Topic: Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee!

I've said it before and I'll say it again: GameFreak will never stop the dual version gimmick. That way, they can sell the same game twice to a decent number of people. Even disregarding other factors behind the decision, it's just makes too much business sense.

In hindsight it is so weird that this wasn't announced in the Pokemon Direct. I was sure that there wouldn't be an announcement at E3 after there wasn't one in that video — do you guys think they threw together that video in the less-than-a week between the Direct and Spotlight after everyone got mad at Pokemon for no reason?

I think that's exactly what happened. The Pokemon Direct was such a disappointment for a large portion of the fanbase and so many people were expecting Stars that Game Freak had to announce the Switch game earlier than they normally would as damage control.

@Bolt_Strike But that announcement would do nothing for the Pokémon company in a Pokémon direct whereas it would certainly cement long term support in a Switch focused presentation. There are not too many instances of anger and frustration dictating what Nintendo does.

Hmm. This has to be the fall 2018 game right?

Xenoblade 2, Yoshi, Kirby, Fire Emblem, and Pokemon (none of which are titled ffs) would give them a decent year, if nothing I'm very interested in.

@Haru17 For what's worth, Joe Merrick (the Serebii guy) is adamant on this game being a 2019 release due to a number of factors, namely that the anime is planned according to GameFreak's release schedule. It seems to be too soon for it to finish its current arc since Ash has only visited one or two islands.

Personally, I believe him. The Switch game has to be a new gen and not something 7th gen-related, and 2018 is too soon for gen 8.

@MarcelRguez Well there goes like half of the Switch's 2018, lol. Nintendo better drum something up, because this system ain't selling after Mario on Xenoblade's back.

So is there just going to be no Pokemon game in 2018, are they going to remake a generation, or will GF take this opportunity to release a lazy Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon port on Switch?

@Haru17 First option. Can't see their first game on the Switch being a remake, it won't sell as much as an entirely new game to cover the expenses of HD development. They could release a gen 7 port, but they'd be selling us the same game three years in a row.

@MarcelRguez Hmm. I guess Animal Crossing is next year then? Maybe? Surely The Pokemon Company and Nintendo talk about these things. It'll be sort of a strange shift, going from a launch year filled with two big core singleplayer and multiplayer games to a year with a lot of casual games and RPGs, out of which only Kirby has and sort of direct multiplayer component.

@Haru17 I hope Animal Crossing is next year and I don't see why it wouldn't be. They already made tons of HD assets for Amiibo Festival and I doubt the entire team was working on Splatoon 2. The AC mobile game releases this year, supposedly, so they have a perfect chance to reveal both games at once.

I think it's wise of them to release their big multiplayer guns early on in the Switch's lifespan. Pokkén didn't have much chance to shine the first time around because it was released on the Wii U so late, for example. They wouldn't want to repeat that mistake.

Besides, there's the inevitable Smash port.

@MarcelRguez #pokemon2019 and #metroid2020

I dunno, they could be working on an Animal Crossing. Maybe a new IP, and a Smash port. Don't know what else people expect from Nintendo. The one game a month thing certainly won't happen. Switch droughts confirmed?

@Octane Retro's game might be a big one, and a new IP. I believe they can fill the calendar nicely if third-parties begin to jump on board seriously next year. They managed to do it this year because of the Wii U, be it porting games (Pokkén, MK8D), holding back releases (BotW and ARMS, I believe?) or reusing content (Splatoon 2).

For next year, thet have:

• Pikmin 4
• Retro's title
• A new Fire Emblem
• Smash Switch
• Kirby
• Cardboard Yoshi

They can cover half a year with that in terms of first-party releases, and that's assuming neither Prime 4 nor Pokémon make it.

@MarcelRguez Yeah I do believe Retro is working on a new IP, that has been rumoured for a while now. Pikmin 4 is handled by the Pikmin team and Good-Feel is working on Yoshi (again). Don't think I have to tell you who's working on Kirby.

If Splatoon 2 was a low effort job (since they're reusing a lot of assets), maybe the team can also finish an Animal Crossing by next year? Add FE to the list and you've got a decent output from Nintendo. I don't think they are big enough to pump out any more titles in a year. Unless they're filler amiibo Festival games. Maybe a new Mario Party?

Either way, they need at least some third party support.

That's what I believe it'll happen, or at least what I hope. It's worth noting Reggie has said they still have 2017 stuff to announce, so Retro's/Pikmin/Smash might slip into the November 2017 slot (which is currently empty, isn't it?).

@MarcelRguez I don't think Retro is doing any of those games, lol. But it is an interesting thought that Retro's new IP / late in the game Donkey Kong Country threequel could be next year. Much more interesting if it's the former as opposed to the later. Pikmin 4 could also be really good. 3 looked like a bit of a holding pattern to me, so I hope 4 makes strides such as adding diversity to the level design beyond obstacles and enemies, and adding some better hidden secrets. Sorry if I've detailed this thread by the way.

I really like NoA's release infographics. They provide a great way to visualize release schedules, even if all that did was throw the Wii U's droughts into harsher relief.

@Haru17 It has to be next year. Tropical Freeze was finished back in late 2013, it was delayed to February next year just to fill up a gap in the release schedule. That's plenty of time to put something else out. Furthermore, if they were developing another 2D DK, we'd have seen it by now. Maybe on Wii U, even.

Oh, and Skyrim is coming out during the snow season? Nice.

@MarcelRguez Your post makes me very hopeful for not-another-2D-platformer from Retro.

It's weird that Skyrim doesn't have a release date yet. Are you one of those people that never played it, or are you in the 1000 hours club with me?

@MarcelRguez Eh, I just don't believe anything Reggie says anymore

If they have another game for Switch this year, it's of the Mario Tennis calibre.

@Haru17 I don't know if you should be. Maybe it's just me, but I can't see Sakamoto collaborating with the team that worked under Tanabe. Don't get me wrong, I'd love for that to happen, but it's a stars-aligned situation.

About Skyrim, I'm somewhat in the middle. After not enjoying Oblivion as much as I thought I would, I didn't get into the Skyrim hype train. I got the 360 version recently for peanuts and played it for a little under 30 hours. Then Bethesda announced the Switch version and I haven't touched it since. I'm eager to get back to it, since I was enjoying it much more than Oblivion.

@Octane Can't blame you there, but it's November. They have Ultra Sun/Moon (hey, we're somewhat on topic again!), but nothing for the Switch. Still don't understand why Super Mario Odyssey is an October release.

@MarcelRguez Losing 30 hours hurts, haha. I'm glad you're liking it! The level design is certainly advanced from Oblivion, and that kind of 'head start' should give you a better idea of how to build your character.

Odyssey is October 27 so, like Mario Kart, it's trying to be a November/May game while pretending to also be an April/October game.

I have no idea when Smash DX will be. Obviously they weren't going to talk about it during ARMS' marketing cycle, and they might lead their online with it, but other than that I have no idea. I'm not really worried about Switch monthly release schedules though. They missed May and it was totally fine, and they can cover a month or two whenever they want with another Wii U port. Pikmin 3, Bayonetta 1+2, Twilight Princess + The Wind Waker, 3D World — all of these games could easily come to Switch.