Simply earlier than the yr started, the Pocket Techniques workforce sat all the way down to give you our 2024 predictions for the world of cell and handheld gaming. It was a distinct time – Zenless Zone Zero was nonetheless in beta, Pokémon was nonetheless releasing content material for Scarlet and Violet, and we knew even much less in regards to the Nintendo Change 2 than we all know right now.
So, we used our unbelievable senses of gamer instinct combined with quite a lot of wishful pondering to foretell what 2024 may need in retailer for us, and we locked these predictions away for the yr. Now, I’m right here to see simply how proper (or extra precisely, how very, very flawed) our predictions had been, so buckle up for a wild journey.
Unsurprisingly, nearly each member of the Pocket Techniques workforce had one thing to say in regards to the Nintendo Change 2, and nearly all of us had been utterly flawed. Ruby, Pocket Techniques Editor, was extremely optimistic, pondering that we’d get a Change 2 reveal within the first half of 2024, however as a substitute, simply as Workers Author Holly predicted, we’re no nearer to discovering out what Nintendo’s subsequent residence console will appear to be.
Nevertheless, based mostly on Nintendo’s many “please don’t ask us in regards to the Change’s successor” tweets, we’ve not acquired lengthy to attend now for some concrete data. Apparently, ex-Workers Author James steered that the Nintendo Change 2’s Pleasure-Cons can be the one main change for the console, and now we have seen rumors that the successor is switching to magnetic controllers reasonably than utilizing the present Pleasure-Con rail system. We actually hope that our current controllers will nonetheless work although – this stuff are costly!
On the finish of 2023, if we weren’t speculating in regards to the Nintendo Change 2, we had been excited about the Zenless Zone Zero launch date. With Ruby predicting an October launch and James claiming that Hoyoverse would delay the ARPG, we had been all pleasantly stunned by the July drop. Should you’ve learn our Zenless Zone Zero overview then you definately’ll know that we love this city journey simply as a lot as Honkai Star Rail and Genshin Influence, and we’re glad it made its method to our telephones in 2024.
Although we’ve seen the official Genshin Influence Change trailer, we’re unsure that it’s ever going to occur, so as a substitute, Holly predicted that ZZZ can be the primary Hoyo title to make the soar to Nintendo’s console. It hasn’t occurred but, however we’re pretty sure that Zenless Zone Zero’s Change – or Change 2 – debut is on the playing cards because of the VHS-themed cartridge instances that Hoyoverse gifted us, and ZZZ producer Zhenyu Li’s assertion that the workforce needs the sport on “on all platforms.”
Lastly, I made the daring assertion that Netease’s Mission Mugen, which is now referred to as Ananta, would outperform Zenless Zone Zero. After all, this didn’t occur as Ananta continues to be nowhere to be seen, however we’re predicting a 2025 Ananta launch date and have an interest to see which of those two city exploration RPGs comes out on high.
I knew it was a protracted shot to even counsel a gen 5 Pokémon remake, however somebody needed to attempt to manifest it. Pokémon Black and White and their sequels are among the most costly DS video games on the market and I by no means owned a duplicate, so I’m determined for a brand new method to go to Unova. Sadly, it wasn’t on the playing cards for 2024, however I’m nonetheless holding out hope for some information within the new yr.
In spite of everything, the newest Pokémon Go season, Twin Future, options tons of Unovan Pokémon and makes use of black and white in its brand. One Pokémon Go occasion isn’t sufficient to go on, however because of Pokébeach we now know that the Pokémon TCG is getting two Unova-themed expansions in June referred to as Black Daring and White Flare, for seemingly no motive. Pokémon TCG units usually comply with the videogame’s launch schedule, with units like Astral Radiance and Misplaced Origin lining up with Legends: Arceus up to now, so I’ve acquired every part crossed that we’ll return to Unova quickly.
The gen 5 remakes prediction wasn’t our solely Pokéfail of the yr – Connor, Pocket Techniques {Hardware} Editor, additionally steered a traditional Pokémon port assortment for Nintendo Change On-line and was sorely upset. If Recreation Freak launched a bundle of the older video games for the Nintendo Change, both as its personal sport or as titles on NSO, it might virtually print cash. It’s getting more durable and more durable to entry these older titles legitimately, particularly because of the closure of the Wii U and 3DS digital console marketplaces, so we’d like to see the primary few generations make their method to the Change, for the sake of videogame preservation.
Our last Pokémon prediction was a half-win. I predicted that in 2024 we’d get Legends: Celebi, one other historic Pokémon journey set in Johto as a substitute of Sinnoh. Whereas we didn’t get the era proper, we’re getting a brand new spin-off sport, and we will’t wait to be taught extra in regards to the Pokémon Legends: Z-A launch date in 2025.
One factor that’s abundantly clear from our many, many incorrect predictions is that we’re determined for some new Nintendo Change releases. With the top of the Change’s life in sight, it is sensible that Nintendo is specializing in remasters and remakes as a substitute of recent titles, however we’re ravenous out right here! 2024 left us with out a Kingdom Hearts 4 launch date, a Witchbrook launch date, a brand new Spyro sport, a brand new God of Warfare sport, or a brand new Digimon sport, and albeit we’re a bit of harm. Hopefully, with the Change 2 on the horizon, we’ll get some thrilling new console releases in 2025 to maintain us going.
Amongst all our pictures at nighttime, we did truly handle to hit a few targets. Our Deputy Editor Kayleigh predicted that we’d get a bodily launch of Poppy Playtime for the Nintendo Change, and MOB Leisure is making it occur. Certain, the three-chapter bundle isn’t truly out till April 2025, however we acquired the announcement this yr so we’re taking it as a win. Our different tenuous success was Ruby’s prediction of a Hoyoverse life sim, which appears to be on the playing cards because of some current logos and social media exercise. No matter it finally ends up being, we will’t wait till Hoyoverse formally unveils Petit Planet to the world.
So, our 2024 predictions had been removed from correct, however they paint a terrific image of what the Pocket Techniques workforce needs from cell and Change video games. Now that we’ve acquired a full workforce once more, who is aware of what we’ll give you for 2025? Whilst you’re right here, be certain that to take a look at Holly’s attraction for extra males in gacha video games subsequent.
