Pokemon has been one of the biggest franchises in the world for quite some time now, and its success has only multiplied in recent years. Despite this, and thanks to a massive wave of leaks, the stakes have never been higher. Although Pokemon was commercially successful with its Switch-era titles, the series is under a new level of scrutiny due to a number of issues with those very same titles.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are some of the fastest and highest-selling games in the franchise, and in fairness, they've been rightfully praised for featuring a fresh narrative with layers of depth relative to previous games. However, they've also been rightfully and harshly criticized for a profound lack of polish. Among other issues, Scarlet and Violet are ridden with game-breaking bugs, with some blaming the series' strict turnover time for many of these severe faults. Right now, all eyes are on Generation 10 to correct the record.
Pokemon Leaks Put the Weight of the World on Generation 10 Release Strategy
Pokemon Leaks are Largely Silent on Generation 10
Pokemon recently underwent a series of extensive leaks that exposed information from every nook and cranny of the series' history. In terms of upcoming games, fans are still relatively in the dark. Leakers have stated ethical concerns as a justification for not posting any rumors or leaks about Gen 10 of Pokemon, or any other unreleased title. This is understandable, as developers can feel discouraged by having their work spoiled before it is in a finished state. However, there have been a few major exceptions to this rule.
Among these exceptions, recent leaks have uncovered more information surrounding the secrets behind Generation 10's release. While Generation 10's exact release date may still be somewhat up in the air, leaks have painted a much clearer picture of the new Generation's release strategy. Unfortunately, the good news about this rumor has also created a major cause for concern.
Generation 10 Rumors Suggest a Simultaneous Release
One could have easily predicted that the next generation of Pokemon games would release on the successor console to the Nintendo Switch. The rumored release date of both Generation 10 and the Switch 2 make this very likely, and the former's acclaim would undoubtedly bolster the success of the latter. However, the recent wave of massive leaks has flipped this expectation on its head.
According to a new prevailing rumor, the next Pokemon game will not be exclusive to the Switch 2 after all. Instead, Generation 10 will supposedly launch simultaneously on both the Nintendo Switch and its successo r. Not only does this strategy defy previous fan expectations, it can even be considered somewhat of a cause for concern.
Generation 10 Releasing Simultaneously on Both Nintendo Consoles May Be a Cause for Concern
The implications of this situation may seem difficult to parse, as there already appear to be a few different elephants in the room. Firstly, it has been commonly understood that the Nintendo Switch 2 would feature backward compatibility with its predecessor. This is supported not only by rumors, but by the common practice of most Nintendo systems throughout history. With that in mind, a cross-generation release for Gen 10 of Pokemon almost seems redundant, and could even cut back potential sales for the Switch 2 version.
However, this is far from the greatest issue that this release strategy would face. Many have looked to Generation 10 as an opportunity to fix the major restrictions faced by Generation 8 and 9, and many members of the community still hold this perspective. Unfortunately, if the next-gen Pokemon games are designed for the Nintendo Switch, the console's inherent limitations may saddle it with some of the very same problematic trends that have followed the series throughout the Switch era.
Generation 10 has a lot to prove, especially considering the controversial legacy of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. While a new Pokemon game may seem sure to sell well no matter what, there is certainly a tightrope to walk for the future of the series. If Generation 10 indeed receives a simultaneous launch, it may be stepping onto that tightrope with a dangerous stumble.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 71 /100 Critics Rec: 48%
- Released
- November 18, 2022
- ESRB
- E For Everyone Due To Mild Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Game Freak
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo, The Pokemon Company
- Engine
- Proprietary Engine
- Multiplayer
- Local Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- no
WHERE TO PLAY
The school that you’ve enrolled in as you play Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet hosts a special independent study project. The theme of this assignment is "A Treasure Hunt." Explore the world and seek out your very own treasure!
Three stories will be woven into your adventure while traversing the sprawling Paldea region. Along Victory Road, you will go to Gyms in different locations in order to to achieve Champion Rank. On the Path of Legends, you can join Arven in search of rare ingredients. And in ★ Starfall Street ★, you’ll challenge Team Star, a group of delinquents causing trouble for the school.
These stories are set in an open world, so where you go is all up to you. A world teeming with Pokémon and people to meet is waiting for you—traverse the Paldea region wherever you heart desires.
