The company behind the Pokémon video games has confirmed that there will be no new game this year – and apparently confirmed rumours that the Nintendo Switch 2 will be coming out in 2025.
At the Pokémon Presents event it was confirmed that Pokemon Legends Z-A will be released worldwide on Nintendo Switch systems in 2025.
This means that 2024 will be the first time in nine years that a new Pokémon RPG won’t be released. The Pokemon company has released a new game every year since 2016’s Pokemon Sun and Moon.
It also seems to confirm rumours that Nintendo is delaying the released of the Switch to from the end of this year to the first quarter of 2025.
Pokémon Legends Z-A, which some experts have said appears to be a follow-up to Pokémon Legends: Arceus from 2022, will be entirely set in Lumiose City, which is in the Kalos region.
A teaser of the game was released, showing Pikachu running through a wireframe version of the city. Cut aways then show various Pokémon in silhouette at various city locations. In addition, a rainbow S-shape appeared on screen, the symbol for mega evolutions, which is sure to be popular with users.
This game will be a big release given that recent Pokémon games have received criticism from reviewers and gamers for a perceived drop in the quality of the games – although sales have been as strong as they have ever been. Game Freak, which develops the games, has been criticised for muddied visuals and glitches and bugs that negatively impact the gaming experience.
At the event, it was also announced that there will be a new app version of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, as well as the AR game Pokemon Go, which remains popular years after the initial release.
Nintendo has yet to confirm if the Switch 2 has been officially delayed until 2025.
