"Leaked Info Hints at Bold New Direction for Pokemon Gen 10"

Summary

• According to leaks, the Generation 10 Pokemon games may be released for both the original Switch and Switch 2.
• The Switch 2 will be backward compatible, allowing it to play Switch 1 Pokemon games.
• More details on future Pokemon games are expected during the Pokemon Presents event on February 27.

The latest leaks from the Pokemon franchise suggest that the upcoming Generation 10 games could see native releases on both the original Nintendo Switch and the anticipated Switch 2. Although no official announcements have been made about Generation 10 at the time of writing, it was widely speculated that these games would be developed exclusively for the Switch 2, given the performance issues faced by the Generation 9 games, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, on the original Switch hardware.

Despite the criticism regarding the open-world performance of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, recent leaks indicate a different approach. According to information shared by Centro Leaks from a Game Freak hacker, the Generation 10 games, codenamed "Gaia," are primarily being developed for the original Switch. Additionally, a version called "Super Gaia" has been discovered, which appears to be tailored for the Switch 2. There's also evidence suggesting 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 about the Switch 2 remain 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, even if they are not natively released for the new console. The Switch 2 might offer improved performance for these games, similar to how newer Xbox and PlayStation consoles enhance older titles, though this is yet to be confirmed. How Nintendo plans to enhance these potential Switch 2 ports remains to be seen, especially since the console will already support them.

As of now, no official information has been released about the Generation 10 Pokemon games, so fans should approach these leaks with caution. More news might be revealed during the anticipated Pokemon Presents event on February 27. However, it's important to note that this event is expected to focus on games coming to the original Switch, not the Switch 2. If the Generation 10 games are indeed targeting the original Switch, it could be some time before the Switch 2 sees a dedicated main series Pokemon game.