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[Black-Wind]

I don't really think this means Pokemon Z game is coming as I think it would just be so strange to "reveal" a new game's anime arc before the actual game is revealed ...

But either way those are some funky designs :/

 

[Paper Sparrow]

It would be completely useless but I'd love to see warp Mega Evolution

https://youtu.be/SsXXvZd2of0

 

[Shauni]

So hopes for another main 3ds game are still valid?

I'm not sure why anyone doubted it. There's always been a third game of some kind, and they aren't going to make it New 3DS exclusive for a variety of reasons, so it was obviously happening.

 

[……forgetit]

I'm not sure why anyone doubted it. There's always been a third game of some kind, and they aren't going to make it New 3DS exclusive for a variety of reasons, so it was obviously happening.

People thought NX

 

[Seil]

People thought NX

People were crazy since they have this engine already and would want to get more use out of it, plus the 3DS already has the install base. We don't even know what NX is yet =p

 

[Neoxon]

People were crazy since they have this engine already and would want to get more use out of it, plus the 3DS already has the install base. We don't even know what NX is yet =p

There's a fair bit of evidence pointing towards a shared platform for both consoles & handhelds. That being said, knowing Game Freak, the next mainline Pokémon game was always gonna be for the 3DS.

 

[Mik317]

People were crazy since they have this engine already and would want to get more use out of it, plus the 3DS already has the install base. We don't even know what NX is yet =p

also history shows that Pokemon generally hangs around on older hardware for at least 1-2 years of the new hardware lifespan.

 

[Nanashrew]

also history shows that Pokemon generally hangs around on older hardware for at least 1-2 years of the new hardware lifespan.

Yep. I normally say that the end of a handheld gen is often around when the 3rd Pokemon game shows up. Gameboy Color came out in '98, Pokemon Crystal came out in 2001 (2000 in Japan) and utilized more of what the GBC could do. 2001 is also when the GBA came out.

Same thing happened with the GBA with Emerald. DS is a strange one having 2 generation on the same system. Now 3DS is back to normal with a single gen and the 3rd game at the end of this gen.

 

[Illucio]

Yep. I normally say that the end of a handheld gen is often around when the 3rd Pokemon game shows up. Gameboy Color came out in '98, Pokemon Crystal came out in 2001 (2000 in Japan) and utilized more of what the GBC could do. 2001 is also when the GBA came out.

Same thing happened with the GBA with Emerald. DS is a strange one having 2 generation on the same system. Now 3DS is back to normal with a single gen and the 3rd game at the end of this gen.

But remember the New 3DS came out with better hardware, so Pokemon may get another generation but it may be New 3DS exclusive. Granted I doubt Gamefreak would ever do that to their fans though.

 

[Sandfox]

But remember the New 3DS came out with better hardware, so Pokemon may get another generation but it may be New 3DS exclusive. Granted I doubt Gamefreak would ever do that to their fans though.

I don't see that happening.

 

[Tal Shiar Agent]

But remember the New 3DS came out with better hardware, so Pokemon may get another generation but it may be New 3DS exclusive. Granted I doubt Gamefreak would ever do that to their fans though.

They did with Crystal.

 

[Aaron Strife]

Wow. Ash better finally win the goddamn world tournament.

If Mega Sceptile ends up going to that Sawyer punk I'm going to be so mad

 

[Black-Wind]

They did with Crystal.

I think the people willing to play in fancy new COLOR is far higher than the people willing to upgrade to a new 3ds that does ... w/e it does (I already got 2 3dss, I have zero reason to get a 3rd so I didn't even bother learning about it).

Anyway, I think there's more to this. Like I said above, I just don't read this as confirmation of Pokemon Z.

 

[SeppOCE]

I haven't really watched Pokemon since the end of Battle Frontier but do the movies actually fit in with the anime timeline now or is it still some sort of alternate reality/ambiguous movie that doesn't fit anywhere.

 

[JoeM86]

Wasn't there an interview to suggest that ORAS only started development after XY, which would mean that it was literally made in a year? If that's true, I guess it's the same for Z, but it's still up in the air when the game will release next year. For example, Platinum released in September (2008) like usual but BW2 came out in June (2012).

The good thing is that Kalos as it is now was finished by 2013, compared, to ORAS where they had to recreate Hoenn in 3D, so there'll be more time to add, change and fix things. On top of that, if ORAS was made in a year, Z is already confirmed to be in development for longer. Game Freak obviously planned for it since XY as Zygarde is weaker than Xerneas/Yveltal and has two unused moves.

