Now that Game Freak has released all of the Pokemon Sword and Shield DLC expansions, fans are wondering what's next from the studio and the Pokemon franchise. Many seem to subscribe to the theory that Game Freak is preparing to launch Pokemon Diamond and Pearl remakes for the Nintendo Switch this year, and while that has not been confirmed, an old leak may reveal more details about the games.
As pointed out by Reddit user BrandsXavier, a post on 4chan from October 2019 made three claims about Pokemon and so far, two of those three claims have proven accurate. The leak correctly predicted Galarian Mr. Mime, and it also predicted how Pokemon fossils work in Sword and Shield. The post also went on say to that Pokemon Diamond and Pearl remakes would be out in 2020 with Let's Go-style catching mechanics.
Of course, the leak was wrong about Pokemon Diamond and Pearl remakes launching in 2020, but perhaps that was the original plan. After all, the COVID-19 pandemic threw a massive wrench into everyone's 2020 plans, and so it's entirely within the realm of possibility that the games were in fact meant to launch last year, but were pushed back to 2021. Alternatively, maybe the decision to delay the Pokemon Diamond and Pearl remakes came about so that the games could take advantage of the Pokemon 25th anniversary celebration this year.
While the 2020 release date was clearly wrong, the leaker being correct about their Pokemon Sword and Shield claims lends credibility to their claim about Pokemon Diamond and Pearl's catching. And if they are accurate, then that will potentially be hugely controversial, as the Pokemon Let's Go catching was designed with more casual fans in mind, mimicking the gameplay of the Pokemon GO mobile game.
Leaks from 4chan can usually be dismissed outright, but two of the three claims in this post have come true, and massive, accurate Pokemon leaks have come from the site in the past. The infamous Pokemon "Ben Affleck" leak confirmed a slew of details about Pokemon Sword and Shield - all of which were proven to be true by the time the games came out. So while fans should still treat this with a grain of salt, there is some precedent for 4chan having accurate Pokemon franchise leaks.
If the leak is accurate about the Pokemon Diamond and Pearl remakes using the Let's Go catching mechanics, it will be interesting to see how the community reacts. One has to imagine that such a move will result in some significant backlash from fans, though that's just speculation at this time. Recent rumors suggest that the Pokemon Diamond and Pearl remake reveal is happening in February, so hopefully the speculation can be put to rest sooner rather than later.
Pokemon Diamond and Pearl remakes are rumored to be in development for the Nintendo Switch.