Ishihara’s cadence and verbiage suggests the announcement will be a “big” thing for the franchise, more impressive than The Crown Tundra news.Pokemonfans will only have to wait a week to find out what it is, but here’s hoping for something that will break the Internet.
New Pokemon Snapis in development, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.
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