The Road Ahead: More Pokémon Game News

As mentioned in my previous post, I had debated on whether I wanted to write a post on that particular topic or on some newly revealed Pokémon information. I chose to write about that topic and therefore to delay the discussion of the new information. Now that I've been able to take the latter in (in other words, find out for myself), I can write about the topic. It had actually been revealed just two days ago (in an announcement on YouTube), so I'm a little late to the party, but it doesn't matter. More to the point, the information concerns two of the most popular Pokémon games today, and the information can be described as "the road ahead".

First up is information that concerns the current main series games of Sword and Shield on the Switch. Those who have purchased their respective Expansion Passes will be glad to know that the second part of that, the Crown Tundra, will "open its gates" later this month on the 22nd. This is, of course, the follow-up to the Isle of Armor, which had been open since June. Among the highlights of the new content are the return of many familiar faces... of Pokémon, that is, including past Legendary Pokémon, as well as new features like new regional forms, Dynamax Adventure, and Galarian Star Tournament. All told, they're significant new additions to keep Trainers busy, if they aren't already so in and out of Pokémon.

The other popular game is of course Pokémon Go, and soon (before this year ends) the game will be able to link with Pokémon Home, a linkage that has been promised since the service was first released. This too will be significant, especially as its implementation promises significant bonuses: Mystery Box and Shiny Meltan - plus a celebration event - for the Go end, and a Melmetal capable of Gigantamax on the Home end. As significant as they are, a few details are still sketchy as of yet aside from when it will be implemented and the certainty that it's one-way from Go to Home, including what it will entail and how it will be implemented; some controversy has already brewed in relation to this. This is still something big that demands to keep tabs on.

There are also other bits that I can roll together under the theme of "retro expansion". The Sword and Shield games will be getting a release next month that includes the Expansion Passes built in, which could be good news for people like me who haven't gotten them. Codes are also being released for Pikachu with regional caps for the current games, with one addition: the World Cap Pikachu, which is of course from the current anime series. The World Cap Pikachu will also be available in Pokémon Go through a Spotlight Hour this month, though this was announced by the Pokémon Go team separately; it's still related, so it bears mention. One final "expansion": at the end of the YouTube announcement, something extra special was also shown, and it's an expansion in many ways - I'd like to discuss it, but I've chosen to expand this in a post all its own. What is clear is that all these expand things from the past, hence the theme.

There was a lot to be gained from the 11-minute announcement (actually 7, since the last 4 minutes were for that extra special something). It was predominantly for the current Sword and Shield games, but Pokémon Go had some relevance, and may even be pivotal for making the leap to the main series; likewise, the latter maintains some relevance. What unites them is that they're all on one path or road: they're the destinations to be served by the main series games plus Pokémon Go in tow, and the path has been big from the past, as that extra special something can and should affirm. And they're all up ahead for Trainers to enjoy.

One year ago: Renewing the Anime

Two years ago: I Wanna Be a Pokémon (_____)

Three years ago: Playhouses, Children, and Pokémon