That has been misinterpreted. Development begun in November 2012

Also, don't forget that the majority of the work in games is the engine, and the engine existed in X & Y, so it was just a few new assets, map building and scenario creating

They're all banned from VGC format so they probably don't care to balance them properly anyway.

Perhaps, but if VGC '16 is GS Cup rules like a few of us are thinking, then Zygarde and Rayquaza would be eligible

They did with Crystal.

Sort of. Gold & Silver were Game Boy Color games. They were marketed as such, promoted as such, all material was Game Boy Color. It's just those two games could also be played on the old Game Boy. So Crystal being GBC only wasn't much of a jump.

 

[Watch Da Birdie]

I haven't really watched Pokemon since the end of Battle Frontier but do the movies actually fit in with the anime timeline now or is it still some sort of alternate reality/ambiguous movie that doesn't fit anywhere.

Ambiguous.

There's usually a set-time you can figure the Movie to take place in though (based on what Pokemon the team has), and iirc they have released information on where certain Movie-exclusive towns are located---I know they have a map for the Hoenn Movies showing where they took place in Hoenn---but they never effect the show.

There's been a few times in the show where they sort of implied Ash remembers so-and-so Legendary he'd only met in a film, but it's ambiguous.

 

[JoeM86]

I haven't really watched Pokemon since the end of Battle Frontier but do the movies actually fit in with the anime timeline now or is it still some sort of alternate reality/ambiguous movie that doesn't fit anywhere.

It has never been an alternate reality. I honestly don't get why people ever thought that.

There have been numerous crossovers, more than just mentions.

Most notably:
-Mewtwo, obviously. Had build up in the episodes, Gary faced it in one episode, you saw it escape in another and then there's the special episode with it.
-Dawn used the Lunar Wing she obtained in the movie, Rise of Darkrai, in an episode featuring Darkrai and Cresselia a couple of years later
-The Genesect troupe appeared in the anime, escaping from a Team Plasma lab, before the movie Genesect and the Legend Awakened was released.

So while timing is ambiguous, it's almost always placed right around the episodes surrounding it when it's released in Japan. While they don't always reference the movies, that doesn't mean an alternate reality.

 

[Zalman]

If it ends up being Pokémon Z, it'll be the first time since Platinum they release a single version. That's pretty interesting.

 

[Regiruler]

Perhaps, but if VGC '16 is GS Cup rules like a few of us are thinking, then Zygarde and Rayquaza would be eligible

That's the exception, not the norm right?
My barebones interpretation of VGC format is "double battle tower/subway/w/e was in XY".

If it ends up being Pokémon Z, it'll be the first time since Platinum they release a single version. That's pretty interesting.

Third versions are typically the only pokemon games to be a solo entry, so there is only one set between it and platinum: x2/y2.

 

[ash_ag]

It has never been an alternate reality. I honestly don't get why people ever thought that.

Probably because of comparisons with similar TV anime that have yearly movie releases. Cases like Dragon Ball or Naruto have a more linear plot, making it hard to place most movies anywhere in particular, so they are usually considered "what if?" scenarios. Pokémon anime's continuity is much more fluid. You could raise the same point about the logical consistency of placing, say, Movie 5 on the same continuity as the original series, as you could about placing two distinct (possibly distant, but not necessarily) episodes in the same continuity.

But despite some logical inconsistencies, all events are acknowledged if there is plot-relevance in them being acknowledged. Be it selectively, like recognising a Pokémon that has previously only be seen in a movie, or entirely, like with the Lunar Wing or the reminisce episodes in Best Wishes Season 2. On top of that, some of the movies are indeed directly setup by the show.

 

[Nanashrew]

It has never been an alternate reality. I honestly don't get why people ever thought that.

There have been numerous crossovers, more than just mentions.

Most notably:
-Mewtwo, obviously. Had build up in the episodes, Gary faced it in one episode, you saw it escape in another and then there's the special episode with it.
-Dawn used the Lunar Wing she obtained in the movie, Rise of Darkrai, in an episode featuring Darkrai and Cresselia a couple of years later
-The Genesect troupe appeared in the anime, escaping from a Team Plasma lab, before the movie Genesect and the Legend Awakened was released.

So while timing is ambiguous, it's almost always placed right around the episodes surrounding it when it's released in Japan. While they don't always reference the movies, that doesn't mean an alternate reality.

And the hour long special, The Mastermind of Mirage Island. Pikachu's mind was read and all the legendary Pokemon Pikachu had seen up to that point from the movies were created into mirages.

 

[NEO0MJ]

If it ends up being Pokémon Z, it'll be the first time since Platinum they release a single version. That's pretty interesting.

Why not three version?! One version gets the little brain thing, one gets the dog, and one gets the super form!

