Hey everyone- now that the dust has settled from the Switch 2 deep dive; I can say I am excited for the console. As the debate over everything from hardware niceties to how international trade could impact the rollout is ongoing; I have a clear through line I can address with confidence- the games. I intend to upgrade to the new system in 2026 at the earliest; since I'm waiting for a release date on Pokémon Generation X. So, I thought I would share some updates with the franchise that I've been meaning to.
Let's start with the newest title- this year's Pokémon Legends Z-A. Though there is still no concrete release date as of this writing (maintain that late 2025 suggests sometime in Q4 2025, so October is my earliest educated guess); the game had a host of new information revealed. It will also be among the titles that will get an upgrade on the Switch 2; with both higher resolution and frame rate confirmed. Even on my existing system, I am liking what the game is doing with Lumiose City; and I've never had as much issue with graphics as others. I can certainly appreciate visual flair whenever it's presented to me; but I still play and enjoy titles that released years if not decades ago.
On that subject, the worst-kept secret about the next legacy console to join the library of classic games has been confirmed to join the new one on launch day this June- the Gamecube. Among the titles that will be introduced in future waves; two in particular are of great interest to myself and others: Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD Gale of Darkness.
Both games (despite being considered apocryphal by the current stewards of the franchise) have had considerable influence on future titles and the fandom as a whole. Speaking personally, they were the first major example of how a role-playing game with console-level processing could work for the franchise; and certainly far from the last. I especially like what the games did with the gameplay mechanics and world building. I notice a lot of similarities to the Dune cycle and the Mad Max films- in the latter case; it's not hard to see the colosseums as thunderdomes or the oases of Orre as the Green Place.
Lastly, even as yet more uncertainty faces WB Discovery; they have reaffirmed commitment to a number of IP under their roof. Specifically, not only is The Great Detective Pikachu still in active development; it is now going to be the first of a planned trilogy of live-action Pokémon adaptations. Can't say this is a complete surprise; given the surprise hit of Minecraft, divisive reception and rowdy guest behavior aside (I can wait till it comes to streaming for bad movie night).
I will continue to bring you any information on the new console and games as it becomes available. No matter where I am; I intend to preorder Legends Z-A once I have a firm release date for it. That is all for now, take care.
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