Leaked Details Hint at Bold Future for Pokémon Gen 10

Summary

• Leaks suggest that the Generation 10 Pokemon games may be released on both the original Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Switch 2.
• The Switch 2 is expected to be backward compatible, allowing it to play games from the original Switch, including Pokemon titles.
• More details on future Pokemon games are anticipated during the Pokemon Presents event on February 27.

According to recent leaks surrounding the Pokemon franchise, the much-anticipated Generation 10 games might see a dual release on both the original Nintendo Switch and the forthcoming Switch 2. While no official announcements have been made about Generation 10 at the time of writing, many fans believed these games would be developed exclusively for the Switch 2, given the performance issues experienced with the Generation 9 titles, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, on the original Switch.

The open-world nature of Scarlet and Violet put a strain on the original Switch's hardware, leading to widespread criticism. As a result, it was widely speculated that Game Freak would shift focus to the more powerful Switch 2 for the next generation of Pokemon games. However, recent leaks from the Game Freak hacker, as reported by Centro Leaks, suggest otherwise.

The leaks indicate that the Generation 10 games, codenamed "Gaia," are primarily being developed for the original Switch. Additionally, a version called "Super Gaia" has been mentioned, hinting at a Switch 2-specific release. There are also indications that "Pokemon Legends: Z-A" might receive a native release on the Switch 2.

Generation 10 Pokemon Games Could Be Coming to the Original Switch

While details on the Switch 2 are scarce, one confirmed feature is its backward compatibility with the original Switch. This means that owners of the Switch 2 will be able to play Generation 10 Pokemon games and Pokemon Legends: Z-A, regardless of whether they are released natively on the new console. It's speculated that the Switch 2 might run these games more efficiently, akin to how newer Xbox and PlayStation models handle older games, though this remains to be confirmed. The specifics of how Nintendo might enhance these potential Switch 2 ports are still unknown, especially since the console will already support the original Switch games.

As of now, there's no official word on the Generation 10 Pokemon games, and fans are advised to approach these leaks with caution. The upcoming Pokemon Presents event on February 27 could shed more light on the matter. However, it's expected that this event will primarily focus on games for the original Switch, not the Switch 2. If the Generation 10 games are indeed targeted for the original Switch, it might be some time before the Switch 2 sees its own main series Pokemon game.