 

[JoeM86]

And the hour long special, The Mastermind of Mirage Island. Pikachu's mind was read and all the legendary Pokemon Pikachu had seen up to that point from the movies were created into mirages.

Yeah, though that was a weird dub-first special. Probably an alternate reality

 

[Nanashrew]

Yeah, though that was a weird dub-first special. Probably an alternate reality

It was a weird time for some of them. Ash going through puberty and having a bad frog in his voice.

 

[JoeM86]

It was a weird time for some of them. Ash going through puberty and having a bad frog in his voice.

It did eventually come to Japan, but streamed online not on TV.

 

[Not75Drops]

I'd love to see Morimoto direct another game, and I was a bit disappointed when we found out he wasn't directing OR/AS.

I actually didn't know that Morimoto wasn't credited in OR/AS. I guess he could be preoccupied with another project, but he was still battle director for FR/LG when Emerald was released later that year. Likewise, he was the battle director for Platinum a year before HG/SS released.

That's the reason why I checked the Tembo credits, to see if he worked on that instead but nope. Being credited in XY but not in ORAS is strange, especially since he was credited in every main game before that. Game Freak's other games seem to be small projects anyway, usually with James Turner directing them. I don't know who directed the horse solitaire thing though but that was made 2 years ago anyway.

Morimoto being the director of Z feels like a possibility now. It's weird that he had nothing to with ORAS at all since he worked on RSE but it makes sense seeing as hardly any of Emerald's new additions made it into ORAS.

 

[Nanashrew]

It did eventually come to Japan, but streamed online not on TV.

Weird. Why only online?

Also I imagine they at least sounded right in Japan. The dub was so weird having different VAs like the voice of Max voicing Ash, then later re-dubbed with the new VAs and sounding awkward and stiff.

 

[SalvaPot]

I think the people willing to play in fancy new COLOR is far higher than the people willing to upgrade to a new 3ds that does ... w/e it does (I already got 2 3dss, I have zero reason to get a 3rd so I didn't even bother learning about it).

Anyway, I think there's more to this. Like I said above, I just don't read this as confirmation of Pokemon Z.

Amiibo integration on New 3DS.

 

[JoeM86]

Amiibo integration on New 3DS.

amiibo work on regular 3DS too, albeit with an adapter.

 

[yami4ct]

Amiibo integration on New 3DS.

Amiibo stuff seems a near certainty with Z. They would be dumb not to do a fairly substantial Pokemon sub-line and Z integration. Amiibo hype doesn't seem to be dying down that much, but I doubt they can wait until Gen 7 if they want to take full advantage.

 

[JoeM86]

Amiibo stuff seems a near certainty with Z. They would be dumb not to do a fairly substantial Pokemon sub-line and Z integration. Amiibo hype doesn't seem to be dying down that much, but I doubt they can wait until Gen 7 if they want to take full advantage.

I disagree. Junichi Masuda has said he doesn't like the concept of forcing kids to pay for content in the game and amiibo falls into that.

 

[Boogiepop]

I disagree. Junichi Masuda has said he doesn't like the concept of forcing kids to pay for content in the game and amiibo falls into that.

I mean, I highly doubt serious implementation myself, but wouldn't something like the old e-reader card stuff be possible?

 

[Sou Da]

I disagree. Junichi Masuda has said he doesn't like the concept of forcing kids to pay for content in the game and amiibo falls into that.

Yet he works on GO.

 

[Valor]

Yet he works on GO.

Go is going to be free last I heard with in app purchases, which by definition is not forcing kids to pay for content. The key part being "forcing".

 

[Not75Drops]

So the official site just got updated and what they're saying about Ash's Greninja seems extremely similar to Mega Evolution.

http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/see-new-zygarde-formes-in-animation-news-from-japan/

Ash-Greninja is the form that Greninja takes when the bond between it and Ash is raised to the limit. The strength of their bond changes Greninja's appearance, and it takes on the characteristic look of Ash's attire. This phenomenon is also said to have happened just once several hundred years ago in the Kalos region, but it remains shrouded in mystery.

Edit: It also looks like all the Zygarde forms except for Cell can be used in battle.

 

[Zalman]

It still feels weird to me they're talking about this internationally now but won't announce the game yet.

 

[ArchedThunder]

So the official site just got updated and what they're saying about Ash's Greninja seems extremely similar to Mega Evolution.

http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/see-new-zygarde-formes-in-animation-news-from-japan/



Edit: It also looks like all the Zygarde forms except for Cell can be used in battle.

That description makes it sound like the theory of it being a new mechanic were your starter Pokemon will change based on your appearance might be true.
Still no Sugimori art for the Zygarde forms...


