The first four generations ofPokemongames established a clear pattern. Game Freak and Nintendo would first release a pair ofPokemongames and then later follow them up with a more comprehensive third entry.Pokemon Red and Bluewere followed byPokemon Yellow,Pokemon Gold and Silverwere followed byPokemon Crystal,Ruby and Sapphirewere followed byEmerald, andDiamond and Pearlwere followed byPlatinum. However, things changed with the fifth generation ofPokemongames, which moved away from this pattern.
Instead of releasing a comprehensive third game forPokemon Black and White, Game Freak and Nintendo instead put outPokemon Black 2 and White 2, which narratively served more as sequels to the originalBlack and Whitegames. And then things really got off the rails with the sixth generation of games, asPokemon X and Ynever received a third game or sequels.
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Pokemon Sun and MoonhadUltra Sun and Ultra Moon, and whilePokemon Sword and Shieldnever had a third version or sequels, they did get extensive post-launch DLC that essentially served the same purpose. This makesPokemon X and Yunique in thePokemonfranchise, and it makes the Kalos region one of the least-represented in the entire series. But even though it’s been almost a decade sincePokemon X and Yoriginally released for the Nintendo 3DS, now may actually be the perfect time tofinally move forward withPokemon Z.
Nintendo 3DS Shutdown Date
Nintendo recently made the disappointing announcement that it would be ending support for the Nintendo 3DS eShop. On May 23, Nintendo 3DS users will no longer be able to add credit cards to their systems to make purchases from the 3DS eShop, and then June 27, 2025 will bring with it the inability to add funds at all. Then in late March 2023, theNintendo 3DS eShop will be discontinued entirely, trapping a number of high-profile and popular games on the system.
This includes thePokemon X and Ygames. While it’s true that fans could get physical copies, they will likely be paying a lot of money for them.Pokemongames tend to hold their value or even go up in price as the years go by. Right now, buyingPokemon XorPokemon Ycomplete in box will cost players upwards of $50 on eBay, with just the cartridge retailing for around $30. Once the 3DS eShop closes, it’s highly likely these prices will increase, and it’s also highly likely that more counterfeitPokemon X and Ycartridges will be introduced to the used games market, as that tends to happen with classicPokemongames.
In any case, the closure of the 3DS eShop is going to make the Kalos region significantly more inaccessible forPokemonfans who may want to visit it, and so that’s why now is the perfect time for aPokemon Zgame. This hypothetical game could be developed for the Nintendo Switch, yet essentially function as the third game thatPokemon X and Ynever got. It could givePokemonfansthe chance to return to the Kalos region and give the Pokemon there more time to shine.
Nintendo likes to ensure that newPokemongames are released on a regular basis, and it seems like it would be cost-effective for it to move forward with aPokemon Z, as a lot of the work has already been done in thePokemon X and Ygames. While Nintendo is focused onreleasingPokemon Scarlet and Violetlater this year, maybe a potentialPokemon Zcould be the 2023 or even 2024 game.
With the release ofPokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, one could argue thatPokemon Black and Whiteshould be next in line for a remaster or new game. However, the Unova region was already represented in four games, whereas Kalos didn’t get a similiar treatment.
If Nintendo and Game Freak aren’t ready or aren’t interested in releasingPokemon Zor a similar kind of game, maybe they could bringPokemon X and Yto the Nintendo Switch instead. The closure of the Wii U and 3DS eShops are going to make it significantly difficult for fans to get their hands on certain games, and it should be a shame for them to waste away on unsupported systems.
Perhaps Nintendo could finally introduce aproper Virtual Console to the Nintendo Switch, allowing users to buy games from platforms that aren’t featured on the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service like DS, 3DS, Wii, and Wii U titles. However, Nintendo has made no plans to that effect, and soPokemonfans shouldn’t hold their breath for it.
Anyone that has yet to play thePokemon X and Ygames and is interested in visiting the Kalos region should seriously consider buying them before the 3DS eShop closes. While now may be the perfect time for a new game set in theKalos region, whether that bePokemon Zor something else, Game Freak and Nintendo may have their hands busy with otherPokemonprojects.
