The next mainline Pokémon games haven't been officially announced yet

As of early 2025, The Pokémon Company has not revealed release dates or titles for the next generation of mainline Pokémon games. The most recent releases were Pokémon Scarlet and Violet in November 2022, followed by the Indigo Disk DLC expansion in December 2023. After that, official announcements have focused on remakes and spin-offs rather than new core games.

Pokémon Company typically announces major releases through their official channels: the Pokémon website, their social media accounts (particularly X, formerly Twitter), and sometimes through Nintendo Direct presentations. If you want to know when new games are coming, those are the places to watch rather than rumor sites or fan speculation.

The gap between Scarlet/Violet and the next announcement is longer than usual for the franchise, which historically released new generations every three to four years. That said, The Pokémon Company has not committed to any particular schedule, and they have delayed announcements before based on development needs.

Key Takeaways

  • No new mainline Pokémon games have been officially announced as of early 2025, and no release dates are public.
  • The official Pokémon website and Nintendo Direct presentations are where The Pokémon Company announces new games first.
  • Pokémon Scarlet and Violet remain the most recent core games, released in November 2022 with their final DLC in December 2023.
  • Historically new generations arrive every three to four years, but The Pokémon Company does not follow a fixed schedule.
  • Remakes and spin-off titles like Pokémon Legends: Z-A have been announced, but these are separate from the next mainline generation.

What The Pokémon Company has announced recently

Pokémon Legends: Z-A was announced in February 2024 and is scheduled for 2025. This is a remake of Pokémon X and Y set in the Kalos region, not a new generation. It uses a different art style and gameplay approach than Scarlet and Violet, so it occupies a different category in the franchise lineup.

Beyond Legends: Z-A, The Pokémon Company has released smaller titles and mobile games, but nothing that signals when the next core generation will arrive. They have been relatively quiet about future mainline releases compared to previous years when they would tease new games months in advance.

How to find official announcements

The safest way to stay informed is to follow official sources directly. Visit pokemon.com and look for their news section, which posts major announcements there first. The Pokémon Company also maintains accounts on X (Twitter), YouTube, and Instagram where they share trailers and release information.

Nintendo Direct presentations are another common venue for Pokémon announcements. These are livestreamed events where Nintendo and its partners reveal upcoming games. If a new Pokémon generation is coming, there is a reasonable chance it will be announced during a Nintendo Direct rather than in a random press release.

Fan sites and gaming news outlets will report on announcements once they happen, but they are secondary sources. Going directly to pokemon.com or Nintendo's official channels means you will know the same time as everyone else and will not risk reading outdated or speculative information.

Why there has been a longer gap this time

The Pokémon franchise has faced some public criticism about game quality and performance, particularly with Scarlet and Violet. Those games had notable technical issues at launch, including frame rate drops and graphical glitches. The Pokémon Company may be taking additional time with the next generation to address those concerns, though they have not officially stated this as a reason for the delay.

Game development timelines are also affected by factors outside public view: staff availability, hardware capabilities, and the scope of features the team wants to include. A longer development cycle does not necessarily mean the next game will be better, but it does mean The Pokémon Company is not rushing to meet an arbitrary deadline.

What happened with previous Pokémon releases

For context, here is how recent Pokémon releases have been spaced. Pokémon Sword and Shield came out in November 2019, followed by the Crown Tundra DLC in October 2020. Pokémon Legends: Arceus (a spin-off) released in January 2022. Scarlet and Violet then arrived in November 2022, with their Indigo Disk DLC in December 2023. That means there was roughly three years between Sword/Shield and Scarlet/Violet.

If The Pokémon Company follows a similar pattern, a new mainline generation could arrive sometime in 2025 or 2026, but this is speculation based on past timing, not on any official statement. The company has shown willingness to break its own patterns, so the only reliable information is what they announce directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pokémon Legends: Z-A the next generation?

No. Pokémon Legends: Z-A is a remake of an older game (X and Y) with a different gameplay style. The Pokémon Company categorizes it separately from mainline generations. A new generation would introduce new Pokémon species and a new region, not revisit an existing one.

Where can I pre-order the next Pokémon game?

You cannot pre-order a game that has not been announced. Once The Pokémon Company reveals the title and release date, retailers like GameStop, Amazon, Best Buy, and the Nintendo eShop will open pre-orders. Watch pokemon.com for the announcement first.

Will the next Pokémon games be on Nintendo Switch?

The Pokémon Company has not announced what hardware the next generation will run on. Nintendo Switch is aging, and there has been speculation about a successor, but nothing is confirmed. When the next game is announced, the hardware will be revealed at the same time.

Do I need to play Scarlet and Violet before the next games come out?

No. Each Pokémon generation is designed to stand alone. You can start with any generation and understand the story. Scarlet and Violet will still be playable and enjoyable whenever the next games arrive, but you do not need to finish them first.

Why is there no news about new Pokémon games?

The Pokémon Company simply has not announced anything yet. They control when and how they share information about upcoming releases. Lack of news does not mean development is not happening — it means they are not ready to tell the public about it.