Pokémon Sword & Shield: Where It Should Go From Here

Possibilities For Generation IX

However fans may feel about Sword & Shield, it’s clear that the games have a long lifetime ahead of them yet. With the expansion pass, it seems that players won’t be seeing a third title in the generation, which also goes against the grain.

As always, though, this doesn’t stop the faithful from looking ahead and wondering what might be in store with Generation IX. One thing’s for certain: another National Pokédex cut would go down just as badly as it did the first time, so a way to nab every single Pokémon to date will probably be crucial.

With subscription services like Pokémon Bank and Pokémon Home now also available, there's really little reason not to at least have a way to transfer every critter in existence from the get-go. After all, Nintendo do like money, don't they?

Another very popular request is the opportunity to visit multiple regions, an option that has been offered previously in the series. Combine this with an expanded, fully explorable Wild Area, more dynamic and exhilarating battles and a wide roster of new Pokémon (creative and unique type combinations will be a huge plus) and Game Freak will have an enormous winner on their hands.