Where Will the Pokemon Franchise Go in 2024?

Let’s start with an obvious statement: The Pokémon franchise is a massive juggernaut in gaming, manga, anime, merchandise, and just about every other element of consumerism. The latest games in the mainline series, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, sold incredibly well and did push the envelope in terms of what you can do in a Pokémon game. Still, a lot of players feel like the franchise is in a standstill. That is, a lot of players who have been with the franchise since its inception. Others feel like the franchise is thriving.

A major dividing line here is how the mainline Pokémon games have expanded their gameplay experience. The open world of Scarlet and Violet is really impressive, akin to a Monster Hunter game but with even less jumping back and forth between a camp and the wild. The most obvious criticism to levy towards the latest games is simply the gameplay performance. That might be fixed with the launch of a Switch 2, Super Switch, or whatever wild name Nintendo comes up with.

Still, it’s hard to imagine a world in which we get a Pokémon game that sells well and is loved by all, as today’s mainline titles are so different than the games many people like me grew up with. I play every entry in the series, but things like evolution gimmicks, a somehow massive but limited roster, and lackluster stories can leave millennials and Gen-Xers aching for the more simplistic Pokémon experiences. Let’s Go Pikachu and Let’s Go Eevee were a bit too simplistic, but Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl were on the money.

The fact of the matter is that younger players are always going to be the main audience for Pokémon games. There’s no financial sense in catering to an aging player base when a 30-something-year-old is less likely to engage with every element of the IP than a child or teenager. Plus, for many players under 20, these modern games are their understanding of what Pokémon is. Try to get a younger family member to play Red on a GameBoy and you’ll see how quickly they lose interest.

All of this is to say that 2024 could be a quiet year for Pokémon. We’ll know more in a month with Pokémon Day, which takes place on February 27, often bringing a snapshot of what the year will entail for the franchise. Still, the routine three-year development cycle for mainline games would place the next game in 2025. Could we see a remake released later this year? Sure. We’re three years removed from Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Partner developer ILCA could very well have another pair of remakes on the way.

The only true prediction I have is that we’ll continue to see this cycle of excitement turn into disappointment due to expectations being far too high for what The Pokémon Company is seeking to do with its IP. Black and White remakes are possible, but we have to understand that the remakes do not sell as well as the mainline games. Again, it points to the issue that the main demographic of 2024’s Pokémon players are much more familiar with the modern experience than that of the DS days.

The mainline series is far from the only thing Pokémon has to offer gamers. Legends: Arceus was a great deviation from the typical formula, and titles like Mystery Dungeon offer plenty of ways to explore the world of Pokémon. 2024 is much more likely to include something akin to these side series than a major release, which is absolutely fine with me. Of course, you might feel differently, and if the Pokémon forums online are any indication, you might have some strong opinions about the state of the franchise in 2024.

With that said, let’s hear it in the comments. Staying respectful, of course, let us know what you think of the current state of Pokémon as a game franchise. What do you hope to see or learn about in 2024 in regards to continuing series, new releases, and the future of this historic series? We want to hear from you!