Rumour: Pokémon Switch's Release Date Could Be As Early As November This Year

It will be December, the big Christmas / holiday release!?!?

It's either a crock of BS or someone is getting slapped with a huge fine for breaking NDA. After seeing various "leaks" for games I've been testing at the time and people lapping up every bit of BS as truth I am very skeptical of such revelations.
That said when something actually true was leaked people often disbelieved it, which was doubly funny.

Also, that's one mean-looking Pikachu.

There's no way this rumor to be true

If it's true,good luck finding a Switch at Christmas.

Who is Pixelpar and why should their claims be taken seriously? Anyone can say "I have an uncle who works for Nintendo."

I am dying for Pokemon Switch. But I also want them to do it right, to do it really well. They are bringing the game to HD, a whole new system, there is a lot riding on this game. Releasing in November would be earlier than I expect considering everything else I have heard.

Well, if this comes from a Twitter user with industry contacts and bad grammar....

Hail Pokemon i'm waiting for you Since Game-boy Advance...
Hail Pokemon

This guy has been proven to be making everything up. He has NO inside information. This "rumour" is old news and was disproven the beginning of this week.

@Danpal65 Nooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!

@Danpal65 That's not true. Stop spreading lies. Nothing Pixelpar has said has been debunked. He never said anything about an announcement day, his countdown was a just a funny bet not related to the other info he has.

My cat just told me Xenoblade X will be coming out Xmas 2018. He also has information from a trustworthy source, who works for NoE.

I think this is more a common sense thing than anything else. If they really want to hit a 2018 release it'd pretty much have to be November. December would be a little too close to Christmas for them to put out enough copies for all the people who would be buying it as a gift on top of all the people who'd just be buying it for themselves. November pre-Thanksgiving would let them plenty of restocking chances before Christmas.

I came to this conclusion of an early-November release through research on Game Freak and their activities. They typically release October/November (sometimes early year) and 1 to 2 years.

Now in reflection to Switch, that would indicate it is either holiday 2018 or they will make it a next year title.

But considering during E3 they made mention of it already being in development, my bets are on this year.

I really, really, REALLY hope this isn't true. 2 years is way too short for a Pokémon generation. Yeah, There was only 2 years between gens 1 and 2 in the US, and only one and a half years in Europe, but in Japan, 3 years was always the minimum. Gens 3 and 4 were even around for 4 years each.

I will never believe a person that uses "your" in the wrong context. 😐

It seems industry giants are afraid to go toe-to-toe with RDR2 (even COD releases earlier this year) so i doubt Nintendo would try to shoot themselves on the foot with a possible November release.

And in my experience when someone says '2018 or later' it's usualy later.

Makes sense based on recent releases plus if it’s this year they’d be fools to it release it for xmas rush. FOOLS!!!!

If it is a 2018 release that's when I think it would come, reveal pre-E3 and then release mid/late November.

@Syndrome I don't think Nintendo would care as RDR2 isn't coming to Switch.

Is this the pokemon click bait story of the day for nintendolife!!!

Never played a Pokemon game in my life but glad if it’s coming this year as it can only be a good thing for switch sales if it does which in turn benefits us all. Hope it’s good, may actually try it this time

I guess this won't be the huge 3D home console adventure everybody is hoping it would be, but more similar to the 3DS versions but in higher res.

Isn't this article a bit late?

Cue a new Gem type and a pokemon named Belugarnet.

@YamAsereht and who is a cat themselves, naturally. Who do you think greenlit Cat Quest on Switch?

If this is true, then the next generation will more than likely just be standard pokemon fare. I'd really like them to take their tame and actually wow fans like Breath of the Wild and Mario Odyssey did.

Project Beluga ?
Alaska ?

Smash Brothers and Pokémon? Sign me up.

@Heavyarms55 He's the one that leaked the Direct from earlier this year, and the mini Direct. He also leaked some of the 3DS Selects titles, etc. Enough to know that he has access to information that we don't.

But hey, don't do any research, just say you don't know who is, and that's enough to discredit anyone, right?

Edit: On second thought, it would be helpful if the article mentioned this as well. Seeing how more people don't know who he is.

