As soon as Nintendo starts sharing its dedicated handheld series with the Switch, Pokémon, Fire Emblem, Monster Hunter, etc., that essentially signals to everyone that support is ending for the 3DS imminently. But even though logical would dictate that the Switch, with its innate ability to be a handheld system itself, should absorb the 3DS at some point, that does not seem to be something Nintendo is open to at the moment.Īs such, I don’t think Nintendo is going to start hammering nails in the coffin of the 3DS by letting the Switch have Pokémon Stars, as great as that would be. Nintendo has always found huge success with its handhelds, and with 65 million 3DS sold, that system has been no exception. They just announced the New 2DS XL, a refined, upgraded version of the 2DS, and that does not seem like something you would do if you’re planning to phase out a product line in six months.
Love roleplaying games? Check out our weekly RPG podcast Axe of the Blood God, which updates every Friday! Subscribe to us on iTunes or listen to us on Soundcloud! We've also got a detailed look at the best Skyrim mods for Xbox One, PS4, and PC.Officially, the 3DS is going to be supported through 2017, but it seems like Nintendo is committed for a longer haul than that, despite the system being six years old at this point. I would have preferred to have been able to play on the Switch, but if this is the only way for me to get a Battle Frontier or a trip to Kanto, then so be it.
Still, I will be right there with my wallet open at launch, ready to buy what amounts to an expansion pack at full price. Usually Game Freak lets the original release marinate for at least a couple years before putting out an enhanced version. It's a bit much to push a third version so soon after the release of the previous game.
Indeed, if the intention is to push the 2DS XL this holiday season, then it makes no sense to put it on the Switch. As for whether it will make it to the Switch after all, I guess we'll see, but The Pokémon Company seems pretty adamant that Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon will be a 3DS exclusive. Scizor is one example of a monster that went from an also-ran to an absolute beast once it got Bullet Punch in Platinum.Īs you can probably tell, third versions are generally geared toward the hardcore faithful, and Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are likely to be much the same. Move tutors also play a big role in expanded versions, dramatically expanding the movepool for certain monsters. The long-standing Rotom appliance forms first appeared in Platinum, for example. Pokemon Emerald dramatically changed and expanded the original's story.īeyond that, expanded versions are where Game Freak usually tries to beef up a handful of monsters while introducing new forms. Kat's Pokémon Journal, Day 4: Final Thoughts Maybe this is a clue that we'll get an expanded second quest à la Gold and Silver? Emerald and Platinum had the Battle Frontier, while Black 2 and White 2 had the Pokémon World Tournament and the wonderful Pokestar Studios.Īt the end of Pokémon Sun and Moon, we see an important character head off to Kanto for a new adventure. If Game Freak follows their previous pattern, they will also introduce some kind of new mode. Pokémon Emerald, for instance, united the Team Magma and Aqua story into one cohesive story while giving Rayquaza a much-expanded role. Game Freak's Junichi Masuda didn't confirm much during today's Nintendo Direct, only that it will feature monsters that haven't been seen before and an "alternate story." That would seem to indicate an approach similar to that of previous "third version" like Crystal and Emerald, which built out the original story with new sidequests and events. What Can We Expect from Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon? It might feel fans feeling a little burned, but the double dip is usually worth it. Generally speaking, Game Freak likes to begin by pushing a new story and new monsters, then flesh out the modes later. If Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are indeed 3DS exlusive, then this is pretty much par for the course for the series, albeit on a bit of a compressed timeline. It's possible that Game Freak and The Pokémon Company realized that and got cold feet. Even with HD models, the graphics for Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon would have paled in comparison to many other games on the Switch. It kind of makes sense in the grand scheme of things. Black2/White2 was released on DS instead of enhanced ports to 3DS- Felix128 June 6, 2017