New Pokémon RPG announced

Possible Generation V game on its way

Article Discussion Report error Friday, January 29, 2010 Reported on Bulbanews by Archaic This article is breaking news. Some contents may change—be sure to check back regularly.

The Pokémon Company announced today that a brand-new Pokémon RPG is set to be released later this year for the Nintendo DS. The original press release, along with Junichi Masuda's Blog entry on the announcement, have now both been translated by Bulbagarden webmaster Archaic. Given the mention of new Pokémon being included, and the statements that these games will be an "inventive rebirth" of the series and that the staff are "doing their best to exceed every Pokémon game before now", it would now appear that this is indeed an announcement for a fifth generation of main series games as was first speculated. This would be an interesting turn for the series to take, as two generations have never shared the primary console; while Generation II could be played on a regular Game Boy, it was designed with the Game Boy Color in mind.

The February 2010 edition of CoroCoro, due out in only a few weeks, is set to reveal a "surprising announcement", which will be related to this game, as well as the upcoming Pokémon movie, Phantom Ruler Z. In addition, we now know that the episode of Pokémon Sunday to be broadcast on February 7th will include an appearance from Junichi Masuda himself, though no specific details have been released about what may be released here as of yet. With no Generation V Pokémon yet revealed, this would make for the shortest amount of time between the revelation of a brand-new Pokémon and its debut in the main series should these games be Generation V.

Press Release Translation

“ Pocket Monsters series all new production under development for release by the end of 2010 2010, January 29th The latest news from Pokémon Company Managing Director Ishihara Tsunekazum the developers of the Pokémon series Game Freak, and Distributors Nintendo, is that the new work in the series is under development for release on the Nintendo DS by the end of 2010. Since the first games in the series, Pokémon Red and Green in 1996, the distinctive characteristics of the games around the world has changed, with trading and battling between different versions. Customers around the world have rated the games highly, and around the world over 130,000,000 Pokémon games have been sold. Pokémon games for Nintendo DS have made use of the two screens, touch screen and Wi-Fi features in their play. The new games, the first completely new work to be released since the release of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl 4 years ago, games which have sold 17,150,000 copies (5,800,000 games in Japan), are planned as an inventive rebirth, featuring completely new ways to play and new Pokémon. Please look forward to game details and news from now until release. Game Outline: Title: Pending Sales Agency: Pokémon Company Distribution: Nintendo Development: Game Freak Date of Release: Planned before the end of 2010 Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: Pending Genre: RPG System: Nintendo DS ”

-- The Pokémon Company

Junichi Masuda Blog entry

“ Number 159 Category: Announcement, Pokemon Pocket Monsters series complete new work! Under development for release by the end of 2010!! http://www.pokemon.co.jp/index.html http://www.pokemon.co.jp/info/game/g100129_02.html Finally Japan, it has been announced without problems!! Clap Clap Clap !!! Though, that's not someone elses problem...(*sweats*) Of course, development is all being done in-house. Now, Game Freak's development department are eagerly working on development with the aim to exceed every Pokemon game made before now with innovative software! By the way, for the purpose of giving more information... Pokemon Diamond and Pearl have indeed really sold 17,150,000 copies around the world (5,800,000 copies domestically in Japan). (Tokyo's population is approximately 13,000,000) With great enthusasium, we are trying our best to surpass Diamond and Pearl! Everyone, please lend us your support! Please have great expectations! On the 7th of February (Sunday), on Pokemon Sunday, Masuda will appear in an emergency video? Now that you know, please watch it. You should be able to get some news! Ciao! ”

-- Junichi Masuda

Information

• Official Pokémon site (Japanese)
• Junichi Masuda Blog entry on the announcement (Japanese)