Next year marks the 25th anniversary ofPokemon, arguably one of the most beloved video game franchises to ever exist. Just like theSuper Mario 35th anniversary celebrationgoing on , it’s safe to say players can expect some big things from the franchise throughout 2021.
With rumors pointing toward expansions forPokemon Sword and Shield,Pokemon Diamond and Pearlremakes, and multiple collections of older games for the Nintendo Switch. Here’s a look at all of the biggestPokemon25th-anniversary rumors for new game releases.
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Pokemon Sword and Shield: The Cinder Citadel
Pokemon SwordandShieldmarks the first time in series history that developer Game Freak made the decision to scrap the release of a third game and instead support the games with post-launch DLC expansions, offering new story content, new and returning Pokemon, new in-game activities, and more. Game Freak and The Pokemon Company have only announced two expansions: the Isle of Armor, which released back in June, and the Crown Tundra, which is due to release sometime before the end of 2020.
But if rumors are to be believed, there’s at least one more DLC pack on the way called The Cinder Citadel which is said to be adding an all-new Wild Area, a brand new region, the entire Unown catalogue, and Mega Evolutions. Nintendo has previously released new DLC content past the first expansion pass forSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate,so the idea isn’t out of the realm of possibility. However, fans should keep their expectations in check nonetheless, as this would be the most ambitious DLC add-on for the games thus far.
Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Remakes
It’s been rumored that Game Freak and The Pokemon Company would remakePokemon Diamond and Pearl,the fourth generation of Pokemon games that debuted on the Nintendo DS back in 2006, for quite a few years. The first generation was remade in 2004 in the form ofPokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, followed byPokemon HeartGold and SoulSilverfive years later in 2009, and finally,Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphirein 2013.
According to a series of rumors,Pokemon Max Diamond and Max Pearlare set to release worldwide in November 2021, bringing the region of Sinnoh to Nintendo Switch and will see the return of Dynamaxing fromPokemon Sword and Shield. Of all thePokemon25th anniversary rumors,Pokemon Diamond and Pearlremakes are the most likely to be based in reality given the history of the series.
Pokemon Let’s Go: Johto Edition
Prior to the release ofPokemon Sword and Shield, Game Freak producer and director Junichi Masuda stated the team hadno plans for aPokemon Let’s Gosequel, at least at that point in time. Fast forward to the Pokemon Presents presentation back in June, and players were convinced aPokemon Let’s Go Johtoannouncement was coming, only for it to end up being the reveal forPokemon Unite, aPokemonMOBA made in conjunction with Tencent.
Given the success ofPokemon Let’s Go Pikachu and Let’s Go Eevee, many fans are still convinced that a sequel is coming for the second generation, and it would be a good idea to fill time in the wait forPokemon Diamond and Pearlremakes of Generation 9.
Pokemon Anniversary Collections for Gen 1-7
Perhaps the most farfetched rumor so far, The Pokemon Company has plans to releasemultiple remastered collectionsof old games throughout 2021 to celebrate Pokemon’s 25th anniversary. Starting with Kanto, the original games from the first generation will be ported in a single collection to Nintendo Switch, followed by collections for Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, and so on.
On the same note, there’s an entirely separate rumor forPokemon Super Collection, which will instead bring remastered versions ofPokemon X and Y,Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire,Pokemon Sun and Moon,Pokemon Black and White, andPokemon Black 2 and White2, to Nintendo Switch in March 2021. Similar toSuper Mario 3D All-Stars, the collections are made up of ports rather than remasters or remakes, hence the emphasis players may be disappointed with the announcement.
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Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver Ports
The final rumor came about late last week whenNintendo renewed its trademark forPokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver, the 2009 Nintendo DS remakes of second-generation games,Pokemon Gold and Silver. The action led some players to believe that Nintendo could be looking to bring the games forward to Nintendo Switch; however, givenPokemon HeartGold and Soulsilverwere released over ten years, this could be nothing more than a simple routine update.
If Game Freak and The Pokemon Company was looking to do something with the second generation of games, it’s more likely to bePokemon Let’s Go Johtosequel or straight ports of the original games.
Absolutely none of these rumors have been commented on by either The Pokemon Company or Nintendo, so, for now, it’s best to take it all with a grain of salt. A couple of the mentioned games are entirely plausible given the current Pokemon timeline, such asLet’s Go Johto(after the success ofPokemon Let’s Pikachu and Let’s Go Eevee) or remakes ofPokemon Diamond and Pearl (followingOmega RubyandAlpha Sapphirein 2014).
With that being said, the majority of rumors are purely based on fan speculation from common trends in the series and there’s little to no evidence to back them up right now. The Pokemon Company will go big for its 25th anniversary, so whatever games arrive in 2021, hopefully, they’re a little morefleshed out thanSuper Mario 3D All-Stars.
Pokemon SwordandShieldare available now on Nintendo Switch.
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