Deflating the excitement of Pokémon trainers the world over, The Pokémon Company has confirmed that the first Pokémon game coming to the Nintendo Switch is, in fact, Pokkén Tournament Deluxe.
That’s not to say that we’re not excited to see Pokkén Tournament make the move to the Switch. Games like Arms and Mario Kart 8 are proving that local multiplayer games are the key to the Switch’s success – apart from Zelda: Breath of the Wild of course – and Pokkén Tournament will be another key title for that very purpose.
Pokkén Tournament is the Pokémon-themed fighting game where you can pit classic characters against each other in the ring, including Pikachu, Charizard and Lucario.
The Deluxe edition for the Nintendo Switch will come with five additional playable characters in the form of: Darkrai, Scizor, Empoleon, Croagunk and Decidueye.
The Switch version will also introduce three vs three team battles and online multiplayer features including the more serious Ranked Match, more casual friendly matches and a friends-only battle mode known as Group Match.
Get ready for new #Pokemon games! #PokkenTournamentDX and #PokemonUltraSunMoon have been revealed! https://t.co/p9KSLb9ZJ2 pic.twitter.com/IqnBJvmUiu
— Pokémon UK (@PokemonNewsUK) June 6, 2017
Pokkén Tournament Deluxe is coming September 22, 2017 exclusively on the Switch with the first playable demo on offer at E3 2017 next week.
#PokkenTournamentDX comes to #NintendoSwitch on September 22nd! pic.twitter.com/5Kv1PVSTOt
— Nintendo UK (@NintendoUK) June 6, 2017
Everyone who loves Pokémon were keen to see a brand new Pokémon RPG launch at today’s Nintendo Direct. The rumours have been circulating around a third entry to sit alongside the 3DS titles, Pokémon Sun and Moon, called Pokémon Stars.
However, Switch gamers will have to contend with Pokkén Tournament Deluxe for now as it seems another RPG title is a long way off.
Which Pokémon game do you want on #NintendoSwitch? https://t.co/sQDvAfY4IQ 👇
— Fandom (@getFANDOM) June 6, 2017
Nintendo 3DS gamers do have the delight of Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon coming later this year though. The two brand new titles tell an alternate story set in the world of Pokémon Sun and Moon – the Alola region – and it will feature brand new Pokémon not seen in the original releases of these two games. That pair of 3DS titles is arriving on November 17.
#PokemonUltraSunMoon will launch on Nintendo #3DS on November 17th! pic.twitter.com/vXTBsiuA4y
— Nintendo UK (@NintendoUK) June 6, 2017
The final announcement of today’s Nintendo Direct is that Pokémon Gold and Silver are coming to virtual console on 3DS the same day as Pokkén Tournament Deluxe drops on the Switch – September 22, 2017.
They will be compatible with Pokémon Bank from the off for all your transferring and trading needs.