Pokémon Fever! What yesterday’s announcement could mean for E3

At a Tokyo press conference yesterday, The Pokémon Company shared info on future Pokémon games. Read on to learn more and what this could mean for E3 news.

In what seems to be an attempt to build momentum going into the upcoming E3 frenzy, The Pokémon Company revealed a new free-to-play Pokémon game for Switch and mobile as well as a pseudo-remake of Pokémon Yellow for the Switch. They also teased a new RPG Pokémon game for Switch to be released late 2019.

Let’s start with Pokémon Quest, which is already out on the Nintendo Switch.  The game takes place on Tumblecube Island, where all the Pokémon are made out of cubes! It seems to be trying to build on the popularity of Minecraft and Crossy Road, but even if it is, this title looks super cute and unique. You’ll create a team of Pokémon to explore with, gathering materials to bring back to your base where you’ll use what you’ve found to decorate your base and cook treats.

Based on Pokémon Yellow that was released back in 1998, Pokémon Let’s Go modernizes and reimagines the old classic game. Releasing on the Switch on Nov. 16, Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! will let players return to the Kanto region and travel with your Pokémon by your side instead of in their Pokéball. Depending on which game version you pick up, either Pikachu or Eevee will add their cuteness and battle skills to your adventure.

What’s really exciting about these versions is the multiplayer ability where you can link up with a friend and journey together simultaneously. You’ll catch and battle together by sharing Joy-con controllers. This game also links up with Pokémon Go.

The Pokéball-shaped controller lets you simulate throwing the ball, but it also has a slew of other features available. You’ll have the ability to bring one of your Pokémon along with you in the real world – almost like the old Pikachu Pedometer. The controller also can hook up with Pokémon Go and seemingly work in a similar fashion to the Pokémon Go Plus accessory.

The last thing that was teased at the press conference was a brand-new RPG for Nintendo Switch to be released late 2019. This was an expected Nintendo E3 announcement, but by releasing this information early, it could mean we’ll get some early gameplay videos along with details about the game.

This game was hinted at during E3 2017, and in an interview with the creators over at IGN, they showed interest in the potential of the Switch and how players would use the system. They seemed especially intrigued by the capability to play the game at home in one environment, and then outside and on-the-go. Maybe the new RPG will have different modes of gameplay depending on if the Switch is docked or not.

While the only camera on the Switch is the IR camera in the right Joy-con, I wouldn’t discount the possibility of some sort of AR feature. The Pokémon Company and Nintendo have both shown they’re interested in adding a physical element to their games with both motion controls and the recent Nintendo Labo. Perhaps there can even be a Nintendo Labo connection. Could there be a cardboard camera for a new Pokémon Snap maybe?

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Sadly, only time will tell, but we won’t have to wait long. E3 takes place June 12-14, with Nintendo’s press conference scheduled at 9AM PDT on June 12.