Summary

• The next Pokémon game should include a second region as postgame content, similar to Pokémon Gold and Silver's return to Kanto.
• Reviving a previous region in an open-world 3D setting would provide a new level of immersion and breathe new life into the franchise.
• Post-game content set in familiar regions like Kalos or Alola would offer expansive world-building and the potential for the return of unique mechanics.

The next Generation of Pokémon games should revive what is arguably the franchise’s best and most elaborate post-game feature. There are plenty of features that Pokémon’s Gen 10 could include, both building on the mechanics included in recent releases and introducing entirely new content. But there are also older concepts that the franchise deserves to revisit which could radically improve the next titles.

Post-game content allows any game to extend its lifespan well beyond the main storyline, and Pokémon games are no exception. For example, even without taking into the released DLC, epilogue to Scarlet and Violet, Mochi Mayhem. The DLC greatly increases the world of the games, but Gen 10 could do even better than what The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero accomplishes.

Pokémon’s Core Gen 10 Games' Post-Game Should Feature Two Regions

With Gen 10 well positioned to increase the scope of individual Pokémon games once more, there is nothing to prevent it from bringing back what is arguably the most impressive form of post-game content the franchise has ever had: a second region. Pokémon Gold and Silver, followed by Crystal and their later Gen 4 remakes, allowed players to return to Kanto after completing the main story in Johto. This meant that not only could people see how the region had changed since Red and Blue, but also battle the original set of Gyms for a total of 16 Badges.

The return to Kanto in Gen 2 also preceded the most iconic battle of the early franchise: the battle against former protagonist Red atop Mount Silver.

Returning to a previous region once more would be an incredible experience, particularly if said region has yet to be depicted in fully open-world 3D like the most recent titles. The blend of nostalgic influences and new content has the potential to make such a game one of the best to date, assuming that the new games finally learn from Scarlet and Violet’s performance issues. Moreover, given that a dual-region game has been a popular wish for years, the fulfillment of that collective dream would undoubtedly be a very popular decision.

It is also worth noting that as it is likely that Gen 10 will be on the Switch 2, a second region would provide a perfect opportunity to demonstrate the full capabilities of the hardware. More advanced processing should allow the console to not only populate the world more heavily with Pokémon and NPCs, but also properly render a continuous world for them to inhabit at greater distances than the original Switch is capable of. The vibrant views that this could produce would give a new level of immersion to the franchise, imbuing Pokémon with more life than ever before.

Introducing A Second Region In One Game Could Revive Iconic Pokémon Features

Of course, with 9 previous Generations of Pokémon to consider, there are plenty of potential settings for a game that does feature two regions. Although Kanto and Johto were linked by rail in Gold and Silver, more far-ranging international travel is equally possible. However, it is easy to assume that the chosen region would most likely not be one that has not been featured in a game for a long time; as such, the settings of remakes like Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, as well as the expected Gen 5 games, seem to be less likely destinations.

With this in mind, regions like Kalos or Alola seem to be the most likely candidates for a new Pokémon game’s second region. Kalos is unique to Pokémon X and Y, while Alola’s two sets of paired games both belong to Gen 7, meaning that the underlying scope of technical improvements was very limited. Johto is, interestingly, another such possibility, considering it last appeared in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver over a decade ago. Converting one of these regions in particular into an open-world setting would therefore presumably have the best impact.

Post-game content set in any of these regions could be incredibly expansive in both world-building and gameplay features. In addition to seeing how the regions and their inhabitants have changed and grown, there could be a revival of their own unique mechanics. The possibility of new Mega Evolutions and Z-Moves in particular would be very exciting for many, but other features should not be dismissed. For example, the return of Alola’s Ride Pokémon would provide a variety of options to help in freely exploring the game world.

Two Regions Have Incredible Potential For Pokémon Gen 10 Games

The appeal of a Pokémon game with two regions to explore is clear. It would presumably offer twice the content of other Pokémon games from the outset, even without DLC. Furthermore, as regions can go for many years without being featured in a release after their debut titles, the return to somebody’s favorite setting is sure to be an extremely appealing detail in of both playing the game and its general marketability. It is a prospect that has remained popular for decades, as proven by the recent interest in rumors that Scarlet and Violet’s DLC would involve revisiting Kalos.

Wherever the next core Pokémon game setting and its inspiration will be, it is sure to bring brand-new sights and experiences. However, the appeal of revisiting some more familiar locations as well cannot be denied, and the potential of the Switch 2 makes having both in one title more possible than ever before. Because of this, Pokémon’s Gen 10 could be the biggest yet, with more post-game content than any previous entries in the franchise.