During today’s Pokémon Presents stream, fans were treated to a ton of new info for the upcoming slate of monster-collecting games, including Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl, and Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
First up was a batch of quick updates for some of the franchise’s slate of mobile games, including new anniversary events for Pokémon Masters EX and Pokémon GO, and upcoming additions to the just-launched-on-Switch Pokémon UNITE, which hits iOS and Android on September 22.
Next up was Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, the faithful Generation 4 remakes retaining many features from the original Nintendo DS games, including the Underground, Secret Bases, Super Contests and Pokémon Seals.
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New features were also detailed, including Hideaways, which are hidden areas where specific Pokémon reside in, and they can only be obtained there! Which Pokémon appear is based on the statues you have placed in your Secret Base.
In addition, following Pokémon return, where one of your monsters can follow you outside of battle. These two games will also feature character customization in the form of clothing style changes.
This segment wrapped up with the reveal of a special edition Nintendo Switch Lite, featuring the games’ mascot Pokémon, Dialga and Palkia, an homage to the special edition Nintendo DS Lite for the original games back in 2006. Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl hit the Nintendo Switch on November 19.
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Then came information on the highly anticipated Pokémon Legends: Arceus game, which takes place in the Hisui Region, a stretch of land that would eventually become the Sinnoh Region we know today. Players will join up as part of Team Galaxy with the task of filling out the very first Pokédex!
Several new characters were introduced, including the leaders of each of the game’s three main research groups: Ecology, Survey and Expedition.
As for the gameplay, Pokémon now have two different battle styles: Strong and Agile. As each name suggests, they buff your power or speed depending on the type used. Turn-based combat returns, but with a twist reminiscent of other RPGs where combatants may get multiple turns in a row.
And finally, it was confirmed that some Pokémon in the Hisui Region will have unique forms and evolutions, including Wyrdeer (evolves from Stantler), Basculegion (evolves from Basculin), Hisuian Braviary and Hisuian Growlithe.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus officially arrives on Nintendo Switch on January 28, 2022.
Source: Pokémon Presents