Looking at this objectively, it would make sense to something as big as Pokémon to continue the impressive Switch sales. Although there are some good titles coming up, there isn't a major player. Nintendo need to keep up the momentum.

EDIT: Actually, there is also Smash, but it could be a port, plus one big title for the year is not enough.

I did read / watch some discussions about the possibility of the Switch Pokemon game releasing this year; though it was all just thoughts or possibilities. From a marketing / financial standpoint it would make a lot of sense. Whilst repeating 2017’s 1st year blow out is nigh impossible, releasing such a big game during a vital period for a console with a growing install base would give one heck of a boost. Also we’re kinda past the point where its always 1-2 years after its initial reveal that a game comes out. This game could have been in the works for years and is Nintendo’s No.1 priority.

Personally, I am in the crowd that we could see this game released this year though I believed that before this “leak”. I could of course be completely wrong as well. Hopefully E3 will shine some lights.

I love the way some people always assume that if the game does release this year,it will be a kind of lesser Pokémon experience or an kind of 3DS HD remaster.

The title could have been in the works way before the Switch was even released.

Hey everyone F-Zero is coming to Switch and it's a crossover between Forza Horizon 3. This is from a credible source as well.

It was obvious. I mean, we're pretty sure that SSB will release in september with the OS, so there is no point in releasing it in September/October because of that, also, there is no point in releasing the game after the xmas, so, only November left.

I think is too soon, I would like to see it in 2019 to let the franchise breathe.

@Sgt-Hassan93 damn! The last Pokemon game I played was on my SP!

While it’s possible, I know a lot of people are thinking SSB to be the big holiday release. (Not me tho, I think SSB will be sept or Oct)

Very possible. I mean, isn't Nintendo targeting 20 million switches or something this year? Pokemon and Smash would certainly do it, and then some.

My completely uneducated guess and wild speculation:

1.) The game will release at the earliest in November and at the latest in Summer 2019.

2.) The game won't be a reinvention of the franchise like BotW was, but there will be things that make the game stand out, maybe Joy-Con mini games or something.

3.) Local, couch co-op multiplayer in some way, shape, or form.

4.) Some kind of free DLC. Not codes to unlock Pokémon that already exist in the game's code. Actual DLC.

5.) Since there's two versions, the games will be $50 each. Or $60 to make more cash. Honestly, this could go either way.

Again, this is not a rumor. This is speculation based off of expectations.

"But hey, don't do any research, just say you don't know who is, and that's enough to discredit anyone, right?"

Yup, no need to mention why why we should trust the person mentioned in the article. It's the job of users to look up who that person is, NOT the person who wrote the article. Screw professional journalism and backing up facts.

Will be my last comment on this article, as don't want to give search engines ammo to spider this page.

Pokémon AND smash this year?

"targeting November 2018"

Well duh, it's probably been targeting November 2018 for at least 2 or 3 years, November is when Game freak releases it's Pokémon games and November 2017 was S&M Ultra and they weren't going to target the game for November 2019 and skip this year entirely.

Obvious target date is obvious.

Wait, beluga? Red alert! That’s a whale! They’re going whale hunting! Nooooooo!

@MjekuMati I hope by Whale they don't mean loading the game with TONS of in-game purchases and PokéLoot Boxes.

Personally I think November is an unlikely date. Maybe November 2019 is more likely, to give them more time to promote and advertise the game in the same way they did for Pokémon XY. They'd want to give people more time to buy Switches to ensure the game has a record-breaking launch.

This is not good! Smash + Pokemon will kill the chances of Fire Emblem being a hit.
Also we just got a new Pokemon last year. Pokemon should await 2 years for a new generation.

I started playing Pokémon Moon last year but have kind of forgotten about it. Am way behind to be ready for the Switch version but guess it is only a rumor.

Everybody going for the whale thing because of the Beluga name, while it could also be that the code name Beluga is related to Beluga caviar. (then again, the Japanese do like their whale hunts... )

Beluga caviar being one of the highest rated and most exclusive food products available, and as such, the relation with this new Pokémon game could be that this game is going to be the cream of the crop, the biggest Pokémon game ever, the be all, end all of Pokémon games.

And of course, it IS also exclusive. Just sayin'...

You can't release Smash Bros and Pokemon switch so close to each other.

It won't happen people.

