Summary
- Leaks suggest that the Generation 10 Pokemon games might be released on both the original Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Switch 2.
- The Switch 2 is expected to be backward compatible, allowing it to play Pokemon games from the original Switch.
- More details on future Pokemon games are anticipated during the Pokemon Presents event on February 27.
According to the latest leaks within the Pokemon franchise, the highly anticipated Generation 10 games could see native releases on both the original Nintendo Switch and the forthcoming Switch 2. At the time of writing, no official announcements have been made regarding Generation 10, but many have speculated that these games would be developed exclusively for the Switch 2 due to performance issues experienced with the Generation 9 games, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, on the original Switch. These Gen 9 games faced criticism for their performance in the open world, leading fans to believe that Game Freak might shift focus to the more powerful Switch 2 for future releases. However, recent leaks suggest a different approach.
Information shared by Centro Leaks, originating from a Game Freak hacker, indicates that the Generation 10 Pokemon games, codenamed Gaia, are primarily being developed for the original Switch. Additionally, a version called Super Gaia has been discovered, which appears to be tailored for the Switch 2. There are also hints that Pokemon Legends: Z-A might receive a native release on the Switch 2.
Generation 10 Pokemon Games Could Be Coming to the Original Switch
While details about the Switch 2 remain scarce, it's confirmed that the console will be backward compatible with the original Switch. This means that owners of the Switch 2 will be able to play Generation 10 Pokemon games and Pokemon Legends: Z-A, even if they're not native releases. It's possible that the Switch 2 could enhance the performance of these games, similar to how newer Xbox and PlayStation consoles improve the experience of older titles, though this remains speculative. How Nintendo might enhance these potential Switch 2 ports is still unclear, especially given the console's inherent backward compatibility.
As of now, no official word has been released about the Generation 10 Pokemon games, so fans should approach this information with caution. More insights might be revealed during the upcoming Pokemon Presents event on February 27. However, it's important to note that this event is expected to focus on Pokemon games coming to the original Switch, not the Switch 2. If the Generation 10 games are indeed targeting the original Switch, it could be some time before the Switch 2 sees a dedicated main series Pokemon game.