A Successor Has Been Named

In at least three posts, I've mentioned the possibility of a successor console for the main series of Pokémon games. It seems that the successor has just been named, and that successor is the Switch; it was disclosed that a Pokémon main series game is being developed for it and will be released some time in the next year or so, confirming the rumor. This comes along with an interesting but already-predicted fact: Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are the last games of the main series on the 3DS. Both of these carry certain implications on how Pokémon games will be like in the future.

First of all, 3D is pretty much dead, as I've conjectured. With the release of the 2DS and the Switch, the progression is back towards consoles with conventional screens rather than special effects. Again, I like the 3DS and its 3D effects, but other people don't seem to really care for it, and it seems the 3DS system is burdened by it anyhow, with even Pokémon Sun and Moon not having 3D (except in a particular case). With the move to the Switch, this is something that I'll accept, if this means I'll have a better graphical experience in other ways. I've seen some of the games on the Switch in action, and I think it's going to be really great.

Though the Switch is only partially portable, this is certainly an asset that could and should be maximized, so the coming of the main series to the Switch fulfills this long-standing feature of the main series. I had been able to get a feel for the Switch with its presence at a local hangout, and it seems very much suitable for the main series games, or for that matter any Pokémon game in existence on the 3DS. This, combined with games like Pokkén DX, will mean more and more enjoyable as well as impressive Pokémon experiences on the Switch as a unified base for many games.

Of course, since Pokémon has the VGC championships, some things will have to be accommodated to suit the Switch. Some VGC Pokémon players have experienced their concerns, and since I'm a Pokémon player, their concerns also become that of mine. One of those concerns is maintaining a stable connection during battles, which on the 3DS is easy to do with an infrared port, but the Switch does not have one. A solution needs to be conceived as the games are developed so that this and other concerns do not manifest into a problem in reality.

The Switch seems like the most ultimate Nintendo platform for their biggest franchises, including Pokémon. Though it's not officially designated as such, the Pokémon main series game making its way to the console effectively realizes the designation of a successor. I can already see visions for this and other Pokémon games, and I think I can say that with the Switch, it will indeed be a wondrous Pokémon future.