Pokémon games 2026: All rumored releases for the 30th anniversary

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2026 marks Pokémon’s 30th anniversary. So, what games are rumored to be releasing in 2026?

Okay, so Pokémon is turning 30 in 2026, which is huge! We already know there’s going to be a McDonald’s collab, but everyone’s buzzing about what new games are coming. It sounds like we’ll find out more on Pokémon Day – February 27th – that’s when they’re probably going to make some big announcements. I’m super hyped to see what they’ve been working on!

This is a list of all the Pokémon games confirmed or expected to come out in 2026, celebrating the franchise’s 30th anniversary.

Confirmed Pokémon game releases for 2026 (Apart of the game’s 30th anniversary)

Currently, the only Pokémon game announced for 2026, leading up to the series’ 30th anniversary, is Pokopia. Pokopia is a creative, open-world game—like Minecraft or Animal Crossing—where players can build and customize their own environments filled with Pokémon and other features.

The latest installment in the series is trying something completely different, and some fans are really looking forward to it! It’s scheduled to launch on March 5, 2026, but it will only be playable on the Nintendo Switch 2 – which is disappointing news for those with the original Switch. However, a lot of players are hoping for a more traditional Pokémon game similar to previous titles.

We know there will be more Pokémon TCG Pocket updates, plus the McDonald’s promotion and other news, but right now, Pokémon Pokopia is the only new Pokémon game that’s officially been announced.

Rumored games

Everyone’s wondering what Pokémon games might come out in 2026. Since Nintendo released the Switch 2 in June, fans are hoping for an announcement of a brand new Pokémon game designed specifically for the system.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A came out in October, and although it wasn’t particularly impressive, it did offer a glimpse of how future Pokémon games could perform on the next Nintendo console, and introduced a new battle system. However, since the game was also released on the original Switch, it didn’t truly signal a leap forward for the franchise on new hardware.

So, what Pokémon games are rumored to come to the Switch 2 in 2026?

Gen 10

The most talked-about possibility is a completely new Pokémon game for Generation 10. After the disappointing launch of Pokémon Violet and Scarlet, many fans believe Nintendo will go all out to make Generation 10 a huge success. While the previous generation wasn’t awful, it had noticeable performance issues on the Switch. With the rumored upgraded hardware of the Switch 2, the next Pokémon game could offer a much more polished and smoother experience.

With the new Nintendo console on the horizon, fans are wondering if Pokémon can develop a completely new game generation quickly enough to launch with it. Will the gameplay feel similar to Pokémon Legends: Z-A? While details are scarce, many predict a new Pokémon generation will be revealed this February, potentially releasing in 2027 rather than next year.

It’s likely we won’t see a new Legends game until 2028. Nintendo typically spaces out its major game releases by a few years, so a sequel isn’t expected anytime soon.

Remakes

I’m really hoping we get a remake of one of the older Pokémon games in 2026! It’s been a while since we got a full remake – Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl brought back some great memories from Generation 4 back in 2022. I’m so curious which game they’ll tackle next!

This remake closely follows the original game, but other remakes like Let’s Go Eevee and Let’s Go Pikachu have offered completely fresh experiences with updated graphics and gameplay for classic titles.

Could we see a new Pokémon remake in 2026? It’s definitely possible. Based on the order of previous remakes, Pokémon Black and White would be the logical next choice. However, the timing of these remakes isn’t predictable. The last remake of Generation 4 came out in 2022, eight years after the Generation 3 remake in 2014, so there isn’t a clear pattern.

Is 2026 too early for another remake? Considering the last eight years also saw the releases of Let’s Go Eevee and Let’s Go Pikachu, plus a remake of the first Mystery Dungeon game, it’s a valid question.

We might be on the verge of seeing a fresh take on an older game, which would be really interesting. But a lot of fans are actually hoping for remakes of the Black and White games, since those versions from the Nintendo DS received excellent reviews.

Okay, so Pokémon’s future is kinda up in the air right now, and we don’t have a lot of info. I’m already thinking about the Switch 2, though! What Pokémon games or features are you hoping to see on the new console when it (hopefully) drops in 2026?

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2025-12-30 23:12