Part of the problem I have with when Pokemon releases is because of how close it is to Smash, we're going to be getting two heavy hitters in a period of max ~6 months if Pokemon Switch gets delayed to Spring 2019. I've heard rumors and "leaks" that Smash Switch is supposed to be coming around September, granted I don't know how trustworthy these statements are, so I take it with a grain of salt, but it would make the most sense to release Smash in September, and Pokemon in December to space them out as much as possible for 2018 releases.

@WinterIceFox Why not? Why couldn't Nintendo release two big titles in the holiday season?

Nintendo have set their sights (And sales projections) for the Switch pretty high, one might argue that they need a broadly appealing heavy hitter like Pokemon to reach those targets, and few games make loads of people yell "Shut up and take my money!" quite like pokemon, so i ask again: Why wouldn't Nintendo release it for the holiday season?

@WinterIceFox Nintendo already did that 4 years ago with 3DS. Smash 3DS launched September 2014 and ORAS launched November 2014.

@Spectra Heheheh, nice

@WinterIceFox This is my thinking too. Originally I thought Pokemon had a chance this year and then Metroid next year, but since Smash has been announced this year I believe it is Smash, Pokemon, and finally Metroid. I think it fits in a nice time frame.

There seem to be lots of rumours about their potentially being a Pokemon Direct announced next Tuesday, with the Direct coming on Wednesday. All to be taken with a pinch of salt at this stage, although it would make sense ahead of Nintendo’s finance report coming out next Thursday.

By the usual timeframe, we should get an announcement soon as games are normally announced around six months in advance – which would be needed if Pokemon is coming out (as is likely) in November.

My guess is that Nintendo wants to bring out Smash Bros alongside the Online service in September and then follow this up with Pokemon in November. This would serve two purposes – firstly to promote the online service and secondly by getting lots of younger gamers and Pokemon fans who currently own 3DS to make the leap to Switch.

I personally think the recent ‘leaked’ Lapras / Eevee picture could well be of the new game. It makes sense. If Gamefreak are ditching the battle system, it makes sense to set the new game in Kanto so that these radical changes are counterbalanced with a familiar region.

@Yoshi87 A sorta revisit to Kanto/Jotho region would probably be warmly welcomed by the older fans. It could also reintroduce the roots to the current young fanbase that is much younger than the original games. Kanto alone could be a bit small for a Switch game, unless they make it a lot larger than it originally was.

I hope it's announced soon, like sometime later this month. If we are getting Pokemon Switch this year, I think the latest they could announce it is early May. If it isn't announced by then, there's no way we're getting it this year.

We already know Nintendo would like to get this out for the holiday 2018. This really doesn't add new information. But would be a great year for N if they did. To have Smash & Pokémon in back to back months to finish the year...both system sellers. Switch could hit 30 million units sold in first 2 years if Pokémon does come out this year. Would be nice.

I will buy this game either way, but I'd be floored and giddy if this was an expanded and more fully realized Kanto game. Before you start yelling at me about being a Genwunner, keep in mind that I played and loved GS&C, X&Y, B&W, and Sun and Moon. Being able to play through Kanto again though in a much bigger and more complete world would bring tears to my eyes.

I believe that it is true because if memory serves me correctly, Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon was done by a small group by game freak. They were saying that they had a bunch of younger individuals working on that project to bring new ideas to Pokemon. They also did this so that the rest of the department could be working on Pokemon for the Switch. It this was true then I can see there being a Pokemon game being released for this November.

You also have to think that Game Freak was already working on their new game as soon as they were able to get their hands on the Switch's hardware so at least 3+ years in the making.

@NapalmPsalm don't get your hopes up for Metroid this year

Once again, I will wait for an official announcement from Game Freak/Nintendo. Although this does peak my excitement meter a bit.

@SmaggTheSmug That is a really interesting observation. In my mind, Kanto being chosen would serve two purposes. Firstly, the region isn’t very big and would be easy to put together a Pokemon based Kanto game in the timescale we are talking. Secondly, my assumption is that Pokemon Switch will heavily promote DLC – as Nintendo knows that route would be quite profitable.

If it is Kanto, I expect to see the Johto region unlockable as paid DLC, which could open the game up to a potentially massive expansion.

