Pokémon on Nintendo Switch is Due '2018 or Later', But That's No Surprise

I hope this means it will be there somewhere in 2018. I rather not wait till 2019/2020...

@YouSeemFRAZZLED Not something to worry about, there's actually mods for Pokemon Sun and Moon that show all their models are actually down scaled to the 3DS, so HD should be fine.

I really don't see how this can be called a delay when it doesn't really have a proper release date. End of 2018, beginning of 2019 is totally fine by me.

They said "over a year to make" so... I'd say November 2018 at the earliest.

@DaLoneSheep I really think it'll only be lauched by Holiday 2019. It might be ready before that, but I guess they'd rather wait until the end of the year to release it.

@ThomasBW84 TBA = to be announced, isn't it? Never heard of ''advised'' before

@YouSeemFRAZZLED The transition from 2D sprites to 3D models was a lot harder and they mastered it, so there's nothing to worry about.

@essiw ''2018 or later'' = 2019

@YouSeemFRAZZLED Like others said, things are often made in HD (or UHD for console games these days), then get downscaled to fit the hardware. Unless they want to do fancy textures and whatnot, I think it's relatively easy to scale a recent Pokemon up to HD.

Can't delay what hasn't been announced. I still think it'll hit in holiday 2018. Pokemon has been a yearly franchise for a while now, and they're not likely to miss a year again.

@NoxAeturnus Pokémon is not an yearly franchise We had no Pokémon released in 2015 and won't have any this year either. Also, they are probably going to make a much larger game for the franchise's debut on a home console...

This is gonna be the first proper Pokémon on a home console. Fine if you wanna argue whether or not the Switch is really a home console, but regardless it's a huge step up from 3DS. With that kind of jump, I'd rather it came out in 2020 if it means we're gonna see massive improvements in terms of the scope of gameplay and design. Perhaps a new focus on exploration? People were saying a little while ago that they wanted Metroid to be a bit more open world, and while I could see that being counterproductive for Metroid, for Pokémon I think it would be perfect.

The Legend of Pokémon: Balls of the Wild all the way!

2018?
2019?
2020 even...
No matter!
I've been on this particular Poké-Hype Train since the late 90's - it's full steam ahead from here to Releaseville as far as I'm concerned! ..take as long as you need Ishihara-san!
🚄🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃 CHOO! CHOO!!

@Octane erm nope. 2018 or later still means 2018 or later. It most likely means that they might be able to release it in 2018, but do not want to be held responsible if they are not able to make it. I also should not that I do not mind that much if it is in the beginning of 2019.

@Jacob1092 the Switch is a home console. There's no arguing on that. And while I think an open world Pokémon game would be super cool, I don't think they'll do that

@LuccaSSC I'm pretty certain there is a Pokémon game coming out this year, even if it is based on the Sun and Moon entries.

I said it when the Metroid Prime 4 logo was shown at E3 that that game won't be out until 2019 and Christmas if even. I wouldn't be surprised if its development hadn't started at that point.

@FragRed Yeah, but from what we know Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon will only add a few new Pokémon on the same map, using the same assets as Pokémon Sun and Moon. It's not nearly as hard to do as a completely new game.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE It hasn't been announced yet, that doesn't mean it's going to come out after 2018.

My bet is November 2019. Each generation usually lasts 3-4 years.

@LuccaSSC I certainly think of it as a home console. But people kind of sort of maybe have a point when they say it's comparitively lower in power and obviously portable. However, with the rise of increasingly powerful mobile devices and game streaming and stuff, over time the distinction between "home console" and "portable console" is going to become more and more archaic. At least that's what I think. Ultimately, it doesn't matter because the Switch is the tatty bo jangles whatever you feel compelled to call it

Honestly, I want to play a hd pokemon rpg soon as possible, but we already got a new pokemon game last year and will get a new one now. So to me wait until 2019 to create hype and don't fatigue the series.

Simply knowing these games are on the way is nice, though. Kills the speculation that GameFreak won't develop a main line Pokémon game for a home console or that Nintendo abandoned Metroid. But what the heck has Retro been working on for the past three years?

Hopefully Pokemon comes out next year - and hopefully stock issues are solved by then, because I predict Switch's best sales week ever when that happens.

It will be amazing to finally have a mainline Pokemon game on the big screen, but I will keep my expectations in check. Some may be exited that we could get a huge open world, but I think it will just be HD Pokemon. I would love to be proven wrong though.

@LuccaSSC I don't think we will get any new Pokémon.
Only new encounters than what was available in Sun/Moon. We might get some more Alolan forms, if anything.

And I think it will be more like Black2/White2, where it is the same world but with a new story. And B2/W2 felt different enough from the first games.

Whilst I can't wait for Metroid Prime 4's release I can wait for them to ensure they take their time to produce and superbly crafted game.

Just make sure we have stuff to tide us over until then please.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE Of course you said it - you're cynical about near everything!

