Long-time Pokemon fans rejoiced yesterday with the announcement of New Pokemon Snap for the Nintendo Switch, a sequel to the beloved 1999 N64 game that featured on-rails photography. The Pokemon Presents video also highlighted a number of other things, including a puzzle game called Pokemon Cafe Mix and the addition of Mega Evolution in Niantic's Pokemon GO. After that, though, The Pokemon Company's CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara dropped a bombshell by saying another "big project" in the works that will be announced on June 24, 2020.
Social media exploded with speculation as to what another big announcement in the wake of New Pokemon Snap with high-quality graphics and representation from all eight Generations could be. Pokemon has a long history of different potential projects that could fit the bill, so it's worth weighing some options as to what fans may be able to expect.
Sinnoh Remakes
Easily the most desirable option by Pokemon's fanbase is the inevitable remakes of Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum. This is clear evidenced by the fact that the Sinnoh Region began trending on Twitter following the Pokemon Presents video premiering on YouTube. Game Freak also recently posted a job listing to work on a "new entry in the Pokemon core series," which could fit Diamond and Pearl as well as an entirely new follow-up to Sword and Shield.
Pokemon has a pattern of releasing remakes as technology improves. Generation 1 got Pokemon Firered and Leafgreen as well as Let's Go, Pikachu and Eevee, Generation 2 got Pokemon Heartgold and Soulsilver, and Generation 3 got Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire on the 3DS. With the series having jumped to the Switch, it's about time for Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina to be back in the spotlight.
Pokemon Let's Go Sequels
Another likely bet is a sequel to Pokemon Let's Go, Pikachu and Eevee set in the Johto region. The first two games were Pokemon's initial presence on the Switch, and succeeded by incorporating nostalgia for the original GameBoy titles with the ongoing craze over Pokemon GO. In fact, the games were successful enough that speculation immediately began for what monsters could headline Let's Go games based on Gold and Silver.
This title being announced, while perhaps not as exciting as Diamond and Pearl, could stand out if it takes Pokemon Crystal as inspiration similar to the first Let's Go games being primarily based on Pokemon Yellow. People are also leaning toward this being announced due to plushies and game packages displayed behind Ishihara at the end of the Pokemon Presents video.
Another Returning Spin-Off
Hot off the heels of New Pokemon Snap and the recently released Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX, one possibility for a big announcement is another returning spin-off. The obvious choice is Pokemon Ranger, which has not seen any play since the DS era. There are other smaller series such as Pokemon Conquest, a Tecmo Koei tactical RPG crossing the series with Nobunaga's Ambition, but Ranger would likely have the biggest resonance with long-time fans.
That said, it's safe to hedge one's bets and assume the new announcement may be not be exactly what's desired. What's likely to have one fan cheering is likely to have another sobbing, depending on whether it's Diamond and Pearl remakes or Pokemon Ranger that's announced. Another instance, given Pokemon Sword and Shield's first DLC The Isle of Armor released yesterday, could be that next week's announcement could be something related to its next expansion The Crown Tundra.
All things considered, Ishihara's cadence and verbiage suggests the announcement will be a "big" thing for the franchise, more impressive than The Crown Tundra news. Pokemon fans will only have to wait a week to find out what it is, but here's hoping for something that will break the Internet.
New Pokemon Snap is in development, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.