Y'know, my aunt has contacts at Nintendo. Her eye doctor had them shipped to the wrong address.

I actually think this rumor is true. Not because of wishful thinking just because it is such a Nintendo thing to do to be true.

If it's coming out this year my expectations will be low as far as what new things the game adds. Games tend to look better the longer the games are on a console which makes sense. Just give me at least 100 new mons and finally a dark type gym. Also new ways to shiny hunt or bring back things like Pokeradar.

@Yoshi87 I was thinking it would be time for a Direct next week but Pokemon didn't come to mind, rather a general one or Mini.

@Tulio517 No no, I don't think metroid is coming this year at all. My thinking is:

smash this year
pokemon next year
metroid the year after that.

@Grumblevolcano The rumour is that it could be either, however their clearly has to be an announcement soon if a 2018 release is on the cards even if it is just to confirm the release with no other details or footage like the Smash announcement.

The main logic for this is that Nintendo’s quarterly financial reports are out next Thursday and clearly if Pokemon Switch moves from being listed as “2018 or later” to “2018” this would help increase investor confidence in the company and possibly push up the share price. However, if this the case Nintendo would be unlikely to formally announce the game in this way, hence the likelihood of a Direct.

Alternatively, Nintendo might save the announcement for E3 but that seems relatively late in the news cycle if a November release is actually going to happen.

@Multi Surely the big christmas game will launch before December to capitalise on black friday shopping? November makes much more sense.

Just like green day, "Wake me up when October Ends"

If this turns out to be accurate, it'll mean Nintendo will completely sell out of Switch consoles this holiday season, LOL! Again I say, I really hope they time the release with a red/white Joy-Con pack so we can all have a Pokeball configuration!

If it is this year, Friday before US Thanksgiving? (as the last three "core" games: USUM, S/M and ORAS, were)

I hope it's true since I can't bring myself to finish Ultra Sun. It's just that bad. Anyway, it makes sense if Nintendo paid online suscription launches this year. Surely a lot of people would be willing to pay to play Pokémon and Smash online.

@Tulio517 I only want to see a trailer.

I've suspected for a long time that they would try to get Pokemon out for the holiday sales 2018. It's just common sense. I never believed that Nintendo's first-party lineup for 2018 would fail to include at least one system seller. Nintendo like your money just as much as any other entertainment company.

I doubt this is going to be the Pokemon revolution some people are expecting. But it wouldn't be a revolution even if they kept developing it into 2019 or 2020. Pokemon is an incredibly big seller just the way it is. They won't retool the game until people start demonstrating that they want a change by not buying. My money is on this version getting better graphics and some new online functionality, not much more.

@JasmineDragon And if we consider the online suscription launching this year, Nintendo probably wants two heavy titles to support it (Smash+Pokémon).

@WinterIceFox If it means more people paying to play online, Nintendo is going to do it. In 2014 they released Smash and Pokémon, so it isn't a stretch.

@Frank90 Just add a couple more of waifus and it'll sell.

@getyourak 2014 flashbacks

@BigKing Knowing how lazy Game Freak is, I would not be surprised.

@Krisi To be fair, gen VII got stale really fast.

@YamAsereht You have my attention.

Pixelpar is an unreliable source.

No way! Pokemon Switch or whatever it's gonna be called gotta be at least 2019. I'm thinking a remake of Diamond & Pearl would be more likely for this year than PKMN Switch. This year is all about SMASH BROS!!!!

I REALLY hope this isn't true. X/Y were Pokemon's debut into 3D, came out a lot earlier than expected, but ended up being super rushed as a result. GameFreak has a habit of doing this from time to time, so I hope they take their time with the Switch game so it's not another rushed title.

I'm with you, @3dsgeek333. I really don't want a rushed game. Altough I absolutely love the franchise and I'm very excited about a new generation, I'd rather wait for a 2019 release.

@Octane I am just supposed to google his Twitter ID? Anyone can say anything on Twitter and it's really easy to fake stuff like that. Also what is wrong with asking who someone is on an article, like you said, that doesn't really talk about who they are citing? Isn't that the point of a comment section, to talk about the article?

