Pokémon fans rejoice! The eighth generation of Pokémon games is here. During this morning’s brief Pokémon Direct, Nintendo and Game Freak officially revealed the newest main entry in the Pokémon series: Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield. They’re coming to Nintendo Switch in late 2019.
The terribly brief reveal trailer focused on showing off the new Galar region as well as the three starter Pokémon. “Galar is an expansive region with many environments containing idyllic countryside and contemporary cities, vast plains, and snow-covered mountains,” says Shigeru Ohmori, director, Game Freak. It looks like a sword-shaped island, and features thematic elements of an early 20th century London during the Industrial Revolution.
The three new starter Pokémon were also revealed. Grookey is a mischievous Grass-type green monkey. Scorbunny is a speedy Fire-type bunny, and Sobble is a timid Water-type lizard Pokémon. While a new Pokémon game will bring tons of new Pokémon, only these three starters were shown in the reveal trailer. As with Sun and Moon, Nintendo will tease out new Pokémon throughout the year leading up to release.
The trailer also shows a quick montage of random battles, which look more traditional rather than the catching-only of Pokémon Let’s Go. We’re also apparently going back to gyms rather than the island trials featured in Pokémon Sun and Moon.
Sun and Moon were the last main Pokémon games in the series, released in 2017 on the Nintendo 3DS. Pokémon Sword and Shield represent a milestone in the series: the first mainline Pokémon games on a home console.
Pokémon Company president and CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara promised more Pokémon content throughout the year. Pokémon Sword and Shield are due to arrive in late 2019. They have not yet been rated by the ESRB.
