A new leak concerningPokémon HOMEprovides an intriguing tease about the future of the Pokémon franchise, specifically after the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2. The Pokémon franchise is in an interesting place right now, withthe launch ofPokémon Legends Z-Aplanned for sometime in 2025. While a newPokémon Legendsgame is exciting, fans are also wondering how the franchise will adapt to the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 and how much longer until the franchise launches a new generation of main series games.
Recently, a new leak emerged on the Famiboards about the Nintendo Switch 2 andPokémon HOME that also doubles as a tease about an upcomingPokémongame. The post, which was shared byTheIndigoBoy1213on Reddit,claims that the next version ofPokémon HOMEwill appear on the Nintendo Switch 2 and will feature BiancafromPokémon Black and Whitein the place of Grand Oak.
Not only will Bianca assist characters in this new version ofPokémon HOME, but she’ll also serve as anew tease about upcomingPokémon Black and PokémonWhite remakes. The timing of the new leak is interesting asRiddler Khu(an infamousPokémonleaker) also suggested a new version ofPokémon HOMEwas coming in an X post, while a separate leak suggested a similar Nintendo Switch 2 release timeline as the Famiboards leak.
What Will Be The Next Pokémon Games After Pokémon Legends Z-A?
Rumors Persist That Pokémon Black & White Remakes Are On The Table
It’s widely believed that Game Freak will release a new pair of main seriesPokémongames after it releasesPokémon Legends Z-A. A 2026 release would make sense, given thatthe year marks the 30th anniversary of thePokémonfranchise. Also, Game Freak has released a new generation ofPokémongames every three years, so 2026 would actually mark the farthest gap between Pokémon generations since the gap betweenPokémon Diamond and PearlandPokémon Black and White.
Pokémon Legends Z-A Trailer Might Be Revealed Before Pokémon Day According To Well-Known Leaker
A new Pokémon Legends Z-A trailer could be released earlier than expected in January 2025, according to one notorious Pokémon-focused hacker.
However, there’s also good reason to believe that thePokémonfranchise is gearing up for a return to the Unova region. WithPokémon Black and Whitenext in line for remakes, any clue that could tease their return is especially tantalizing.Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s DLC was technically set in the Unova regionandheavily featured callbacksto those games.
Also, thePokémon TCGis also set to release anew set of cardsin 2025 called “Black Bolt” and “White Flare,” which are an obvious reference toPokémon Black and White. A Bianca reference inPokémon HOMEor its successor would open up even more speculation about more games in the Unova region.
Our Take: Rumors Will Persist, But Be Careful What You Wish For
Unova Remakes Would Be Nice, But New Stories In Unova Would Be Even Better
The release ofPokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearlshould have effectively put the brakes on any desire for remadePokémongames. Those games were weak carbon copies of the originals with no significant innovations or updates. Effectively, they were a reminder thatPokémonremakes should not exist simply to revisit oldPokémongames.
How Pokémon Black & White Remakes Can Avoid BDSP’s Biggest Mistake
Future remakes of Pokémon Black and White should learn from the mistakes made by Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl to truly do the games justice.
While it’s fine to want to head back to the Unova region, it would be far more interesting to see a new game set in that region that introducesnew storylines to Unova. Regardless, ifPokémon HOMEis bringing in Bianca as a new featured character, expect more rumors to persist about Unova remakes until something finally happens.
