Pokemon Scarlet and Violethave been out for a little while now, and while there are fans still exploring all Paldea has to offer, others are preparing competitive teams and waiting for DLC to come.Pokemon Scarlet and VioletDLC has not yet been announced, but it’s easily Game Freak’s worst-kept secret. Not only does the game tease at it by rewarding players with an Ultra Ball when completing the Pokedex, but there have been several reliable leaks to back this up, with datamined Pokemon not yet in the game and new Pokemon/forms too (Paradox Suicune, Paradox Virizion, the Third Legendary).
ButPokemon Scarlet and VioletDLCis just one element of Gen 9, and with the new games officially kicking it off, many fans may be curious about what’s to come over the next couple of years. Of course, some things are hard to predict, but looking at past generations shows a reasonable selection of games fans can expect.
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Pokemon Scarlet and Violet DLC to Dominate 2023
The expansion of core Pokemon games has changed over the years. For a while, generations would receive aspecial third game likePokemon Yellow, Pokemon Crystal, Pokemon Emerald, andPokemon Platinum.Moving forward from there, a few generations received proper sequels likePokemon Black 2 and White 2, as well asPokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. DLC is relatively new to core Pokemon games, but its role inPokemon Sword and Shieldshows fans what to expect this year forPokemon Scarlet and Violet.Basically, the entire year followingPokemon Sword and Shieldwas dedicated to its DLC, and fans can expect the same out ofPokemon Scarlet and Violetin 2023.
At least two major DLCs seem viable, with both releasing this year. As to what these will contain exactly remains to be seen, but many fans would have no problem discovering more about Area Zero,adventuring into southern Kalos, and catching new Paradox Pokemon.
Pokemon Black and White Remakes Are Due
Most generations feature some form of Pokemon remake, ranging fromPokemon FireRed and LeafGreentoPokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.With the latter, Game Freak showed a willingness to let another dev take the wheel, with supervision of course.Developer ILCA worked onPokemon BD/SP, and it stands to reason it could return with the next remakes. After all, relying on outside help makes some of each gen easier on Game Freak, and it speeds up the rate of the remakes. Again, not every generation gets a remake, but most do—and ILCA would speed that up.
With all of that in mind,Pokemon Black and Whiteare next in line for remakes. That’s a relatively safe bet. In fact,Pokemon Black and Whiteremakes may not be the only visit to Unovathis gen.
A New Pokemon Legends Game OR A New Pokemon Let’s Go Game
Perhaps the biggest variable for this gen, right now, is whether fans will get a newPokemon Legendsgame, and if they don’t, what they would get in its stead.Pokemon Legends: Arceuslaunched early in 2022, and many fans fell in love with it despite its shortcomings. Its new approach, many would argue, should constitute a new series inPokemon.It’s hard to guess what region the newPokemon Legendsgame would go to, but the relatively safest bet right now is Unova itself. InPokemonGen 8, fans visited Sinnoh twice: inBD/SPand inPokemon Legends: Arceus, if as Hisui. Moving forward from Sinnoh inPokemon Legendsmakes the most sense, and seeing a past version of each region alongside a remake sounds like a solid strategy.
Of course, none of that is certain—and it’s hard to deny how many fans want to see a newPokemon Let’s Gogame. The originals played quite well, even if everyone wasn’t happy to seePokemon GOfeatures in the games. The next step for it would obviously be aPokemon Let’s Go, Johtogame, though it’s uncertain what Pokemon would replace Pikachu and Eevee. Furthermore, some have expressed concern that the Let’s Go feature inPokemon Scarlet and Violetis essentially reducing this potential game series down to a mechanic.
Ultimately, anewPokemon Legendsgamedoes seem more likely, but either way, it probably won’t occur until near the end of this generation.
Pokemon Experimental/Spin-Off Game
Ultimately, the hardest Pokemon Gen 9 game to predict would be Game Freak’s experimental/spin-off games. The past few years have seen updated/new versions ofPokemon SnapandPokemon Mystery Dungeonrelease, while many fans would love to seea newPokemon Ranger, Pokemon Colosseum, Pokemon Conquest, Pokepark, or even something more akin toPokken Tournament 2.And, of course, it’s entirely possible the experimental/spin-off game of this gen is something brand new.
There are likely to be some others scattered between the biggest releases of Pokemon Gen 9, but these are easily the biggest to expect from this generation. It’s hard to say for sure what’s going to happen, butPokemon Scarlet and Violet, despite their shortcomings, have set up what could be one of the best gens in recent years, depending on where Game Freak takes it from here.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violetare available now for Nintendo Switch.
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