The next two years of game releases will keep Pokémon fans busy. Players are already experiencing New Pokémon Snap, and with Pokémon Unite, Brilliant Diamond, and Shining Pearl set to release later this year, there won't be a shortage of Pokémon adventures to have. However, the same can't be said for 2022. Now that Pokémon Legends: Arceus has a confirmed release date, next year has an opening for at least one other new game release.
Fans of the franchise have become accustomed to yearly releases, whether it's from the main series or a spin-off, but the timing of Pokémon Legends: Arceus' release seemingly indicates there should be another Pokémon game released in 2022. Recent years show that Pokémon games are released during the holiday season, which is typically when the most money can be made. Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl will release in November 2021, but there is currently no title slotted for the 2022 holiday season.
The last five years saw the following Pokémon releases between October and December: Sun and Moon (2016), Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon (2017), Let's Go, Pikachu! and Eevee! (2018), Sword and Shield (2019), and The Crown Tundra DLC (2020). It's highly unlikely this pattern will break in 2022. Now, New Pokémon Snap was released in the first quarter of 2021 with the Gen 4 Pokémon remakes being released later this year during that same holiday window. So, does this mean Gen 9 may release in late 2022?
Will Generation 9 Or Other Pokémon Games Release In 2022
Pokémon Legends: Arceus appears to be a main series game, but the information revealed about it so far doesn't seem to push the world or story forward like a new generation would. However, The Pokémon Company and Game Freak could decide to fill the holiday 2022 slot with a spin-off title, but it wouldn't have the impact that another main series or a Generation 9 Pokémon game would.
Again, looking at the pattern of Pokémon game releases, each new generation releases approximately every three to four years. Pokémon Sword and Shield were released in 2019, and 2022 would mark three years since Generation 8 debuted. Another pattern involves the release of a certain type of main series game. These games normally fall into three categories: a new generation, a remake, or an upgraded third version like Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. So, the next title should be a third version of Sword and Shield, but the DLC essentially acted as upgraded versions of the Gen 8 games.
With all of this in mind, it seems like there's a strong possibility Gen 9 will be arriving in 2022, but recent years have shown fans The Pokémon Company bucking trends. However, whether it's Gen 9 or something else, Pokémon Legends: Arceus releasing so early next year leaves a massive gap during the holiday season that will need to be filled.