ThePokemonfranchise has a bright future ahead of it with fans excited aboutPokemon Legends: Z-Areleasing in 2025, but some fans have their sights set a bit further into the future. As the 9th generationPokemongames seem to be wrapping up, players are beginning to speculate about the 10th generation and how it may be able to improve upon the updates made to thePokemonformula in the last few games.
Since Nintendo’s jump to the Switch, the company’s handheld and console franchises have become one and the same. ForPokemonfans, this has been a mixed bag. In some ways, the greater hardware of the Switch was just what the series needed, allowing developers to explore more open areas for players to explore. But the implementation of these large areas, as well as the need for overworld models of each pokemon to populate them, is sometimes blamed for one of the series’ biggest low points of recent memory. When it was announced thatPokemon Sword and Shieldwould be the first mainlinePokemongames not to feature a national Pokedex, many fans were outraged. But, with generation 10, as well as the Switch 2, on the horizon, there may be hope forthe return of the national Pokedex,even if it may cause some difficulty.
Pokemon Generation 10 and the Switch 2 Are a Match Made in Heaven
Even though Nintendo hasn’t made any official mention of generation 10 yet, leaks and rumors are already circulating about the next mainlinePokemongames. If these rumors are to be believed,fans may not see generation 10 until 2026, leavingLegends Z-Ato be the majorPokemonrelease of 2025. That news may be sour to some, but it does have a silver lining. With a longer development time than previousPokemongames, developers might be able to add more creatures to the game. It still may be too much to expect the inclusion of all 1000+ pokemon, but fans generally prefer as many as possible to be available.
It also stands to reason that, if the next games do come out in two years, the Switch 2 will also have been released by that time, strengtheningrumors that the generation 10Pokemongames will be released on the Switch and Switch 2. Still only speculation, this news might be exciting forPokemonfans who long for a return of the national Pokedex, as the Switch 2’s expected more powerful hardware may allow for its return. Of course, many fans were also critical of the buggy state of the release ofScarlet and Violet, so much of the development time and processing power may be given to improving graphics and game stability. Either way, generation 10 coming to the Switch 2 is sure to provide an opportunity to address fans' complaints.
Switch Players Might Finally Be Able to Catch Em’ All
Another important boost that the Switch 2 could grantPokemonplayers is the console’s confirmed backwards compatibility. This would mean that not only would the generation 10 game be native to the new console, but that fans could also enjoy generations 8 and 9 on it as well. It’s alsolikely thatPokemon Homewill be available on the Switch 2, giving players the ability to transfer pokemon from all three games into one place. That way, even if the national Pokedex doesn’t return, fans who pay for the service could still create one on their own. Likewise, if the national dex does return, it would be simple for fans to fill the new game with pokemon from the old ones.
Pokemonfans have been divided lately between those that accept the removal of the national dex, and those who don’t, but both sides would agree that its return would only help the franchise grow. After the turbulent release ofScarlet and Violet,generation 10 needs to make some changes, so hopefully the national Pokedex’s return will be one of them.Pokemonplayers of all ages deserve a chance to become a Pokemon Master, and generation 10 may finally let them.
Pokemon
Pokemon is a franchise that needs no introduction. One of the most successful media empires in history, Pokemon spans games, television, films, manga, merchandise, music, and more.
