The Pokémon series is due to receive its next mainline remakes later this year, as Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl will launch in November. This raises the question of whether Pokémon Black and White remakes are going to follow them.

It didn't take long for the Pokémon series to start remaking its older titles, as Pokémon Red and Blue were remade as Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen on the Game Boy Advance due to the inability to trade Pokémon from the first two generations of games into the newer Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. The Pokémon Company kept releasing remakes with each new console generation, with Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver coming to the Nintendo DS, and Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire being released on the Nintendo 3DS.

Related: The Pokémon Company Had Its Best Year Ever In 2020

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are fourth generation Pokémon games being remade for the Nintendo Switch. The Pokémon Company has tied one remake generation to a console, even when that system received multiple mainline games, though the Switch might have already broken that pattern if one considers the Let's Go games as remakes of Pokémon Yellow. The Nintendo Switch is a big hit, so it will stick around for years to come. This means that Pokémon Black and White remakes could be on the way.

Pokémon: The Return To Unova

Pokemon Black 2 White 2

It feels like a question of "when" rather than "if" when it comes to remakes of Pokémon Black and White. Remakes give The Pokémon Company a great way to fill holes in its schedule, especially when new mainline games are still in development. There's a strong template to work from and a built-in audience with nostalgia for the Unova region featured in both games, and since the development of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl were passed to ILCA, the same could potentially be done for the Unova remakes, making them feel like a solid bet.

What's less certain is the platform. Though there are rumors of a new Switch Pro model in development, the Nintendo Switch is roughly halfway through its lifespan, if the lifespans of past Nintendo systems are taken into account. There's a good chance that Pokémon Black and White remakes could be on the Switch, but they would likely be released near the end of the system's lifespan, so The Pokémon Company might hold off until the Switch's successor.

There's also the question of Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 remakes. These were the first direct sequels in the series and they use the same setting and many of the same characters. There is an easy way to release these games. According to DestructoidGame Freak confirmed that Expansion Pass-style DLC for Pokémon Sword and Shield is replacing the third version concept from earlier games. As such, it makes a lot of sense to release remakes of Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 as DLC for the original remakes.

The Performance Of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond And Shining Pearl Has Guaranteed The Unova Remakes

The critical reception and fan response to Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl has been mixed, to say the least. Many have complained about the game's poor graphics, lack of new features, antiquated design choices, and lack of Pokémon Platinum content. The vocal online response is meaningless, however, as Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are sales juggernauts. The games have already sold over six million units within the space of two months.

Nintendo's next financial report will shine further details on the Sinnoh remakes sales figures, but there's no denying that the games have sold a large amount of copies. If low effort remakes of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl can be huge holiday season hits for The Pokémon Company, then Unova remakes are definitely on the cards. It wouldn't be surprising if developer ILCA was brought back on board to make the Pokémon Black and White remakes, using the same assets made for Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.

Next: Why Pokémon Diamond & Pearl Remakes Should Bring Back Mega Evolution

Source: Destructoid