@Heavyarms55 It was late I think lol. That comment may have seemed a bit more rude than it was intended. Sorry for that. It was more a general comment to everyone dismissing it because it's someone they didn't know. But like I said, I wished the article itself mentioned it as well, you know, a bit of background information.

@Octane Fair enough.

I am surprised no one has compiled all the rumors into one site and named it The Nintendo Uncle.

@3dsgeek333 Earlier than expected? A lot of people were hoping for a 3DS Pokemon game in 2011/2012. If anything people were upset by how long it took them to even get XY out.

That being said this game would certainly be terrible if it comes out this soon, so yeah.

I'd like to know a lot more. Always wanted a crack at a console level Pokemon to see how it would work out.

I've avoided the series for years as it got so so stale and then Pokemon X dragged out so bland and badly I blew it off. I happened across Ultra Sun for $20 within the last week and I'm oddly very much enjoying the big overhaul it got with the big story mode and direction it pushes like a JRPG would do. This may make me really want to know more about this Switch game as it's interesting again to me. My age shows but I was there from the start with Red but really best enjoyed Yellow, and later FIreRed and somewhat SoulSilver on DS too. I do have Crystal but never got to it sadly.

Wouldn’t surprise me. I expect a lot of people will be disappointed by these titles though, because I believe it’ll “just” be the Sun/Moon/X/Y engine in HD with added detail to the environments.

Seems like a lot of fans are expecting a lot more.

To all the people who say this would be too early: We don't know how long the game has been in development. They can work on more than one game at once. Plus Sun/Moon used the same engine as X/Y so the engine programmers could have started working on a new engine years ago.

Plus you all sound like the people that said "Revealing a new console in fall and releasing it in spring is not enough time to build hype" and "If they skip the holiday season and release in March, it will never sell". We all know how that turned out

@countzero I think you are correct. We know from the Pokemon Company that, after the release of Sun & Moon, a junior team of younger staffers worked on Ultra Sun & Moon. Also, the development kits for Switch went out in late 2016. So technically, Pokemon Switch could have been in development for over two years by now.

There have also been reports that debugging is taking place as Game Freak are hiring coders to go through the game - so it must clearly be close to the final phase of development.

@Yoshi87 If it is coming this year, I'm very sure we'll get a reveal before E3. Just a matter of when before E3.

@Grumblevolcano I agree with you that seems highly likely. I was hoping we might get something next week ahead of the investors report on Thursday, but some people have rightly pointed out that an announcement right now might detract somewhat from Nintendo Labo, which the company is heavily promoting.

My guess would be that sometime is May is likely, as in past years Pokemon announcements have often taken place in that month.

@Devlind Yeah, gen 7 isn't my favorite either, but it has potential (I love Alola forms and Ultra Beasts, for example), but I still thik we need another year or so not to get tired of mainline Pokémon games. Remember, gen 4 was around for 4 years, and it was a weaker generation in my opinion (even though it housed the incredible HeartGold/SoulSilver and Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time/Darkness/Sky).

I really would like this to be on the BOTW engine.

Something like that. Having said that if it was Moon/Sun engine, I would still be very happy having it on my Switch

Gamefreak already said they are worried we'll expect too mich, which means this won't be a big jump over the actual style but with HD textures and a tiny bit bigger world, it's impossible this would be something like BotW from their comments, also it makes sense as their first HD job to be a bit simple so when they release the 4th gen remake after the 8th gen or whatever they can actually make a bigger graphical upgrade.
That's what i think, but whatever they will make for us I'm so pumped, also waiting for an Animal crossing PLEASE make it this year too

I will buy Pokémon before Smash, keep in mind they’re two entirely different style games. People who are crazy about Smash, EVO, and fighting games will end up buying both anyway.

I plan to get both eventually. But a Pokémon title released in November, I’m okay with this.

Let’s be honest, how many people only get one video game as a Christmas present these days?

Can’t wait to play Pokémon on Nintendo Switch!

@19Robb92 Yeah I would find it hard to believe that they'd be able to crank out a totally brand spanking new Pokemon Game that quickly.

When they revealed that a new Pokemon was coming to Switch at E3 2017 wasn't it presented as the company is JUST BEGINNING to make it?

Oh... i thought you guys had some actual information that complete twitter garbage from a guy that's a hot trash "leaker".