Pokémon Sun and Moon’s Third Entry Possible “Switch” Entry

Pokémon Sun and Moon just released worldwide for the Nintendo 3DS, and fans are already looking for its third entry. With Nintendo's new console under production, rumors are circulating that the new console will receive the seventh generation's third title.

Working under the codename Pokémon Stars, Eurogamer reports that the third entry for Sun and Moon is under development, and is scheduled for a 2017 release. According to the report, Stars was developed alongside Sun and Moon, but had to temporarily sideline it to complete the main games as the release date neared. Now that they are out, Game Freak, the developer of the games since its inception, has Stars back at the operating table.

The report points out a teaser for the game released last February, which shows concept art and models, including the Pokémon Pikipek. The report claims that the footage is for the Switch, yet no confirmation has been made at the moment.

It is not new for Game Freak to make an additional main entry for each generation (Yellow for Gen One, Crystal for Gen Two, Emerald for Gen Three, Platinum for Gen Four and Black 2 and White 2 for Gen Five), except for the Sixth Gen that had Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire remakes instead. The core series games also share the distinction of being handheld releases, from the first gen coming out on the Game Boy to the current Sun and Moon being 3DS games.

According to Twinfinite, Game Freak confirmed last September that they will be working on games for the Nintendo Switch.  If those "games" include Pokémon Stars, then it would be the first main Pokémon game to be released on a home console.  To the defense of Switch, however, Nintendo is marketing their new device as both a home console and a handheld, so a Pokémon game may still feel at home in it.

Gameplay-wise, Stars should not be different from Sun and Moon. As with most third entries, it should contain the same map, routes catchable Pokémon. The story may differ a bit, though it should still be mainly in line with the main game. Trading, a common feature among the Pokémon games, should also be available through the existing Pokémon Bank app.