Rumor: Pokemon Stars Coming to Nintendo Switch

Another Pokemon title to look forward to?

With the release of Pokemon Sun and Moon in full peak, a curious new rumor has emerged regarding Pokemon’s presence on the upcoming Nintendo Switch. According to Eurogamer, it seems that GameFreak is developing a new, upgraded version of Pokemon Sun and Moon called Pokemon Stars.

The new entry will reportedly be a third version, similar to how the Pokemon games were structured before Pokemon Black/White/B2/W2. It will be on the Nintendo Switch and “feature the same map – the same routes and cities – and the same art style, although be built using separate, higher-resolution assets,” according to the report. Pokemon can also be traded between the 3DS and Switch versions through Pokemon Box. GameFreak may also be creating new features and Pokemon for the new entry.

The inclusion of a third entry in the Alola region would be a welcome return to form for the franchise, since the last entries to do this were Pokemon Diamond/Pearl and eventually Platinum. Pokemon Black/White had full-fledged sequels and Pokemon X and Y never saw the release of a third entry, going directly to the Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire remakes (OmegaRuby and Alpha Sapphire, respectively).

For those of you reconsidering purchasing Sun/Moon, the rumored Pokemon Stars will reportedly not be available at Summer 2017 at the earliest, with the possibility of being delayed further. So if you’re excited to jump into the Alola region, go ahead and nab a copy of Pokemon Sun and Moon.

GameFreak did announce before that they had a Pokemon title in development for the Nintendo Switch (referred to at the time as the NX). Pokemon Stars may very well be that game. It would certainly be a much-needed launch title for Nintendo’s next system.

What do you think of an upgraded version of Sun and Moon? Are you enjoying Pokemon Sun and Moon, which released today? For more on the new Pokemon titles, check out Cube Command’s coverage of the starter Pokemon’s reveal trailer. Additionally, you can read Cube Command’s summary of the Nintendo Switch reveal.

Don’t forget to check out the first episode of the Cube Command Podcast: Nintendo Switching Gears, where I analyze the Switch reveal trailer and what it means for the future of the Big N.