While the Pokemon While the franchise won't be getting a new mainline game to coincide with its 30th anniversary this year, that doesn't mean the series is idle as it passes the milestone. While the fans wait pokemon wind and the waves To be released in 2027, Pokemon 2026 is off to a strong start. The Pokemon Company Reissue Pokemon FireRed and Leaf green (first mainline re-release since 2017), keep the cult classic Pokemon XD: Storm of Darkness On Nintendo Switch Online (even if that version had some major issues), they saw a highly-rated release. Pokemon Pokopiaand the highly-anticipated official war simulator Pokemon Champions Coming to Nintendo Switch and mobile phones on April 8th. Beyond video games, Pokemon Also opened its own theme park in Japan on February 5: Poképark Kanto.
since Pokemon While this year won't feature a new mainline title, the companies behind it are trying to celebrate the series in other ways, such as those highlighted above. However, they may just be the tip of the iceberg, as we don't know much about the franchise's plans. ChampionsThere are many possibilities for many vintage releases. And if that potential is realized, both 2026 and 2027 could be great years. Pokemon Long time fan.
These are the 6 Pokemon that FireRed and LeafGreen players want to transfer to Champions
While the Switch versions of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen have been confirmed to be compatible with Pokémon Champions, there are 6 mons transferable.
Pokemon's Possible Retro Plans
The big question is what The Pokemon Company has in store for later this spring. For as big a milestone as 30 years, the bigger the name Pokemon It's unlikely to put its video game plans on a few spring releases and make it through. Like mobile games Pokemon Go and Pokemon Masters EX Of course there will continue to be updates throughout the year, but perhaps there is hope for more retro Pokemon out ports fire red and Leaf green Because no new games are set for the near future.
Although it is not yet dated, XDpredecessor of Pokemon Colosseum Nintendo Switch Online is already confirmed to come to the GameCube library. And while the dream would be for mainstream games that don't already have Switch remakes to come to consoles, there's no evidence that they will.
Yes, if there were plans for that, they would have started fire red and Leaf green; Porting the original remakes of the original Pokemon The area that coincides with the anniversary is a good time. Plus, if they sell well, maybe one day fans will finally be able to replay it Pokemon Heart Gold and Soul Silver without going into debt. Either way, it sounds like Nintendo and The Pokemon Company are only scratching the surface when it comes to festive content.
While we wait for Winds and Waves, Pokemon Champions will serve as this year's “big title.”
One thing we can assume for 2026 and possibly support 2027 as well Pokemon Champions Pokemon will be a high priority for the company. It has been officially confirmed Pokemon Tournament will be used Champions Instead of a new mainline release going forward, the series' massive competitive scene will finally have a game tailored for them that makes min-maxing easier than ever.
While we may not get a new mainline Pokemon adventure this year, Pokemon Champions That's a big enough deal for competitive players and casual fans looking to join the scene, so much so that it could be as important as a whole new core game. EV training, IV and breeding for nature, and more have in the past created a huge barrier to entry for fans eager to play professionally. The ability to tweak EVs, IVs, and abilities will ensure that the game lasts longer.
Spinning off this year and next
Even so Champions The big focus of 2026 is going to be high quality Pokemon Pokopia Gives gamers hope that we might see some big budget consoles Pokemon spin-off soon. Between Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, there are only 5 spin-offs Pokemon Games that aren't even ports of freemium mobile titles – 4 if you discount that Pokken Tournament DXWhich was a port of a Wii U game that was itself a port of an arcade game, and if you discount 3 Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DXwhich was a remake of the original Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue rescue team.
For the DLC Pokopia Would be good news, but it's been over 10 years Pokemon Mystery Dungeon A brand new entry has been received. the poor Pokemon Ranger Not seen since 2010, however, the Switch 2 Joy-Cons' mouse controls will work well with the series' core gameplay. If they don't release this year, the announcement alone for new titles in the long-dormant spin-off series will do a lot to satisfy.
This time, Pokemon's Nostalgia Bet is welcome
People can criticize Pokemon Sometimes to rely too much on nostalgia, and that's fair. But its 30th year is a perfect excuse to indulge in the idea of pandering. Bringing back dormant but beloved titles, whether they're mainline or spin-off games, will be more effective than announcing new mainline games that we always knew were coming.
So, I'm tired of the old temptation, I'm willing to accept it this year or even 2027 as long as the Pokemon Company takes full advantage of it. People don't just miss Kanto — we miss Joho, we miss Hoen, we miss Sinnoh, and we miss the rest of the old regions (we also miss the spin-off regions like Ransei and Almia). All these will make the capital of love PokemonRemember the 30th anniversary, and hope, exactly what happens.
