Huge Pokemon News Dropped at Pokémon 2018 Video Game Press Conference

After months and months of rumors, The Pokemon Company finally dropped the secret they've been holding onto for such a long time, and revealed their big plans for the franchise for the remainder of the year.

The first big announcement in the conference was the reveal of a new title, called Pokemon Quest. Pokemon Quest is a free-to-start title which is available on the Nintendo Switch eShop right now, and will see a mobile release in late June. The game features all 151 Kanto Pokemon and takes place on Tumblecube Island, where players can catch, battle and explore this new cube-like world of Pokemon in the palm of their hands. The gameplay consits of a simplified, unique style that people of any age can enjoy. From the official Press Release:

• Battle by tapping—Pokémon Quest uses simple touch controls that can be enjoyed by everyone. 
• Befriend many Pokémon—Use items collected throughout expeditions to befriend a wide array of Pokémon. 
• Create your Pokémon dream team—Partner with three of your Pokémon friends to battle through diverse environments. 
• Pokémon unique to you—Use different Power Stones to personalize your Pokémon friends however you want and give them unique stats. 
• Customize your base camp—Decorate your home with cute and fun collectibles that not only look good, but can provide in-game benefits.

The next, and most exciting announcement, was the reveal of Pokemon: Let's Go Pikachu! and Pokemon: Let's Go Eevee! The newest main series titles are based off Pokemon Yellow and allow players to explore the Kanto region again in a whole new way. Even though they are main series titles, the games take inspiration from the mobile title Pokemon GO, ditching the traditional wild Pokemon encounter mechanics, and instead has Pokemon roaming the overworld, and use the catching mechanics of the mobile title. Whilst this may appear as different to some, it's to act as an introductory title to those players who first player Pokemon GO and wish to get into the main series titles.

The game will also feature connectivity between the two platforms, allowing Kanto Pokemon from GO to be transferred to the Switch title. A special accessory, called the Pokeball Plus will also release alongside the games. The Pokeball Plus can be used in place of the Joy Con controller, and Pokemon caught in the game can be put into the Pokeball and carried around whilst the player plays Pokemon GO. Upon returning to the Switch title, the player may receive various rewards. The accessory will also connect to Pokemon GO and act like the Pokemon GO Plus. A "never before seen Pokemon" will also be revealed via this method.

Pokemon: Let's Go Pikachu! and Pokemon Let's Go Eevee! launch on November 16th.

For those worried this is the core-RPG title teased at E3 last year, fear not! They confirmed that this was not the title, and instead an all new core-RPG is set for release in late 2019.

With #PokemonQuest and #PokemonLetsGo, there are so many new ways to explore the world of Pokémon! Trainers can look forward to even more with an all-new core series Pokémon RPG title in development for the second half of 2019! pic.twitter.com/d5uiIpenMI

— Pokémon (@Pokemon) May 30, 2018

To end it all off, Niantic decided to join the fun and drop Alolan Exeggutor into Pokemon GO. It's currently unknown if this will be a limited run, or if Alolan Exeggutor will remain in the game indefintiely. There is also on word on when the rest of the Alolan Forms will join the ranks of Pokemon GO.

You can watch the full presentation below!