(not that that's a bad thing of course)

Seriously though it wouldn't surprise me either way. If it's a 2018 game then maybe that points more at a fairly rote update of Metroid Prime 3 with gorgeous new environments but the same underlying road map. If it's a 2019 or 2020 game that they felt they just had to announce now to head off a possible backlash over Samus Returns then there's a greater chance of it being a more ambitious project.

They'll certainly need a big name game to push on Switch going into Christmas next year though so we'll see what it is if it's not definitely Metroid Prime 4 or Pokemon in 2018.

November 2018 is what I expect. Any later than that and I expect the game(s) to be much more ambitious than Sun and Moon.

@Snaplocket I didn't say games, I said Pokémon.
Like... we won't get any new 7th gen ones

Core RPG Pokemon games they said...
Hm...
An Open World Pokemon games ??

I can wait.
Animal Crossing, however, can't come fast enough.

Many people are jumping to a lot of conclusions with this new Pokemon game to the point that they're refusing to acknowledge how vague the initial announcement was... all we can do for now is speculate.

@TommyTLG They'll surely be very different from Sun and Moon, but it's just a rearrangement, it's not like they'll create new assets.

Yep. I assumed as much.

@FX102A Nintendo never releases unpolished games, and I don't think Metroid will make them start doing that.

@Fandabidozi They are probably developing a new Animal Crossing game at this point, it just isn't announced yet. I mean, they are make Switch games for every franchise ever.

As others have said, I think the "or later" comment is just to cover themselves in case they miss 2018. I also think part of it will come down to how well Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon performs. If it (and the 3DS in general) is really under-performing at the end of this year/early next year, I think we'll see Nintendo push for a holiday 2018 release for this.

NOW IN DEVELOPMENT.

It would be nice if they both came out around Christmas time next year but it's highly likely that they'll be 2019 releases.

@LuccaSSC
Hopefully this is why the mobile game is also delayed - meaning it's not too far off. 🤞🏼

This info isn't very interesting. There was no way Pokemon would appear before 2018, and they never confirmed a 2018 release date, so there's nothing new here.

I will patiently wait for Prime4. Very patiently if I have to.

I agree with others that Nintendo will be looking for another tentpole release around holiday season in 2018 - but I doubt that Pokémon will be ready in time. I'd almost be disappointed if it were, as that would suggest they weren't pulling out all the stops. More likely is something like a Smash Deluxe some time next October/November. Or maybe Dragon Quest XI - I don't think it has a Switch date yet. Pokémon could be a golden week release in 2019.

As for Metroid, Christmas 2019 would be my absolute earliest guess - and I'm not holding my breath.

@LuccaSSC Here's Pokemon's NA Release years:
Ultra Sun/Moon (2017)
Sun/Moon (2016)
ORAS (2014)
XY (2013)
BW2 (2012)
BW (2011)
HGSS (2010)
Platinum (2009)
Diamond/Pearl (2007)

They've only skipped 2008 and 2015 since Gen 4, and while they don't release a new Gen every year, they very nearly release a new mainline game every year. Oh, and during those years there were multiple spinoff titles released. 2015 was Pokken Tournament and 2008 saw two Mystery Dungeons and a Ranger game released.

Compare that to Assassin's Creed, everyone's favorite whipping boy for yearly releases:
AC1 (2007)
AC2 (2009)
Brotherhood (2010)
Revelations (2011)
AC3 (2012)
AC4 (2013)
Unity (2014)
Syndicate (2015)
Origins (2017)

Also only 2 skip years. Another favorite for yearly releases, Call of Duty, had a skip year in 2008, and then straight releases to the present.

Pokemon's main series games are close enough to yearly as makes no difference, and if you include the various spinoffs it's easily yearly. I would be surprised if they miss a 2018 release for Switch because the franchise prints money without the same complaints that other franchises get for constant new releases, so skipping a year is bad business for them.

In other news, water is wet, and Pokémon 3rd gen has too much water, therefore ORAS was too wet. Make the 8th gen be either too dry or too high to compensate.

@Jacob1092 "Balls of the Wild"

.........

Pokémon Uncut: Wild and Wooly, Untrimmed Version

@dorkeybubblehead Sounds about right to me! It's due for a visit beyond the comfy civilized oasis areas.

@LuccaSSC No but they could make questionable design choices that sour the experience and can't be buffed out regardless of how much polish is applied.

I still have high hopes as Nintendo knows fans have high expectations after the Masterpiece that was Prime and its very well crafted sequels.

No point in releasing Pokemon until there are enough Switches in the wild. Besides, I think Gamefreak understands that they need to evolve and Sun/Moon was a step towards that, rather than the end result. The more time the better.

@PlywoodStick I feel you might be my spirit animal

Knowing how Nintendo has operated in the past, I would almost put money on it that by the time MP4 releases, it will in fact be a dual release. One on Switch and the "definitive" version on the Switch successor.

I know it's very unlikely, but my hope is Diamond/Pearl remakes for the 3DS in 2018, and then Pokemon Switch in 2019.

