Pokemonhas just announced a Pokemon Presents for next week, February 27th. Surprising nobody. February 27th is the anniversary of Pokemon Red & Green’s release in Japan, now known the world over as Pokemon Day. It’s always a day of celebration and news for pocket monster fans, and 2024 is no different.
However, I need to offer a word of warning. Pokemon fans across the world are making their predictions right now, writing their wishlists, crossing their fingers, and praying to whichever version of Santa Claus they believe in. But you all need to chill out just a little bit. Let me explain.
Every year, Pokemon fans work themselves into a frenzy. We imagine the perfect Pokemon game, whether that’sLegends: Celebi, a Pokemon XD remake, or just the original first generation games ported ontoSwitchvia Virtual Console, we all imagine different things.Nintendocannot placate every fan. And, if the last few games are anything to go by, even if it released your dream game, I’m not sure the execution would be to the quality you’re expecting.
Imagine they bring backPokemon Colosseumbut it runs like Scarlet & Violet. The monkey paw curls.
So I’m telling you to manage your expectations. I’ve already seen people predict Gen 1 ports thanks to the OG music in the brief trailer. We’ve been asking for that for years. Why do you think using some classic music indicatesGame Freakhas changed its mind after so long? This is the anniversary of the original Pokemon games, so that’s probably why that music was used.
I’m not trying to rain on anyone’s parade here. I just know how things usually go. Pokemon announces a trailer, everyone gets overexcited, predictions run wild, Pokemon announces something that isn’t to everyone’s tastes (ILCA Black & White remake, anyone?), everyone gets mad, everyone sends angry tweets to unfortunate developers or social media managers. Rinse and repeat. There’s another way to do this.
For years now, I’ve been setting my expectations for Pokemon announcements at rock bottom. This way, whatever is actually announced will be above my expectations. Therefore, this year, I’m predicting a repackage ofScarlet & Violetin one bundle that costs £150, and you get an exclusive robot Mew. Hang on, that might be too good.
As much as I want Legends: Celebi to be a reality and try to will it into existence bymentioning it in every article I can, it’s just not a realistic expectation. Legends: Arceus sold well, and I hope it did enough to warrant a sequel, but predicting it at every Pokemon Presents will only lead to disappointment. By expecting an ILCA Black & White remake in line with the incredibly disappointing Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, I’m putting the bar on the floor. I’m ready for more disappointment. But most importantly, I’m being realistic. This is genuinely what I expect to be revealed. If there’s anything better, then I’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Of course, I imagine there’ll be a smattering of other news to pad things out. APokemon Goupdate – probably a new hat for Pikachu – maybe something for Cafe Mix, an update on the anime or more communication regarding thenew episodes of Concierge, and that sort of thing. But we’re really here for the Switch games. Gen 10’s a long way off, and the only thing coming to Scarlet & Violet, in my opinion, is more Tera Raids.
The absolute best-case scenario is Pokemon revealing a new Switch game that looks stunning. Whether it’s a remake, a Legends game, or Gen 10, an announcement of a new Switch game is inevitable. If it looks great, whether through a commitment to an art style like Breath of the Wild or a huge jump to near-realism, then Pokemon has done the impossible. Made a good-looking Pokemon game without sacrificing their tight turnarounds in lieu of the decade-long development cycles that plague modern gaming. But it’s not going to happen, so don’t go in expecting it.
I hope the Pokemon Presents is fun. I hope it gives us something more than an ILCA remake. But I don’t expect anything more than that. You shouldn’t either. It’ll be healthier for everyone involved.
