Topic: Next Nintendo Direct?

I don't know. I'm skeptical it could happen. Even if it was super polished with great art and story, there are too many people who want too many different things from Pokemon so it's hard to imagine what a consensus for a top-tier Pokemon game would look like.

I think there is a decent chance the gen 10 game will be excellent, but I still expect lots of complaining. At this point, large numbers of people will complain no matter what the combat system looks like which makes it especially difficult.

If Gen 10 has no glaring flaws to complain about and turns out to be an excellent release, then, mark my words, people online will just start saying "well, it isn't GTA 6."

One of the biggest sources of complaints behind the modern Pokemon games seem to be the performance, any sign of laziness in the graphics or performance and fans seem to hyperfocus on it and act like it's the worst game ever. Flat textures (see: the trees in SwSh, the windows in Z-A), lifeless animations (I see this a lot with the Pokemon attack animations for example), they seem to think that if it doesn't look like a Hollywood blockbuster it's garbage. And honestly I do think it's pretty hyperbolic, while those are definitely flaws and it'd be nice to see them improve those kinds of things, I hardly consider them a dealbreaker. Most of these issues you'd need to freeze frame and hold up a microscope to notice in the actual gameplay, I haven't noticed these things at all when actually playing.

If there's anything I'm actually worried about it's the quantity of content in the game and the QoL features they've cut over time. If the game world isn't a decent size (I did have some concerns about this with Lumiose in Z-A, but when I actually played it it felt sufficient if not totally mindblowing), if there's not enough to do in the game (side content has been continually cut over time so this is an issue), removal of convenient QoL features, that's the kind of stuff I would be concerned about. And overall, I would say they've been passable on that front if not great. And yes, I am worried about an $80 price tag or a GKC release too. Anything short of those kinds of issues and I'll likely enjoy the game.

@Grumblevolcano MAR10 would be a good opportunity for Mario Kart update, also help stack the presentation if they dont have enough to make a presentation (MM3, LM4, 3dMario, another sports title, wonder DLC, Yoshi release date, etc.)

I would highly doubt Gen 10 would be $80. They would lose a lot of double sales (people buying both types) and family purchases.

I suspect it will be cross-gen. It is probably a year too soon for Pokemon to be switch 2 exclusive (especially without a lite model).
However, if a switch 2 lite is released beforehand, there is a chance it might be exclusive.

@FishyS
I certainly agree that people will complain no matter what.

As an outsider looking in, I’m thinking the new games are gonna be Switch 2 exclusive and 70 bucks each.

I doubt a Lite model has anything to do with Gen 10's exclusivity, that doesn't seem to matter much to them because millions of people buy Pokemon regardless of what they do. What I think is the determining factor, and the reason why this is most likely Switch 2 exclusive, is how they end up utilizing the Switch 2 upgrades, particularly the non-performance related upgrades like Mouse Mode and Gamechat. Game Freak seems to love taking advantage of new hardware features to make the new generations on new hardware more distinctive, if you look at past hardware jumps they loved utilizing the touch screen and Wi-Fi of the DS, the 3D and to a lesser degree Streetpass on the 3DS, and the local multiplayer of the Joycon for the Switch. Now Mouse Mode and Gamechat aren't exactly the most innovative hardware features so it is possible they struggle to come up with anything that justifies exclusivity and make it cross-gen, but I suspect they have ideas so I think most likely it will be exclusive.

@skywake the thing is - it doesn’t have to make logical sense. Value is a very personal and subjective thing. Despite everything in your post, many people are going to see £16.99 (or equivalent) as good enough value for money when it comes to these games. And they might not see value in cheaper games, or more modern games. I don’t think there are many retro 2D games that can get away with that price point, but I think Pokemon surely can.

Although I see your point regarding this justification as part of a broader “corporate greed” narrative. But at the end of the day, a game company exists to make money. And Nintendo is doing a hell of a good job at it when you compare it to its competitors, so maybe they’re making the right decisions.