"Leak Hints at Ambitious Plans for Pokemon Gen 10"

Summary

• According to leaks, the Generation 10 Pokemon games may be released for both the original Switch and Switch 2.
• The Switch 2 will be backward compatible, allowing it to play Switch 1 Pokemon games.
• More details on future Pokemon games are expected during the Pokemon Presents event on February 27.

The latest leaks surrounding the Pokemon franchise suggest that the upcoming Generation 10 games might see native releases on both the original Nintendo Switch and the anticipated Switch 2. Although no official announcements have been made regarding Generation 10 at the time of this writing, it was widely believed 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 hardware.

These Generation 9 games faced significant criticism for their performance, particularly in the open-world aspects, leading many fans to speculate that Game Freak would shift focus to the more powerful Switch 2 for future releases. However, recent leaks from a Game Freak hacker, as reported by Centro Leaks, indicate a different approach. It appears that the Generation 10 Pokemon games, codenamed Gaia, are primarily being developed for the original Switch. Additionally, a version referred to as Super Gaia has been discovered, suggesting a variant tailored for the Switch 2. There's also speculation 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 on the Switch 2 remain sparse, one confirmed feature is its backward compatibility with the original Switch, meaning that Switch 2 owners will be able to enjoy Generation 10 Pokemon games and Pokemon Legends: Z-A, even if they are not native releases. The Switch 2 may offer improved performance for these games, akin to how newer Xbox and PlayStation consoles enhance the gameplay of older titles. However, the exact enhancements Nintendo might implement for these potential Switch 2 ports are still unclear.

Given the lack of official announcements, fans should approach this information cautiously. The upcoming Pokemon Presents event on February 27 is likely to shed more light on future Pokemon titles, though it's expected to focus on games slated for the original Switch rather than the Switch 2. If the Generation 10 Pokemon games are indeed targeting the original Switch, it might be some time before the Switch 2 sees a main series Pokemon game specifically designed for its capabilities.