Nintendo Switch has enjoyed a bumper first year on sale, and 2018 looks set to continue this momentum with a new Pokemon game on the horizon.
The Japanese gaming giant announced Pokemon was heading to the Nintendo Switch during their Direct conference held while E3 2017 was taking place.
Not much is known about the upcoming Pokemon game for Nintendo Switch, with rumours it will be called Pokemon Stars.
However, the first bit of concrete information about the game may have been leaked – and it would mark a big change for the upcoming Switch title.
It’s been claimed that Pokemon Switch will mark a radical departure for the game’s battle system.
Since the original Game Boy games, Pokemon titles have featured turn based battle systems.
However, according to PokeJungle, this will all change with Pokemon Switch which will introduce a new real-time action combat system.
PokeJungle previously leaked that Team Rainbow Rocket would be in Pokemon Ultra Sun and Moon, so they have form in being correct.
Sources told the Pokemon site that the battle system for the Switch game would be similar to that adopted by the Digimon World games.
In those games, battles occur in real-time in a 3D space and moves are selected via a menu, with options to attack or block an opponent.
Sources speaking to the site also compared the battle system to that seen in Pokken Tournament, which was released on the Nintendo Switch this year.
If these rumours turn out to be true, it would mean the Pokemon Company are planning on introducing a much faster-paced battle system.
It would mark a huge departure for long-time Pokemon trainers and help to freshen up the series for those who have been fans since the beginning.
Insiders also claimed that the localisation team for China has already finished translating the game’s script.
This would mean that the game is already well into its development.
Sources also said there will be no new Mega Evolutions with Pokemon Switch, and that Z-Moves will return and be activated with Joy-Con motion controls.
The region Pokemon Switch is set in is also meant to be inspired by Spain or Italy.
While the plot is said to revolve around the conflict between tradition and innovation.
Pokemon Switch is also expected to have a release date in late 2018 or early on in 2019.
In other Nintendo Switch news, it’s been rumoured that the new online subscription service could have its launch delayed.
This paid service will let Nintendo Switch owners enjoy online multiplayer gaming as well as a dedicated smartphone app that connects to their system and helps create a better network with friends for online play sessions in compatible games.
There will also be a Classic Games selection to choose from, with subscribers getting to download a compilation of classic titles with added online play, such as Super Mario Bros. 3, Balloon Fight and Dr. Mario.
Fans will also get new eShop discounts and continuing access to online gameplay and the console’s app.
However, new rumours suggest that this new service – much in the same vein as on the PS4 and Xbox One – has been delayed.
First touted for early 2018, it’s now rumoured that it won’t launch until autumn 2018.
The official Nintendo Switch Online website in Italy apparently had this date listed, before it was changed to a vaguer “2018” dating.
This is of course is no official announcement and could have simply been an error on the Italian website.
However, fans will be hoping for some clarification in the near future, as the service has already been delayed once.
It was supposed to arrive soon after the March 2017 Switch release, before it was pushed back until early 2018.