While the Nintendo Switch 2 Having been out for a relatively short time compared to its “current-gen” counterparts, it has developed an impressive array of accolades. The Nintendo Switch 2 has more worthwhile exclusives for one than the PS5 or Xbox Series X, and there are no signs that the selection is slowing down. For example, many believed Pokemon wind and waves There will be a big Nintendo holiday release, but with its 2027 release window, there are new signs from there. was killed rather a game.
Whatever happens this holiday, the Nintendo Switch 2 has already ushered in a brand new era: one that for many fans has defined every Nintendo hardware iteration since the Game Boy. Pokemon Legends: ZA Is a cross-gen game, which is like dipping your toe in the water, so Pokemon Pokopia The first is a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive Pokemon the game In other words, of the Switch era Pokemon The games are over, and the Switch 2 era has now begun in earnest.
Hear me out: I think Pokemon Winds and Waves releasing in 2027 is secretly a good thing for Switch 2 owners
Pokemon Winds and Waves isn't coming to Switch 2 until 2027, but that might actually be a good thing for owners of the console.
The Nintendo Switch 2 era is off to a strong start
The sun has set on Switch 1 Yuga
It will probably be a few years before fans can look back on the Switch era and reflect on it in its entirety, but some facts are hard to ignore. While any Pokemon As bad as the games were, it seems that many of them brought as much controversy as positive feedback. Pokemon Sword and Shield Kickstarted the first generation on the Nintendo Switch, and while solid in its own right, many fans were and still are upset about Dexit, or the removal of the national Pokédex, containing all Pokémon.
Since then, many fans have been counting down what Pokémon was missing from the Switch. Game Freak and The Pokemon Company seem to have intentionally left out Pokemon to expand the inclusion of everyone across the entire Switch 1 era and essentially two generations of Pokemon games.
a lot Pokemon The games on the Nintendo Switch were subject to criticism for the graphics/visuals (trees Legends: ArceusBuildings in Legends: ZA), technical problems (shown in e.g Pokemon Scarlet and Purple), simplified difficulty in games (although it goes back and forth), omission of voice acting, and/or introduction of DLC.
Pokemon Legends: ZA is as much a Switch 2 game as it is a Switch 1 game, so it's caught up cross-generationally. Pokemon Pokopia is the first Pokemon game that is completely exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2.
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The Pokemon X Switch 2 era has begun
If Pokemon Sword and Shield Then set the tone for Nintendo Switch 1 games Pokemon Pokopia That is the North Star. of course, Pokemon wind and waves Gen 10 will likely define the series of mainstream games, but the Switch 2 era begins with it. Pokopia. And what a start.
Pokemon Pokopia It has set review records for the franchise, launching with a top critic average of 88 on aggregate site OpenCritic, with 94% of critics recommending it. I mean, it's standing on the side Resident Evil requests and MeugenicsMaking it one of the best reviewed games of the year so far. That may change, but for starters Pokopia And the Switch 2 era, that's impressive.
Pokemon Pokopia Some new regional variants such as Peakychu have been well-received so far, while the initial reactions Pokemon wind and waves And their starters are just as positive, if not more, than the general generations. Hopefully, they aren't subject to the same visual and technical criticisms, but how this new generation handles the challenges of difficulty, DLC, and voice acting, if it does, remains to be seen. Not only that, there is also the possibility of new criticisms or challenges. The RAM crisis is likely to be a major concern for the foreseeable future Pokemon Games, but still, a new era is here, a new generation is coming, and all of that is worth celebrating.
Nintendo Switch 2 makes Dexit a thing of the past
when Pokemon Sword and Shield was released, the National Pokedex was forever broken on Switch 1. This is not the case for the Switch 2 generation. Thanks to Pokemon Home and backwards compatibility, everything from Switch 1 is technically accessible on Switch 2. In other words, while there may be event-specific legendaries that cannot be obtained, every regular Pokémon can be caught. Pokemon Legends: ZA Both heralded the last Pokemon (such as Patrat) for the Switch 1 generation and ensured they were present for the launch of the Switch 2 generation.
Switch 2 Era has at least 591 of the 1025 Native Pokemon
However, I will say: counting what Pokemon isn't on hardware is kind of fun. As such, it is interesting to know that Pokemon Switch is a native of 2-only games. Apart from simple updates (Pokemon Scarlet and Purple) and backward compatibility (Pokemon Legends: Arceus), the only “official” Pokemon games on the Switch 2 Pokemon Pokopia And version of Switch 2 Pokemon Legends: ZA. Between the two, this brings the Nintendo Switch 2's Pokemon total to 591. The Pokédex numbers add up to 644, but there are about 73 overlapping Pokémon. Legends: ZA and Pokopia.
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Pokopia Pokedex: 300
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Lumiose Pokedex: 232
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Hyperspace Pokédex: 132
Yes, yes, yes, we can go to the pits Pokopia Being a spin-off, this or that, but it's a fun number to watch. when Pokemon Sword and the shield Launched on Switch 1, there were only 400 Pokemon for the new generation. Pokemon Home helped a lot, as well as DLC and later games, but the entire Pokédex wasn't native to Switch 1 until 1. Legends: ZA.
In terms of generational comparisons, there will be stark differences between Pokemon Sword and Shieldand Pokemon wind and waves. Wind and waves Head start, however, Pokopia is close Sword and shield. Pokemon Legends: ZA A cross-gen game pushes it.
Despite the fun thought experiments, the Nintendo Switch 2's special era Pokemon It is officially underway.
- issued
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March 5, 2026
- ESRB
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Everyone / users interaction, in-game purchases
