Biggest Pokemon Direct Announcements From 25th Anniversary Stream

The Pokemon franchise is turning 25 this year, and it celebrated on Friday with a Pokemon Presents video presentation. Fans were calling it a Pokemon Direct, and it delivered some big news, with both a remake and brand-new game revealed for Nintendo Switch. The Pokemon Presents has now wrapped up, and you can watch the 20-minute broadcast here. We’ve also put together a recap of the big announcements below, including the new Diamond/Pearl remakes and Pokemon Legends: Arceus.

POKEMON LEGENDS: ARCEUS

The biggest news closed out the show, and that is Pokemon Legends: Arceus. This is a brand-new Pokemon game for Nintendo Switch that takes place in the Sinnoh region and serves as a prequel of sorts, telling an earlier story than that of the Sinnoh we know. It’s set for release in 2022. It’s unclear if there will be two versions of the game, as is usual for new Pokemon releases.

Pokemon Legends: Arceus Announced For Nintendo Switch

POKEMON BRILLIANT DIAMOND & SHINING PEARL

DS games Pokemon Diamond and Pearl are getting remakes on Nintendo Switch. These games also take place in Sinnoh, and this is being positioned as a set of faithful remakes of the original titles. Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl release in late 2021.

Pokemon Diamond And Pearl Remakes Announced For Switch

NEW POKEMON SNAP

While not a brand-new announcement, we did get another look at the upcoming New Pokemon Snap for Nintendo Switch. You can watch the gameplay trailer above, which showcases the various regions, Pokemon, and mechanics at play in the game. It releases on April 30.

New Pokemon Snap Trailer Showcases Gameplay At Pokemon Presents

The presentation was a short one, focused on just a few games and a celebratory recap of the series’ past. We also know about a MOBA game called Pokemon Unite, but that didn’t make an appearance here, nor did the Detective Pikachu for Switch game that we know is coming.

The celebration will continue tomorrow with a virtual concert from Post Malone. The rapper and singer has already posted a cover he recorded for Hootie and the Blowfish’s hit song “Only Wanna Be With You.” We are not entirely sure why, but it slaps.

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