With this and the new Fire Emblem my brother has realized that a Switch 2 purchase for him is now inevitable, it's just a matter of time.

Despite all of its technical issues Pokemon Scarlett was still one of the most enjoyable games I've ever played.  It was pretty much the Pokemon game I wanted on the Gamecube (with visuals to match lol).  So if this is more of that except the game actually runs half decently, that will be pretty tempting.  But it's not coming out until 2027 so I have lots of time to think about any future Switch 2 purchase.  And I'm pretty infrequent in buying Pokemon games.  I tend to get on board every three generations or so.

I'm honestly surprised they're not releasing them this year, but this also makes me (perhaps foolishly?) hopeful that the extra time will result in a more polished product this game. I do wonder if they're still going to wait until November 2027, or if they plan to launch them earlier in the year.

Visually the game has passed it's first test. Seems to be generally loved or at the very least acceptable across the internet. Odd that this game is what is giving me "next gen" vibes more than any other Nintendo published title so far. Presentation wise there is still a chance for the game to disappoint with lame cut scene or gameplay animations. There is still the slightest hint of run, stop, turn, run in the last few games. I hope Pokemon reside on roof tops, tree branches, walls, etc. Each game tries to do a little more with that like Applin on tree branches or spider pokemon walking across walls. I was genuinely surprised to see Ariados hanging from its webbing in the sewers of ZA. Seeing Pokemon do real world, animal like activities goes a long way to make the games feel real.

Gameplay wise please give us something meaningful to do outside of battles. Ride Pokemon may be out. Take a look at those little boards the human characters carry. My guess is they will transform into a skate/hover board, a hang glider, a sea scooter and some kind of a grip/sickle for climbing walls. I hope not as I'd rather have a Pokemon do these things for me while I control it but lets see how it turns out.

Pokemon Gameplay that I long for consists of meaningful control and action outside of battle. There has already been little hints and nudges in past generations and then it disappears while that dang ol' Rotom takes over again. Each of these abilities could grow more powerful or useful with more badges, higher levels, etc.

Riding & Jumping - If it's big enough let us get on top. There are so many large horse, dog and cat shaped pokemon that could easily allow us to hitch a ride with our favorites.
Climbing - Plenty of Pokemon learn Rock Climb. Let us latch on to their backs and away we go.
Gliding - Large winged Pokemon we can ride on. Smaller winged Pokemon, the human holds on to their feet.
Sensing - Allow us to control a Pokemon and use its senses to seek out aromas, ghosts, or navigate darkness through their eyes.
Smashing/Cutting/Digging - Manually control your chosen Pokemon to break through, cut through and dig through things to find secret items, passages, caves, etc.
Hot & Cold System - You don't just go walking through a volcano without an Ice or Water type at your side to keep you cool. When in the snowy mountains make sure there is a fire type near by if your winter clothes aren't enough.
Field Attacks - Control a Pokemon and just randomly let it throw a flamethrower or punch at your whim. Could activate puzzles, start battles, whatever.

So much more could be done to immerse the players. Remember in Lets Go you could ride almost any Pokemon if it was big enough? Then never again. All that doesn't even include what the human could be capable of. Let's get some Arceus style dive rolling and sneaking around. Not to mention manually throwing balls. Though judging by the way Pikachu was captured I think that's out but we'll see. Tell me you wouldn't enjoy some of these things.

My 39 year old body is still conditioned for N64/Gamecube/Wii/Wii U droughts. I still can't get used to something decent almost every month. So this coming in 2027 is like wow that's not so bad, plus it gives more time to polish. First gen in a long time to wait roughly 5 years after the previous one. You know Nintendo cracked the whip after they had to publicly apologize for the state of Scarlet and Violet. Look at that landscape, you know Monolith is in the kitchen somewhere.

As long as they bring back the co-op, that's all I really need.