The Absence of Switch 2 in Pokémon Presents
Nintendo Switch 2, a key stakeholder in The Pokémon Company, has long maintained an inseparable link between its consoles and the Pokémon franchise. With Pokémon being one of the most significant brands on Nintendo platforms alongside Mario, many were surprised when the recent Pokémon Presents livestream made no mention of the company’s next-generation console, the Switch 2. This omission stood out, especially as two major Pokémon games—Pokémon Champions and Pokémon Legends: Z-A—were announced during the event.
Pokémon Champions, a multiplayer battler, is set to launch on “the Nintendo Switch family of consoles” as well as mobile devices, with no confirmed release date. Given its development timeline, it is highly likely to be a cross-generational title. Meanwhile, Pokémon Legends: Z-A has a confirmed late 2025 release window, coinciding with the planned launch of the Switch 2. Acknowledging the new hardware in the presentation would have been a logical move, reassuring fans about its place in the franchise’s future.
Moreover, Pokémon Presents could have served as a strategic opportunity for Nintendo to generate excitement for the Switch 2, bridging the gap between its initial announcement in January and the anticipated information reveal in April. The event, tailored for a passionate Pokémon audience, was a prime occasion to spark interest in Nintendo’s next console. Instead, the silence left fans speculating about the reasoning behind this decision.
Nintendo’s Strategic Silence and Internal Roadmaps
Nintendo’s decision to withhold any mention of the Switch 2 during the Pokémon Presents event may have stemmed from internal planning and marketing strategies. As a company known for its meticulous approach to announcements, Nintendo has been deliberately quiet about its upcoming console, ensuring a well-coordinated PR rollout. The major information drop set for April suggests a tightly controlled timeline, possibly preventing any premature details from being disclosed.
Another plausible explanation lies in the separation of PR strategies between Nintendo and The Pokémon Company. While Pokémon Day’s livestream was fixed on the calendar, Nintendo’s marketing roadmap for the Switch 2 remained distinct, leading to a disconnect in announcement timing. Even though Nintendo holds a significant stake in The Pokémon Company, breaking its embargo for this event could have disrupted internal plans or even caused friction with other third-party partners.
Despite these considerations, choosing to keep quiet might have been a missed opportunity to build early hype for the Nintendo Switch 2. Addressing its compatibility with upcoming Pokémon games could have reassured fans while still maintaining the company’s broader marketing approach.
Managing Expectations for Nintendo Switch 2’s Capabilities
Beyond internal scheduling conflicts, another reason for Nintendo’s reluctance could be how Pokémon Champions and Z-A align with the Switch 2’s branding. Neither of these games are expected to be groundbreaking, hardware-intensive exclusives for the new console. Pokémon Champions will also be available on smartphones, and Z-A is set for the original Switch. As a result, they are not titles that would showcase the full graphical potential of the Nintendo Switch 2.
Nintendo has positioned the Switch 2 as a more advanced version of its predecessor, likely with enhanced visuals and performance improvements. Showcasing graphically simpler Pokémon games at this early stage could have led to unnecessary scrutiny, with analysts dissecting footage for signs of performance differences or next-gen technologies like DLSS. Instead of fueling excitement, this could have invited skepticism about the new console’s capabilities.
As a result, Nintendo opted for a cautious approach, instructing The Pokémon Company to avoid acknowledging the Nintendo Switch 2’s involvement. While this strategy may preserve the element of surprise for the April reveal, it leaves Pokémon fans in the dark about how their favorite franchise will transition to the next era of Nintendo gaming. For now, the company maintains its traditional secrecy, keeping the anticipation high until it is ready to make a definitive statement.