"Zygarde Cell
This stage has been identified as the single Cells that make up Zygarde. Cells do not possess any will or thought processes. They're found scattered throughout the region. Since they can't use any moves, researchers question whether they can even be called Pokémon!

Zygarde Core
At this stage, this aspect of Zygarde is little more than a part of the Pokémon's brain. Unlike the Cells, the Cores are self-aware and can communicate with Cells and other Cores via telepathy. When a change occurs in the local region's ecosystem, Cores have been known to take action.

Zygarde 10% Forme
Zygarde 10% is the Forme that the Zygarde Core takes when it gathers 10% of the Cells nearby. Capable of traveling over 60 mph (100 km/h), it defeats enemies with its sharp fangs and its incredible speed.

Zygarde 50% Forme
This Legendary Pokémon watches over and maintains the local ecosystem. Until recently, this was the only known Forme of Zygarde. In actuality, this Forme only has 50% of the Cells in its structure.

Zygarde Complete Forme
This is the perfect Forme that Zygarde takes when the Core gathers 100% of the Cells. When the ecosystem is under threat, and the Core concludes that the 50% Forme will be unable to deal with it, the Core takes on the Complete Forme. Its power is said to be greater than that of the Legendary Pokémon Xerneas and Yveltal!"

Sounds like we will get Core Zygarde early on and then have to collect Cells from around the region to power him up.

 

[HawthorneKitty]

I wonder if Floette is the same thing.

 

[JoeM86]

Can I just point out how unbelievably unusual it is for them to have given the specific start date for when it begins in Japan, rather than the previous "Fall" it said at the start of the article.

My spidey-sense is tingling.

 

[Star Falcon]

As Mewtwo is to Frieza, Zygarde is to Perfect Cell.

Well, close enough anyway! Just need a Buu clone to complete the trilogy.

 

[ArchedThunder]

Can I just point out how unbelievably unusual it is for them to have given the specific start date for when it begins in Japan, rather than the previous "Fall" it said at the start of the article.

My spidey-sense is tingling.

So do you think this means they'll announce Z before October 29th then?

 

[JoeM86]

So do you think this means they'll announce Z before October 29th then?

Before?

Maybe it's just me, but it's so unusual I wouldn't be surprised if it's on October 29th.

 

[ArchedThunder]

Before?

Maybe it's just me, but it's so unusual I wouldn't be surprised if it's on October 29th.

I was thinking mid October with an online reveal and CoroCoro reveal at the same time.

 

[JoeM86]

I was thinking mid October with an online reveal and CoroCoro reveal at the same time.

So was I, until I saw they put the specific Japanese date in there, which they haven't done for these things if memory serves. Only when it's worldwide, otherwise they just give the season.

 

[ArchedThunder]

So was I, until I saw they put the specific Japanese date in there, which they haven't done for these things if memory serves. Only when it's worldwide, otherwise they just give the season.

I dunno, I would think that they would want to announce Pokemon Z before the XYZ anime starts airing, but who knows.

 

[yami4ct]

I disagree. Junichi Masuda has said he doesn't like the concept of forcing kids to pay for content in the game and amiibo falls into that.

As mentioned, they've done it before with e-reader stuff. It won't be anything important, of course. The only way to get a charizard won't suddenly be to tap an amiibo. It'll likely be some dumb hat to use in contests or something. Something really small they can use to say "amiibo integration" and still get to have an excuse to make a poke amiibo line.

I could also see them used as item boosts. Tap once a day to get 10x of a basic item you don't need or something silly like that.

 

[ArchedThunder]

As mentioned, they've done it before with e-reader stuff. It won't be anything important, of course. The only way to get a charizard won't suddenly be to tap an amiibo. It'll likely be some dumb hat to use in contests or something. Something really small they can use to say "amiibo integration" and still get to have an excuse to make a poke amiibo line.

We had a Pangoro hat that you could put on your character in XY, just make hats of the Smash Pokemon, that'd be cool. Hell take it a bit further and give us things like Mario and Link hats.
It'd be ultimately a small thing that would have next to zero effect on the game, but for those that care it would be a cool addition.

 

[Comet]

Can I just point out how unbelievably unusual it is for them to have given the specific start date for when it begins in Japan, rather than the previous "Fall" it said at the start of the article.

My spidey-sense is tingling.

Your spidey-sense tingling is making my Pokemon fandom tingle. Hope you're right. Something is a muck here!

 

[L.O.R.D]

cool desgin , wait a minute...

 

[AetherZX]

cool desgin , wait a minute...

See a doctor.