It wasn’t live streamed, but tonight’s Pokemon 2018 Video Game Press Conference was recorded. You can watch the event in full below.
Update: Final nail in the coffin regarding online play – there is none. There is wireless and play on the same screen, but no online.
Original: The Pokemon press conference has officially wrapped up in Tokyo, Japan. Before the event ended, two separate Q&As were held. One was led by The Pokemon Company itself. The second was hosted by longtime Pokemon developer Junichi Masuda.
In the first Q&A, there were reports about Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokemon: Let’s Go, Eevee! not having any online features at all. However, during that second Q&A, Masuda allegedly confirmed that trading and battling can be done both locally and online. There was unfortunately no live stream event, so we’re relying on reports from those who were in attendance. Assuming online is in, it’s possible that the first Q&A only mentioned not using Nintendo Switch Online specifically, or co-op not being online. We’ll try to get final clarification as soon as possible.
In any case, on with the latest details:
Aside from announcing new games, the Poke Ball Plus device was also unveiled tonight. It can be used with the new Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu / Eevee games as well as Pokemon GO.
Nintendo now has a website up for the device, which includes information on how long the battery lasts per charge and more. Here’s the full rundown:
Pokemon Quest is now available to download on the Switch eShop. Along with an official trailer, below you’ll find some footage.
This week’s Famitsu review scores are as follows:
Detroit: Become Human (PS4) – 9/10/10/9
Sushi Striker (NSW / 3DS) – 8/8/8/8
Life Is Strange: Before the Storm (PS4) – 8/8/8/7
No Heroes Here (PS4) – 8/8/8/7
The Swords of Ditto (PS4) – 8/7/7/8
Wizard of Legend (NSW) – 7/8/7/7
Fairune Collection (NSW) – 6/7/7/7
Update 2: Clarified that, unfortunately, online is not present. We’ve updated our second post as such.
Update: Initial reports regarding online not being present entirely were possibly incorrect, so we’ve removed it from this post – see here for an update and more details.
Original: After the announcement of Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokemon: Let’s Go, Eevee! at the Pokemon press conference in Japan, a Q&A was held with the developers and other representatives. Here’s a summary of what was shared:
Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu and Pokemon: Let’s Go, Eevee are the primary Pokemon titles on Switch this year. But as was announced tonight, a core RPG is also slated for the second half of 2019.
During tonight’s Pokemon press conference, it was mentioned that the 2019 title will be “in the style of X and Y and Sun and Moon”. That’s somewhat in contrast to the Let’s Go! games, which appear to be aimed at a broad audience and are “a core RPG for everyone”.
Pokemon CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara also confirmed that the upcoming 2019 game will be entirely new – not an upgrade. Next year’s releases will be more about handheld elements.
Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokemon: Let’s Go, Eevee! are primarily focused on the first 151 Pokemon. However, there was a special Pokemon referenced at the end of today’s trailer. The Pokemon Company has confirmed that this is referring to a Pokemon never seen before.
We have a number of new images for Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokemon: Let’s Go, Eevee!, including screenshots, art and more. Here’s the full set:
