The 25th year of Pokémon continues with a brand new Pokémon Presents, filled with information on the new and upcoming games in the series. The event, which premiered digitally on YouTube, started with an update on Pokémon UNITE. This new MOBA has already released on the Nintendo Switch last month and will officially release for mobile devices on September 22. Pre-registration on iOS and Android devices is now available. There are also in-game gifts available for mobile users if certain pre-registration milestones are met. At 2.5 million pre-registrations, everyone will get a Pikachu to use in the game. And at 5 million, a special festival style Pikachu holowear will be added as a freebie. Nintendo Switch players who log in before August 31 will receive Zeraora as a launch bonus. And, just a reminder, the game does have cross-play so Nintendo Switch players can team up and fight against mobile users. Lastly, for Pokémon UNITE, Mamoswine and Sylveon will soon join the game’s growing roster of playable monsters.
Next up is Pokémon Café Mix which is getting a revamp and is now called Pokémon Café Remix. The game has been updated with new puzzle mechanics and new Pokémon with custom outfits. Pokémon Café Remix will be released this Fall.
Then we have Pokémon Masters EX, a mobile game that is celebrating its 2 year Anniversary. To celebrate there will be special sync pairs starting in late August. The game will also now have Dynamaxing, starting with Sygna Suite Leon and Eternatus. On August 29, N, who will be wearing an Anniversary 2021 outfit, and Reshiram will return to the game. Starting on September 15, a villain event prelude will begin. For players looking to start or return to the game, logging into Pokémon Masters EX after the presentation today will get you 3,000 gems.
Pokémon GO is also celebrating an anniversary this year and to celebrate that we have Pokémon from Galar appearing in the game for the first time. Between August 20 and August 31, players can find Wooloo, Skwovet, and Falinks in the game. During that time, players can also take part in Five-Star Raids to find Zacian (from August 20 to August 26) and Zamazenta (from August 26 to September 1) as well. There is also a mythical Pokémon causing chaos in Pokémon GO. You can take part in special events to unravel the mystery for yourself.
Now we are onto the new releases, starting with Pokémon: Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon: Shining Pearl. These upcoming Gen 4 remakes feature a chibi art style and six-axis controls but from the latest trailer, we see new customization options for both player characters and Pokéballs. Just like the originals, the game will have updated features such as contest shows, the Grand Underground, and more for players to take part in and explore. While exploring the Grand Underground, players will come across new Pokémon hideaways that were not in the original games. The Pokémon that will appear in these areas will change based on what statues you have in your secret base. Another new addition to the games is that you can now walk around the overworld with any of your Pokémon trailing behind you. Both games will be available for the Nintendo Switch on November 19 and can also be bought as a bundle. On November 5, players can purchase the Dialga & Palkia Edition Nintendo Switch Lite featuring the two legendaries on the back of the system reminscent of the Nintendo DS Lite that launched in North America and Japan back in 2006.
Lastly, we have Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the newest full entry in the Pokémon series that takes the series back to the earliest canonical time yet. Although the game is still in development and a few months away, we got to see some footage of the Hisui region and the new Pokémon players can find in it. Pokémon Legends: Arceus is certainly changing up the Pokémon formula with new capture mechanics that don’t even require the player to be in combat with a Pokémon to capture it and new battle mechanics that simply require you to toss down a Pokéball in front of a wild Pokémon to engage in combat. There is a lot more new gameplay mechanics in Pokémon Legends: Arceus that will make more sense when seen, so click here to watch the new trailer. The Hisui region is home to different variations of familiar Pokémon, such as Growlithe and Braviary, and completely new Pokémon, such as Basculegion and Wyrdeer. Pokémon Legends: Arceus will be available on January 28, 2022 for the Nintendo Switch. For those who like to be prepared, the starters for Pokémon Legends: Arceus are Cyndaquil, Rowlet, and Oshawott. Both Pokémon: Brilliant Diamond/Pokémon: Shining Pearl and Pokémon Legends: Arceus will get Pokémon Home support in 2022.
That is all that was announced during today’s Pokémon Presents. There was a lot of information packed into the less than 30-minute conference and it had something to excite all Pokémon players whether they play on the Nintendo Switch or on their phones. There is a lot more Pokémon on the way, so stick around for more news and updates. And don’t miss out on our Pokémon Shield walkthrough over on Twitch.