Honestly, I think it's going to be released in November/December 2018, based on the past GameFreak has released a new mainline game nearly every year (since Gen 4 at least) and I do think Game Freak is prepared for the HD graphics now since Sun and Moon had cleaner models within the game's files.

And for those of you thinking Diamond and Pearl remakes are coming next year, there is no way, GameFreak has NEVER released a remake as the first title in a generation, and based on past patterns, GameFreak likes to wait until you can't actually use the physical cart on the current system (Exception being Gen 1 remakes) and they tend to release a little over 10 years after the original game was released, meaning 2019/2020 is much more likely for a Diamond and Pearl remake

It took almost three years into the 3DS' lifecycle for X & Y to come out. Hopefully they can handle a 2018 release if that's what they choose.

Pokemon will be Holiday 2019. I can assure you of that. 2018 will be a break year.

Each generation lasts a minimum of three years and there's always a break year. Game Freak also won't jump hardware mid-generation.

Also, looking at the anime progression, Ash is still only on Akkala Island, the second island of the game. Still a long ways to go clearly. There's also no more event/Mythical legendaries to hand out. This goes hand in hand with Game Freak's timeline.

If you don't believe me, go ask @Serebii.

@NoxAeturnus You're using the wrong dates. The original Japanese release dates should be used.

2006: D/P
2007:
2008: Platinum
2009: HG/SS
2010: B/W
2011: BW2
2012:
2013: XY
2014: ORAS
2015:
2016: Sun/Moon
2017: Ultra S/M

There's a break year every generation

@LuccaSSC The new Ultra Sun and Moon are coming out this year.

@IceClimbers Your data only 50% supports your claim. Break year mid-gen in 4, no break between 4 and 5.

My prediction stands: They're going to hit in 2018. The only reason they even announced anything at E3 this year was because Nintendo is putting pressure on them. That pressure isn't going to go away. It might not be a new Gen of Pokemon. I know it sounds crazy because Ultra Sun/Moon hit this year, but we might see a second mid-gen release, or another remake, but regardless I think we'll see something mainline in 2018 on Switch.

@IceClimbers B2/W2 came out in 2012 for both Japan and worldwide.

The good thing is that both are coming. We can wait for greatness.

While I have my doubts as to whether the Pokemon game for Switch will make 2018, it certainly sounds like Nintendo and TPC are aiming for a 2018 release.

That's why the release date for Pokemon on Switch is "2018 or later", rather than "TBA" like for Metroid Prime 4.

@PlywoodStick @dorkeybubblehead I think you guys might be on to something...

Pokemon Colosseum and XD Remastered for Switch would be golden.

Pokemon is a fall game. No way its a fall 2019 game

@gatorboi352
Other than Zelda Twilight Princess and BOTW, has Nintendo made any other one of their games cross-gen??

I can't think of any, but if you know of any, then I'd like to know.

@NoxAeturnus No, it 100% supports it. There's a break year during every generation. A generation doesn't end until the next generation starts.

Game Freak has never jumped hardware mid-generation. The first main series Switch game will be Gen 8.

The Pokemon Company's planning for a generation for the games, anime, TCG, and merchandise are all closely intertwined. As I said before the anime isn't even close to being done with the Alola saga. It'll need another year to finish.

Pokemon on Switch will assuredly be in 2019. A Pokemon Mystery Dungeon will likely launch next year however

@NaviAndMii: My thoughts exactly! I'm content to wait for a decent Pokemon game!

If Pokemon, Metroid and probably Smash are the core titles for 2018 then bring it.

@YouSeemFRAZZLED dude this will be Metroids first ever HD outing aswell... I don't care about Pokémon but Metroid is my life

The only thing we know for certain with Pokemon? It will be a Holiday title, as it has been for some time. So it will be either Holiday 2018 or Holiday 2019.
Let's hope Nintendo fixes the Switch's stock issues by then, because Japan will run en masse to buy a console to play Pokemon.

Make sense as Ultra SM is coming on Nov. I would say it's more likely that the PM on NS will be released on late 2018.

@Nolan420 I was talking about Pokémon generations, not consoles.

I really want to see what a main Pokemon would be like on a console but tgeu shoukd take their time. Getting tired of new maun mon' games every year. Plus I mean how many more gens can there be? That total Pokemon number just keeps getting bigger and bigger every few years..

@essiw this guy nailed it. I'm sure they'd loved to have a big massive rpg for us to play on our switch next holiday but with the caveat that it may take longer.

@Fandabidozi I've been craving for a new Animal Crossing ever since that Amiibo Festival game and the Mario Kart DLC came out and I saw the potential for a HD AC town.

I've been very critical of the Switch and Nintendo's lineup so far. But in all honesty, I would buy a Switch for this game in a heartbeat.

@Nolan420 No problem.

I dont know why is this news when they already said this at E3 this year via the Spotlight thing. >__>

I think we see Pokemon RPG on the Switch Sept/Oct. 2018. I think Metroid will be a March 2019 game.