Submit a news tip



Detective Pikachu Returns

Detective Pikachu origins

In a recent Famitsu interview, key developers behind Detective Pikachu spoke about the franchise’s origins.

Executive producer Tsunekazu Ishihara, along with original producer and writer of the sequel Hiroyuki Jinnai, chatted with the magazine. Jinnai mentioned how company wanted to pursue an adventure game as that’s something that hadn’t really been done previously with the Pokemon spin-offs.

Detective Pikachu Returns icons

Original (9/28): New icons just went up on Nintendo Switch Online, and Detective Pikachu Returns is getting the spotlight. Some recent waves of icons have been reruns or based on titles already featured, but this one is brand new. It also comes ahead of the upcoming launch of the game itself.

Detective Pikachu Returns review

System: Switch
Release date: October 6, 2023
Developer: Creatures
Publisher: Nintendo


Detective Pikachu first released in Japan in 2016, although it wouldn’t be until two years later that western audiences would get their hands on the game. It might be an exaggeration to say that it was a bolt of brilliance, but it clearly left enough of a lasting impact to warrant a sequel on the Switch to tie up loose ends in the plot. The aptly named Detective Pikachu Returns is more of the same, and although for many it will be a game that has arrived a little too late (especially if you’ve seen the movie) it is a game with an abundance of charm that is an easy recommendation to make for younger players and for those looking to kick back, relax, and watch a gruff, overdramatic, coffee-loving Pikachu get himself into all manner of trouble and save the day with his deductive reasoning skills. With a little help from Tim, of course.

Detective Pikachu Returns gameplay

A ton of gameplay has come in for Detective Pikachu Returns, the follow-up to the 3DS title that launched several years ago. Three hours of footage is available.

Here’s a bit of information about the title:

Tying in with the release of Detective Pikachu Returns, the game has received a launch trailer. Fans can get another look at the brand new Switch title.

Catch up on everything you need to know in the following overview:

Detective Pikachu Returns reviews

Detective Pikachu Returns will be here in just a couple of days, and reviews for the game are now starting to drop.

The new Switch title will be launching more than four years after it was first teased. After initially announcing the project in 2019, The Pokemon Company had nothing to say about it until the game finally surfaced during a Nintendo Direct this past June.

Detective Pikachu Returns story so far

Nintendo put out a new “The story so far” trailer for Detective Pikachu Returns. This is a helpful video for those that missed the original title on 3DS, as it recaps the events that happened in that game.

Here’s some information about the game:

Pokemon GO Detective Pikachu Returns

Niantic has announced a new event for Pokemon GO to celebrate the launch of Detective Pikachu Returns on Switch.

While it’s active, Pikachu wearing a detective hat will be appearing. Players will be able to complete detective-themed Timed Research. Other activities include a new avatar pose, a themed Collection Challenge, and event bonuses.

Detective Pikachu Returns Pokemon

Have you been curious as to how the team behind Detective Pikachu Returns decided which Pokemon to include? Director Yasunori Yanagisaw recently shared insight during an interview with ComicBook.

Many Pokemon will appear in Detective Pikachu Returns, but some will factor into the gameplay itself. For example, Growlithe lets players follow scents, Darmanitan can smash rocks, and Luxray is able to peer through walls. But many additional Pokemon will appear in the environments players can explore.

Detective Pikachu Returns development

To say that we’ve been waiting a long time for Detective Pikachu Returns would be an understatement. After it was first teased in 2019, it was finally revealed this year.

Director Yasunori Yanagisawa spoke about the wait in an interview with IGN. Yanagisawa explained that the project took roughly five years overall, and moving from Switch to 3DS allowed for many more possibilities. 

Yanagisawa explained:


Manage Cookie Settings