Throughout the history of the Pokémon series, each region has drawn inspiration from real-world locations. Doing so has helped make the maps for each game flow nicely and gives their routes and towns a cultural flair. A few examples include Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn, based on various parts of Japan, as well as Kalos, inspired by France. The most recent games, Pokémon Sword and Shield, feature the Galar region, based on the UK. Because of this, fans are likely interested to see where the next new region could be based on.
It might be a while before players get a game with a new region, as there is speculation that remakes of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl could be the next new main-series games. However, with The Crown Tundra DLC appearing to wrap up Sword and Shield's story, many gamers might be imagining what the next location for their Pokémon journey will look like - and whether Pokémon's next region will be set in a location unlike any previous game's.
Setting a game in the United States' West Coast could make for an exciting adventure. While Unova appears to be based on New York, much of the U.S. has been left untouched by the Pokémon series. With interesting places like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon, as well as the haunting beaches of the Oregon Coast, setting a game in the American West could give players numerous interesting places to explore. Coupling this with the Wild Area mechanic of Sword and Shield, players could have the chance to open-world hunt for Pokémon in some of the United States' most iconic national landmarks.
Which Real-World Location Pokémon's Next Region Should Emulate
It would also be interesting to see a Pokémon game set in South America, possibly centered around Brazil. So far, no Pokémon games have been inspired by these areas, leaving a lot of potential to incorporate the different cultures and ecosystems there, which could make for some beautiful routes and towns. A Pokémon Wild Area or Safari Zone set in the Amazon rainforest would be amazing and would allow players a way to explore the vast jungle landscapes they may not get a chance to experience in real life. This could also be a good region to reintegrate Ruby and Sapphire's secret bases, hiding them in the trees of the dense forest.
Incorporating real-world cultures and fictionalized versions of real landmark makes the Pokémon experience feel more grounded and colorful. By exploring new locations in future Pokémon games, players could be given a chance to learn about real places they have never been and to appreciate how Pokémon's success is partially thanks to its incorporation of places from around the globe. This inclusion will continue to bring fans closer together in future games in the series.